^
there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more pureminded, ujjright, gentlemanly young man.
Immediately ujwn leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
practice of his i)rofession he rose rapidly and distin-
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer. But the times called for greater action.
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active [xjlitical life. In 1769 he was chosen
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In
1772 he married .Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very oeauti-
fiil, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow
Uix)n Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, thare
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This s]»t Mr. Jefferson selected for his new
home; and here he reared a m.msion of modest ye?
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon
became the most distinguished resort in our land.
In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress,
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
was placed u|X)n a number of im|xjrtant committees,
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw-
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com-
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger .Siierman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apixiinted
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con-
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that
28
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
man — what the emotions that swelled his breast —
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec-
laration, which, while it made known tlie wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re-
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort
of tlie mind of its author exist, that alone would be
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality.
Ill 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, :.s Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef-
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses-
sion of the British troo()s. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and
in the summer of 1782 she died.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.
Two ye irs later he was appointed Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned
Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.
The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra-
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition intc the Spanish territories on our
\0uthwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming tiiere
a new republic. This has lieen generally supposed
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.
In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
forty years, he had been continually before the pub-
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and res[>onsiliility. Having thus de-
voted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years retpiired, and u[X)n the organization of
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare-
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio.
Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses, —
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses, — and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a
fashionable watering-iilace.
The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-
sary of the Declaration of American Independence,
great preparations were made in every pait of tht
Union for its celebration, as tlie nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
of tlie occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer.
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill-
ness, whicli had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled him to
decline the invitation.
On the second of July, the disease under which
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc
hope of his recovery. From this time he \v:is perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the nex'.
dny, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of tlie month, and on being told it was
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha.
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftietl'
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- -
the day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole naticni, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.
Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin-
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper-
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had laboicd together for tlie good of
the country; and now hand in hand they depart
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not
divided.
In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore-
head broad, and his whole cour*enance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and ;.:s command of tem-
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends
never recollected to have seen him in a passion.
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un-
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver-
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiaslic ; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.
LIBRARY
UNIVERSIIY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
J- (Z't^ "■ " -"^^^
i^^cc-t-f tr ^
FO UJi TH'PRESIDENT.
3k
^ PIPES n]^DISOI].
; AMES MADIS<1\, "Father
,^ of tlie Constitution," and fourth
]i^' President of the United States,
i was born March i6, 1757, and
died at his home in Virginia,
June 28, 1836. The name of
' lines Madison is inseparably con-
nected with most of tiie iniiwrtant
events in that heroic period of our
country during which the founda-
tions of this great repubUc were
laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution of the United
States to ))e called to his eternal
reward.
The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the N'ew World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesa-
]>eake but 15 years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an opulent
planter, residing ujxjn a very fine es-
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
(5T2 the njidst of scenery highly pictur-
i esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest |)ersonal and
political attachment existed between these illustrious
men, from tlicir early youth until death.
The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.
Here he applied himself to study with the most im-
t'iil
m
prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf '
quent career.
Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading.
This educational course, the spirit of the times in
which he lived, and the society with which he asso-
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ot
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed es()ecial atten-
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd
singularly free from passion and i)rejudice, and with
almost unequalled ixjwers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.
In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State. The next year
('777)> he was a candidate for the General .\ssembly.
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and
consequently lost his election ; but those who had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,
and he was appointed to the Executive Council.
Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. ftladison remained
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of hia
32
JAMES MADtSON.
intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of
the most conspicuous positions among them.
For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.
No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na-
tional government, with no {X)wer to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to apiwint commis-
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss
this subject. Five States only were represented. The
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at
the time apix)inled. Every State but Rhode Island
was represented. Ceorge Washington was chosen
president of the convention; and the present Consti-
tution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac-
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.
The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was
to be presented to the several States for acceptance.
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent
States, with but little [wwer at home and little lespect
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven-
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 1789.
Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the
avowed leader of the Rejiublican party. Wiiile in
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a
young widow of remarkable jxjwer of fascination,
whom he married. She was in person and character
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied
so prominent a ]X)sition in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs.
Madison.
