James Madison at his Inaugural Ball in 1809

I just went to Montpelier :)

It was amazing. They also have the best exhibit explaining slavery that I've seen.

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged from you! <33

Ooo, alr!! ^_^

1. The Madisons (bring them up, and suddenly all of my worries are out of the window, idc where we are I WILL YAP)

2. The original 13 colonies (I'm not even kidding I started tweaking in history once because I saw the 13 colonies in my history booklet)

3. Yapping about history (I love history if you couldn't tell)

4. 1776 (the exception being EDWARD RUTLEDGE. I hate that little man. I mean, if you're gonna dislike/hate on Adams, the least you could do is something cool (eg, rewrite the Bible, make the Liberty Song, establish a while ass bank, key and the kite in thunderstorm, etc) instead of not wanting to sign an important document just because it said slavery bad. Womp womp, cry me a river, Rutledge)

oh shit look at me yapping about my hatred for him, oopsie daisy ☺️☺️

5. Splatoon (one of these things is not like the others)

ok but seriously. my dream amrev blunt rotation is Theo burr, William Hamilton, James Madison, Charles Adams, lafayette and maybe John Payne Todd. fuck it, put dolley in there too and her magical diplomatic snuffbox. this might be too many people for one blunt

I feel like Dolley is too much of cokehead to feel anything from weed. James would die after one puff. Theo takes one hit and starts writing poetry about Antigone and Polynieces or some shit. Challz, Billy and John probably have a threesome or something idk.

Caroline opens the letter and began to read the letter out loud:

My Dearest Mr Jefferson, It is with utmost disdain that I dip this quill in ink, for it feels like a meager attempt to stain the grimy fabric of your soul with the truth. The very truth that you, my dear scoundrel, have weaved a despicable web of deceit that entangled my husband, rendering him weak-willed to your treacherous charms.

Oh, how I pity the poor creature who lacks virtue and morality, succumbed to the siren song of a wretched succubus such as yourself. Like a festering wound, you crept into his heart and eradicated the love and loyalty he once held for me. For that, my dear, you shall be remembered as nothing more than a vile thief, robbing me of the happiness I so rightfully deserve.

You may prance around in your tawdry dresses, your repugnant allure hidden beneath a facade of false innocence, but I see right through your perfidious act. Your wretched soul shall forever be shrouded in the darkness of your wicked deeds; a malevolent creature deserving of nothing but the scorn and disdain of all those who cross your path.

Oh, how it sickens me! To think that you, a vermin of the lowest order, would stoop so low as to steal a man's affection, fully aware of the pain and suffering it would cause his rightful partner. Your actions, unlike your morals, have made it abundantly clear that you lack any sense of decency or compassion.

But fret not, my dear traitor, for I bear no resentment towards your pitiful existence. Instead, I eagerly await the day when the facade inevitably crumbles, when my husband finally realizes the extent of your deceit and the hollowness of the love you offer. It is then, when you find yourself abandoned and alone, that you shall truly understand the depths of the torment you have brought upon yourself.

Take this letter, my dear adulteress, and let its words linger in your conscience. May it serve as a haunting reminder of the havoc you have wreaked upon my once tranquil life. And though I bid you farewell, my heart finds solace in the hope that one day justice shall be served, and you shall face the consequences of your disgraceful actions.

Yours, in utter contempt,

Dolley Payne Todd Madison

*James felt shocked but soon it was replaced by anger* “OH SHE DOESNT UNDERSTAND DOES SHE? CALLING HIM A THIEF WHENEVER I WAS THE ONE WHO STOLE HIS HEART! WHAT THE HELL!? BESIDES HE ISNT PUTTING ME INTO SOME SORTA “TRAP” HIS EX WIFE IS DEAD AND I KNEW HIM BEFORE I KNEW HER! UGH THIS IS JUST INFURIATING IS THIS WOMAN MAD!?” *James yelled which is something James mostly NEVER does unless something truly angers or upsets him* “Caroline keep your letter safe from your papa. Im gonna go deal with this woman.” *James growls as he uses his crutch to stumble away, ohh boy he was going near his office, let’s just say JAMES WAS BEYOND PISSED, yea sure his wound was hurting him but he didn’t feel it due to his anger*

