A pictorial description of the United States; embracing the history, geographical position, agricultural and mineral resources (1860) (14754927446)

Identifier: pictorialdescrip00sear (find matches)
Title: A pictorial description of the United States; embracing the history, geographical position, agricultural and mineral resources ..
Year: 1860 (1860s)
Authors: (Sears, Robert), 1810-1892. (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: New York, R. Sears
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation



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e confidence of the state, and, asas a member of her legislature, was list-ened to with profound attention whenhe brought forward sundry resolutionsfor the formation of a general govern-ment for the United States, based uponthe inefficiency of the old confederation.From these i-esolutions grew a conven-tion of delegates from the several states,who, in conclave, prepared a form of aconstitution to be submitted to the sev-eral states for their discussion, appro-bation, and adoption. Mr. Madison wasa member of this convention, as a dele-gate from Virginia, and took an activepart in the deliberations of that enlight-ened body, of which Washington, hiscolleague, was president. On the adop-tion of this constitution, Mr. Madisonwas elected a member of the first con-gress, and took an active part in settingthe machinery in motion. At this pe-riod, public opinion was greatly agitatedby the crude and false opinions scat-tered throughout the country, throughthe medium of the opposition presses ;
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334 DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. this was grievous to the friends of theconstitution, and Jay, Hamilton, andMadison, formed an alliance to enlightenthe people upon the great doctrines ofthe constitution. The essays from thepens of these worthies were collected ina volume, called the Federalist, whichnow stands a monument of the wisdomand patriotism of that age. In the de-bates of the first congress, Mr. Madisontook a large share. It was an assem-blage of patriots, among whom thereoften arose a difference of opinion inregard to political policy, but all werelovers of their country, and laboring forher best interests. Here Mr. Madisonacted with the Cabots and the Amesesof the east in perfect harmony. It wasreserved for an after-age to feel the with-ering effects of party feuds. These werehardly discovered as long as the Fatherof his country filled the presidentialchair. In the administration of his suc-cessor, a separation into parties tookplace, and Mr. Madison ranked himselfo