細節
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph note (with initials "GW" in text) as President, TO JAMES MADISON, n.p., "Sunday, Feb. 19th" [1792]. 1 page, 12mo, verso addressed in Washington's hand: "Mr. Madison," traces of red wax seal, small repair at blank corner, the sheet professionally inlaid at edges.
WASHINGTON CONFERS WITH MADISON ON HIS RETIREMENT
"If Mr. Madison could make it convenient to spare half an hour from other matters, GW would like to see him at 11 Oclock today."
A most intriguing short note, which, it is believed, documents the first time Washington, in a private conversation with Madison, made known his desire to retire from public life at the end of his first term. Madison met with the President again on May 5, and afterwards wrote a "Memorandum on a Discussion of the President's Retirement," alluding to an earlier conversation, probably the one arranged by the present note. Madison recorded that, on the 5th, "Washington opened the conversation by observing that having some time ago communicated to me his intention of retiring from public affairs on the expiration of his four years, he wished to advise with me on the mode and time most proper for making known that intention. He had he said spoken with no one yet on those particular points...." Madison, Papers, ed. Rutland et al., 14:299-303). Concerning the meeting on Sunday, February 19th, Victor H. Paltsits concluded that "it was undoubtedly the occasion on which Washington made known for the first time his intention to retire" (Washington's Farewell Address, New York, 1935, p.211 n.1, quoted in Madison, Papers, 14:234. The letter is published in Washington, Writings, ed. J. C. Fitzpatrick, 31:481.
Provenance: Judge E. A. Armstrong, Princeton, N.J., who supplied a photocopy of the document to the editors of the Washington Papers in 1939 - Dr. Ernest F. Slater (sale, Parke-Bernet, 23 November 1954, lot 751).
WASHINGTON CONFERS WITH MADISON ON HIS RETIREMENT
"If Mr. Madison could make it convenient to spare half an hour from other matters, GW would like to see him at 11 Oclock today."
A most intriguing short note, which, it is believed, documents the first time Washington, in a private conversation with Madison, made known his desire to retire from public life at the end of his first term. Madison met with the President again on May 5, and afterwards wrote a "Memorandum on a Discussion of the President's Retirement," alluding to an earlier conversation, probably the one arranged by the present note. Madison recorded that, on the 5th, "Washington opened the conversation by observing that having some time ago communicated to me his intention of retiring from public affairs on the expiration of his four years, he wished to advise with me on the mode and time most proper for making known that intention. He had he said spoken with no one yet on those particular points...." Madison, Papers, ed. Rutland et al., 14:299-303). Concerning the meeting on Sunday, February 19th, Victor H. Paltsits concluded that "it was undoubtedly the occasion on which Washington made known for the first time his intention to retire" (Washington's Farewell Address, New York, 1935, p.211 n.1, quoted in Madison, Papers, 14:234. The letter is published in Washington, Writings, ed. J. C. Fitzpatrick, 31:481.
Provenance: Judge E. A. Armstrong, Princeton, N.J., who supplied a photocopy of the document to the editors of the Washington Papers in 1939 - Dr. Ernest F. Slater (sale, Parke-Bernet, 23 November 1954, lot 751).