History of the life and times of James Madison

Preface

The following work has been undertaken from no ambition of authorship, to which the active and diversified pursuits of the writer's life present every possible discouragement. It was felt, however, that some account of the character, opinions, and actions of the man who contributed more largely and effectively, though unobtrusively, to the formation of the institutions under which we live than any of his contemporaries, and who was the elective head of the Government at a period of external difficulties and trials which gave the United States definitively a rank among nations, was a desideratum in the history of the country.

Many valuable and authentic materials for such a work having recently come into the hands of the writer by a public charge confided to him, and others being placed at his disposal by private courtesy, he was led to consider it a duty, so far as his other occupations would perl?

VI PREFACE.

mit, to attempt the execution of a task, which surmises without foundation represented him to have entered upon, at a much earlier period. It is only within the last two years that his thoughts have been turned to the subject ; and his application to it during that period has met with almost daily interruptions, and sometimes long suspensions, from the necessary calls of other duties.

The first volume of the work is now submitted to the public. It belongs more, perhaps, to the department of History than of Biography, though partaking of the character of both. From the nature of Mr. Madison's career, it was impossible to isolate him from the public events of the times in which he lived and acted ; and a copious development of contemporary transactions has been often found indispensable to display, in its proper light, the part he bore in those transactions. We have thus been led, it will be seen, into a fuller history, than is probably elsewhere to be found, of the Congress of the Confederation during the four years Mr. Madison was an active member of that body (from 1780 to the definitive Treaty of Peace,) — embracing the most important period of the War of the Revolution, and deeply interesting passages in our

PREFACE. vii

political and diplomatic annals, which have hitherto received comparatively but little illustration.

In this and every other portion of the work, we have relied only on original, and, in some instances, unpublished documents ; and in remounting to the sources of our History, apocryphal versions of it, which have become current by repetitions upon trust from one writer to another, have not unfrequently been rectified by the lights of contemporary evidence.

In reviewing these great scenes of our early national struggles, we have not felt ourselves at liberty to suppress anything which the truth of history required to be uttered or disclosed. And on the other hand, we have not been unmindful, we trust, of the obligations of justice and candor due to all the illustrious actors of the time. We have endeavoured, hi forming our judgments, to guard against every influence but that of truth, and to give way to no impressions but such as the facts transmitted to us would, of themselves, naturally produce upon every unbiassed mind ; keeping always before our eyes the great moral law of History — Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne qidd veri turn audeat.

September, 1859.

Chapter I

Connection of History and Biography — Birth and Family of Madison — Pioneers of Virginia — Education — Princeton Collet — Excitements produced by early Disputes between the Colonies and Mother Country — Dr. Witherspoon — Distinguished College Associates 1-26

CHAPTER H.

Madison leaves Princeton and returns to his Father's Residence in Virginia — His Studies and Pursuits at Home — Correspondence with his College Friend, Bradford of Philadelphia — Religious Sentiments — Traits of Personal Character — Progress of Controversy with the Mother Country — Persecution of Baptists in Virginia excites Indignation of Madison — Early Champion of Religious Freedom — Established Church in Virginia — Conduct and Influence of its Members in the Contest for Independence 27-55

Chapter III

Proceedings in Virginia on receiving Intelligence of the Boston Port Bill — House of Burgesses dissolved by the Governor — War with the Indians — First Convention in Virginia — Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia — Mr. Madison's Account of the Military Preparations commenced in Virginia, in view of a possible Conflict with the Mother Country — How far Patrick Henry's Resolution for arming and disciplining the Militia influenced these Preparations — Patriotism and In-

X CONTENTS.

fluence of the ancient Landed Interest in Virginia — County Committees — Mr. Madison Member of the one for his County — Nature and Extent of the Cavalier Element in the Population of Virginia — Character of the People of Virginia at the Era of the Revolution 56-88

Chapter IV

Battle of Lexington — Lord Dunmore's Removal of the Gunpowder from 'Williamsburg — Assembling of the Independent Companies at Fredericksburg — Patrick Henry's Expedition to reclaim the Gunpowder — Address of Thanks to him from the County Committee of Orange drawn by Mr. Madison — Spirited Proceedings of the Committee in the Case of the Rev. Mr. Winorate — Lord Dunmore again convokes the Assembly — His Altercation with the House of Burgesses — The Governor quits the Palace and takes up his Residence on board a Ship of War — Protest and Closing Scene of the last House of Burgesses in Virginia — Another Convention meets at Richmond — Its Proceedings — Meeting of the Second Continental Congress — • Army raised for the Defence of American Liberty — Intention of National Independence disclaimed — Sincerity of these Professions called in question by European Writers — Mr. Madison's Testimony on the Subject — Subsequent Measures of the King and Parliament bring on the Issue of Independence — Public Mind in Virginia ripened for the Event by the iniquitous Conduct of the Royal Governor — New Convention elected in Virginia — Mr. Madison chosen a Member 89-119

