Alida Part 43

Individuals who never visited the president's dwelling, nor met at the other ministerial houses, could not resist the softening influences of her conciliatory disposition, with her frank and generous manners. She was constantly receiving and reciprocating civilities in the most kind and friendly manner with the inhabitants of Washington. The president, being wholly absorbed in public business, left to Mrs. Madison the discharge of the duties of social intercourse. And never was woman better calculated for the task. Exposed as she necessarily was, in so conspicuous a situation, to envy, jealousy, and misconstruction, she so managed as to conciliate the good-will of all, without offending the self-love of any of the numerous compet.i.tors for her favour and attention. Every visiter left her with the pleasing impression of being an especial favourite, of having been the object of peculiar attention.

She never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had once seen, nor the personal circ.u.mstances connected with every individual of her acquaintance. Her quick recognition of persons, her recurrence to their peculiar interests produced the gratifying impression in each and all of those who conversed with her that they were especial objects of regard. The house was very plainly furnished, and her dress in no way extravagant; and it was only in hospitality and charity that her profusion was unlimited.

[_Mrs. Madison_:

"Individuals who never visited at the President's, nor met at the other ministerial houses, could not resist the softening influences of her conciliatory disposition, of her frank and gracious manners....

"... receiving and reciprocating civilities in the most kind and friendly manner; The Secretary himself, being wholly absorbed in public business, left to Mrs. Madison the discharge of the duties of social intercourse. And never was a woman better calculated for the task. Exposed, as she necessarily must have been in so conspicuous a situation, to envy, jealousy, and misconstruction, she so managed as to conciliate the good-will of all, without offending the self-love of any of the numerous compet.i.tors for her favor and attention.

Every visitor left her with the pleasing impression of being an especial favorite, of having been the object of peculiar attention.

She never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had once seen, nor the personal circ.u.mstances connected with every individual of her acquaintance. Her quick recognition of persons; her recurrence to their peculiar interests, produced the gratifying impression, in each and all of those who conversed with her, that they were especial objects of regard.

"Her house was very plainly furnished, and her dress in no way extravagant. It was only in hospitality and in charity that her profusion was unchecked...."]

The amiable and engaging qualities which have been here described, characterized Mrs. Madison in her husband's public life. In the midst of the bitterness of party spirit, and the violence of political animosity, she was mild and courteous to all. The political a.s.sailants of her husband she treated with a kindness which disarmed their hostility of its individual rancour, and sometimes even converted political enemies into personal friends, and still oftener succeeded in neutralizing the bitterness of opposition.

[_Mrs. Madison_:

The amiable and engaging qualities which have been described, characterized Mrs. Madison through the whole of her husband's public life. In the midst of the bitterness of party spirit and the violence of political animosity, she was mild and courteous to all.

The political a.s.sailants of her husband she treated with a kindness, which disarmed their hostility of its individual rancor, and sometimes even converted political enemies into personal friends, and still oftener succeeded in neutralising the bitterness of opposition.]

At this period her courage and firmness were put to a severe test. In August, 1814, the British troops landed forty miles below Washington, and approached that city. The president left the city to hold a council of war. Before his departure he anxiously inquired if she had courage or firmness to remain in their house until his return on the morrow, or succeeding day. She a.s.sured him she had no fear but for him and the success of the army. When the president reached Bladensburgh he unexpectedly found the two armies engaged. Meanwhile terror spread over the city--all who could obtain conveyances fled to the adjoining towns.

The sound of the cannon was distinctly heard, and universal confusion and dismay prevailed. Some personal friends who remained with Mrs.

Madison, strongly urged her to leave the city. They had her carriage brought to the door, but could not persuade her to enter it till her husband should return, and accompany her. And she did not finally depart till several messengers had been despatched to bid her fly.

[_Mrs. Madison_:

During the last war her courage and firmness were put to a severe test. In August, 1814, the British troops landed forty miles below Washington, and approached that city. The President left the city to hold a council of war.

