The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-12-12
MR.. MADIsoN,s HOMESTEAD.

uHRet WINCH a0lpluS AtDefmaTle on the
north. Within ten miles Of Montpelier you
reach Barboursvllle, the residence Of the
Hon. James Barbour, late Governor Of
Virginia. The Governors farm comprises
about 5.000 acres Of land, and produces 2.
QUO bushels Of wheat, 1 600 bushels Of corn,
keeps 80 head Of cattle, 300 sheep 600
hogs, and 80 horses. There is a fine
dwelling house, aud numerous and commo.
dious outbudines, besides cabins for the
Governors 200 blacks, Of the most comfort.
+. able construction.
f The Madison Mansion is an obldng BRICK
building Of two stories, besides The base.
ment, with porlco % the east aud west,
each extending The height and length If the
bUildius, aud wing Of one story aad Il
basement. ii each extremity, with a tuFret
% each. The man body Of the base was
built by Mr.. Madison's father-ihe wings
we're added by Mr. NJ. 4 beautiful lawn,
containing about eight acres, opens from
the eastern portico, and is boydeftd ~ rows
Of lofty trees.
No need bu, look into the interior Of
The dwelling TO observe how exactly every
thing accorded alth the exalted taste and
intellect, as well the religious character.
Tor winch Mr.. Madison sas Distinguished.
You observe o great variety Of bu.ls, pant.
iags, aud prints base been chosen 10 deco
rate his abode. Among the number, sou
sill see some oli Flemish paintings repre-
seating our Sayiour's DEATH burial and pas
sion; and other scenes from Scrlplure lis
tory. Here are basis of all the Presidents
down 70 iact4on ezciuSirf and among 9th.
GFs, Pau Joaes, I'm. Alexander Lafayette,
Barlow, GalI8ln. Clay, SC. Ia Its ,aiaa.
Bic library YOU viii fad just mixture II
law, politics. history, bellies letters, poetry,
science, philosophy and diriatiy, and
among tie latter subject, you wall observe,
llsiiy conspicuous. tie productions u iona.
Edwards, Withespoon, Gil, D5ddridge,
sc. SC. From such sources, no doubt, he
derived valuable aids to those reflections
abteh determined those exemplary moral
habits characteristic 81 his useful lie.
Mr. Ma3isans reports On lhe Debates of
TIE Convention luat termed the CUnslitu
non, Il is generally known, were purchased
81 Congress 81 Mrs. Madson FOR go 900,
aud the three large volumes they vii com
pose are expected soon 70 be publlshed,---
lie orig,nul writings Of Mr Madison, nos
principally 10 unpublished manuscripts, are
iar more sol0mlnous than The Debates, and
maus "a them are his most valued plodlc
tons.
The Surviving relatives Of Mr. Madison
uoe living al Montpelier, se NAV be per
mtttd % say are Mrs. Madison, Who al
though advanced in life, retains that dignity
and adabhty Of manner, and that cquabe.
aess aud serenity Of temper, ,hat gave such
! charm 10 lhe housc Of hor husband, wheIn.
rf, III public Or domestic life Mr. Pane
Todd. VINO vas the private Secretary OF
The Commissioners Of Ghpnt, and Miss
Pane, a niece Of Mrs. NJ. These form the
whole If this happy and delightful family,
who are seldom tell 10 cn exclusive re
trcmrnt even II It we're desirable, the so
el8I aua haspl'lbie character oi Mrs. Madl
son always attracting numbers Of intelligent
visitors, e whom her house is ever freely
open.
The remains Of Mr.. Madison lie in the
adjacent family cemetery, with those OF
bus father and hs mother, by his right side,
and room on his tell tor those who amy lol
low HIM. Many relatives are uttered
within The same enclosure which IS covered
aHh box aud ornamental trees and the
Whole surrounded By q neat BRICK wall
The father Of MIR. Madison died when MIR.
VI. first entered on hts duties as Mr., Jetler.
sou's Secretary Of State. The mother sur,
uyed till within a few days of tic death Of
her son. She was a remarkable woman
and rcscmbed her son ia mind and appear,
aacs.
Tho plantation embraces about $500
acres OF unbroken rich aud arabic land Of
lhc chocolate color, II vas the patrlmo.
nal estate Of Mr.. Madisan's father, who
lived and died upon it. The soil has been
cultivated Tor nearly century without ma.
nnrina, and still II produces abundantly.-
It's crops have often amounted 10 81 hogs
heads Of tobacco, worth 5000 per hogshead
1000 bushels Of wheat; G000 bushels OF
corn, besides fax, hemp, aud all kinds Of
vegetables, and large quantity Of the
choisost fruits. There are about 100 head
Of cattle, mostly Of the North Devenshrc
breed, and a few of the Durham. The
former arc thought to produce the most su.
perior working oxen, the latter the best
cows. There are perhaps two dozen horses,
80 sheep, aud a quantity otpoultry.
Tie number Of slaves upon the planta'
ton is about 100, 40 or 90 of them only
working hands. They are scattered 10
little settlements over the farm, aud reside
IN distinct families and comfortable dwell
Ings. Each family raise their own pigs
aud poultry, eat meat twice a day, and have
meal, vegetables, milk and trult without
restriction; ure comfortably clad, and APP
pear happy and coutencd. They have the
privilege Of attending the church every
Sabbath, and sometimes on the week day
nights. They will tell you that Mr.. Madi