Chapter V

Proceedings of the Virginia Convention of 1776 — Instructions to their Delegates in Congress to propose Declaration of Independence — Authorship of the Instructions — Select Committee to prepare a Declaration of Rights and Plan of Government — Mr. Madison a Member of the Committee — George Mason Author of original Draught of Declaration of Rights — Amended in its last Article on Motion of Mr. Madison — Difference between Religious Toleration and Religious Freedom — Deliberations of Select Committee on Plan of Government — Mr. John Adams suggests one — Another proposed by Mr. Braxton, Del-

CONTENTS. XI

egate in Congress from Virginia — Letter of Patrick Henry on the Subject — Plan presented by a Member of the Select Committee — Resemblance between it and Constitution finally adopted — Principal Features of the Virginia Constitution of 177G — Republican Government as understood by the wise and patriotic Men who framed that Constitution — Distinction between a Republic and a Democracy — Question as to the Authorship of the original Plan submitted to the Select Committee — Letter and Memorandum of Mr. Madison on the Subject — Distinguished Lead of George Mason — Patrick Henry elected first Republican Governor — His Testimony in favor of the Constitution of 1776 — Adjournment of the Convention 120-167

Chapter VI

Military Reverses of the second Campaign of the Revolutionary "War — First. Session of the new Republican Legislature of Virginia — Measures for extending the Benefits of Religious Freedom — Abolition of Entails — Provision for the General Revision of the Laws — First Acquaintance of Jefferson and Madison — Energetic Resolutions of the Virginia Legislature for the Conduct of the War — The Tide of Disaster turned by the Daring and Heroism of Washington at Trenton and Princeton — Election of a new Legislature in Virginia — Mr. Madison loses his Election by his Respect for the Purity of the Elective Franchise — Chosen by the General Assembly to be a Member of the Council of State — Correspondence between him and the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith — Relations with Governor Henry — Important Agency of the Governor and Council in expediting the Levies of Troops for the General Defence — Liberal Spirit manifested by Virginia for the Assistance of her sister States — Expedition and brilliant Success of George Rogers Clarke under the Auspices of Virginia — British Ministry induced by the Capture of Burgoyne's Army to seek Reconciliation with the American States — Proceedings of the Royal Commissioners in America — Evacuation of Philadelphia, and Battle of Monmouth — Treaty of Alliance with France — Efforts to detach America from it -* Operations against the Southern States — Reduction of Georgia — Invasion of Virginia — Mr. Jefferson Successor to Governor vol. I. &

Xii CONTENTS.

Henry — Virginia ratifies Treaty of Alliance with France by her own independent Act — Negotiations with Spain — Demands made by that Power as Conditions of her Cooperation in the War— Resolutions of the Legislature of Virginia with Regard to the Navigation of the Mississippi — Her Remonstrance to Congress on the subject of the Western Territory — Mr. Madison chosen one of her Delegates in the Congress of the Confederation 168-208

Chapter VII

Confederate Government the first and natural Want of the Social State in America — Successive Stages of its Development — Extent and Detail of the Powers of Congress under the Articles of Confederation — Number and Character of its Members — Earnest Appeal of Washington on Behalf of the National Service — Colleagues of Madison in Congress — Gloomy Condition of Public Affairs at the Period of his Entrance on the National Theatre — Causes of the Public Distress — Financial Embarrassments — Striking Letter of Mr. Madison on the Subject — Committee appointed by Congress to confer with the Commander-in-chief — Military Preparations and Events — French Land and Naval Forces arrive in the United States — Reduced to Inactivity by the Naval Superiority of the Enemy — Disasters of the Campaign — The Necessity of increased Vigor and Foresight — Views of Mr. Madison with regard to both Financial and Political Reform — His Constitutional Creed — Measures adopted by Congress — Representation addressed to the King of France — Special Mission of Colonel John Laurens 209-234

Chapter VIII

Negotiations with Spain — Mr. Madison Chairman of a Committee to prepare Instructions to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jay in support of the Claims of the United States to Western Territory, and the free Navigation of the Mississippi River — Instructions drawn by him unanimously adopted — Outline of the Arguments and Topics presented — Congress afterwards induced to change temporarily their Instructions with regard to the free Navigation of the Mississippi — Pressure of Georgia

