Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/47

 24

VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

pointed a delegate. The meeting at Anna- polis led to the Federal convention at Phil- adelphia, in which Madison figured as the great constructive organizer of the new con- stitution and government, winning the name of "Father of the Constitution." He after- wards joined with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in preparing a series of able es* siivs which were published in 17S8 over the name of "The Federalist," defensive of the v;ork of the convention ; but his ability shone ii. even a more brilliant light when in the Virginia convention, during the same year, he carried the adoption of the constitution iigainst all the declamation of Patrick Henry and the fervid reasoning of George Mason and William Grayson. Succeeding this, he v.as defeated for the senate of the United States, but elected to the house of represen- tJ.tives. In this new capacity he opposed the measures of Hamilton, and aligned himself with Mr. Jefferson and the Republican party. In 1797 he withdrew to private life, but in 1798 he joined in a movement to oppose the alien and sedition laws passed by John Adams and the Federalist party, and drew the famous resolutions of 1798- 1799, which were quoted for many years later as defining the ground upon which the States Rights party stood. These resolutions, with those of Kentucky, drawn by Jefferson, were repu- diated by the legislatures of the other states under the control of the Federalists. So Mr. Madison had himself returned to the Virginia house of delegates, and made his famous report of 1800, affirming the con- federate character of the Union and the sov- ereignty of the individual states. In 1801 Madison became secretary of state in Jeffer- son's cabinet, and was his trusted adviser during eight years. In 1808 he was elected

bis successor in the presidential chair, and Served two terms. He continued the peace policy of his predecessor, and resorted to commercial restrictions to coerce Great Britain and France. When this proved in- adequate, he reluctantly consented to war with the former. Modern thought has jus- tified him in both particulars. His second administration was virtually a history of the war of 1812-1814. conducted for the most part in gloom, but concluded with the glories of a great victory at Xew Orleans.

After the expiration of his second term, he retired to "Montpelier." his beautiful home in Orange county, where he spent twenty years more in literary and agricul- tural pursuits. He was much interested in the establishment of the University of Vir- ginia, of which he was a visitor, and the successor to Mr. Jefferson as rector. To the time of his death he continued to be con- sulted by statesmen as an oracle on all con- stitutional questions. His death occurred on June 28, 1836. He married Dorothea Payne Todd, but left no issue.

Marshall, John (q. v.).

Mason, David (q. v.. i-285).

Mason, George, son of Colonel George Mason, of Stafford county, and Ann Thom- son, his wife, daughter of Stevens Thom- son, attorney-general of Virginia, was de- scended from an ancestor of the same name, who came to Virginia about 165 1. He was born at Doeg's Neck, Stafford county (now Fairfax), in 1726, and was educated at pri- vate schools. He was a member of the Ohio Company in 1749, and during the French and Indian war was active in provid- ing supplies to Braddock's army. He was a member of the house of burgesses in the

Digitized by

Google