"2d. For the perpetuity of their union and brotherly affec"tion-for a good administration insured by a happy union "of watchfulness and confidence. 3d. That happiness of “people under auspices of liberty may be complete. 4th. "That by a prudent use of the blessing, they may recom"mend it to the affection, the praise, and the adoption of "every nation yet a stranger to it." 66 66 The tenth is as follows: "Perhaps here we ought to end. "But an unconquerable solicitude for the happiness of his country will not permit him to leave the scene, without availing himself of whatever confidence may remain in "him to strengthen some sentiments which he believes to be "essential to their happiness, and to recommend some rules "of conduct, the importance of which his own experience "has more than ever impressed on him." Thus far these sentiments in the abstract are gleaned from the draught of Madison, who in part took them from the letter of Washington, and in part originated them under his instructions; but they are much more Madison's than they are Washington's in point of origin; and having been adopted by Washington in his draught, Hamilton has followed them, and except in one point, hereafter to be noted, a point suggested by Washington in his letter to Madison, has exhausted Madison's draught, modified some of his expressions, and placed them in the abstract in an order in some respects Hamilton's own. They are subsequently introduced at the commencement of Hamilton's draught, in language something more easy and fluent, though equally plain, omitting one head altogether, the head of rotation in office, and changing one phrase of some sharpness responsive to Washington's sensibility to invective, "amidst discouraging scenes "and efforts to poison its source," into "situations in which "not unfrequently want of success has seconded the criti"cisms of malevolence;" and thus abating the pungency of the phrase in the abstract. The effort to keep from the Address every pointed reference to the political party maltreatment which Washington thought he had received, is conspicuous on the part of Hamilton throughout, his noble design being to make it speak a language that was both generous and catholic, and which would meet with acceptance at all future time by wise and good men. ROTATION-Hamilton leaves out altogether from his draught, thinking, no doubt, though Madison introduced it upon Washington's qualified suggestion, or perhaps unqualified, if the original letter to Madison is a truer reading than that of Mr. Sparks,* that mere rotation, without regard to circumstances, was unreasonable and restrictive of the Constitution; and that to attempt to state the circumstances, would lead to suppositions and discriminations which would not obtain general assent. In such matters the subsequent surrender by Washington of personal feelings and personal predilection, shows both the soundness of his judgment and the nobleness of his spirit. Even the word "malevolent" has been struck from the Address, either by Hamilton in his corrected copy, or in his revision, or by Washington himself. After these heads of the abstract, come the great heads of the work, with the subdivisions of some of them; and it is here that the public principles of the Address begin to assume their order, and to receive their analysis. The central thought and sentiment of the piece is the * See p. 19, supra. UNION, which is the eleventh head; and from this all subsequent thoughts radiate, and it may be said, with equal truth, that they all converge to it, illustrate its value, and tend to corroborate it. "It is the rock of their salvation; presenting 66 66 summarily these ideas: 1. Strength and greater security "from external danger. 2. Internal peace, and avoiding "the necessity of establishments dangerous to liberty. 3. "Avoids the effect of foreign intrigue. 4. Breaks the force of "factions, by rendering combinations more difficult." The great natural bond of Union,-what may almost be called the religion of its nature, is selected by the abstract as the first matter to be developed-" the fitness of the parts for "each other by their very discriminations. 1. The North, "by its capacity for maritime strength and manufacture. "2. The agricultural South furnishing materials, and requiring those protections. The Atlantic board to the "western country by the strong interests of peace, and the "western by the necessity of Atlantic maritime protection. "Cannot be sure of their great outlet otherwise—cannot "trust a foreign connection. Solid interests invite to Union. Speculations of difficulty of government ought not to be indulged, nor momentary jealousies-lead to impatience. "Faction and individual ambition are the only advisers of "disunion:" and then, noting for remembrance the jealousies existing at that time in the West, in regard to the Mississippi and its outlet, and the late treaty with Spain, which tended to allay them, it repeats, "Let confidence be "cherished; let the recent experience of the West be a "lesson against impatience and distrust.” 66 66 The twelfth is the "actual government,” the government which the Constitution provides for the Union. "Cherish “the actual government. It is the government of our own "choice-free in its principles, the guardian of our common 66 66 66 66 66 rights, the patron of our common interests, and containing "within itself a provision for its own amendment. But let "that provision be cautiously used—not abused; changing only, in any material points, as experience shall direct; "neither indulging speculations of too much or too little "force in the system, and remembering always the extent of our country. Time and habit of great consequence to every government, of whatever structure. Discourage the spirit "of faction, the bane of free government; and particularly "avoid founding it on geographical discriminations. Discoun"tenance slander of public men. Let the departments of government avoid interfering and mutual encroachments." These being the guiding notes for a comprehensive statement of the particular advantages of the government which the Constitution had provided, of the means of amending cautiously its defects, when ascertained, and of the dangers which might threaten it, founded on geographical discriminations, or promoted by encroachments of the departments on each other, the abstract proceeds with heads, to introduce such admonitions as concern the people in their personal relations, private and public: "Thirteenth. Morals, religion, industry, commerce, economy-Cherish public "credit-Source of strength and security-Adherence to systematic views." 66 66 "Also their relations to foreign nations: Fourteenth. "Cherish good faith, justice, and peace with other nations. "1. Because religion and morality dictate it. 2. Because policy dictates it. If there could exist a nation inva 66 66 riably honest and faithful, the benefits would be immense. "But avoid national antipathies or national attachments:" and then follows, in emphatic italics, "Display the evils: "fertile source of wars, instrument of ambitious rulers." 66 66 66 As distinct heads, then follow four others, which branch out naturally from the preceding: "Fifteenth. Republics "peculiarly exposed to foreign intrigue; those sentiments lay them open to it. Sixteenth. The great rule of our foreign policy ought to be to have as little political con"nection as possible with foreign nations; cultivating com"merce with all by general and natural means, diffusing and diversifying it, but forcing nothing; and cherish the senti"ment of independence, taking pride in the appellation of “American;” and against this last note the margin adds, establishing temporary and convenient rules, that commerce may be placed on a stable footing; merchants know "their commerce; how to support them, not seeking favors." "Seventeenth. Our separation from Europe renders standing "alliances inexpedient, subjecting our peace and interest to "the primary and complicated relations of European inte"rests. Keeping constantly in view to place ourselves upon 66 66 66 a respectable defensive, and, if forced into controversy, "trusting to connections of the occasion. Eighteenth. Our "attitude imposing, and rendering this policy safe. But "this must be with the exception of existing engagements, "to be preserved, but not extended." The remaining heads of division may be noticed summarily. The nineteenth is a hint to remark, that it is not expected that these admonitions can control the course of human passions; but if it moderates them in some instances, Washington's endeavor is rewarded. The twentieth, that the public records must witness how far his administra |