Source: Richard Brookhiser. James Madison (2011)
In Washington, D.C., there are many famous memorials for historically significant figures, such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, MLK Jr. Memorial, and south of D.C., Mount Vernon. While I was in Washington, D.C. in June, 2014, I wondered why there wasn't a memorial constructed for James Madison; but then, he does have a memorial - the U.S. Constitution. Madison was the only one that played a central role at every level in the creation of the Constitution: the Virginia Declaration of Rights, Annapolis, Philadelphia, Ratification, and the Bill of Rights. In popular history, James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution", due in part to the fact that he took laborious notes during the Constitutional Convention (they were published after his death). Richard Brookhiser argued that he should be remembered as "The Father of Politics", in part due to his involvement and leadership in not only crafting the Constitution, but also steering political and public opinion in favor of Ratification.
James Madison graduated from Princeton in 1774, and very soon thereafter became involved in the politics of his time. When Virginia's Anglicans tried to purge the Baptists from the colony, Madison, even when he was young and powerless, became a champion of religious freedom. When the British Gov't closed the Port of Boston (part of the "Intolerable Acts"), he was galvanized to action with the rest of the Virginia Gentry. In April, 1776, Madison was elected to represent Orange County at the Virginia Convention. Once there, he was named to be part of the committee that was chosen to draft the "Declaration of Rights" for Virginia. Madison actually worked on the draft on his own, much to the appreciation of most of the other members. Many of the phrases from his draft were eventually included in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Madison also made sure to include a clause in his draft guaranteeing the "free exercise of religion" in Virginia.
Flush from his success from being an important and valued member of the Virginia Convention, Madison ran for state-level office in the spring of 1777. He lost his first election due to the fact that he was not an effective campaigner . . . he didn't buy enough rounds of drinks in his district to get people to vote for him! Madison learned that too much pride can be detrimental (he thought buying drinks was "beneath him"), and also that losing an election is not the same thing as losing a political argument; those would be important lessons down the road.
From 1777 - 1783, Madison served as a representative to the National Government (basically the Legislature of the Articles of Confederation), and due to his close-up view, Madison was able to analyze the problems inherent of a confederation. Due to term limits, he had to vacate his seat, and was selected as a representative of the "Governor's Council", which was also seated in the nation's capital, until he was able to win another election as a representative from his district. During his involvement in national politics during the Revolutionary War, Madison supported the Treaty of Alliance (1778) with France, so much so that he became an avowed Francophile.
Flush from his success from being an important and valued member of the Virginia Convention, Madison ran for state-level office in the spring of 1777. He lost his first election due to the fact that he was not an effective campaigner . . . he didn't buy enough rounds of drinks in his district to get people to vote for him! Madison learned that too much pride can be detrimental (he thought buying drinks was "beneath him"), and also that losing an election is not the same thing as losing a political argument; those would be important lessons down the road.
From 1777 - 1783, Madison served as a representative to the National Government (basically the Legislature of the Articles of Confederation), and due to his close-up view, Madison was able to analyze the problems inherent of a confederation. Due to term limits, he had to vacate his seat, and was selected as a representative of the "Governor's Council", which was also seated in the nation's capital, until he was able to win another election as a representative from his district. During his involvement in national politics during the Revolutionary War, Madison supported the Treaty of Alliance (1778) with France, so much so that he became an avowed Francophile.
During the Revolutionary War, Madison became connected with many influential and wealthy Virginians (remember, Madison was born in to the Virginia Gentry), including the first Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry (never a favorite of Madison's). As time went on, James Madison believed that the national government should be armed with coercive powers; for example, the Articles of Confederation could not force the states to pay taxes. That belief in coercive powers at the national government level would eventually connect him with New York's Alexander Hamilton.
In June, 1779, Thomas Jefferson was elected Governor, and unlike Henry, Jefferson recognized and appreciated Madison's talents. If Jefferson and Madison were not working together, they wrote each other. They were bound together by their similarities (e.g. books) as well as their differences (TJ was the visionary, while Madison was the pragmatist). They both benefited tremendously from their personal and political friendship; Jefferson very much needed Madison's practicality to balance his idealism.
James Madison finally met General George Washington in person in the Winter of
1781-1782 in Virginia. Washington decided to bring the talented young up-and-coming Virginian into his circle of advisors, where he appreciated Madison's advice and humor.
Madison met Alexander Hamilton in November, 1782 in the national legislature as a fellow Congressman. They initially drew together over money and reform issues, but they disagreed on the strategies for reform. Both were geniuses, but Madison was far more circumspect, while Hamilton liked to tell anyone and everyone what was on his mind.