Mr. Madison served as Secretar)'of State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration
was chosen President. At this time the encroach-
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. ,
British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and
our Hag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring
in hisdisixDsition, war had no charms for him. But the
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser.
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal-
ance he selects any number whom he m.ay please to
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun-
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and im-
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.
On the 18th of June, 181 2, President Madison gave
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved; and ISIr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, 18 '3) was re-elected by a large majority,
and entered uion his second term of office. This is
not the place to describe the various adventures of
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan'.
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap-
pling v.'iih the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United States under blockade.
The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
ditator. America accepted; England refused. A Brit-
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa-
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens-
burg, upon Washington.
The straggling little city of Washington was thrown
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city.
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed,
and he could not go back without danger of l)eing
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in
Washington were in flames.
The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. :3, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.
On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to liis beau-
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re-
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi-
son died July 12, 1849.
LIBMRY
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS
URBANA
:{^'^:
\p /"^-^Z,^— / « ^ ^-^
FlTr'tf'PRESlD^Pr.
35
A,JkjL/::^:s>^^ih^
PII]ES I1]0I?I^0E. ^«
AMES MONROE, the fifth
.rrcsidtntof The United States,
was born in Westmoreland Co.,
Va., April 28, 1758. His early
life was passed at the place of
; ,,, ; nativity. Hij ancestors had for
many years resided in the prov-
1 lice in which he was born. When,
t r; years of age, in the process
. . >r completing his education at
h -i- '\ William and Mary College, the Co-
lonial Congress assembled at Phila-
deli)hia to deliberate Vi\yo\\ the un-
just and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separa-
tion of the Colonies, and promul-
gated the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Ilail he been lx)rn ten years before it is highly
probable that he would have been one of the signers
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left
school and enlisted among the patriots.
H;; joined the army when everything looked hope-
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased
from day to day. The invading armies came [xjuring
in ; and the lories not only favored the cause of the
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits,
who were sutTiciently terrified at the |)rospect of con-
i 'nding with an enemy whom they had been taught
t ) deem i;ivincible. To such brave spirits as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
iliiTiculiy and danger, the United States owe their
IKiliiical emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and es|)oused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live o. iie with her strife
for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel-
ancholy retreat from Harleam Meighls and White
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled
before its foes through New Jersey. In four monthr
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg-
ing uiion the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder.
As a reward for liis bravery, Mr. Monroe was ])ro-
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
receded from the line of promotion, by beconiinj; an
officer in the staff of Ix)rd Sterling. During the cam-
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy
wine, Cermantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-canip; but becoming desirous to regain his
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Ujxjn
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at
that peiiod Governor, and pursued, with considerable
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green b;!g;
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.
In 17S2, he was elected from King George county,
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by tha'
body he was elevated to a seat in the Kxecutive
Council. He was thus honored with the confideiuc
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and havihi
at this early period displayed some of that ability
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterward^
employed with unremitting energy for the public good.
J<5
JAMES MONROE.
he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of
the Congress of the United States.
Deeplyas Mr. Monroe felt the iniperfct tionsof thcold
Confederacy, he was opposed totlienew Constitution,
ihinking, with many others of '.lie Republican party,
that it gave too much power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re-
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 17S9, he became a member
of the United States Senate; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction be-
tween the two great parties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep-
arated them were, that the Repulilican party was in
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the
Central Government as little power, and the State
Governments as much ix)wer, as the Constitution woidd
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con-
stitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could possibly
authorize.
The leading Federalists and Republicans wete
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
puilding up tliis majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com-
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de-
nounced as almost a demon.
Washington was then President. England had es-
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi-
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently opposed tlie Pres-
ident's proclara-ation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.
Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by appointing that ^'ery James Monroe, who was de-
nouncing the (xjlicy of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
in France with the inost enthusiastic demonstr/>-tions.
Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mon-
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance tu
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Lotiisiana, which France had but shortly liefore ob-
tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were suc-
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to tlie Lhiited States.
This was probably tlie largest transfer of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of tlie world.
From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob-
tain from that country some recognition of oui'
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng-
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng-
land on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State unde'-
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during
these trying times, the duties of the War Departnien
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return oi
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con-
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex-