The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-16

snked among the spectable citizens or the
tate While on visit to OF her friends in North
Carolina, Mrs Payne bth to her eldest daughter,
he subject of tbis memoir who ali hough accidentally
yorn in another State claims the title dear TO all
yho possess 10, of being Virgipian. In Imposition
che is decidedly so, having been imbued by nature
the disting hing traits of the Vg MAN character
Soon after their marriage, Mr. aud Mrs. Payne Joined
slaves ana removed TO Pennsylvania. The subject Of
his memoir educated la fhiladeipbia according
20 the strict OF be society which her family
belonged system which has utility for its basis aud
which forbds the requirement Of those graceful and
ornamental aecOmph hment which are too generally
considered the most Important parts OF female edu-
cation.
At an early age Miss Payne was married to Mr. Todd
young lawyer of Philadelphia and member Of the
Society of Friends. During his lifetime she continued
70 live in the simplicity and seclusion OF that Sect
Though, even then the beauty which became after
yards SO celebrated began Co tract attention. Soon
however, she was left widow with infant
ser the death of her husband her father also being
had she returned 10 live wits her surviving parent
40 had fixed her residence IN lhilaaelphia
fIhe personal charms Of the young widow united
Icy we're. with manners cordial frank and gay, ex-
'd the Animation and ened the kind feelings OF
~ Who came within her infueuce and uuaided by the
TSric and accidental advantages Of fortune or fash
she became general fayorite. and the object not
~. OF admiration but of serous and devoted attach
nsat Among many lovers equally distinguished by
y sir rank aud talents, who sued for her favor. she
lave the preference 10 Ar Madison then one OF the
most conspicuous and able members OF Congress-
and in the year 1884 became the wife of that truly
or, at and good From that time until Mr.. Madi-
son came into the administration, along with Mr. JEFF
fers.n she lived in the full enjoyment OF that sbun-
ant and cordial hos pitaiy which Is the nguishing
aracteristic OF u Virginia planter. The houss
= - filled is overlooking with guests, who not
"'Nuiously invited To formal entertain ments, but
2 and kindly hidden TO the hospitable board and
81 lpleasures OF ne domestic circle Her widowed
a.cfer and pban sisters were made mariners of the
counties ana blessings lasished her by kind Provi-
dence and the fond ait ction of her husband
eyinced by the REGARD aud Kindness he showed to all
hnm she loved ana cherished and, on her part,
Sea-. rocated by similar attention TO the happiness
w. .'oonfort OF his aged mother who Continued to
eNwith her ron. IN this situation, Mrs. Madison
yred TO be IN the very sphere for which nature had
sn,d her Her circumstances were IN perfect &c.
N.danee with her disposition aud the liberal gifts of
fortune were Literally pated with all around her.
ne happiness she herself enjoyed she bestowed
Tiers aud the sunshine of her own bosom ga ldened
its warmth ana brightness the little world OF
y 4j"h she the centre her family aud friends
=. Madison being appointed Secretary of State
nd with bis family from Lis happy home, to Wash
ON, iu April, 1901
The infant metropolis Of the Urion at that time
almost wilderness. The Presidents House stood
enclosed piece Of waste aud barren ground sepa-
rated from the Capitol by almost imPasab bic marsh.
That building not half completed and standing.
rs it did, AMIDST the rough masses Of stone and other
ierals collected for is construction. aud half hid
Y by the venerable oaks that still shaded their native
cooked more like "a rum III the midst OF its fallen
Gents and cooyal SHADES, than new and rising
&c. The siitnce aud solitude of the surrounding
were calculated TO enf rec this idea for, beyond
Capitol lii, Tar the could reach, the city
was callra. lay state OF nature. covered with
sDick forest wide aud verdant ri AIMS
with only I'd there house along the intersect-
ing ways, That could not be properly called streets
The original propretors OF the grounds on which the
'ty was located tanned their rural residences and
cir babi Of living The nbab who throng-
10 the seat Of government came from every quarter
ne Union. bringing with them the modes aud
tens OF their respective States Mr. Madison from Vir-
ginia Mr. Gellatin from P"y auia Gen Dearborn
Hron as aud Robert smith from Maryland,
heads OF the several departments OF ..,vrn-
cent. With these came numerous political frien.s
sependants to fill the subordinate places in the
Offices.