After the Revolutionary War, America had won its political independence, but it started life as a as a "deadbeat" nation, not even trying to pay back fractions of the loans from Dutch banks and the government of France. While Alexander Hamilton gravitated towards economic matters and the soon-to-be-proposed executive, Madison had moved to the center of national politics, and was learning how to be a politician . . . something that Hamilton never figured out. In the pitched political battles of the early-1790s, Hamilton understood America's economic reality, while Madison viewed the struggles of the nation through a political lens.
In June, 1779, Thomas Jefferson was elected Governor, and unlike Henry, Jefferson recognized and appreciated Madison's talents. If Jefferson and Madison were not working together, they wrote each other. They were bound together by their similarities (e.g. books) as well as their differences (TJ was the visionary, while Madison was the pragmatist). They both benefited tremendously from their personal and political friendship; Jefferson very much needed Madison's practicality to balance his idealism.
James Madison finally met General George Washington in person in the Winter of
1781-1782 in Virginia. Washington decided to bring the talented young up-and-coming Virginian into his circle of advisors, where he appreciated Madison's advice and humor.
Madison met Alexander Hamilton in November, 1782 in the national legislature as a fellow Congressman. They initially drew together over money and reform issues, but they disagreed on the strategies for reform. Both were geniuses, but Madison was far more circumspect, while Hamilton liked to tell anyone and everyone what was on his mind.
After the Revolutionary War, America had won its political independence, but it started life as a as a "deadbeat" nation, not even trying to pay back fractions of the loans from Dutch banks and the government of France. While Alexander Hamilton gravitated towards economic matters and the soon-to-be-proposed executive, Madison had moved to the center of national politics, and was learning how to be a politician . . . something that Hamilton never figured out. In the pitched political battles of the early-1790s, Hamilton understood America's economic reality, while Madison viewed the struggles of the nation through a political lens.
In 1784, Madison was elected to the lower house in the Virginia state legislature; later that same year Jefferson left for Paris. They kept in touch by writing letters; if eight or nine months passed without a response, they assumed that their letter(s) were lost . . . but at least they had time to reflect and think before writing again. Madison wrote Jefferson that the essence of government is "tacit assent", not only with the people to the national government, but also with the majority & minority . . . in these letters, Madison was trying to define freedom in a stronger national government.
Before Jefferson left for Paris, Madison and Jefferson steered a bill into law in Virginia, guaranteeing religious freedom - it was the precedent for the "Separation of Church and State." Later in 1784, Madison teamed up with Washington on what he called the "Potomac Project", trying to link the population of the coastline inland via the river. Madison actually thought that the Mississippi River was more important than the Potomac, but he wanted to get closer to Washington. As a result, Madison was Washington's "Right Hand Man" in the Virginia legislature for the project - he had reached a point of such importance in Washington's life that Madison was invited to Mount Vernon in the Fall of 1785. As time went by, the most common job that Madison performed for Washington was that of Ghost Writer (he wrote Washington's Farewell Speech . . . for 1793, at the end of his first term).
In 1786, a convention in Annapolis was scheduled to discuss commerce concerning the Articles of Confederation - delegates from only five states attended. But, among those delegates were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, and they pulled a political "fast one." They scheduled another convention to be held in Philadelphia in 1787, and then left town so there couldn't be any debate on the matter. In issuing the call for another convention, Madison made sure that the statement appealed to the ruling political class as well as the general public, something that was anathema to Hamilton. To those around him (e.g. Jefferson), Madison compared the Articles of Confederation to the failed political systems in Europe; he thought that there must be a way to bring order out of chaos . . . legitimate, recognized authority was needed at the national level.
Before Jefferson left for Paris, Madison and Jefferson steered a bill into law in Virginia, guaranteeing religious freedom - it was the precedent for the "Separation of Church and State." Later in 1784, Madison teamed up with Washington on what he called the "Potomac Project", trying to link the population of the coastline inland via the river. Madison actually thought that the Mississippi River was more important than the Potomac, but he wanted to get closer to Washington. As a result, Madison was Washington's "Right Hand Man" in the Virginia legislature for the project - he had reached a point of such importance in Washington's life that Madison was invited to Mount Vernon in the Fall of 1785. As time went by, the most common job that Madison performed for Washington was that of Ghost Writer (he wrote Washington's Farewell Speech . . . for 1793, at the end of his first term).
In 1786, a convention in Annapolis was scheduled to discuss commerce concerning the Articles of Confederation - delegates from only five states attended. But, among those delegates were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, and they pulled a political "fast one." They scheduled another convention to be held in Philadelphia in 1787, and then left town so there couldn't be any debate on the matter. In issuing the call for another convention, Madison made sure that the statement appealed to the ruling political class as well as the general public, something that was anathema to Hamilton. To those around him (e.g. Jefferson), Madison compared the Articles of Confederation to the failed political systems in Europe; he thought that there must be a way to bring order out of chaos . . . legitimate, recognized authority was needed at the national level.