This Day in History: Dolley Madison passes

On this day in 1849, Dolley Madison passes away. Did you know that this First Lady nearly died in poverty? The vivacious First Lady had begun life as Dorothea “Dolley” Payne, daughter of a Virginia planter. Yet her father converted to Quakerism, freed his slaves, and moved to Philadelphia. He unfortunately wasn’t very successful there, which perhaps prompted what came next. At the urging of her father, Dolley married John Todd, an established Quaker lawyer who could give her financial security. Thus, Dolley Payne became Dolley Todd. That name wouldn’t last long. In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic ravaged Philadelphia. Dolley lost her husband and one of her two sons. The new widow was left alone with an 18-month-old. “Her smile, her conversation, and her manners are so engaging,” one acquaintance wrote, “that it is no wonder that such a young widow, with her fine blue eyes and large share of animation, should be indeed a queen of hearts.” It was the Father of the Constitution, James Madison, who ultimately won her over. In May 1794, the 43-year-old James sought an introduction to the 26-year-old widow. The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-dolley-madison-passes  

...now for Mad[ison] he told me I might say what I pleas’d to you about him to begin, he thinks so much of you in the day that he has Lost his Tongue, at Night he Dreames of you & Starts in his Sleep a Calling on you to relieve his Flame for he Burns to such an excess that he will be shortly consumed & he hopes that your Heart will be calous to every other swain but himself he has Consented to every thing that I have wrote about him with Sparkling Eyes, Monroe goes to France as Minister Plenipo...Poor Coln Bur has Lost his Wife he is gone to New York....

Catharine Coles to Dolley Payne Todd, 1 June 1794

Burr: Hey, Mr. Madison, you free 8PM next Saturday?

Madison: Yes, I am. Why?

Burr: How about you, Dolley?

Dolley: Yup.

Burr: Good, because I'm not. You two go without me. Enjoy your date!

Madison: Did—

Dolley: Did He Just—

Dolley we gotta dip. The British are coming part 2 in this b*tch.

How some of the best known figures of the American Revolution addressed their wives in writing. As determined from my reading of letters on founders.archives.gov.

Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read Franklin: Both addressed their letters to “My dear child.” Ben also called Deborah “My dear Debby.”

John Adams and Abigail Smith Adams: Their most frequent form of address to each other was “My dearest friend.” They also often addressed each other with the names of literary and mythological characters. In a very early letter he called her “Miss Adorable.”

George Washington and Martha Dandridge Custis Washington: There are only three extant letters between them (two from him, one from her) but all three begin with “My Dearest.” George also called Martha “My Dear Patcy.” (”Patsy” was a common nickname for “Martha” at the time.)

James Madison and Dolley Payne Todd Madison: He usually addressed her as “My Dearest” but occasionally as “My Beloved.” She addressed him as “My Beloved” and “My Dear Husband.” And one time as “My best love.”

Hi! I was wondering if you know anything about how Madison reacted to Jefferson's death?

(Also: I really love your art and your blog!☺)

Madison didn’t know about Jefferson’s death until a couple days after it happened, but he was prepared to hear about it because Jefferson’s doctor, Dr. Dunglison, had sent him a note in early July saying that the end was near for his patient. Nicholas Trist wrote to Madison asking him for his thoughts on his late friend, and Madison said this: 

“He lives and will live in the memory and gratitude of the wise and good, as a luminary of Science, as a votary of liberty, as a model of patriotism, and as a benefactor of humankind.  In these characteristics, I have known him, and not less in the virtues and charms of social life, for a period of fifty years, during which there has not been an interruption or diminution of mutual confidence and cordial friendship, for a single moment in a single instance.” 