CONTENTS. x iii

and South Carolina upon Virginia to change her former Instructions to her Delegates — The Change deprecated and deplored by Mr. Madison — He corrects a Misrepresentation of the Conduct of Mr. Jay — Ultimate Return to the Principles of the original Instructions — Measures of Internal Policy — Urgent Motives for completing the Ratification of the Articles of Confederation — Successive Ratification of them by all the States except Maryland — Grounds of her persevering Opposition — Jealousy of the Territorial Claims of Virginia — Foundation and legal Validity of those Claims — Virginia willing to make ■ a liberal Cession for the Sake of Conciliation and Harmony — Opinions of her leading Statesmen, Madison, Pendleton, and Mason — She finally proffers a Cession on Conditions submitted to Congress — Maryland authorizes her Delegates to sign the Articles of Confederation — Ratification completed, and proclaimed by Congress 235-266

Chapter IX

Plan of Military Operations discussed in Congress — Critical Situation of the Southern States — Colonel Benjamin Harrison sent by Virginia to represent to Congress the Necessity of more liberal Arrangements for the Defence of the South — Mr. Madison gives his zealous Aid to the Mission of Colonel Harrison — Measures adopted by Congress on the Occasion — Virginia becomes the principal Theatre of the War by the Invasion of Cornwallis — Efeduced to great Exhaustion by her Exertions in Aid of the Southern States — Long-continued Inattention of Congress, and apparent Indifference of Northern States, give rise to strong Feelings of Dissatisfaction — Energetic Remonstrance prepared for Adoption of the Legislature — Withdrawn on Intelligence of the Result of Colonel Harrison's Mission — General Lafayette sent to Virginia — Legislature dispersed by Tarlton — Proposition for a Dictator — General Nelson elected Governor — Able and skilful Conduct of Lafayette — Washington and Rochambeau march with the Allied Army to the Aid of Virginia — Letter of Mr. Madison describing their Passage through Philadelphia — Count De Grasse, with the French Fleet, arrives in the Chesapeake — Siege of York — Surrender of Cornwallis 267-294 x i v CONTENTS.

Chapter X

Proceedings of Congress on receiving Intelligence of the Surrender of the British Army at Yorktown — Washington urges energetic Preparations for another Campaign — Recommendation warmly seconded by Mr. Madison — Congress makes further Calls tor Troops and Money on the States — Frequent Disregard of these Requisitions — Necessity of invigorating the Federal Authority enforced by Washington — Proposition to invest Con<ress with coercive Power — Views of Mr. Madison on the Subject — Colonel Hamilton brings forward a Project, in a Communication addressed by him to a Member of Congress — Remarks on his Scheme — Policy of completing the Ratification of the Articles of Confederation rather than attempt, in the midst of War, the Introduction of a new System — Congress applies to the States for Power to levy Duties on Foreign Imports — Mr. Madison zealously sustains the Application — His Letter on the Subject 295-313

Chapter XI

Proceedings of Congress for settling Conditions of Peace — Instructions agreed upon and Minister appointed in 1779, with reference to Negotiations under Mediation of Spain — That Mediation proves abortive — Spain becomes a Party to the War in Europe, and Empress of Russia and Emperor of Austria offer their Mediation in 1781 — New Instructions giv^n, and additional Ministers appointed — Motives and Policy of Instructions in submitting American Ministers to Counsels of France

. — Statement of Mr. Madison — England, persisting in treating United Slates as Subjects in a State of Rebellion, declines Preliminaries of Mediating Powers — France accedes in first instance, but, apprised of Ground taken by England, declares Inutility of proceeding till that Ground is abandoned — Debates in British Parliament upon receiving News of Surrender of Army at Yorktown — Resignation of Lord North and Dissolution of his Ministry — Administration of Lord Rockingham make vague Overtures for Peace through Sir Guy Carleton in America and secret Agents at Paris — Mr. Madison's Views of those Overtures — Renewed Attempt to separate United States and France, indignantly repelled by both — Division in

CONTENTS. XV

English Cabinet — Death of Lord Rockingham — New Administration under Lord Shelburne disclose Views adverse to Recognition of American Independence — Firm Declaration of Congress — Responsive Resolutions of Legislature of Virginia — Spirit of the Times as manifested in their Proceedings against Arthur Lee, Delegate in Congress, suspected of Disaffection to French Alliance 314-343

CHAPTER XH.