The Virginia delegation in Philadelphia in 1787 consisted of Madison, Edmund Randolph (now Governor), and the wealthiest Virginian, George Mason (Patrick Henry refused to attend after being asked to do so). But Madison felt that he needed to find a way to get Washington involved in the convention, and he let it be known to members in the national legislature that Washington would ("reluctantly") serve as the President of the Convention, if asked. So, with the exception of Patrick Henry (whose absence Madison did not lament), the "Who's Who" of Virginia was at the Constitutional Convention, with Washington at the helm.
Madison was the primary author of the "Virginia Plan"; Randolph presented the plan to the attending delegates on the third day of the convention. Madison believed in majority rule that featured some coercive, legitimate authority. After Randolph presented the plan (and ruffled a few feathers in the process), Madison led the struggle to gain its passage. The only steady ally that Madison found was James Wilson of Pennsylvania; he continued to support Madison on many issues during the Constitutional Convention. However, William Paterson's "New Jersey Plan" (maintaining the status quo of the A of C) appealed to the smaller-population states.
On 16 July, 1787, the "Great Compromise" was negotiated, which basically combined the major elements of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Packaged with that compromise was the "Three-Fifths Compromise", establishing a formula for African slaves in terms of representation in the new (federal) "Lower House." Madison was the most dispirited and disappointed of all the Virginia delegates, but he kept going (and complaining), trying to save something from what he considered a political wreck. Again, he applied the lesson that losing his goal of representation based on population did not mean that he had lost his goal of extending the sphere and influence of a new national government.
Madison's main motivation to take copious notes of what was discussed and done at the Constitutional Convention (he agreed that he would not publish them any time soon) was to use the information from the notes in the future for political purposes, in private . . . the "Father of the Constitution" was already morphing into the "Father of Politics." Madison, Hamilton and Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania (one of the few that was respected and admired by virtually all of the other delegates) were tasked with writing the final draft of the Constitution - Morris was responsible for writing the Preamble.
On 17 September, 1787, George Washington gave his seal of approval of the document, albeit by indirect means. While the convention was in session, he was basically unable to directly participate in the floor debates (he participated and influenced much outside the sessions), so he, through a motion on the floor, gave his "indirect" blessing, and the Constitution was signed.
Madison was the primary author of the "Virginia Plan"; Randolph presented the plan to the attending delegates on the third day of the convention. Madison believed in majority rule that featured some coercive, legitimate authority. After Randolph presented the plan (and ruffled a few feathers in the process), Madison led the struggle to gain its passage. The only steady ally that Madison found was James Wilson of Pennsylvania; he continued to support Madison on many issues during the Constitutional Convention. However, William Paterson's "New Jersey Plan" (maintaining the status quo of the A of C) appealed to the smaller-population states.
On 16 July, 1787, the "Great Compromise" was negotiated, which basically combined the major elements of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Packaged with that compromise was the "Three-Fifths Compromise", establishing a formula for African slaves in terms of representation in the new (federal) "Lower House." Madison was the most dispirited and disappointed of all the Virginia delegates, but he kept going (and complaining), trying to save something from what he considered a political wreck. Again, he applied the lesson that losing his goal of representation based on population did not mean that he had lost his goal of extending the sphere and influence of a new national government.
Madison's main motivation to take copious notes of what was discussed and done at the Constitutional Convention (he agreed that he would not publish them any time soon) was to use the information from the notes in the future for political purposes, in private . . . the "Father of the Constitution" was already morphing into the "Father of Politics." Madison, Hamilton and Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania (one of the few that was respected and admired by virtually all of the other delegates) were tasked with writing the final draft of the Constitution - Morris was responsible for writing the Preamble.
On 17 September, 1787, George Washington gave his seal of approval of the document, albeit by indirect means. While the convention was in session, he was basically unable to directly participate in the floor debates (he participated and influenced much outside the sessions), so he, through a motion on the floor, gave his "indirect" blessing, and the Constitution was signed.
James Madison proposed that the Constitution needed to be ratified as written by only nine of the thirteen states; he knew that if even one amendment was added to the draft, then under the rules of the Articles of Confederation, all thirteen states would be needed for Ratification. Madison also knew that once drafted and proposed, the Constitution entered the world of politics.
Ratification in Virginia was fraught with difficulty from the beginning. George Mason, an original supporter, stated that he would refuse to attend the Ratification assembly, and campaigned against the document. Mason believed that the proposed Executive (President) had too much power at the expense of the Legislative branch, and the states. Edmund Randolph was also against Ratification, but Madison was able to work his political magic (in private), and Randolph was in public support, at least.
