The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-27


higgle about the prices. The merchant
with whom he dealt exhibited the most
marked deferen ce to him, and. when his
purchases closed, took him by the arm
and conducted him to his carriage,
which he slowly entered with his assis-
lance and that of the driver. The car
riage then drove in the direction of
Monticello. aud | gazed at it at until
out Of sight with mingled emotions of
plaseur and regret-pl easure at being
permitted to see venerable statesman
of such high distinction and regret at
the lear that I should never see him
again.
PRESIDENT MADISON.
Col. Thompson saw much more of Mad
ison than be did of jefferson. but gives
only the following brief sketch of him.
His residence was known as Mont
peller. 1t WAS situated in Orange county,
Virginia, within less than thirty miles
from the place of my nativity. AS all
travel at that time was upon horseback
and was too young to visit him alone
1
like angels visits. few and far be-
tween" here having been, however
| several occasions when / could do SO /
was enabled, much to my qualification,
to realize for myself that his personal
| appearance indicated the possession of
the high qualities universally assigned to
him. After / had seen jefferson could
not avoid observing the contrast between
| them, Madison being below the average
height, while Jefferson was tall. ! was
more attracted by the expression of his
| countenance than by that of Jefferson.
1t seemed to me each time observed
| him, that had rarely seen face in
which more benignity and quiet COM
| posture was expressed. 1t was complete
personifcation of gentleness and benevo-
lence. This, however, was altogether
consistent with the prominent character
istics which made him as influential in
the limited circle around his home as
he had been in the broader !. field of
national affairs"
/ PRESIDENT MONROE.
Concerning Monroe, who was the third
| of the Revolutionary hero Presidents
whom the author in his youth had for
his neighbors, he speaks as follows:
/ "There was nothing peculiarly striking
or impressive in the personal appearance
of Monroe. He was not 40 tall as Jetfer-
son, but taller than Madison. His face
was not so shrunken as the formers,
nor so full as that of the latter. His
countenance indicated the possession of
the highest reflective faculties and per-
feet candor. and sincerity. wholly with
out discrimination. For these qualities
he was universally esteemed, and it was
impossible to observe him closely and
hear him converse without concluding
that, in this respect, his reputation was
/ well deserved. I had been always taught
/ thussto regard him. and this estimate of
| him became fixed in my mild by per-
sonal observation. He was fine speci-
| men of what in my boyhood was called
an "old Virginia gentleman"-sincere in
manner, simple in tastes, courteous in
department and manly intercou rse with
fall.
81 saw him frequently. He resided
near the village of Aide, in Loudon
county, Va, and it was his custom to
| make requent visits to Jefferson and
4 Madison, in Albemarle and Orange
/ counties, which required that he should
pass through the town of my nativity,
both going and returning. He travelled
in a two horse carriage driven by a
negro servant, and always stopped at
the same MOTEL, and remained all night
in order C hold social intercourse with
friends residing there, who had been his
comp Mons in the war of the Revolu-
tion. Whenever he arrived it was soon
known to all, and there were very few
among the small population. who did not
pay their respects TO him. These crowds
were not sufficient to constitute mod
ern leyee, but tLey were composed Of
sincere admirers, who were never slow
in discharging all the courtesies and
amenities of social intercourse. Upor
several occasions, boy as was, sue
ceeded in crowding SO near to him as tC
obtain distinct view of his person. and
,
, lutionary officers. who visited him served
with him under Washington, and while
!, upon these occasions. they had no op
portunity to recount the scenes through
! which they had passed together, hav
! not forgotten with what admiration
, l looked upon him and them. as the rep
q resentatives of the most glorious perio,
= in our history. More than six decades o
: time have passed since then, but thes
veterans are not infrequently brough
back before me among the visions of tn
night time, as well as amid the scenes o
!, active life"
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
n John Quincy Adams was stricken wit
3 paralysis while standing at his desk i
% the House of Representatives and wa
l. borne to the Speakers room, where tw
) DAVIS later he died. AS Col. Thomson wit
r messed his tragic end it is singular b
e does not. describe it. The chapter o