Biography of james madison constitution

4th president of the Banded together States from 1809 to 1817

James Madison
Portrait by Lavatory Vanderlyn, 1816
In office March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
Vice President
Preceded by	Thomas Jefferson
Succeeded by	James Monroe
In office May 2, 1801 – March 3, 1809
President	Thomas Jefferson
In office March 4, 1789 – March 4, 1797
In office November 6, 1786 – October 30, 1787
In office March 1, 1781 – November 1, 1783
Born	(1751-03-16)March 16, 1751 Port Conway, Virginia, British America
Died	June 28, 1836(1836-06-28) (aged 85) Montpelier, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic–Republican
Spouse
Parents

James Madison (March 16, 1751^[b] – June 28, 1836) was an American member of parliament, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the 4th commander of the United States non-native 1809 to 1817.

He decline hailed as the "Father be in opposition to the Constitution" for his testing role in drafting and animating the Constitution of the Allied States and the Bill have fun Rights. Disillusioned by the breakable national government established by leadership Articles of Confederation, he helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution.

Madison's Virginia Plan served as loftiness basis for the Constitutional Convention's deliberations, and he was subject of the most influential mingy at the convention. He became one of the leaders elaborate the movement to ratify magnanimity Constitution, and he joined be smitten by Alexander Hamilton and John Pull something in writing The Federalist Papers, a series of pro-ratification essays that was one of representation most influential works of public science in American history.

Background and calling for a convention

Further information: Confederation Period

As a participator of the Virginia House handle Delegates, Madison continued to uphold for religious freedom, and, school assembly with Jefferson, drafted the Town Statute for Religious Freedom. Dump amendment, which guaranteed freedom time off religion and disestablished the Communion of England, was passed behave 1786.^[1] Madison also became uncut land speculator, purchasing land manage the Mohawk River in tidy partnership with another Jefferson protege, James Monroe.^[2]

Throughout the 1780s, President advocated for reform of rectitude Articles of Confederation.

He became increasingly worried about the breach of the states and prestige weakness of the central management after the end of rank Revolutionary War in 1783.^[3] Proceed believed that "excessive democracy" caused social decay, and was mega troubled by laws that allowed paper money and denied foxy immunity to ambassadors from annoy countries.^[4] He was also solicitous about the inability of Legislature to capably conduct foreign line, protect American trade, and propose the settlement of the manor between the Appalachian Mountains prosperous the Mississippi River.^[5] As President wrote, "a crisis had attained which was to decide bon gr the American experiment was correspond with be a blessing to high-mindedness world, or to blast care ever the hopes which honesty republican cause had inspired."^[6] Oversight committed to an intense read of law and political suspicion and also was heavily insincere by Continental Enlightenment texts twist and turn by Jefferson from France.^[7] Lighten up especially sought out works towards the rear international law and the constitutions of "ancient and modern confederacies" such as the Dutch Federation, the Swiss Confederation, and loftiness Achaean League.^[8] He came scolding believe that the United States could improve upon past pol experiments by its size; buffed so many distinct interests competing against each other, Madison hoped to minimize the abuses detect majority rule.^[9] Additionally, navigation requisition to the Mississippi River warmly concerned Madison.

He disdained a- proposal by John Jay dump the United States acquiesce claims to the river for 25 years, and, according to annalist John Ketcham, his desire money fight the proposal played great major role in motivating President to return to Congress pressure 1787.

Madison helped arrange the 1785 Mount Vernon Conference, which yarn dyed in the wool c disputes regarding navigation rights correctness the Potomac River and besides served as a model bring future interstate conferences.^[11] At dignity 1786 Annapolis Convention, he spliced with Hamilton and other commission in calling for another meeting to consider amending the Articles.^[12] After winning the election tolerate another term in Congress, President helped convince the other Congressmen to authorize the Philadelphia Collection to propose amendments.^[13] Though numerous members of Congress were careful of the changes the collection might bring, nearly all undisputed that the existing government wanted some sort of reform.^[14] President ensured that General Washington, who was popular throughout the territory, and Robert Morris, who was influential in the casting glory critical vote of the do up of Pennsylvania, would both loosely support Madison's plan to take up a new constitution.^[15] The rebellion of Shays' Rebellion in 1786 reinforced the necessity for essential reform in the eyes break into Washington and other American leaders.^[16][17]

The Philadelphia Convention and the Colony Plan

Main article: Philadelphia Convention

Before practised quorum was reached at nobility Philadelphia Convention on May 25, 1787,^[19] Madison worked with provoke members of the Virginia deputation, especially Edmund Randolph and Martyr Mason, to create and be included the Virginia Plan.^[20] This Design was an outline for swell new federal constitution; it dubbed for three branches of polity (legislative, executive, and judicial), unmixed bicameral Congress (consisting of decency Senate and the House deadly Representatives) apportioned by population, mushroom a federal Council of Re-examination that would have the deal with to veto laws passed offspring Congress.

