The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-14
MRS. JAMES MADISON. y

some of her friends in that state Not long
after their marriage, her parents joined the
society of Friends or Quakers, manumitted
their slaves, and removed to Pennsylvania
Their daughter was educated in Philadelphia
in all the strictness of the sect to which the
family belonged. She was, therefore, but
little indebted to acquired graces and accom-
plishments for the admiration and regard
which followed her wherever she was known.
TO much personal beauty, she added a warm
heart and benevolent disposition; charms
and attractions which won for her not only
admirers but friends.
At an early age she was married to Mr..
Todd, young lawyer of Philadelphia, and
also member of the society of Friends
This connexion was OF short duration. She
was soon left widow with an infant SON
Her father being also dead, she went TO live
with her surviving parent, who had fixed her
residence in the same city. Here her beauty
and engaging manners secured her many adj
mrers and brought her several advantageous
offers of marriage Among those who sought
her hand she gave preference to Mr.. Madison,
at that time distinguished member of Con-
gress to whom she was married in 1894.
EOiIl ttllS tilHC W VIC uilIC vi WI. IVA duioOh
appointment as Secretary Of State, she re-
sided at Montpelier on Mr., Madison's pater-
nal estate" Here she entertained her numer-
Gus friends and guests with an abundant and
cordial hospitality Her mother and sisters
lived with her; and the regard and kindness
with which her husband treated them, was
repaid on her part by similar attentions to the
happiness and comfort OF his aged mother,
who continued to live with her son.
On Mr.. Jefferson's election to the Presi-
dency, IN 1901 Mr.. Madison was appointed
Secretary of State, and in April Of that year
removed his family to Washington. We can
not better describe the manner in which she
acquitted herself in the new and elevated sta
ton to which she was now raised, than in the
language of memoir in the national portrait
gallery, work Of great merit. "The Presi-
dents house was the seat of hospitality, where
Mrs. Madison always presided in the absence
Of Mr.. Jefferson's daughters, when there were
female guests. After the Presidents, the
house of the Secretary of State was the re-
sort Of most company. The frank and cor
dial manners of its mistress gave peculiar
charm to the frequent parties there assembled
All foreigners who visited the seat of govern
ment-strangers from the different states of
the Union, the heads of departments, the
diplomatic corps, senators, representatives,
and citizens, mingled with an ease and free
dom, a sociability and gaiety, to be met with
in no other society Even party spirit, yiru-
lent and embittered as it then was, by her gen.
tleness was disarmed of its asperity.
Individuals who never visited at the Presi-
denis nor met at the other ministerial houses,
could not resist the softening influences Of
her conciliatory disposition, and her frank and
generous manners, but frequented her evening
circle and sat at her husbands table; table
that was covered with the profusion of Vir-
gilman hospitality. rather than with the ele-
gance and refinement Of European taste
The lady of a foreign minister was once ridi-
culing the enormous size and number of the
dishes with which the board was loaded, and
observed, that it was more like harvest home
supper, than the entertainment Of a Secretary
Of State.--Mrs. Madison heard Of this and
similar remarks, and only observed with
smile, that she thought abundance was pre-
ferable to elegance; that circumstances form
ed customs, and customs formed taste and as
the profusion, so repugnant to foreign customs,
arose from the happy circumstance Of the su-
perabundance and prosperity'of our country,
she did not hesitate to sacrifice the delicacy
of European taste, for the less elegant, but
more liberal fashion Of Virginia. The many
poor families daily supplied from that profused
spread table, would have had reason to regret
the introduction Of European fashion, had Mrs.
Madison been prevailed on to submit to its
dictation.
"During the eight years that Mr.. Madison
was Secretary of State, he and his family
lived with the inhabitants of Washington as
with fellow citizens receiving and recipro-
eating civiltes in the most kind and friendly
manner. The Secretary himself, being Who'll
ly absorbed in public business, left to Mrs.
Madison the discharge of the duties of social
intercourse. And never was woman better
calculated for the task. Exposed, as she ne
cessarily must have been in so conspicuous a
situation, to envy, jealousy, and misconstruc-
ton, she so managed as to conciiatc the good
will. of all, withc.,t offending the self-love of
any of the numerous competitors for her favor
and attention. Every visitor left her with
the pleasing impression of being an especial
favorite, of having been the object Of peculiar
attention. She never forgot name she had
once heard, nor face she had once seen, nor
the personal circumstances connected with
every individual of her acquaintance. Her
quick recognition of persons her recurrence
to their peculiar interests, produced the graft
flying impression, in each and all of those who
conversed with her, that they were especial
objects Of regard.
"Her house was very plainly furnished, and
her dress in no way extravagant Ii was on
ly in hospitality and charity that her profu-
sion was unchecked, and sometimes made her
sensible that her income was not equal to her
wishes"
The amiable and engaging qualities which
have been described, characterized Mrs
II Il Il