A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 3

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 3
USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 3

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined to retire from political life. For a period of nearly forty years, he had been continually before the public, and all that time had been employed in offices of the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus devoted the best part of his life to the serv- ice of his country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his declining years required, and upon the organization of the new adminis- tration, in March, 1809, he bade farewell for- ever to public life, and retired to Monticello.

The 4th of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, great preparations were made in every part of the Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity of the occasion invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, and one of the few surviving signers of the Declaration, to participate in their festivities. But an illness, which had been of several weeks' duration, and had been continually increasing, compelled him to decline the invitation.

On the 2d of July, the disease under which he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced state that his medical attendants en- tertained no hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next day, which was Monday, he asked, of those around him, the day of the month, and on being told that

JAMES MADISON.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

it was the 3d of July, he expressed the earnest wish that he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth anniversary. His prayer was heard-that day, whose dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble life! To die on that day, -the birth of a nation- the day which his own name and own act had rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, was all that was wanting to fill up the record of his life. Almost at he same hour of his death, the kindred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear him company, left the scene of his earthly honors.

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes were light, his hair, originally red, in after life became white and silvery; his com- plexion was fair, his forehead broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as well as personal courage; and his command of tem- per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends never recollected to have seen him in a passion. His manners, though dignified, were simple and unaffected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that all found at his house a ready welcome. In conversation he was fluent, eloquent and entusiastic; and his language was remarkably pure and correct. He was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is discernable the care with which he formed his style upon the best models of antiquity.

J AMES MADISON, fourth president of the United States, was born March 16, 1751, and died at his home in Virginia, June 28, 1836. He was the last of the founders of the Constitution of the United

States to be called to his eternal reward. The Madison family were among the carly emigrants to the New World. landing upon the shores of the Chesapeake but fifteen years after the settlement of Jamestown. The father of James Madison was an opulent planter, re- siding upon a very fine estate called " Mont- pelier," Orange county. Va. The mansion was situated in the midst of scenery highly picturesque and romantic, on the west side of Southwest Mountain, at the foot of Blue Ridge. It was but twenty-five miles from the home of Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and political attachment existed be- tween these illustrious men from their carly youth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of eighteen he was sent to Princeton college, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to study with the most im- prudent zeal; allowing himself for months, but three hours' sleep out of the twenty-four. His health thus became so seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor of constitution. He graduated in 1871, when a feeble boy, but with a character of utmost purity, and with a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning.

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. This educational course, the spirit of the times in which he lived, all combined to inspire him with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of a statesman.

In the spring of 1776, when twenty-five years of age, he was elected a member of the Virginia convention, to frame the constitution of the state. The next year (1777) he was a candidate for the general assembly. He re- fused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and con- sequently lost his election; but those who had

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, and he was appointed to the executive council.

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained member of the council; and their appreciation of his intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 1780, he was elected a member of the continental con- gress. Here he met the most illustrious men in our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of the most conspicuous positions among them. For three years Mr. Madison continued in congress, one of its most active and influential members. In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was elected a member of the Virginia legislature.

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no national government, with no power to form treaties which would be binding, or to enforce law. There was not any state more prominent than Virginia in the declaration, that an efficient national government must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison car- ried a resolution through the general assembly of Virginia, inviting the other states to appoint commissioners to meet in convention at Ann- apolis to discuss the subject. Five states only were represented. The convention, however, issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madison, urging all the states to send their delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft a consti- tution for the United States, to take the place of that confederate league. The delegates met at the time appointed. Every state but Rhode Island was represented. George Washington was chosen president of the convention; and the present constitution of the United States was then and there formed. There was, per- haps, no mind and no pen more active in

framing this immortal document than the mind and pen of James Madison.

The constitution, adopted by a vote of 81 to 79, was to be presented to the several states for acceptance. But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected we should be left but a conglomeration of independent states, with but little power at home and little respect abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the convention to draw up an address to the peo- ple of the United States, expounding the prin- ciples of the constitution, and urging its adop- tion. There was great opposition to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and went into effect in 1789.

Mr. Madison was elected to the house of representatives in the first congress, and soon became the avowed leader of the republican party. While in New York attending con- gress, he met Mrs. Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fascination, whom he married. She was in person and character queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied so prominent a position in the very peculiar society which has constituted our re- publican court, as Mrs. Madison.