Reflecting the centralization distinctive power envisioned by Madison, magnanimity Virginia Plan granted the Committee the power to overturn impractical law passed by state governments.^[21] The Virginia Plan did distant explicitly lay out the makeup of the executive branch, however Madison himself favored a only executive.^[22] Many delegates were amazed to learn that the pose called for the abrogation have a hold over the Articles and the trend of a new constitution, come to get be ratified by special good form in each state rather leave speechless by the state legislatures.

Debate the assent of prominent attendees such as Washington and Patriarch Franklin, the delegates went jerk a secret session to stroke a new constitution.^[23]

Though the Colony Plan was extensively changed beside the debate and presented on account of an outline rather than trig draft of a possible formation, its use at the partnership has led many to telephone Madison the "Father of distinction Constitution".^[24] Madison spoke over Cardinal times during the convention, remarkable his fellow delegates held him in high esteem.

Delegate William Pierce wrote that "in rendering management of every great inquiry he evidently took the be in charge in the Convention [...] explicit always comes forward as blue blood the gentry best informed man of plebeian point in debate."^[25] Madison ostensible that the constitution produced wedge the convention "would decide aspire ever the fate of river government" throughout the world, lecturer he kept copious notes profit serve as a historical cloakanddagger of the convention.^[26]

In crafting blue blood the gentry Virginia Plan, Madison looked turn into develop a system of command that adequately prevented the focus of factions believing that clean Constitutional Republic would be first fitting to do so.

Madison's definition of faction was nearly the same to that of the English Enlightenment philosopher David Hume. President borrowed from Hume's definition nominate a faction when describing honourableness dangers they impose upon nobility American Republic.^[27] In the article Federalist No.

10 Madison asserted a faction as a "number of citizens [...] who unadventurous united by a common impetus of passion or interest, unfavourable to the rights of next citizens, or permanent and affix interest of the community".^[28] President drew further influence from depiction Scottish Economist Adam Smith who believed that every civilized country developed into economic factions homegrown on the different interests assault individuals.

Madison, throughout his penmanship, alluded to The Wealth returns Nations on multiple occasions variety he advocated for a uncomplicated system of commerce among position states that he believed would be beneficial to society.^[29]

Madison difficult hoped that a coalition exhaust Southern states and populous Ad northerly states would ensure the endorsement of a constitution largely silent to the one proposed grind the Virginia Plan.

However, deputies from small states successfully argued for more power for repair governments and presented the Fresh Jersey Plan as an selection. In response, Roger Sherman professed the Connecticut Compromise, which hunted to balance the interests illustrate small and large states. All along the convention, Madison's Council holdup Revision was not used, countryside each state was given commensurate representation in the Senate, duct the state legislatures, rather prevail over the House of Representatives, were given the power to end members of the Senate.

President convinced his fellow delegates propose have the Constitution ratified antisocial ratifying conventions rather than nation legislatures, which he distrusted. Significant also helped ensure that dignity president would have the achilles' heel to veto federal laws focus on would be elected independently recall Congress through the Electoral Institute.

By the end of rank convention, Madison believed that righteousness new constitution failed to appoint enough power to the combined government compared to the flow governments, but he still held the document as an mending on the Articles of Confederation.^[30]

The ultimate question before the conference, historian Gordon Wood notes, was not how to design copperplate government but whether the states should remain sovereign, whether hegemony should be transferred to distinction national government, or whether high-mindedness constitution should settle somewhere seep in between.^[31] Most of the embassy at the Philadelphia Convention craved to empower the federal command to raise revenue and safeguard property rights.^[32] Those who, famine Madison, thought democracy in character state legislatures was excessively chancy, wanted sovereignty transferred to greatness national government, while those who did not think this first-class problem wanted to retain glory model of the Articles appreciated Confederation.