Before his departure, he anxiously inquired if she had courage or firmness to remain in the President's house until his return on the morrow or succeeding day. She a.s.sured him she had no fear but for him and the success of our army. When the President reached Bladensburgh he unexpectedly found the two armies engaged. Meanwhile terror spread over the city. All who could obtain conveyances fled to the adjoining towns. The sound of the cannon was distinctly heard, and universal confusion and dismay prevailed. Some personal friends who remained with Mrs. Madison strongly urged her to leave the city. They had her carriage brought to the door, but could not persuade her to enter it till her husband should return and accompany her. And she did not finally depart till several messengers had been despatched to bid her fly.]

Much as she graced her public station, she was not less admirable in domestic life. Neighbourly and companionable among her country friends, as if she had never lived in a city, delighting in the society of the young, and never better pleased than when promoting every youthful pleasure by her partic.i.p.ation;--she still proved herself the affectionate consort, without neglecting the duties of a kind hostess, and a faithful friend and relation. She smoothed and enlivened, occupied and appeased, each varying scene of life. Her husband knew, appreciated, and acknowledged the blessing which heaven had bestowed on him, in giving him such a companion.

[_Mrs. Madison_:

"Much as she graced her public station, she has been not less admirable in domestic life. Neighborly and companionable among her country friends, as if she had never lived in a city; delighting in the society of the young, and never better pleased than when promoting every youthful pleasure by her partic.i.p.ation; she still proved herself the affectionate wife during the years of suffering health of her excellent husband. Without neglecting the duties of a kind hostess, a faithful friend and relative, she smoothed and enlivened, occupied and amused the languid hours of his long confinement. He knew, appreciated and acknowledged the blessing which heaven had bestowed on him in giving him such a wife."]

CHAPTER XVIII.

And many an aching heart at rising morn, A sad memento of the day that's past, From long protracted slumbers, slowly drawn; From wearied spirits--with a gloom o'ercast.

All business of importance, at this time, was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay; occasioned by the continuance of hostilities with Great Britain. All appeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of the inhabitants;--and although there had been some rumours of peace, it was not yet concluded.

[_Alida_ page 35 (chapter IV):

All material business was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay. A heavy gloom hung over the inhabitants generally, while all their affairs appeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of the people.]

A severe battle had lately taken place at New-Orleans, in which the Americans were victorious. Another was fought some little time afterwards on Lake Champlain. The British fleet, with 1050 men approached Plattsburgh, while the American fleet were lying off that place. The British fleet bore down upon them in order of battle, commanded by sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada. Commodore Macdonough, the American commander, ordered his vessels to be cleared for action, and gallantly received the enemy. The engagement was exceedingly obstinate. After a contest of two hours, the British ships and several sloops of war fell into the hands of the Americans. Before sunset the temporary batteries of the enemy were all silenced, and every attempt to cross from Plattsburgh to the American works was repelled. At nine o'clock the object was abandoned, and the British general hastily drew off his forces. Large quant.i.ties of military stores were left behind, and fell into the hands of the Americans.

[_Interesting Events_: Piracies in the West Indies:

An engagement with the pirates ensued, in which the Americans were victorious.]

[_Interesting Events_: Battle on Lake Champlain:

In September, 1814, an army of 14,000 men, under the command of Sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada, and a fleet on Lake Champlain, under Commodore Downie, carrying 95 guns, and 1050 men, approached Plattsburgh.

The American fleet, commanded by Commodore Macdonough, carried but 86 guns, and 826 men. While lying off Plattsburgh, on the 11th of September, the British fleet bore down upon them in order of battle.

Ordering his vessels to be cleared for action, Commodore Macdonough gallantly received the enemy. The engagement was exceedingly obstinate.... After an engagement of two hours and twenty minutes, the British ships were silenced, and one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war, fell into the hands of the Americans.]

[_History of New York_:

Before sunset, the temporary batteries of the enemy were all silenced, and every attempt to cross from Plattsburg to the American works repelled. At 9 o'clock, the object was abandoned, and the British general hastily drew off his forces... Large quant.i.ties of military stores were abandoned, and fell into the hands of the Americans.]

