The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-14

From that time until Mr. Madison came into the admin
saov%sn Of S abundant and CORDIAL Which
is the Distinguishing Characteristic OF Virginia planter
The house always filled TO overlooking with guests
ments but freely and kindly hidden to the hospitable
board and social pleasures OF the domestic circle Her
widowed mother and orphan sisters were made partners
OF the bounties and blessings lavished her by kind
Providence; and the fond affection OF her husband was
evinced by the regard and kindness he showed TO all
whom she loved and cherished and on her part was re-
ciprocated by similar attention TO the happiness and
comfort Of his aged mother, who continued to dwell with
her In this situation Mrs. Madison appeared 10 be
in the very sphere for which nature had designed her
disposition and the liberal gifts OF fortune were literally
participated with all around her. The happiness she
herself enjoyed she bestowed on others; and the
shine OF her bosom gaddened with its warmth and
brightness the little world OF which she was the centre
her family and friends
Mr. Madison being appointed Secretary Of State, re-
moved with his family. from his happy home to Wash
ington in April, 1901
The infant metropolis Of the Union was, at that me
almost wilderness. The Presidents House stood un-
rated from the Capitol by almost impossible marsh
That building was not half completed. and standing as
il did amidst the rough masses OF stone and other mate
rails collected for its construction and hall hidden By the
venerable oaks that still shaded their native soil, looked
more like ruin in the midst OF s fallen fragments and
coeva shades than new and rising edhce, The silence
and solitude OF the surrounding space were calculated to
enforce this idea for beyond the Capitol Hi far as the
eye could reach the ciiy as was called lay in state
n nv ss aaa
house along the inersecfng ways that could not yet be
properly called streets.
The original proprietors Of the grounds which the
habits OF living. The new inhabitants who thronged
to the seat Of government from every quarter Of
q as 5e ss a m Madoa 9a
Mr. Gallatin from Pennsylvania, Gen. Dearborn from
Massachusetts. and Robert Smith from Maryland.
With these came numerous political friends and depend
ants TO Gil the subordinate places in the public Offices
society formed Of such various materials presented
novel aspect Unconneced by similarity OF habits,
by established fashions by the ties OF acquaintance
consequently, this motley throng soon became united
into close and intimate circle BY feeling common to
necessity Of mutual aid and accommodation, and might be
compared to beautiful piece of mosaic, in which an in
Unity Of separate pieces Of diversified coors are blended
after his retirement from public life, recurring to that
time, remarked to friend that the peculiar felicity OF his
administration was the unanimity that prevailed in his
cabinet 'We were," said he, ''like one family" The
same spirit OF union and kindness pervaded the whole
circle OF socetya circle, al thai tme very limited in its
extent and very simple in its habits The most friendly
and social intercourse prevailed through all its parts UNI
shackled by that etiquette and ceremony which have
since been introduced. to the small deriment Of social
enjoyment The Presidents house was the seat Of hos.
palty. where Mrs Madison always presided Tin the 40
OF Mr. Jeersons daughters, when there were fe.
male guests After the Presidents the house of the Sec
reary of State was the resort OF most company The
hr y, he fsans - r,;ss ,hara assemb.d xii for
eynsrs who visited The seat If government strangers
from The different States NJ he IJ5ion The heads Of de-
uar,mens the dplomaic corns senators
and va,s,v 70 he mot with n M other society Even par
shirt vruent and embittered az II then was by her
t]snas. n,as ds,rmed ~ lie asnersv inv;duals who
@ ;,d -, ,hs prss;dsn,s por M, ~ he otha, min
sissal bouses conld NOT resist The soenng influences of
her conciatory disposton OF her frank and gracious
hut eonenied her evening circle and sal at her
h"shand;s sable table that was covered with the pro-
s.;on If Vys;rar hosnaItv ra,her Than with The ee
yance and refinement Of European taste The lady OF
5oregn minister was once ridculng the enormous size
and humber of The dishes with which the board was
Ioaded ami observed that Il was more like n harvest
homs sumner than The entertainment Of Secretary Of
Stale Mrs. Madison heard Of This and similar remarks
and onJv observed with smile thai she thought abund
ance was preferable 10 elegance that circumstances
formed custoas and customs formed taste and as The
pfnson 40 repugnant 10 foreign customs arose from the
hanpv N the and prosperity
~ AR country sba Ala not hesitate 10 sacrifice the deli
cacy of Euro5ean taste "a. he les elegant but more lib
eraI fashion Of Virginia. The MANY Door families daily
supplied from thaf table would have
had reason TO introduction of European fashion,
had Mira Madison been ON 10 submit 10 its die
iatioa a. - 80
During the eight wears that Mr. Madison was Secre.
tary Of Stale be and his family lived with the
of wv ashin0ion a. with fellow -citizens RECEIVING and
reenrocatnr cv;l;ties In the most Kind and friendly man
ner The Secretarv himself being wholly absorbed in
public busness left TO Mrs Madison the discharge of the
Ter caeuated for The task Exposed. as she necessarily
must have been In "a conspcuous situation 10 envy
jealousy and she 30 managed as to con-
cate he rood will OF all without ever offending the self
love If of The compettors for her favor and
attention Every ysiter left her with The pleasing impress