Negotiations for Peace opened at Pans — Questions to be adjusted, National Independence, Boundaries, Fisheries — Mr. Madison succeeds in his Efforts in Congress to place the last two on the same Footing in the Negotiation — Provisional Articles agreed upon and concluded between the British and American Commissioners — Not communicated to the French Government until after their Signature — Dissatisfaction in France at Conduct of American Ministers — Their Despatches laid before Congress — Unfounded Suspicions of the Sincerity of France manifested by Mr. Jay and Mr. Adams — Recommendation of Secretary of Foreign Affairs — Debates in Congress — Bold and manly Speech of Mr. Madison — Report of Committee on Despatches — ■ Letter addressed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs to American Commissioners — Reflections on the French Alliance — Services and Conduct of France in the War of Independence — Just and noble Sentiment of Lafayette . 344-376

Chapter XIII

News received of the Signing at Paris of Preliminaries of a general Peace — Cessation of Hostilities proclaimed by Congress — Question raised as to Necessity of a formal Ratification of the

Provisional Articles between Great Britain and the United

i

States — Also as to the Propriety of an immediate Release of Prisoners — Report of Committee on these Questions by Mr. Madison, Colonel Hamilton dissenting — Improvident Decision of Congress — Discontents of the Army — Petition and Address of Officers to Congress — Interview between Deputies of the Army and Grand Committee of Congress — Report of Grand Committee — Difference of Opinion on subject of Half- Pay and Commutation — Mr. Madison vindicates the Claims of xvi CONTENTS.

the Army — Its Discontents increased by the Delays of Congress — Newburgh Address — Measures adopted by Washington — IIi> Address to the Meeting of Officers — Ability and Magnanimity of hia Conduct — Mr. Madison's Account of the Impression produced by it in Congress — Interference of civil Creditors to foment Discontents of the Army sternly reproved by Washington — Correspondence between Colonel Hamilton and Washington on the Subject — Conduct of Mr. Morris, Superintendent of Finance, gives rise to Dissatisfaction — Sentiments of Mr. Madison 377-408

Chapter XIV

Efforts of Congress to establish a System of General Revenue — Result of Application to the States for Power to levy Imposts — Rhode Island refuses — Virginia, after granting, repeals her Grant — Mr. Madison annoyed and embarrassed by the Opposition of his State — Determines, nevertheless, to pursue the Convictions of his own Judgment in Favor of a System of general Revenue — Delivers his Views in an able and patriotic Speech — Moves a Modification of the Proposition before Congress — His Modification adopted — Subject referred to a select Committee, of which he is a Member — His Views in the Committee — Report made in Conformity to them — Outline of the Report — Finally adopted by Congress, with slight Variations — Mr. Madison Chairman of Committee to prepare an Address to the States in Support of the Plan agreed to — Luminous and elocpuent Address drawn by him, and adopted by Congress — Sketch of it — Colonel Hamilton opposed to the Plan submitted by Congress to the States — Reasons of his Opposition — General Washington, in his Circular Letter to the States, warmly commends the Address, and urges them to adopt the Plan submitted by Congress — Distinctive Features of political Systems of Hamilton and Madison begin to disclose themselves — Reception of Revenue Plan by Legislature of Virginia — Note on Accusations against Mr. Madison by Biographer of Colonel Hamilton 409-443

CHAPTER XV. Questions in Congress growing out of Cession of Northwest Ter

CONTENTS. XVU

ritory by Virginia — Influence of Land Companies — Geographical and political Combinations against the Claims of Virginia — Letters of Mr. Madison with regard to them — Proceedings and Report of the Committee to which the Subject Avas referred

— Attempt to set up adverse Title in New York — Researches and Labors of Mr. Madison in Defence of Virginia Title — Alliance between Adversaries of the territorial Rights of Virginia and Partisans of the Independence of Vermont — Mr. Madison's Account of the State of Parties in Congress on these two Questions — He predicts the ultimate Acceptance of the Terms of Virginia, if the State remain firm and prudent — Mr. Witherspoou's Resolutions — New Committee appointed to consider Cession of Virginia — Remonstrance of New Jersey — Design of Adversaries of Virginia to limit her Western Boundary, if possible, to the Alleghany Mountains — Final Compromise, and Acceptance of the Cession by Congress — Influence of Mr. Madison in accomplishing the Result — History of Vermont Question — Proceedings of Congress upon it — New York and New Hampshire resist Claim of Vermont to be considered an independent State — Views of Mr. Madison on the Subject — Powerful Combination of Interests in Congress favorable to Independence of Vermont, and her Admission as a State into the Confederacy — Acts of Violence committed by her Authorities prevent Consummation of the Plan — Compelled to await the regular Exercise of the Power granted by the Constitution of 1788, before she is finally admitted into the Union . . . 444-478