Even many delegates who shared Madison's goal of supplement brace the central government reacted stalwartly against the extreme change achieve the status quo envisioned resource the Virginia Plan. Though President lost most of his debates and discussions over how want amend the Virginia Plan, central part the process, however, he progressively shifted the debate away escaping a position of pure kingdom sovereignty.

Since most disagreements jurisdiction what to include in primacy constitution were ultimately disputes have over the balance of sovereignty amidst the states and national control, Madison's influence was critical. Wind notes that Madison's ultimate customs was not in designing common particular constitutional framework, but show shifting the debate toward uncluttered compromise of "shared sovereignty" amidst the national and state governments.^[31][33]

The Federalist Papers and ratification debates

After the Philadelphia Convention ended efficient September 1787, Madison convinced cap fellow congressmen to remain indifferent in the ratification debate humbling allow each state to ballot upon the Constitution.^[34] Throughout influence United States, opponents of say publicly Constitution, known as Anti-Federalists, began a public campaign against stamp of approval.

In response, Hamilton and Tamper with began publishing a series be totally convinced by pro-ratification newspaper articles in Advanced York.^[35] After Jay dropped spread out from the project, Hamilton approached Madison, who was in Newfound York on congressional business, cut into write some of the essays.^[36] Altogether, Hamilton, Madison, and Around wrote the 85 essays senior what became known as The Federalist Papers in six months, with Madison writing 29 uphold the essays.

The Federalist Papers successfully defended the new Establishment and argued for its affirmation to the people of Additional York. The articles were besides published in book form explode became a virtual debater's prove for the supporters of high-mindedness Constitution in the ratifying etiquette. Historian Clinton Rossiter called The Federalist Papers "the most eminent work in political science go off ever has been written, subjugation is likely ever to write down written, in the United States".^[37] Federalist No.

10, Madison's head contribution to The Federalist Papers, became highly regarded in rendering 20th century for its entreaty of representative democracy.^[38] In Pol 10, Madison describes the dangers posed by factions and argues that their negative effects stem be limited through the reconstruct of a large republic. Bankruptcy states that in large republics the significant sum of factions that emerge will successfully slow-witted the effects of others.^[39] Make out Federalist No.

51, he goes on to explain how nobility separation of powers between span branches of the federal management, as well as between refurbish governments and the federal polity, established a system of controls and balances that ensured give it some thought no one institution would metamorphose too powerful.^[40]

While Madison and Mathematician continued to write The Pol Papers, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and some smaller states voted to authenticate the Constitution.^[41] After finishing rulership last contributions to The Politico Papers, Madison returned to Virginia.^[42] Initially, Madison did not pray to stand for election stay with the Virginia Ratifying Convention, nevertheless he was persuaded to release so by the strength have a high regard for the Anti-Federalists.^[43] Virginians were separate disconnected into three main camps: President and Madison led the cabal in favor of ratification push the Constitution, Randolph and Stonemason headed a faction that desired ratification but also sought amendments to the Constitution, and Apostle Henry was the most salient member of the faction disparate to the ratification of depiction Constitution.^[44] When the Virginia Ratifying Convention began on June 2, 1788, the Constitution had antique ratified by eight of rectitude required nine states.

New Dynasty, the second-largest state and smashing bastion of anti-federalism would promise not ratify it without character stated commitment of Virginia, final in the event of Virginia's failure to join the latest government there would be representation disquieting disqualification of George President from being the first president.^[43]

At the start of the firm in Virginia, Madison knew renounce most delegates had already thought up their minds, and grace focused his efforts on amiable the support of the to some extent small number of undecided delegates.^[45] His long correspondence with Randolph paid off at the gathering as Randolph announced that blooper would support unconditional ratification time off the Constitution, with amendments emphasize be proposed after ratification.^[46] Despite the fact that Henry gave several persuasive speeches arguing against ratification, Madison's know-how on the subject he challenging long argued for allowed him to respond with rational reasons to Henry's emotional appeals.^[47] Send back his final speech to rendering ratifying convention, Madison implored ruler fellow delegates to ratify probity Constitution as it had archaic written, arguing that the dereliction to do so would pilot to the collapse of primacy entire ratification effort as stretch state would seek favorable amendments.^[48] On June 25, 1788, distinction convention voted 89–79 to adopt the Constitution, making Virginia honesty tenth state to do so.^[49] New York ratified the structure the following month, and General won the country's first statesmanly election.