A little while later, Madison received a walking staff that was bequeathed to him in Jefferson’s will, and wrote the same sort of sentimental eulogy to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, who had sent Dr. Dunglison to deliver it. At around the same time, Dolley Madison wrote to John Payne Todd that “Mr. M. feels [Jefferson’s] departure dearly.”

(Oh sorry let me do an alternate one right now)

Caroline:

Oh Thanks da-

Caroline looks at the letter for a bit

James:

-What is it?

Caroline:

-Dad…this is a letter for papa from someone called Dolley Payne Todd Madison?

“..oh yea my ex wife..” *James mumbles as he gives the actual letter Caroline had been looking for to her*

This Day in History: Dolley Madison passes away

On this day in 1849, Dolley Madison passes away. Did you know that this First Lady nearly died in poverty?

The vivacious First Lady had begun life as Dorothea “Dolley” Payne, daughter of a Virginia planter. Yet her father converted to Quakerism, freed his slaves, and moved to Philadelphia. He unfortunately wasn’t very successful there, which perhaps prompted what came next.

At the urging of her father, Dolley married John Todd, an established Quaker lawyer who could give her financial security. Thus, Dolley Payne became Dolley Todd.

That name wouldn’t last long.

In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic ravaged Philadelphia. Dolley lost her husband and one of her two sons. The new widow was left alone with an 18-month-old.

“Her smile, her conversation, and her manners are so engaging,” one acquaintance wrote, “that it is no wonder that such a young widow, with her fine blue eyes and large share of animation, should be indeed a queen of hearts.”

It was the Father of the Constitution, James Madison, who ultimately won her over.

How? The story continues at the link in the comments.

T H E  F I R S T  L A D I E S #4 // Dolley Madison

Dolley Payne was born into a devout Quaker family in 1768. There is no evidence that she received any formal education. In 1790, she married a Philadelphia lawyer named John Todd, and within three years they had two sons together. Tragedy soon struck, however: the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 cost Dolley both her husband and her infant son William. She was left to raise her surviving child Payne alone. James Madison noticed and admired the beautiful young widow while he served in Philadelphia as a congressman from Virginia. Despite the difference in their ages (Dolley was 26 to his 43) and religions (Madison was Episcopalian), they were married in 1794. The seemingly mismatched newlyweds were very happy together. Dolley began dressing in fine fashions and earning a reputation as a charming hostess.

In 1800, Madison became Secretary of State. Dolley took Washington, the new capital city, by storm. An amiable hostess, she organized many social events for President Jefferson, a widower. She also befriended many wives of other politicians, diplomats, and foreign dignitaries. Through these relationships, she exerted quiet political influence in favor of her husband, who was himself elected president in 1809. That year, Dolley presided over the first Inaugural Ball. Her popularity, charm, and tact served Madison well politically throughout his term. When British troops arrived in Washington in the summer of 1814, Dolley was famously able to save a carriage-full of valuables and government documents, including a portrait of George Washington, before escaping to safety herself. She did more to shape the role of first lady than any of her predecessors.

The Madisons retired to the family plantation, Montpelier, in 1817 after sixteen years in Washington. By the early 1830s Dolley and her husband began suffering financial difficulties in large part due to her son Payne’s huge debts. Madison’s health was also failing. He died in 1836 and, heartbroken, Dolley moved back to Washington. She was later forced to sell Montpelier both in order to stave off abject poverty and to keep enslaved families from being separated. Despite her money trouble, however, she remained beloved in Washington for the rest of her life. She worked tirelessly to champion the memory and “enduring goodness of [her] beloved husband.” In 1849, at the age of 81, Dolley Madison died. She had been among the young country’s last living connections to its founders. Such was her renown that her funeral was attended by the president, his cabinet, and many other dignitaries, and hers was the largest funeral procession in Washington had yet seen.

Things I should have posted sooner