Chapter XVII

A polished mien, with elegance of mind,
A winning grace, with taste and sense refined,
A kindly, sympathizing heart, sincere,
The gloomy scene, the pensive thought to cheer.

In a series of events, a period at length arrived, which manifested to mankind, in a more melancholy degree, the shocking consequences and devastation of war, the overwhelming sorrow that is brought on families for the loss of friends, with the discouraging embarrassments attending all kinds of business.

A severe engagement had recently taken place within half a mile of the Niagara cataract. General Scott, on his arrival at Niagara Falls, learned that the British were in force directly in his front, separated only by a narrow piece of wood. He soon pressed through the wood, and engaged the British on the Queenstown road. He advanced upon the enemy, and the action commenced at six o'clock in the afternoon, and continued with little intermission until twelve at night. The thunder of the cannon, the roaring of the falls, the incessant discharge of artillery during the six hours in which the parties were in combat, heightened by the circumstance of its being night, afforded such a scene as is rarely to be met with in the history of the wars of nations. The evening was calm, and the moon shone with lustre when not enveloped in clouds of smoke from the firing of the contending armies. Taking into consideration the numbers engaged, few contests have ever been more sanguinary. The battle was one of the most severe that had been fought during the war. The British troops engaged in this action amounted to 5000 men; many of them were selected from the flower of Lord Wellington's army. Colonel Miller's achievement, in storming the battery, was of the most brilliant and hazardous nature, and entitled him to the highest applause among the Americans.

[_Interesting Events_: Battle of Niagara (citing "Perkins Late
War"):

Gen. Scott arrived at the Niagara cataract, and learned that the
British were in force directly in his front, separated only by a
narrow piece of wood. Having despatched this intelligence to Gen.
Brown, he advanced upon the enemy, and the action commenced at six
o'clock in the afternoon.... Gen. Scott had pressed through the
wood, and engaged the British on the Queenston road.... The battle
continued with little intermission, from six in the afternoon until
twelve at night.... Col. Miller's achievement, in storming the
battery, was of the most brilliant and hazardous nature; it was
decisive of the events of the battle, and entitled him and his corps
to the highest applause.... The battle was fought to the west of,
and within half a mile of the Niagara cataract. The thunder of the
cannon, the roaring of the falls, the incessant discharge of
musketry, the groans of the dying and wounded during the six hours
in which the parties were engaged in close combat, heightened by the
circumstance of its being night, afforded such a scene, as is rarely
to be met with, in the history of human slaughter. The evening was
calm, and the moon shone with lustre, when not enveloped in clouds
of smoke from the firing of the contending armies. Considering the
numbers engaged, few contests have ever been more sanguinary.

This was one of the most severe and bloody battles, which was fought
during the war. The British force engaged in this battle amounted to
5,000 men: many of their troops were selected from the flower of
Lord Wellington's army.]

The measures of the president relative to the war were of such a nature as greatly to draw upon him the approbation and gratitude of the nation. He early began to turn his mind to a contemplation of the general politics of his country. He, therefore, became advanced in the requisite qualifications to assume and maintain the important station he held over it. He had imbibed an attachment for civil liberty almost from his infancy, which influenced his every action. He was of a pacific temperament, and pursued those measures as long as they would answer. But when it became actually necessary for him to recommend to congress to pursue a different course, it was then that the benefactor of his country endeavoured to concert measures still to preserve America as an asylum for civil and religious liberty. He possessed qualities well calculated to fulfil the duties of his high station with honour to himself and justice to the community. He was dignified in his deportment, kind, generous, and condescending; a patron to science; a uniform promoter of honourable enterprise, but an enemy to every thing dishonest, hypocritical, and disingenuous. And, as a Christian, he firmly adhered to the gospel, and regulated his life by its precepts and injunctions, in a consistent and exemplary manner.

[_Lives of Signers_: John Adams of Massachusetts

very early began to turn his mind to a contemplation of the general
politics of his country.
...
As, therefore, he increased in years, he advanced in qualifications
to assume and maintain the important station he held in the
revolutionary struggle which ensued.]

[_Lives of Signers_: Hancock of Massachusetts

Mr. Hancock from his infancy, had imbibed an attachment to civil
liberty. This attachment influenced....]

[_Lives of Signers_: John Adams of Massachusetts

an asylum for civil and religious liberty....]

[_Lives of Signers_: Stockton of New Jersey

He was dignified in his deportment; affable, kind, and condescending
to his inferiors and dependents; a patron of science; an uniform
promoter of virtues and honorable enterprise, but an enemy to
every thing dishonest, hypocritical, and disingenuous. And, as a
Christian, he was a firm believer in the evangelical doctrine of the
gospel; regulated his life by its precepts and injunctions, in a
consistent and exemplary manner....]

