To James Madison from George Washington, 19 February 1792
From George Washington
Sunday Feb. 19th. [1792]
If Mr. Madison could make it convenient to spare half an hour from other matters, GW would be glad to see him at 11 Oclock to day.1
RC (photostat, DLC: Washington Papers); Tr (MH: Sparks Transcripts). RC addressed by Washington. The RC was offered for sale by Parke-Bernet Galleries in 1954.
1. JM noted in his “Substance of a Conversation with the President” (see memorandum of 5 May 1792) that Washington had previously discussed with him his desire to retire from the presidency at the end of his first term. Concerning this Sunday morning meeting, Victor H. Paltsits concluded that “it was undoubtedly on this occasion that Washington made known for the first time his intention to retire” (Washington’s Farewell Address [New York, 1935], p. 211 n. 1).