Washington, George, first President

Autograph letter signed (G:^o Washington), one page bifolium with address leaf (11 3/4 x 8 in.; 297 x 200 mm), New York, 5 May 1789, to James Madison, asking for his help in drafting a reply to the House of Representatives; numerous fold splits.

Charles Hamilton, December 1972

Papers, Presidential Series , ed. W.W. Abbot, 2: 216–217

Washington calls upon James Madison's assistance to draft an address to the House of Representatives. Early in January 1789, Washington had begun work on his first inaugural address. On 2 January, Washington wrote to Madison that he wanted to send him  by safe conveyance "a private and confidential letter" (Papers, Presidential Series 1:229). Madison's annotations on the 2 January letter indicate that the confidential letter dealt with Washington's address.  Madison records on the 2 January letter that "the letter being peculiarly confidential was returned or rather left with its enclosure, at Mt Vernon on my way to N. York. The return tho not asked nor probably expected, was suggested by a motive of delicacy." this statement was followed by a deletion of about ten words. Madison then commented: "nor was any copy of my answer to the communication retained" (Papers, Presidential Series1:230, n.1). Washington's letter of 16 February to Madison clearly indicates that it was a question of sending Madison a draft of the address for his comments and revisions.  

Washington read his address at his inauguration at Federal Hall, New York, on 30 April 1789. Five days later, the House of Representatives sent the President a formal address of congratulations, acknowledging "the anxieties with which you must have obeyed a summons from the repose reserved for your declining years, into public scenes, of which you had taken leave forever. But the obedience was due to the occasion. It is already applauded by the universal joy which welcomes you to your station. And we cannot doubt that it will be rewarded with all the satisfaction, with which an ardent love for your fellow citizens must review successful efforts to promote their happiness (Papers, Presidential Series 2:215).

Washington carefully considered his response, and wrote once more to James Madison on 5 May for his assistance: "I am under the labour which is imposed upon you by Public Individuals as well as public bodies—yet, as you have begun, so I could wish you to finish, the good work in a short reply to the Address of the House of Representatives (which I now enclose) that there may be an accordance in this business ... As the first of everything, in our situation will serve to establish a Precendent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles" (Papers, Presidential Series 2:216–217). That response was delivered on 9 May and  was sold in our rooms 13 December 2011 (lot 296).