Mr. Madison served as secretary of state under Jefferson, and at the close of his administration was chosen president. At this time the encroachments of Eng- land had brought us to the verge of war. British orders in council destroyed our com- merce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring in his disposi- tion, war had no charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought to upon the ocean by the guns of an English cruiser. A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchalance he selects any number whom he may please to designate

1292144

JAMES MONROE.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

as British subjects; orders them down the ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun-deck of his man-of-war to fight, by compulsion, the battles of England. This right of search and impressment, no efforts of our government could induce the British cabi- net to relinquish.

On the 18th of June, 1812, President Madi- son gave his approval to an act of congress de- claring war against Great Britain. Notwith- standing the bitter hostility of the federal party to the war, the country in general ap- proved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, and entered upon his second term of office. The contest commenced in earnest by the appear- ance of a British fleet early in February, 1813, in Chesapeake bay, declaring nearly the whole coast of the United States under blockade. The emmperor of Russia offered his services as mediator. America accepted; England re- fused. A British force of five thousand men landed on the banks of the Patuxet river, near its entrance into Chesapeake bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladensburg, upon Wash- ington.

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. The president, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers in a council of war. Hc met our troops utterly routed, and he could not go back without danger of being captured. But few hours elapsed ere the presidential mansion, the capitol, and all the public buildings in Washington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on February 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of office expired, and he resigned the presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier and there passed the remainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the age of eighty- five years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- son died July 12, 1849.

J AMES MONROE, the fifth president of the United States, was born in West- moreland county, Va., April 28, 1758. He joined the colonial army when every- thing looked hopeless and gloomy. The num- ber of deserters increased from day to day. The invading armies came pouring in; and the tories not only favored the cause of the mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of contending with an enemy whom they had been taught to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went right on- ward undismayed through difficulty and danger, the United States owe their political eman- cipation. The young cadet joined the ranks and espoused the cause of his injured country, with a firm determination to live or die with her strife for liberty. Firmly, yet sadly, he shared in the melancholy retreat from Harlaem Heights and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. In four months after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots had been beaten in seven battles. At the bat- tle of Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charging upon the enemy he received a wound in the left shoulder. As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was promoted a cap- tain of infantry; and, having recovered from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, how- ever, receded from the line of promotion by

PRESIDENTS OF TIIE UNITED STATES.

becoming an officer on the staff of Lord Ster- ling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a regi- ment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed owing to the exhausted condition of the state. Upon this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at that period governor, and pursued with considerable ardor the study of common law. He did not, however, entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; but on the in- vasions of the enemy, served as a volunteer during the two years of his legal pursuits.

In 1782, he was elected from King George county a member of the legislature of Virginia, and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the executive council. He was thus honored with the confidence of his fellow citizens at twenty-three years of age; and at this early period displayed some of that ability and apti- tude for legislation, which were afterward employed with unremitting energy for the pub- lic good, he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of the congress of the United States.

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfec- tions of the old confederacy, he was opposed to the new constitution, thinking, with many others of the republican party, that it gave too much power to the central government, and not enough to the individual states. In 1789. he became a member of the United States sen- ate, which office he held for four years. Every month the line of distinction between the two great parties which divided the nation, the federal and the republican, was growing more distinct. The two prominent ideas which now separated them were, that the republican party was in sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a strict construction of the con- stitution as to give the central government as little power, and the state governments as

much power, as the constitution would war- rant. The federalists sympathized with Eng- land, and were in favor of a liberal construc- tion of the constitution, which would give as much power to the central government as that document could possibly authorize.

Washington was then president. England had espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the principles of the French revolu- tion. All Europe was drawn into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality between these contending powers. France had helped us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were combined to pre- vent the French from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous and noble nature. He violently opposed the president's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, by appointing that very James Monroe, who was denouncing the policy of the government, as the minister of that government to the republic of France. Mr. · Monroe was welcomed by the national conven- tion in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations.

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Monroe was elected governor of Virginia, and held the office for three years. He was again sent to France to co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining the vast territory then known as the province of Louisiana, which France had but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the entire territory

J. Q. ADAMS.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

of Orleans and district of Louisiana were added to the United States. This was prob- ably the largest transfer of real estate which was ever made in all the history of the world.