In New York, Ratification was more difficult than in Virginia; Governor George Clinton was "all-in" against the proposed Constitution. He wanted New York to continue as a semi-sovereign state, which he believed would be impossible with a more powerful national government. In response, Hamilton wrote his first Federalist Essay, which was the start of a propaganda blitz supporting the Constitution in the nation's newspapers. Hamilton wrote five essays, and John Jay wrote four, but Jay started to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and Hamilton asked his political ally, James Madison, to join him. Since Madison and Hamilton lived close to each other in New York City (they were both still representatives), it was easy to collaborate. In his twenty-nine Federalist Essays, Madison consistently argued that the sphere of the national government's influence should be extended. Unlike Hamilton, Madison needed to learn how to be a journalist, writing quality product while meeting deadlines; like he had done, and would continue to do, Madison stepped up and mastered a brand new (academic) skill.
Ratification in Virginia was fraught with difficulty from the beginning. George Mason, an original supporter, stated that he would refuse to attend the Ratification assembly, and campaigned against the document. Mason believed that the proposed Executive (President) had too much power at the expense of the Legislative branch, and the states. Edmund Randolph was also against Ratification, but Madison was able to work his political magic (in private), and Randolph was in public support, at least.
In New York, Ratification was more difficult than in Virginia; Governor George Clinton was "all-in" against the proposed Constitution. He wanted New York to continue as a semi-sovereign state, which he believed would be impossible with a more powerful national government. In response, Hamilton wrote his first Federalist Essay, which was the start of a propaganda blitz supporting the Constitution in the nation's newspapers. Hamilton wrote five essays, and John Jay wrote four, but Jay started to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and Hamilton asked his political ally, James Madison, to join him. Since Madison and Hamilton lived close to each other in New York City (they were both still representatives), it was easy to collaborate. In his twenty-nine Federalist Essays, Madison consistently argued that the sphere of the national government's influence should be extended. Unlike Hamilton, Madison needed to learn how to be a journalist, writing quality product while meeting deadlines; like he had done, and would continue to do, Madison stepped up and mastered a brand new (academic) skill.
In 1788, Madison was back in Virginia, at least in part due to Washington's request that he needed to organize opposition to George Mason and Patrick Henry in the upcoming Ratification convention. Mason, Henry, et. al. focused their arguments on the lack of a Bill of Rights; even Jefferson (in Paris) made the same argument in letters to Madison. Madison decided to run for a seat for the Virginia Ratification Convention that would be held in June, and easily won. On
2 June, 1788, the Virginia Convention convened; among the delegates were two soon-to-be significant historical figures: John Marshall (for) and James Monroe (against).
Patrick Henry held the floor for approximately one-quarter of the convention, opposing Ratification. Henry's ally, George Mason, made the mistake of making a motion that the delegates should analyze each clause of the Constitution, which then gave the advantage to James Madison (and his giant brain). But, Madison, the politician, could see that the tide for a Bill of Rights was irresistible, so he compromised on that point . . . but which rights to include, and where in the document should they be listed?
Even though New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, it would have been a relatively meaningless document without the support of Virginia and New York.
The votes were close in both state's Ratification conventions: in Virginia, the vote to ratify was 89-79, and in New York, it was 30-27.
2 June, 1788, the Virginia Convention convened; among the delegates were two soon-to-be significant historical figures: John Marshall (for) and James Monroe (against).
Patrick Henry held the floor for approximately one-quarter of the convention, opposing Ratification. Henry's ally, George Mason, made the mistake of making a motion that the delegates should analyze each clause of the Constitution, which then gave the advantage to James Madison (and his giant brain). But, Madison, the politician, could see that the tide for a Bill of Rights was irresistible, so he compromised on that point . . . but which rights to include, and where in the document should they be listed?
Even though New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, it would have been a relatively meaningless document without the support of Virginia and New York.
The votes were close in both state's Ratification conventions: in Virginia, the vote to ratify was 89-79, and in New York, it was 30-27.
During the Constitutional Convention, and then Ratification, James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution", became the "Father of Politics." Even before the Constitutional Convention, Madison made meaningful personal and political connections in Virginia (e.g. Jefferson and Washington), and outside the state (e.g. Hamilton). He also learned that losing an election or a vote on an issue wasn't the end of the world, and that he could still, with political skill and adroit strategies, accomplish the vast majority of what he felt was necessary to achieve. What James Madison wanted most was a new national government that, unlike European regimes, had legitimate authority to extend its influence, and by 1789, his goal seemed to be on the verge of becoming a reality.
(Below: Richard Brookhiser narrates a short video on James Madison and the Constitution)
(Below: Richard Brookhiser narrates a short video on James Madison and the Constitution)