This illustrious president had the good fortune to be blessed with a consort whose qualifications in her particular capacity were no less adequate to fill with dignity her elevated station. The parents of Mrs. Madison were natives of Virginia. Their daughter was educated in Philadelphia among the Friends. She was, therefore, little indebted to acquired graces and accomplishments for the admiration and regard which followed her wherever she was known. To much personal beauty she added a warm heart and a benevolent disposition--charms and attractions which won for her not only admirers but friends, and exalted her to high eminence in the public estimation. Her natural and acquired endowments she carried into society with such pleasing manners and graceful demeanour, as produced almost universally an impression highly favourable to herself among the citizens of Washington. Her society was much esteemed in all the companies she frequented. Her mental powers were of a superior grade, and the effects of genuine piety and Christian benevolence distinguished all her actions. To these she added an amiability of temper, the polished address of a lady, with a conversation both pleasing and instructive. Her deportment to all was prepossessing, by the affectionate manner in which she addressed them separately, and the interest she manifested in their welfare. In these she showed no difference between the rich and the poor, and devoted much of her time to the cause of charity. She was eminently distinguished for her amiable qualities, and a peculiar versatility of talent in her conversation and manners. She entertained the numerous friends and guests of the president with cordial hospitality. She treated her husband's relatives with regard and kindness; and in the president's house, whenever there were female guests, Mrs. Madison always presided.

[_Mrs. Madison_
(any quotations are from National Portrait Gallery: see Sources):

The parents of Mrs. Madison, whose maiden name was Dolly Payne, were
natives of Virginia.... Their daughter was educated in Philadelphia
in all the strictness of the sect to which the family belonged. She
was, therefore, but little indebted to acquired graces and
accomplishments for the admiration and regard which followed her
wherever she was known. To much personal beauty, she added a warm
heart and a benevolent disposition; charms and attractions which won
for her not only admirers but friends....]

[_Lives of Signers_: Rush of Pennsylvania (first paragraph refers
to Dr. Rush's mother):

must exalt her to high eminence in our estimation.
...
His natural and acquired endowments he carried into society with
such pleasing manners and graceful demeanor, as produced, almost
universally, an impression highly favorable to himself among the
citizens of Philadelphia. His society was much esteemed by all the
companies he frequented. His mental powers were of a superior grade.
To these he added the polished address and manners of a gentleman,
and a conversation both pleasing and instructive. His deportment in
the sick room was prepossessing, by the affectionate manner with
which he addressed his patients, and the strong interest he
manifested for their recovery. In these he showed no difference
between the rich, who could amply reward him, and the poor, whose
only requital was their cordial gratitude and their prayers.]

[_Lives of Signers_: Witherspoon of New Jersey:

possessed a great versatility of talent, which he could successfully
apply to any subject he chose to handle.]

[_Mrs. Madison_:

Here she entertained his numerous friends and guests with an
abundant and cordial hospitality. Her mother and sisters lived with
her, and the regard and kindness with which her husband treated
them, was repaid on her part by similar attentions to the happiness
and comfort of his aged mother, who continued to live with her son.]

[_Mrs. Madison_:

"The President's house was the seat of hospitality, where Mrs.
Madison always presided in the absence of Mr. Jefferson's daughters,
when there were female guests.]

After the president's, the house of the secretary of state was the resort of most company. The frank and cordial manners of its mistress gave a peculiar charm to the frequent parties there assembled. All foreigners who visited the seat of government, strangers from the different states of the Union, the heads of departments, the diplomatic corps, senators, representatives, and citizens, mingled with an ease and freedom, a sociability and gaiety to be met with in no other society. Even party spirit, virulent and embittered as it then was, by her gentleness, was disarmed of its asperity.

[_Mrs. Madison_:

After the President's, the house of the Secretary of State was the
resort of most company. The frank and cordial manners of its
mistress gave a peculiar charm to the frequent parties there
assembled. All foreigners who visited the seat of government--
strangers from the different states of the Union, the heads of
departments, the diplomatic corps, senators, representatives, and
citizens, mingled with an ease and freedom, a sociability and
gaiety, to be met with in no other society.--Even party spirit,
virulent and embittered as it then was, by her gentleness was
disarmed of its asperity."]

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 competitors 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 circumstances 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 competitors 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 circumstances 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 assailants 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 assailants 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 assured 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 assured 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 participation;--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 participation; 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."]