Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-05
BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.

but just dipping into them and have
seen no one as yet except Mr. Smith for
a few minutes last evening. What num-
der of days / may be detained here II is
BE- sure Will be shortened as much as pos
sible Everything around and within me
reminds me that you are absent and
makes me anxious to quit the solitude.
Ia my next I shall. I hope. be able to
FAy when l shall have this qualifications;
perhaps al0 TO say something Of the in
telligence just brought us. 1 send the
paper OF this morning which has some
thing on the subject. 1 hope the com
more favorable than Is stated. Those
from England can scarcely be favorable
whilst such men hold the reins as we
have lately had to do with. Mr.. and
Mrs Erskie are here. His successor had
not sailed on the 10th OF June. God bless
YOU and be assured of my constant affec-
ton; J. MADISON.
Dolly Madisons Troubles.
The wife of the President has her
-Sroubless Hike every other housekeeper.
and Mrs. Madison had hers when she
presided at the White House. The fol-
towine letter to Benjamin Henry Latrobe,
the man. who built the Capitol. who was
te4en superintendent of public buildings
taRd grounds, proves this statement:
September II. 1909.
Dear Mr.. .Latrobe: incredulous indeed
must be the ear that receives without be-
lief the vanished tale but most happy
would it be for you could you listen with
out emotion to the variety of falsehoods
.freMed but TO play on your sensibility.
TnA letter have this moment received
from you gives me uneasiness. because l
md my conduct. which always contra
dicted my opinion or expression against
you, has been insufficient to assure your
Judgment al loaS OF
sistent In the first place. my affection
for Mrs. Latrobe would in itself prevent
my doing injustice TO her husband-and in
the next place l always knew that 1 had
no right to animadyert on his journeys,
or conduct. as public officer, and as Il
is one of my sources of happiness never
to deVse knowledge of other peoples
business. Thirdly, l never for a moment
doubted your taste or honour in the d:rec-
tion Of public buildings or even In the
building Of our little carriage. The mo-
ment We examined the latter we declared
You had been deceived by the maker
Mrs. Sweny is woman of many
words. l have never talk'd to her. or be-
fore her. but of her work. In your alb
sence she would rehearse to the house
hold terrible tales of dis affection from
the Capitol. which l lamented for your
sake. I can account for Mrs. Sweny's
mis-information to YOU only by suppos-
ing her offended at my leaving her but
little TO do in the house. Not knowing
/ therefore ordered that she should mere
~ repair the beds. l shall be strict in my
examination Of the servants when l re-
turn. as ] wish to know those who have
taken the liberty to misyepresent me-.
will sab little of the Anonymous letters.
but that YOU excite my surprise at suffer
ing th(m to-hare the slightest effect on
your spirits or transactions. Allow me
again 70 thank YOU, with all my heart. for
tho trouble you have taken. in many in
stances, to Oblige and accommodate me
and tho our enemies may strive to throw
around me ungrateful appearances ] shall
take 4 pleasure In cOntradicting their de-
signs. D.. p. MADISON"
Letter to John Quincy Adams.
On July =. 1886. John Quincy Adams
was invited to deliver a eulosy upon
James Madison. who had died on the 18th
of June previous. And he wrote to Mrs.
Madison. asking for biogra phical material
Her reply was as follows:
The selection by the city government
OF Boston of you. whose eminent ability
10 perform the task permitted to you, and
whose Attachment to the subject of your
eulogy Ensures a fullness of justice in it's
performance, will be highly gratifying to
his countfymen-but most Of all to his be-
reaved partner! s
The impression that my husband had
left manuscript memoirs OF his own life
prepared for publication IL erroneous-but
from memoranda on his files and refer
ences TO them. my brother. who is with
me. has prepared brief material. how
ever inadequate. which is now offered to
you with sentiments of great regard and
respect. y. r. MADISON.
The following note addressed to some
unknown person by the wife of President
Madison shows that she was acquainted
with Elizabeth Patterson. the discarded
Napoleon the Great and the King or
WeStphalia- 1t is written upon large
sheet OF letter paper in a plain and very
distinc. hand. with wide lines. and reads
as follows.
81 am obliged my charming friend. to
announce TO you the disappointment in my
hopes of attending Your agreeable party
TO Alexandria. as some imperious domes-
tic engagements forbid me ouch an in
dulgence-f know you Will be good enough
to MAXI my apology 10 Madame Bona
par7e. II my sister can contribute to
make your excursion pleasant she will 60
With great che2rfuines.
With affectionate Solicitations TO the
ladies' ladies' Of your house believe me truly
Mrs Madison was not always careful
her ''apoligy." and she first wrote the
word announced with one N" She
spells obliged ''oblidsed" and cheerful
ness. ."chearfulness.' with an "a" Such
but they were not unusual in the cor
respondence of ladies of the greatest
culture in her times.
While she was the wife Of the Presi
dent. In January. 1910. Miss WiIdes.
who Is otherwise unknown. presented
Mrs Madison with a bed quilt and re-
cieved the following stately acknowledE-
nent:
The beautiful and valuable counter
pane which does 30 much credit 10 the
ingenuity and industry OF Miss Wildes.
has just now been received. l beg she
will accept my sincere thanks for the
singular favor. It is greatly augmented
By the expressions Of kindness from my
unknown friend. hope she will believe
that ! cannot forget her. and that she
WIN add to my obligations by accepting
rom me some token of my regard
>s ID. r. MADISON"
Jaskson's Coincidence Acknowledged.
ll'Re following acknowledgment Of ex-