Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-20
CAsrLE Hull July ah 1880

CASTLE HILL, July rs, 1885.
Dear Sir received yesterday your letter of the Goth
nst., and lar the brief moments am enabled To
match from other urgent occupations will permit pro
:ood with great pleasure answer your INQUIRIES re-
peciing Mr. Madison. lie born the l6Gh day of
datch, lI5l and not 1850 some OF the ewspap,
keiches have represented His father a highly re-
ectable land holder OF the bsptisma vi him
.-li CJames aud resident OF the county, to:ange in
'hlcn he lived and died. Mr.. Madison, however,, was
'orn IN the county oil King George, the Rppahanuok
bout twenty miles below Fredeticks burg during visit
1t his mother TO her relations residing in that part of the
State lie received his classical education in private gram
schools In Virginia, but concluded his studies Mt
Princeton, in New Jersey, Of which institution he was
,raduate.
Asa mark of his affection for his Alma Mater he be-
queathed TO the college ut Princeton legacy OF 600
the benefit OF its library having made similar donations
~ his will to the University OF Virginia aud Union Col
ege, in Pennsylvania. lie read law aud well yeis.
I'd Ia It's learning aud its echric tes but never
Jractiset that any other profession. lie was elected
member of tho State Legislature in 1916 aud continued
it until November, III, when he transferred to
he Council OF State. OF that body he remained
Der until $780, when he elected the Congress
Confederation. As, under the articles OF
person could continue in Congress more than three
Jesrs in six, AIR. Madison ceased a member in 1888
aud returned TO the State Legislature where he remained
Ill l1S6; at that time, becoming again eligible Con.
iress, he was second time returned to that boiy. IN
1881, he was member Of the Federal Convention which
ormed the Constitution aud continued in the following
member OF the stae Convention which ratified II
IN the part OF Virginia.
In 1859 he elected member of the House of Rep
esentatvcs under the constitution aud continued
for eight successive years, when, the end Wash
ingon's administration he retired lie remained in pre-
life tll 1889, when he elected to the Legisla
ure of the State, with special reference to the question
If the alien aud sedon iawshs celebrated Il port ON
which has since formed the test OF The State Rights
school OF pocs. In 1901 he entered Mr. Jeersonz
ne as Secretary Of State and from that period to his
ieatb, the history Of his c familiar to the whole cou-
cry 10 private life, Mr. Madison was the most charming
man have ever known His powers Of conversation
nrvaled. What Lord Chesterfield SAYS Of Bolingbroke
~ts strictly applicable to hu-that every which
e from his lips III the most Careless and smi
r't D. taken down by the press he uttered it, with
out the correction OF snge word phrase. But it
40 "y o. ec, tor will my permit me, to date Oh
my OF his great exceeHces Of mind or morals This
you will do much better IN filling up. with your reec
ions and Illustrations the skeleton have endeayored to
'nrnsh you OF the leading aud employment Of his
lie, being leave to sdd that what have written 10 so
crude manner, and under the disadvantage of great
hase Is Intended exclusively for your private USE being
very sensible that It's only nnendaon Is that IL has
proceeded from desire evince the senmen. of es-
TEEN and respect with which
am your obdt sery't
u RAlSY, ESQ., WIN. C. RIYES