Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-10-16

Washington, grand ball was given in his
honor, to which the beauty aud fashion oi
The town Hooked, curious to see his elaborate
dress, aud tuthan made Of plaster of Paris
representing the finest muslin. tie, how.
ever, showed perfect indifference to the
open NdmtrS'IHn about him, until spying
large Tat ueAress ON her way from the
Kitchen, no rushed tn her, aud with much
enthusiasm threw his sruS around her, say
ing she reminded him OF home and his best
aud most expensive wife, "A load Tor
camel -
WHEN in l>Oo James Madison became
president, Mr. Jefferson having declined re-
election for u third term, affairs were rapidly
approaching the crisis which eliminated In
the "Second War Tor Independence as the
war oi ISL is not insptly called 10y some one
Never was there u more trying time for
"Rueeu Dolly in her capacity IS sOC.al
leader ami sovereign. " Political iUuds IAn
hlgh, aud party spirit was mover more NiTu.
lent than at that time. The elements were
various and difficult to hsrmOnlae Yet she
was loved 10y all parties and embittered poll
tiCiaus, who never met save At her hnspitable
board, forgot all their QuArrels under the III.
uuence OF her gracious tact" SO exception.
ally successful was she in her difficult posi-
tiOn that no one will feel disposed to deny
thus estimate of her made 10y her kinswOuan
who edits these memoirs Though IN no
sense a learned woman she says, " nor one
who at snv time cared for study. or even for
reading, Dolly Madison was eminently a tai
ented woman, full Of most delicate tact, aud
so warm hearted and amiable that even her
early Quaker friends were induced to con
done what they feared was an undue fond
ness Tor the things of this world Thirty.
seven years OF age, still very young in alN
pearance and feelings, she dressed hand
somely aud in the mode Clinging for n
time To the pretty little Quaker cap, hut dis
Cardlng that even, when she went into the
W hite House, As unsuitable to her surround.
ingS She was ambitious ia that she oudeav-
ored 10 make her husbands administration
brilliant and successful one. with all her
appreciation OF admiration she was not OK
travagant though hospitahIe TO 3 degree
which was rarely seen out OF Virginia
AT length the war-cloud burst, and rs We
know, IN August, 1914, the capital of the
country was surprised and ruthlessly burned
Ivy the English, an outrage W hIch. aS has been
well said, :" can never be thought of by an
American, and ought not to be thought OF by
an enlightened EnglIShman, except " ith de
pIordO.e shame and modification" All
mat refers 10 those stirring scenes is brought
NlNItlg before the reader by these memoirs,
and made more real aud near To us than is
done by any historical writing know OF.
\ LETTER of Mrs. Madison TO her sis
ter Anna written the day before the burn.
ing, gives an insight into her feelings and OF
her herusm, under those trying circum.
stances. l cannot refrain from giving Il en-.
tire
"TUEsDAl, Aug, -. l>ll.
" Deur NtstcT.-My husband lett me yes
teTday morning to join General Winder. He
inquired auNiOusly whether | had courage
or nrmness to remain in the presidents
house until his return on the morrow, OF
succeeding day, and on my assurance that
had no fear but for him and the success OF
our army, he lett, beseeChing me to take care
OF myself and OF the cabinet papers publ,
and private l have since received two dis
patches, written with a pencil. The last is
alarming, because he desires | should be
ready AZ moments warning to enter mJ
carriage and leave the city that the enemy
| seemed stronger than had at first been re
| ported, aud il might happen that they wOulG
| reach the city with the intention OF destroy
| ing 1t l am accordingly ready / have
| pressed as many cabinet papers into trunks
| Is TO MI one carriage our private property
| must be sacrificed, as it is impo ssible to pro
| cure wagons for its transportation. l am de
| leTmined not TO go myself until see Mr.
| Madison sale, so that be can accompany me
| as l hear OF much hostility towards him
| DIsateciIon stalks around us. Ny friend.
| and acqualntances are all gone, even COlOne
| c., with his hundred, who Nure stationed a,
| guard in this enclosure. French john "a
| faithful serNant), with his usual activity auL
|
| gate, aud lay train OF powder, which would
| blow up the British should they enter the
| house. To The last proposition | positively
| object, without being able to make him un
derstand why all advantage. in war may no
| he taken.
| q" Wednesday uoruIny, twelve o'clock
| Since sunrise have been turning my spy
| glass N every direction, and watching viii
| uu"earled anxiety, hoping to discover the
! approach OF my dear husband and his friends
| a a. | F,T,Ix~ 20.
| tary, wandering in ali directions, as If there
| was lack OF arms, or OF spirit to fight 70!
their own iireside.
| "Three O'clock.-Wll you believe it. nv
| sister we have had battle, or skirmish b.
near Bladensburg, and here | AIN still, with
in sound OF the cannon Mr.. Madison come.
not May God protect US! Two ne-<envers
covered with dust, come TO bid me fly bu,
here | mean 70 wait for him. r Al
tins late hour a wagon has been prOcured
and | have had it filled with plate and the
most valuable portable articles belonging tc
the house. Whether 1t will reach It's destina.
ton, the Bank of Maryland or fall into the
hands OF British soldiery, events must de,
termiue. Our kind friend, Mr.. Carroll has
come to hasten my departure, and in a very
bad humor with me, because | insist on wait
ing until the large picture OF General Wash.
lngton is secured, and it requires to be uu.
screwed from the wall. THIS process was
found too tedious for these periIOuI m0yneDts
| have ordered the frame TO be broken. and
tine canvas taken out 1t is donel and the
precious portrait placed in the hands of two
gentlemen OF New York, for safe keeping.
And now, dear sister, ! must leave this house
or the retreating army will make me a pri--
oner in it by filling up the road / am directed
to take. When | shall again write to Won or
where | shall be to morrow, | cannot tell
DOLLY.n
THE portrait of Washington referred to js
the famous one now again hanging in the
White House, where it was replaced half A
century after its narrow escape from destruc-
ton, from which nothing but the heroic de-
termination Of Mrs Madison had saved il
II was painted partly by Stuart, the uniin-
lshed body and limbs being executed by
Ninstsnley, with Col. Smith, the son-in. law
OF President John Adams, as a model.
AFTER the expiration of Mr. Madison,s
second term, he aud his amiable wife retired
to his favorite country seat, Montpelier, in
Virginia, with his old friend Mr.. Jefferson az
his near neighbor at Monticello about thirty
miles distant. A charming picture of Mont
peiier and the Madisons' life there Is given.
with some most delightful letters on agricul
tural subjects that passed between the two ex-