Chapter XVI

Congress, after Provisional Articles of Peace, determine to dismiss a Portion of the Army on Furlough — Orderly and praiseworthy Conduct of Main Body of the Army on the Occasion — Complaints and Mutiny of a Detachment of the Pennsylvania Line

— They insult the Executive Council and Congress — Mr. Madison's Statement of the Affair — Congress adjourn from Philadelphia to Princeton — Washington indignant at the Conduct of the Mutineers — Sends General Howe to reduce and punish them — Their Submission — Congress hold their Sittings in the College Buildings at Princeton — Proceedings on fixing a permanent as well as temporary Place of Meeting — Two Federal Towns to be established for the alternate Resixviii CONTENTS.

dence of Congress — Mr. Madison's Views on Question of Jurisdiction over Seat of Government — General Washington invited by Congress to Princeton — His Reception — Reception and public Audience of Dutch Minister — Delays in Conclusion of Definitive Treaty of Peace — Change of Administration in England — Coalition of Mr. Fox and Lord North — Evasions of Coalition Ministry in Negotiations at Pai'is — Distrust and l.'neasiness of Congress — They reject Proposition for disbanding the Army and for farther Measures in Execution of Provisional Articles — Definitive Treaty at last concluded — Congress vote Thanks to the Army, and issue Proclamations for their Discharge and for a Day of Public Thanksgiving — Mr. Madison's Service in the old Congress closes 479-511

Chapter XVII

Review of Mr. Madison's Career in old Congress — Complex and diversified Questions, foreign and domestic, before that Body, during Period of his Service — Distinction acquired by him — General Confidence and Support of his Constituents — A Party hostile to him — His Constancy and unintermitted Attention to his Public Duties — Pecuniary Sacrifices — Nature of Provision made by Virginia for Support of her Delegates in Congress — Mr. Madison's Social Habits — His Humor — A tender Attachment — Enters upon the Study of the Law, after his Return to Virginia — Correspondence on public Questions with Friends who consulted him — A favorite Project for their future Lives urged by Mr. Jefferson — Prepares himself for the great Work of Constitutional Reform by diligent Researches into the History of Confederacies, ancient and modern — Summoned again from his Retirement into the Legislature of the State — Character of that Body — Its Parties — Its Leaders — Patrick Henry

— Richard Henry Lee 512-539

Chapter XVIII

Motives of Madison for returning to the State Legislature — Made Chairman of Committee on Commerce — Measures for promoting Commerce of the State — Concentration to particular Ports

— Mr. Madison proposes Arrangement with Maryland respect-

CONTENTS. xix

ing Jurisdiction and Navigation of the Potomac — Resolution moved by him for Appointment of Joint Commissioners of the two States, remote Cause of the Federal Convention — He introduces preparatory Measures for entering upon the Revision of the Laws — Sustains a Proposition for Revision of State Constitution — His Views on that Question — Proceedings of the Legislature upon the Subject — Measures affecting Religious Freedom — Assessment proposed, but not acted on — Question of Incorporation of Religious Societies — Mr. Madison opposed to both — Questions of Federal Policy — Mr. Henry favors invigoration of Federal Authority, with coercive Power in Congress — Resolution passed for vesting in Congress Power to prohibit Trade with Nations refusing Reciprocity — Execution of Treaty of Peace with regard to British Debts — Opposed by Mr. Henry — Proposition of Mr. Madison on the Subject — Honors to Washington — Mr. Madison takes a leading part in them — His eloquent Inscription for the Statue — General Washington and Mr. Madison exert themselves to obtain a Grant to Paine for his Revolutionary Services — Subsequent Ingratitude of Paine 540-575

Chapter XIX

Occupations of Mr. Madison during Recess of the Legislature — Able Letter to Mr. Jefferson on Right to Navigation of the Misssissippi — Sets out on a Tour to the North — Meets with the Marquis Lafayette — Accompanies him to an Indian Treaty in the Western part of New York — Incidents at the Treaty — Impressions of Lafayette's Character — Reassembling of the Legislature — Mr. Madison made Chairman of Committee of Courts of Justice — Reports Plan for establishing Courts of Assize — Advocates successfully the Enactment of a Law by Virginia to repress and punish Enterprises of her Citizens against Nations with which the United States are at Peace — This Act the first Example of American Legislation to punish those Offences against the Law of Nations now known under .the Name of Filibustering — Renewed Effort for the Execution of the Treaty of Peace respecting British Debts — Proposition made by Mr. Madison at the late Session again brought forward — Improved Sentiments of the Legislature with re-

