Madison, James

James (1751-1836), the fourth president of the United States. He was a native of Virginia, the mother of presidents. His father was a large land owner in Orange County, and a man of distinction. Madison was graduated from Princeton in 1771. He studied law and entered politics. In 1776 he was a delegate to the convention which formed a state constitution. Three years later he was sent to the Continental Congress. In 1781 he took a position in favor of amending the Articles of Confederation declaring that Congress required enlarged powers. He was made a member of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 that drafted the present Constitution of the United States. He took a leading part in the debates, favoring a strong constitution. He also kept a journal of the convention. The latter is our chief source of information relative to the proceedings of this important body. He took part in the canvass for the adoption of the Constitution. He joined with Hamilton and Jay in the publication of a series of essays, known since as The Federalist. At home he was opposed by Patrick Henry, who thought the new Constitution gave Congress too much power. Madison secured the adoption of the Constitution by his native state, however. He is known as "The Father of the Constitution." The Henry party succeeded in defeating him for election to the United States Senate, but he was elected as a representative and took his seat in Congress in April, 1789.

Contrary to popular expectation, Madison now sided with those who were opposed to the liberal exercise of power on the part of Congress. He arrayed himself in opposition to Washington, Hamilton, Marshall, Jay, and other former associates. He was disposed to curtail the powers of President Washington. He made a reputation as an obstructor of the government and became a supporter of Jefferson. In 1801, on Jefferson's election to the presidency, Madison became secretary of state, and eight years later he was elected Jefferson's successor. He served two terms with respectability, but it cannot be said with distinguished ability. He was a gentleman and a scholar, but not a war president. He permitted his political associates to dictate his cabinet appointments, and was forced, against his own views, being naturally a man of peace, into the War of 1812. At the close of his administration he retired to Montpelier, his country seat in Virginia, where he continued to reside quietly for twenty years, taking a keen interest in literature and politics. He was a man of mild disposition and conciliatory views, and of high integrity and patriotism. Mrs. Madison, known in Washington and Virginia circles as Dolly Madison, was a charming hostess, one of the most celebrated women who has ever graced the White House. Montpelier was near the home of Jefferson and the University of Virginia. It became a center of hospitality, the Mecca of Virginia politicians for two decades.