The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-26
CORR EsPoNDENCE.
LETTERS OF A CONvALEscEsT
M XIII


peiier as all are situated In the same district; but
circumstances constrained 10 postpone The plea
sure OF vistto the latter place, and even at last
we areobiged to draw largely upon the recoeciions
OF friend, for the incomplete description We shall
attempt
MONTPELIER Is situated on the west side Of the
| Green Mountains, branches of the Southwest
mountain on which Monticello Is situated ) twenty
seven miles North-north-east OF Charlottesville, in
the county Of Orange, which adjoins Albemarle on
the North From Charlottes willie, you pass along the
Western base Of the Southwest mountain, with the
long range Of the Blue Ridge on your left, visible
all the way in stretches Of 10 TO 20 miles. Within
len miles Of Montpelier you reach Barboursyille,
the residence of the Hon. James Barbour, late Go
vernon of Virginia. The Governors farm COM
prises about 900 acres OF land, and produces 1000
bushels of wheat, 1000 bushels of corn, keeps $50
head Of cattle, 300 sheep, 300 hogs and SO horses
There Is fine dwelling house, and numerous and
commodious ou,budngs besides cabins for the
Governors 200 blacks, of the most comfortable con-
structon. Il is needless 10 speak Of the will known
adabilty and good sense Of the head of this noble
plantation, or Of the kindred virtues Of his excelant
| family.
Ten miles North Of Barboursville lies Montpelier,
about one mile off the county road leading from the
L
although apparently standing upon a plain, is con-
siderably elevated, and commands noble view on
the West, where you observe the Blue Ridge filling
halfthe horizon On the East, the prospect is limit
ed by the Green mountains, stretching Northeast
and Southwest and within mile Of the mansion.
Every thing about air of dignifed ease and
quiet beauty. The grateful shades, the rich or
chards, the green lawns, the yellow fields Of cultiva
| lion, the negroes and the cattle, the enchanting
| scenery, in connection with the reflection that the
| reverend mansion was once the abode OF The great
| and good, as 1t is now, the home of benevolence
hospitality intelligence and happiness, conspire TO
| oil the observer with most interesting emotions.
The dwelling house is an obong brick building
OF two stories besides the basement with portico on
the east and west, each extending the heighth and
length Of the building, and wing Of one story and
basement, at each extremity with turret on each
| Its whole arrangement is simple and comfortable,
in both which particulars 1t Is unlike the fancifu
house of Mr. Jefferson The main body Of the
house was built by Mr.. Madison's iather--the wings
were added by Mr.. NJ A beautiful lawn, contain
ing about acres, opens from the eastern portico,
| and is bordcred by rows Of lofty trees.
Mr.. Jefferson spent il Isl said seven years in cutting
down the top of mountain, and worked out the
profitable curosties We described n former letter,
while MIR. Madison appears TO have been guided BY
superior practical wisdom and 10 have studied, in
all his arrangements, Comfort, convenience, and
economy, well taste and beauty. While ex-
ternal things evinced this, need but look into the
interior of the dwelling to observe also how exactly
every thing accorded with the exalted ,asle and in
tellec as well as religious character, for which Mr..
Madison was distinguished. You observe a great
variety OF busts, paintings, and prints have been
H. -.
you will see some old Flemish paintings repre-
senting our Savours death, burial and pass ion and
other scenes from Scripture history. Here are busts
Of all the Presidents down 10 Jackson ecclsire and
among others Paul Jones, En-. Alexander, Lafayette,
Barlow Gallalin, Clay, &c In his valuable library
you will find ast mixture of law, politics, history
bellies letters poetry, science philosophy and drin
IT,; and among the works upon the latter subject,
you will observe, justly conspicuous, the productions
of iona. Edwards, Witherspoon, Gill, Doddrdge,
&C., &c. From such sources, no doubt, he derived
valuable aids 10 those reflections which determined
those exemplary moral habits characteristic of his
useful life. ...u,
Mr. Madison's reports Of the Debates Of the
Convention that formed the Constitution, ii is gene
rally known, were purchased by Congress of Mrs
Madison, for $4,000, and The three large volumes
they will compose expected soon TO be publish
ed. The original writing, of Mr.. Madison, now
principally in unpublished manuscripts, are far more
voluminous than the Debates, and many of them
are his most valued productions. Mr.. Madsons
works will undoubtedly be the soundest political
text book Of the nation and nothing that has yet
been published will have contributed more TO Illus
rate the history of the Constitution and the charac
tiers Of those who were parties for and against it,
wholly or partly, than that series which the world
is yet to see. The publication of the Debates, re-
corded by an uLimpeachable pen, as they have been
hitherto virtually sealed book, will curiousy and
materially affect the standing which many men disin
guished in the scenes of 49, have occupied, undis-
turbed in the estimation of their countrynen. The
false prophets of Federalism, and The sangune cham
pions Of Republcanism, will stand out in those clear
characteristics which their own tongues best por-
trayed, and the master spirits and the subordinates
Of both will take the position inevitably assigned
them by the potent voice of historical truth.
The surviving relatives of Mr. Madison now liv-
ing at Montpelier we may be permitted to say, are
Mrs. Madison, who, although advanced in life, re-
tains that dignity and aabilty Of manner and that
equabeness and serenity of temper that gave such
a charm to The house Of her husband, whether in
public or in domestic life Mr.. Paine Todd, who was
the private Secretary of the Commissioners at
Client, and Miss Paine, niece of Mrs. M These
form the whole of this happy and delightful family,
who are seldom left TO enjoy exclusive retirement,
even il it were desirable, the social and hospitabe
character of Mrs. Madison always attracting num-
bers ofnteligent vsiters to whom her house is ever
freely open ..
The remains of Mr.. Madison lie in the adjacent
family cemetery with those of his fIher and his
mother by his right side, and room on his len for
those who may follow him. Many relatives are in
he which S cavpred