XX CONTENTS.

gard to it — Finally lost by a singular Accident — General Assessment for Support of Teachers of the Christian Religion again proposed - Warmly sustained by Mr. Henry and other distinguished Members — Mr. Madison firmly, and almost singly in Debate, opposes it — Outline of his powerful Argument, as collected from a Fragment among his Papers — Progress of the Measure in the House — Bill for incorporating the Episcopal Church — Question of Assessment, by the persevering Opposition of Mi-. Madison and his Auxiliaries, postponed to the next Session of the Legislature, and in the mean Time referred to the People for an Expression of their Sense upon it . . 576-610

Chapter XX

Visit of Washington and Lafayette to the Legislature of Virginia — Addresses to them, and their Replies — Washington takes a deep [nterest in the Improvement of the navigable Rivers of Virginia, to command the Trade of the West — His able Letter to Governor Harrison on the Subject laid before the Legislature — Leading and active Part taken by Mr. Madison in Cooperation with him — Washington appointed by the Legislature of Virginia a Commissioner to concert with the Legislature of Maryland the Provisions of a joint Act for improving and extending the Navigation of the Potomac — Repairs to Annapolis — Remarkable Letter addressed by him to Mr. Madison in explanation of the Proceedings and Results of his Mission — Mr. Madison introduces Measures to carry into full Effect the Arrangements agreed upon at Annapolis — Other Measures brought forward by Mr. Madison to complete the System of Interior Communications for the State — Improvement of James River — Communication between Elizabeth River and Albemarle Sound — Reflections of Mr. Madison .upon the vast Importance and future Consequences of these Public Works — Homage rendered by him to Washington's Greatness of Mind in so earnestly engaging in them — Brings in a Bill to confer upon him, in the Name of the State, a number of Shares in the Works authorized — Adjournment of the Legislature — Agitation among the People on the Assessment Bill for Support of Religious Teachers— Deep Interest felt by Mr. Madison in the Progress of the Question — His Letters to Mr

CONTENTS. XXI

Monroe on the Subject — Prepares "Memorial and Remonstrance" against the Assessment, to be circulated among the People — Memorial covered with Signatures in every Part of the State — It decides forever the Fate of the Proposition before the Legislature — Extraordinary Merits of the Paper — A Monument in itself of the Genius, Ability, and Love of Liberty of the Author 611-640

LIFE AND TIMES \

OF

JAMES MADISON.

Chapter I

Connection of History and Biography — Birth and Family of Madison — Pioneers of Virginia — Education — Princeton College — Excitements produced by early Disputes between the Colonies and Mother Country — Dr. Witherspoon — Distinguished College Associates.

Although the Life of a Statesman derives a large portion of its interest from the public events with which it is associated, yet it would be a narrow and mistaken view of the welfare of society, and of the philosophy of human affairs, which should limit our curiosity and inquiries to the mere exterior, and, as it were, professional, history of public men. The laws by which the Divine Ruler of the universe has decreed an indissoluble connection between public happiness and private virtue, whatever apparent exceptions may sometimes delude our short-sighted judgments,

VOL. I. 1 never fail in the end to vindicate their supremacy and immutability. The great interests of States, of Republics especially, are conducted by the instrumentality of numerous individual agents ; and as these are virtuous, competent, and wise, or vicious, faithless, or incapable, the commonwealth prospers, or sooner or later falls into ruin and decay.

The personal character and history, then, of public men, their moral principles, their intellectual qualities and attainments, the circumstances which have contributed to form and discipline them in either respect, become a most important branch of historical inquiry, and, by a natural and just relation, go hand in hand with the great public questions in which they have borne a distinguished part.

Of the statesmen of America, few have had a more important agency in the great scenes of our national story, both foreign and domestic, than James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, and none, it is believed, so leading a part in the formation and establishment of the great constitutional compact of government and union which crowned the labors of our revolutionary fathers, and forms the vital bond of our present national existence. An attempt to trace liis career, with reference both to its public results and the principles and influences which guided and controlled it, will, it is hoped, meet with an indulgence from the patriotic sympathies of the