Looking for an English story about famous friends. . .

a great friendship

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison met in 1776. Could it have been any other year? They worked together starting then to further American Revolution and later to shape the new scheme of government. From the work sprang a perhaps friendship incomparable in intimacy and the trustfulness of collaboration and induration. It lasted 50 years. It included pleasure and utility but over and above them, there were shared purpose, a common end and an enduring goodness on both sides. Four and a half months before he died, when he was ailing, debt-ridden, and worried about his impoverished family, Jefferson wrote to his longtime friend. His words and Madison's reply remind us that friends are friends until death. They also remind us that sometimes a friendship has a bearing on things larger than the friendship itself, for has there ever been a friendship of greater public consequence than this one?

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison met in 1776. Why this year? At that time, they began to work together to promote the American Revolution, and later worked together to draft a new draft for the government. The friendships fostered in these collaborations are close, trustworthy and indestructible. This friendship lasted fifty years. There is joy and collaboration, and they are moving towards the same goals together, benefiting each other continuously over the years. Four and a half months before his death, Jefferson was seriously ill, deeply in debt, and worried about his family's poverty, so he wrote a letter to his close friend. From his letter and Madison's reply, we can see that these two friends are lifelong friends; and sometimes, the significance of their friendship goes beyond the friendship itself. This friendship brings great benefits to the public. The far-reaching impact is unprecedented.

"The friendship which has subsisted between us now half a century, the harmony of our political principles and pursuits have been sources of constant happiness to me through that long period. It's also been a great solace to me to believe that you're engaged in vindicating to posterity the course that we've pursued for preserving to them, in all their purity, their blessings of self-government, which we

had assisted in acquiring for them. If ever the earth has beheld a system of administration conducted with a single and steadfast eye to the general interest and happiness of those committed to it, one which, protected by truth, can never known reproach, it is that to which our lives have been devoted. To myself you have been a pillar of support throughout life. Take care of me when dead and be assured that I should leave with you my last affections."

"The friendship between you and me has been After half a century, the harmony we have achieved in our political principles and pursuits has brought me a steady stream of happiness over the long years. One of my great comforts is that I believe you are still working on it. A cause that benefits future generations - this is a cause that we have fought for them, and we have also worked hard to pass on their excellent system of transparent self-governance. I hope that there will be a governance system in the world that will be implemented with an unwavering eye to review it, guarding the public interests and the happiness of those who strive for it. A system based on truth will never be criticized. This is what we have devoted our lives to. Myself, and you, have been a lifelong supporter of this. Please take care of my affairs after my death, and please believe that my friendship will always be with you.

"(February 17, 1826)

A week later Madison replied-

A week later, Madison wrote a reply-

"You cannot look back to the long period of our private friendship and political harmony with more affecting recollections than I do. If they are a source of pleasure to you, what aren't they not to be to me? We cannot be deprived of the happy consciousness of the pure devotion to the public good with Which we discharge the trust committed to us and I indulge a confidence that sufficient evidence will find in its way to another generation to ensure, after we are gone, whatever of justice may be withheld whilst we are here. "

"In the past long years, your friendship and our consistent political views always make me deeply moved when I think back. They bring joy to you, and why don't they do the same to me? We shoulder the trust of the people and work hard for the welfare of the public, and the happiness we get from it is indelible. I firmly believe that no matter how we are currently judged, all our contributions will be judged by the next generation behind us. "

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