James Madison

James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was the fourth (1809–1817) President of the United States. He was co-author, with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, of the Federalist Papers, and is traditionally regarded as the Father of the United States Constitution.

Presidential years

In the election of 1808, Madison ran for president in his own right, and won, largely on the strength of his abilities in foreign affairs at a time when United Kingdom (Britain) and France were both on the edge of war with the United States. Both countries blockaded the ports of the other, preventing commerce with either. In 1810, a bill was passed that would break off relations with any nation that would not remove the blockade: France did, and Britain did not.

Related Topics:
Election of 1808 - United Kingdom - France - 1810

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In the ensuing War of 1812, the British won numerous victories, including a temporary occupation of Washington, D.C., forcing Madison to flee the city. The British also armed American Indians in the West, most notably followers of Tecumseh. Neither side was terribly enthusiastic about the war, however: the British had little to gain, and in the United States, New England Federalists threatened secession if the war was not ended. In 1814, the Treaty of Ghent ended the war. The Battle of New Orleans, in which Andrew Jackson distinguished himself, was fought 15 days after the treaty was signed — the news not reaching Louisiana in time from Belgium. The major lasting effect for the political face of the country was the end of the Federalist Party, who were considered traitors when they opposed the war.

Related Topics:
War of 1812 - Occupation of Washington, D.C. - American Indians - Tecumseh - New England - Federalists - Threatened secession - 1814 - Treaty of Ghent - Battle of New Orleans - Andrew Jackson - Louisiana - Belgium - Federalist Party

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In his last act before leaving office, Madison vetoed a bill for "internal improvements," including roads, bridges, and canals:

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:"Having considered the bill...I am constrained by the insuperable difficulty I feel in reconciling this bill with the Constitution of the United States...The legislative powers vested in Congress are specified...in the...Constitution, and it does not appear that the power proposed to be exercised by the bill is among the enumerated powers..." http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/981.html

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Madison rejected the view of Congress that the General Welfare Clause justified the bill, stating:

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:"Such a view of the Constitution would have the effect of giving to Congress a general power of legislation instead of the defined and limited one hitherto understood to belong to them, the terms 'common defense and general welfare' embracing every object and act within the purview of a legislative trust."

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Despite Madison's "last stand," so-called pork-barrel spending would soon become commonplace in the United States.

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It should be noted that although Madison would support internal improvement schemes only through constitutional amendment, he urged a variety of measures that he felt were "best executed under the national authority," including federal support for roads and canals that would "bind more closely together the various parts of our extended confederacy."

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At 5 feet, 4 inches in height (163 cm) and 100 pounds (45 kg) in weight, Madison was the nation's shortest president and frequently ill. In 1794, Madison married Dolley Payne Todd, who cut as attractive and vivacious a figure as he did a sickly and antisocial one. It was Dolley who is largely credited with inventing the role of "First Lady" as political ally to the president.

Related Topics:
1794 - Dolley Payne Todd - First Lady

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Cabinet

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Supreme Court Appointments

Madison appointed the following Justices to the Supreme Court of the United States:

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• Gabriel Duvall — 1811
• Joseph Story — 1812

States Admitted to the Union

• Louisiana – April 30, 1812
• Indiana – December 11, 1816