"a society formed Of such various materials presented
u most novel aspect Unconnected by similarity of
'aabts established fashions by the ties Of scquain
nce or consapguinty this motley throDg became
rittd into one elose and intimate circle by feeling
canon to all They strangers in n strange land,
aod f.lt the necessity Of mutual aid and sccommods
ION, and might be compared to beautiful piece of
mosac. in which nIity II separate pieces OF diver
lied colors blended into one harmonious whole.
or J,Errson, many years after his retirement from
public life recurring To- that time friend
that the peculiar felicity Of bis administration tho
uDanimity that prevailed in his cabinet We were"
snid he like one family y The ssme spirit Of union
AID HIND psryaoed the whole circle II society-a
circle at that very limited in its extent aud very
simple In its habits The most friendly aud social in
rcourse prevailed through ali its parts unshaced by
nat etiquette and ceremony which have since been
introduced to the small detriment OF social enjoy
ment he's Presidents house was the seat OF hospipa
ty wh,re Mrs. Madison always presided, Tin the alb
sence of Mr. Jcn,rson's daughiers when there we're
female guests After the Presidents the house Of the
Secretary of state the Resort OF most company The
frank and cordial Of its mistress gave pecu-
liar charm to the FIR, parties there assembled All
foreigners who visited the ssAt government strangers
parme nts, the diplomatic corps senator's representa-
t'.s citizens mingled with and freedom u
soiabity aud ea,ty, 10 be met with In other soci
ETY. Even party spirit virul,nt aud -mbittrrcd 1t
then was by her gentrn-s dsarmed Of its aperi-
~ Individuals Who never visited At the Presidents,
nor m at The other ministerial houses could not resist
The toftebing Influences u her ooncatory dispoion
her frank and gracious but freq her
vening circle and sat ut her hu bands tablea table
that was covered with the profuson Of vr alan hos
pitalty rather than with the elegance and
a European taste The lady OF foreign minister was
eli M M mb of
dishes with which the board loaded aud observed
that IL was ore like harvest home supper than the
entertainment Of Secretary ~ state Mira Madison
heard ~ this and similar temArks and only observed,
- n smile that she Thought abundance was prcera-
Re to elegance that circumstance formed customs,
a customs formed taste and as the profusion
7gnsbt TO foreign customs from the happy cir
stance Of the superabuudance aud prosperity Of
suuntTy the did not hesitate to sacrifice the delft
Of European taste for the less elegant but
al fashion Of Virginia the many poor families
J-y suppli,d from that profdseysprrs table would
lad to regret the of European
had Mrs. Madison been prevailed on to submit
lring the eight years that Mr. Madison was secre-
p of State he and is family lived .ith the iuhabi-
tants of Washington with teo~ citiEeos receiving
and procsting cyites In the most Kind aud friendly
amer The Secretary himself being wholly absorbed
In public business lett Madison the discharge
IL the duties a social intercourse. And never
woman better calculated for the task Exposed as she
scessai must have b en- In pcuous situation,
envy jealou'y and misoons,rgction she so managed
iag the s,floye Of any 81 the numerous csmpettors
1or her favor and attention livery visiter left her
the rlt asing mpre.sipn of being especial IA
" -of having been tue object OF peculiar attention.
forgot a she had h, ard. nor face
oe lad once the personal circumstances con-
ac'fd with every individual Of her acquaintance Her
dick recognition Of persons her recurrence TO their
c1sr Interests produced the gratifying Impression
each and ell OF those who eonversod with her, that
sheT especial objects Of regard
Her house very plainly furnished and her dress
- no way extIayagsut IL was only In hospitality aud
charity that her profusion unchecked aud some
lines made her sensible that her income was not equal
20 her wishes.
when the term Of Mr. Jtnerson's presidency drew
its close the spirit Of political intrigue which had
ain dormant, was again reused into activity. ncv
President to be chosen and there were several
competitors for the peoples favor Zach had parti-
jealous and untring in the canvass who left no
means unemployed 20 insure success Private society
felt the bansfu influence OF these political intrguesi
ocial intercourse embttered Nv party SPIRIT per.
rnnal confidence often violated that degree OF
fcumt pectun became necessary almost Incompatible
with that fsnkness and candor which constitutes the
Oh m Of intimate society.
In these trying times Mrs Madison appeared to Pc