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| James Madison |
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attended Princeton (then called the College of New Jersey). A student of history and
government, well-read in law, he participated in the framing of the Virginia Constitution in
1776, served in the Continental Congress, and was a leader in the Virginia Assembly.
When delegates to the Constitutional Convention assembled at Philadelphia, the 36-year-old
Madison took frequent and emphatic part in the debates.
Madison made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. In later years, when he was referred
to as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison protested that the document was not "the
off-spring of a single brain," but "the work of many heads and many hands."
In Congress, he helped frame the Bill of Rights and enact the first revenue legislation. Out of
his leadership in opposition to Hamilton's financial proposals, which he felt would unduly
bestow wealth and power upon northern financiers, came the development of the Republican,
or Jeffersonian, Party.
As President Jefferson's Secretary of State, Madison protested to warring France and Britain
that their seizure of American ships was contrary to international law. The protests, John
Randolph acidly commented, had the effect of "a shilling pamphlet hurled against eight
hundred ships of war."
Despite the unpopular Embargo Act of 1807, which did not make the belligerent nations
change their ways but did cause a depression in the United States, Madison was elected
President in 1808. Before he took office the Embargo Act was repealed.
During the first year of Madison's Administration, the United States prohibited trade with both
Britain and France; then in May, 1810, Congress authorized trade with both, directing the
President, if either would accept America's view of neutral rights, to forbid trade with the
other nation.
Napoleon pretended to comply. Late in 1810, Madison proclaimed non-intercourse with Great
Britain. In Congress a young group including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the "War
Hawks," pressed the President for a more militant policy.
The British impressment of American seamen and the seizure of cargoes impelled Madison to
give in to the pressure. On June 1, 1812, he asked Congress to declare war.
The young Nation was not prepared to fight; its forces took a severe trouncing. The British
entered Washington and set fire to the White House and the Capitol.
But a few notable naval and military victories, climaxed by Gen. Andrew Jackson's triumph at
New Orleans, convinced Americans that the War of 1812 had been gloriously successful. An
upsurge of nationalism resulted. The New England Federalists who had opposed the war--and
who had even talked secession--were so thoroughly repudiated that Federalism disappeared
as a national party.
In retirement at Montpelier, his estate in Orange County, Virginia, Madison spoke out against
the disruptive states' rights influences that by the 1830's threatened to shatter the Federal
Union. In a note opened after his death in 1836, he stated, "The advice nearest to my heart
and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated."
government, well-read in law, he participated in the framing of the Virginia Constitution in
1776, served in the Continental Congress, and was a leader in the Virginia Assembly.
When delegates to the Constitutional Convention assembled at Philadelphia, the 36-year-old
Madison took frequent and emphatic part in the debates.
Madison made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. In later years, when he was referred
to as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison protested that the document was not "the
off-spring of a single brain," but "the work of many heads and many hands."
In Congress, he helped frame the Bill of Rights and enact the first revenue legislation. Out of
his leadership in opposition to Hamilton's financial proposals, which he felt would unduly
bestow wealth and power upon northern financiers, came the development of the Republican,
or Jeffersonian, Party.
As President Jefferson's Secretary of State, Madison protested to warring France and Britain
that their seizure of American ships was contrary to international law. The protests, John
Randolph acidly commented, had the effect of "a shilling pamphlet hurled against eight
hundred ships of war."
Despite the unpopular Embargo Act of 1807, which did not make the belligerent nations
change their ways but did cause a depression in the United States, Madison was elected
President in 1808. Before he took office the Embargo Act was repealed.
During the first year of Madison's Administration, the United States prohibited trade with both
Britain and France; then in May, 1810, Congress authorized trade with both, directing the
President, if either would accept America's view of neutral rights, to forbid trade with the
other nation.
Napoleon pretended to comply. Late in 1810, Madison proclaimed non-intercourse with Great
Britain. In Congress a young group including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the "War
Hawks," pressed the President for a more militant policy.
The British impressment of American seamen and the seizure of cargoes impelled Madison to
give in to the pressure. On June 1, 1812, he asked Congress to declare war.
The young Nation was not prepared to fight; its forces took a severe trouncing. The British
entered Washington and set fire to the White House and the Capitol.
But a few notable naval and military victories, climaxed by Gen. Andrew Jackson's triumph at
New Orleans, convinced Americans that the War of 1812 had been gloriously successful. An
upsurge of nationalism resulted. The New England Federalists who had opposed the war--and
who had even talked secession--were so thoroughly repudiated that Federalism disappeared
as a national party.
In retirement at Montpelier, his estate in Orange County, Virginia, Madison spoke out against
the disruptive states' rights influences that by the 1830's threatened to shatter the Federal
Union. In a note opened after his death in 1836, he stated, "The advice nearest to my heart
and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated."
Born on March 16th, 1751, James
Madison was the 4th President of
the United States as a member of
the Democratic-Republican Party.
At his inauguration, James Madison,
a small, wizened man, appeared old
and worn; Washington Irving
described him as "but a withered
little apple-John." But whatever his
deficiencies in charm, Madison's
buxom wife Dolley compensated for
them with her warmth and gaiety.
She was the toast of Washington.
Born in 1751, Madison was brought
up in Orange County, Virginia, and
Madison was the 4th President of
the United States as a member of
the Democratic-Republican Party.
At his inauguration, James Madison,
a small, wizened man, appeared old
and worn; Washington Irving
described him as "but a withered
little apple-John." But whatever his
deficiencies in charm, Madison's
buxom wife Dolley compensated for
them with her warmth and gaiety.
She was the toast of Washington.
Born in 1751, Madison was brought
up in Orange County, Virginia, and