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to obtain from that country some recognition of our rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those odious impressments of our sea- men. But England was unrelenting. He again returned to England on the same mis- sion, but could receive no redress. He re- turned to his home and was again chosen gov- ernor of Virginia. This he soon resigned to accept the position of secretary of state under Madison. While in this office war with Eng- land was declared, the secretary of war re- signed, and during those trying times the du- ties of the war department were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-bearer of Presi- dent Madison, and the most efficient business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of peace he resigned the department of war, but con- tinued in the office of secretary of state until the expiration of Mr. Madison's administra- tion. At the election held the previous au- tumn Mr. Monroe had been chosen president with but little opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years later he was elected for a second term.

Among the important measures of his presi- dency were the cession of Florida to the United States; the Missouri compromise, and the "Monroe doctrine." This famous "Monroe doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that time the United States had recognized the independence of the South American states, and did not wish to have European powers longer attempt to subdue portions of the American continent. The doctrine is as follows: "That we should consider any at- tempt on the part of European powers to ex- tend their system to any portion of this hemi- sphere as dangerous to our peace and safety,"

and "that we could not view any interposi- tion for the purpose of oppressing or controll- ing American governments or provinces in any other light than as a manifestation by Euro- pean powers of an unfriendly disposition to- ward the United State." This doctrine imme- diately affected the course of foreign govern- ments, and has become the approved senti- ment of the United States.

At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, when he went to New York to live with his son-in-law. In that city he died on the 4th of July, 1831.

J OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth president of the United States, was born in Qunicy, Mass., on the 11th of July, 1767. His mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over his childhood during the almost constant absence of his father.

When but eleven years old he took a tear- ful adieu of his mother, to sail with his father for Europe, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted the notice of these distinguished men, and he re- ceived from them flattering marks of attention.

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he applied himself with great diligence, for six months, to study; then accom- panied his father to Holland, where he entered first a school in Amsterdam, then the univer- sity at Leyden. About a year from this time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana,

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

our minister to the Russian court, as his pri- vate secretary.

In this school of incessant labor and of ennobling culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to Paris, traveling leisurely, and examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again became associated with the most illustrious men of all lands in the con- templations of the loftiest temporal themes which can engross the human mind. After a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, when he returned to America.

After leaving Harvard college at the age of twenty, he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, being then but twenty-seven years of age, he was appointed, by Washington, res- ident minister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached London in October, where he was immediately admitted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinck- ney, assisting them in negotiating a commer- cial treaty with Great Britain. After thus spending a fortnight in London, he proceeded to the Hague.

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting him to remain in London until he should receive his instruc- tions. While waiting he was married to an American lady to whom he had been previ- ously engaged-Miss Louisa Cathe.ine John- son, daughter of Mr. Joshua Johnson, Ameri- can consul in London.

He reached Berlin with his wife in Novem- ber, 1797; where he remained until July, 1799, when having fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his recall. Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to the sen- ate of Massachusetts from Boston, and then was elected senator of the United States for six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his ability and his experience, placed him immediately among the most prom- inent and influential members of that body. Especially did he sustain the government in its measures of resistance to the encroachments of England, destroying our commerce and in- sulting our flag.

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the presidential chair, and he immediately nominated John Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resigning his professorship in Harvard college, he embarked at Boston, in August, 1809. While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense student. He devoted his at- tention to the language and history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the European system of weights, measures, and coins; to the climate and astronomical observations; while he kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and Latin classics. All through life the Bible constituted an important part of his studies. It was his rule to read five chapters every day.

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. Adams secretary of state. Taking leave of his friends in public and pri- vate life in Europe, he sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 18th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued secretary of state.

Some time before the close of Mr. Mon- roe's second term of office, new candidates

ANDREW JACKSON.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

began to be presented for the presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. Craw- ford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty-seven. As there was no choice by the people, the question went to the house of representatives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to M.I. Adams, and he was elected.

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable de- gree, abstemious and temperate in his habits; always rising early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his own fire and applying himself to work in his library often long before dawn.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from the presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected vice president. The slavery question now began to assume protentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not long permitted io remain in retirement. In November, 1830, he was elected representative to congress. For sev- enteen years, until his death, he occupied the post as representative, ever ready to do brave battle for freedom, and winning the title of "the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the house, he announced that he should hold himself bound to no party. He was usually the first in his place in the morning, and the last to leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against the proslavery party in the government, was sub-

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A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 3

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474