The people of the United States were at this time divided into two political parties; one party condemned the war as unwise and unnecessary; the other contending that the war was just, and necessary, for the maintenance of national honour. The opposition to the war was the greatest in the New England states, and during its continuance this opposition was confirmed. Enlistments of troops were in some instances discouraged, and dissentions arose between the general and state governments, respecting the command of the militia, called out by order of the former, to defend the sea-board. Accordingly the legislature of Ma.s.sachusetts appointed delegates to meet and confer with the delegates from the states of New England, or any of them, upon the subject of their public grievances and concerns. The delegates met at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1815, and sat nearly three weeks with closed doors. This convention consisted of delegates from the state of Ma.s.sachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island; two members from New Hampshire, and one from Vermont. After their adjournment, the convention published an address, charging the nation with pursuing measures hostile to the interest of New England, and recommended amendments to the Federal Const.i.tution.

[_Interesting Events_: Hartford Convention (quoting "Goodrich"):

During the second war with Great Britain, the people of the United States were divided into two political parties, one party condemning the war as unwise and unnecessary; the other contending that the war was just, and necessary for the maintenance of national honor. The opposition to the war was the greatest in the New-England States, and during its continuance this opposition was confirmed.

Enlistments of troops was [_sic_] in some instances discouraged, and dissentions arose between the general and state governments, respecting the command of the militia, called out by order of the former, to defend the sea-board. In October, 1814, the Legislature of Ma.s.sachusetts appointed "delegates to meet and confer with the delegates from the States of New England, or any of them, upon the subjects of their public grievances and concerns." The delegates met at Hartford, Con. Dec. 15th, 1814, and sat nearly three weeks with closed doors. This Convention consisted of delegates from the States of Ma.s.sachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island; two members from New-Hampshire and one from Vermont: these last were appointed at County meetings. After their adjournment, the Convention published an address, charging the National government with pursuing measures hostile to the interests of New-England, and recommending amendments to the Federal Const.i.tution.]

The report of the Hartford Convention concluded with the resolution providing for the calling of another convention, should the United States refuse their consent to some arrangements,--whereby the New England States, separately, or in concert, might be empowered to a.s.sume upon themselves the defence of their territory against the enemy. The committee appointed to communicate these resolutions to Congress, met at Washington the news of peace: and owing to this event, another Convention was not called. And may it never be the fate of America, to be again involved in hostilities with her mother country, from whence is derived her revered religion;--each nation possessing towards the other reciprocal fellow-feelings, becoming Christian brethren.

[_Interesting Events_: Hartford Convention (quoting "Goodrich"):

The report of the Convention concluded with a resolution, providing for the calling of another convention, should the United States "refuse their consent to some arrangement whereby the New England States, separately, or in concert, might be empowered to a.s.sume upon themselves the defence of their territory against the enemy"....

The committee appointed to communicate these resolutions to Congress, met at Washington the news of peace: and owing to this event another Convention was not called.]

How shall we to his memory raise A theme that's worthy to record; The tribute of a nation's praise In grateful accents sent abroad.

Let eloquence his deeds proclaim.

From sea-beat strand to mountain goal; Let hist'ry write his peaceful name.

High on her truth-illumin'd scroll.

Let poetry and art through earth, The page inspire, the canva.s.s warm, In glowing words record his worth.

In living marble mould his form.

A fame so bright will never fade, A name so dear will deathless be; For on our country's shrine he laid The charter of her liberty.

Praise be to G.o.d: his love bestowed The chief, the patriot, and the sage; Praise G.o.d! to him our father owed This fair and goodly heritage.

The sacred gift time shall not mar.

But wisdom guard what valour won, While beams serene her guiding star, And glory points to Madison.

[Park Benjamin: Ode on the Death of James Madison (here quoted from _The American Monthly Magazine_, N.S. 2, 1836):