Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-12-16

HELL, KING & RUSSELL, LOCUST 81
'IP] |' LEAD MINES, W. III
MRS. JAMES MADISON.
The parents Of Mrs. Madison, whose maid
en- name was Dolly Payne, were natives d
Virginia. She was however born in North
Carolina, while her mother was on visit Il
isomo of her friends in that state. Notlonr af
ter her marriage, her parents joined the Soci-
ETY. 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 in.
Idebted to acquired graces and accomplish.
ments for the admiration and regard which fol.
lowed her wherever she was known. 'Tomuch
personal safety, she added warm heart and a
benevolent disposition; charms and attractions
which won for her not only admirers but friends.
Atan early age she was married to Mr..
Todd, young lawyer Of Philadelphia, and
also member Of the Society OF Friends. This
Iconnexion was Of short duration. She was
soon left a widow with an infant son. Herf IA.
ther being also dead, she went to live with he,
surviving parent, who had fixed her residence
in the same city. Here her beauty and enga.
lying manners secured her many admirers and
brought her several advantageous offers OF
marriage. Among those who sought her hand
she gave preference to James Madison, at that
time distinguished member Of Congress, to
whom she was married in 1894.
1 kfoDo this IN 1o oocN -
appointment as Secretary Of State, she resided
at Montpelier on Mr.. Madson's estate. Here
She entertained his numerous friends and guests
with an abundant and cordial hospitality. Her
mother and sisters lived with her, and the re-
gard and kindness with which her husband
treated them, was repaidon her part by SINH
lar attentions to the happiness and comfort Of
his aged mother, who continued TO live with
her son.
O" M Jaf4e-e...'. -lec,;nn 10 The presjden.
lcy, in 1901, Mr.. Madison was appointed Sc
tcretary of State, and in April of that year re-
moved his family to Washington. We can
not better describe the manner in which she
acquitted herself in the new an6 elevated posi-
ton 10 which she was now raised than in the
language of the memoir in the national por-
trait gallery, work Of great merit. The
Presidents house was the seat of hospitality,
where Mrs. Madison always presided in tho
absence OF Mr.. Jefferson's daughters, when
there were female guests. After the Presi-
dents, the house Of the Secretary of State was
the resort of most company. The frank and
cordial manner 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
l H. nJe nc al
matte corps, senators, representatives, and ci-
tizens, mingled with an ease and freedom, a
sociability and gaictyto be met with in no 9TH
Ter society.--Eve party spirit, virulent and
Iembittered as il then was, by her gentleness
was disarmed Of its asperity.
individuals whonever visited the Pfesidenta
nor met at the ministerial houses. could moi
resist the softening influences of her concilia.
tory disposition, and her frank and generous
manners, but frequented her evening circle; and
sat at her husbands table; table that was CO.
vered with the profusion Of Virginia hospitali.
ty, rather than with the elegance of European
taste. The lady Of foreign minister was once
ridiculing the enormous size and number Of the
dishes with which the board was loaded, and
observed, that it was more like harves
home supper, than the entertainment Of Sc
cretary Of State. Mrs. Madison heard Of this
and similar remarks, and only observed with ;
smile that she thought abundance preferabl,
to elegance; that circumstances formed Gus
toms and customs formed tastes; and as thu
lprofnsion, so repugnant to foreign customs, a
rose from the happy circumstance Of the 81
perabundance and prosperity Of our country
she did not hesitate to sacrifice the deiicacy o
European tastes. for the less elegant, but NOR
liberal fashion Of Virginia. The many poo
families daily supplied from that profusel,
spread table would have had reason to regre
, the introduction of European fashion, had Mrs
Madison been prevailed on to submitto itsdic
tation.
During the eight years that Mr.. Madisol
was Secretary Of State, he and his family liv
ed with the inhabitants Of Washington as fel
, low citizens; receiving and reciprocating civi
. ilities in the most kind and friendly manner
The Secretary himself, being wholly absorb
. ed in public business, left 10 Mrs. Madison tn
discharge Of the duties Of social intercourse
And never was woman better calculated 70
Il the task. Exposed, as she necessarily iaas
have been inso conspicuous situation, to On
Wy, jealousy, and misconstruction, she 30 ma
: naged as 10 conciIiate the good will of all
without offending the self love Of any Of tn
numerous competitors for her favor and atten
ton. Every visitor left her with the pleas
ling impression Of being an especial fayorie
Of having been the object Of peculiar attention
She never forgot name she had once heard
; nor face she had once seen, nor the person
al circumstances connected with every individ
ual Of her acquaintance. Her quick recognl
ltion Of persons; her recurrence to their pecu
liar interests, produced the gratifying impress
, sion, in each and all Of those who converse
with her, that they were especial objects Of re
Uard e3l 81 is.f' To- .}3 re-,