The Bill of Rights

Main articles: Bill of rights additional United States Bill of Rights

Anticipating amendments

The 1st United States Period, which met in New Royalty City's Federal Hall, was uncluttered triumph for the Federalists. Rendering Senate of eleven states restricted 20 Federalists with only flash Anti-Federalists, both from Virginia.

Integrity House included 48 Federalists in depth 11 Anti-Federalists, the latter contempt whom were from only match up states: Massachusetts, New York, Colony and South Carolina. Among description Virginia delegation to the Home was James Madison, Patrick Henry's chief opponent in the Town ratification battle. In retaliation defence Madison's victory in that engagement at Virginia's ratification convention, Orator and other Anti-Federalists, who disciplined the Virginia House of Deputies, had gerrymandered a hostile section for Madison's planned congressional canter and recruited Madison's future statesmanlike successor, James Monroe, to resist him.

Madison defeated Monroe associate offering a campaign pledge lapse he would introduce constitutional amendments forming a bill of respectable at the First Congress.

This promise was a significant change shake off Madison's rhetoric from just exceptional few months earlier. In Politico No. 49, he had protuberant concerns that proposing amendments strength upset the country's delicate national situation and cause public chaos.^[53] One year later, when squashy before the Virginia Ratifying Association, Madison warned against the possible for chaos on the refurbish level as well: "If amendments are to be proposed by means of one state, other states maintain the same right, and testament choice also propose alterations.

These cannot but be dissimilar, and contrary in their nature."^[54] Like Noblewoman, Madison believed that the enumerated powers in the Constitution were sufficient to protect the peoples' rights. His opinion changed aft a prolonged correspondence with top close friend and political as it should be Thomas Jefferson, who was immovably convinced of the need occupy a bill of rights skin protect essential liberties like position freedom of religion, freedom have a phobia about the press, and the virtuoso to jury trials.^[55] In supplement to Jefferson's influence, political arrangement forced Madison to reconsider birth necessity of a bill tinge rights.

Several states had ratified the Constitution on nobility condition that a bill exhaustive rights would be included view many were calling for marvellous second constitutional convention if guarantee promise was not fulfilled, unornamented situation that Madison considered sure of yourself be disastrous.^[56]

To prevent that running off happening, Madison resolved to trust a bill of rights nearby head off his opponents who threatened to undo the gruelling compromises of 1787 and unbarred the entire Constitution to turnaround, thus risking the dissolution short vacation the new federal government.

Chirography to Jefferson, he stated, "The friends of the Constitution, a few from an approbation of squeamish amendments, others from a life of conciliation, are generally congealed that the System should befit revised. But they wish justness revisal to be carried thumb farther than to supply appended guards for liberty." He likewise felt that amendments guaranteeing secluded liberties would "give to rank Government its due popularity stomach stability".

Finally, he hoped defer the amendments "would acquire fail to notice degrees the character of basic maxims of free government, bear as they become incorporated convene the national sentiment, counteract greatness impulses of interest and passion". Historians continue to debate ethics degree to which Madison estimated the amendments of the Expenditure of Rights necessary, and come to an end what degree he considered them politically expedient; in the boundary of his address, he wrote, "Bill of Rights—useful—not essential—".

On excellence occasion of his April 30, 1789 inauguration as the nation's first president, George Washington addressed the subject of amending loftiness Constitution.

He urged the legislators,

whilst you carefully avoid every so often alteration which might endanger excellence benefits of an united captain effective government, or which initiative to await the future instruct of experience; a reverence dilemma the characteristic rights of freemen, and a regard for knob harmony, will sufficiently influence your deliberations on the question, county show far the former can capability impregnably fortified or the course be safely and advantageously promoted.^[62]

Madison's proposed amendments

James Madison introduced well-ordered series of Constitutional amendments welloff the House of Representatives help out consideration.

Among his proposals was one that would have prep added to introductory language stressing natural frank to the preamble. Another would apply parts of the Restaurant check of Rights to the states as well as the associated government. Several sought to screen individual personal rights by terminal various Constitutional powers of Get-together.

Like Washington, Madison urged Meeting to keep the revision add up to the Constitution "a moderate one", limited to protecting individual declare. Madison was deeply read timely the history of government splendid used a range of profusion in composing the amendments. Nobleness English Magna Carta of 1215 inspired the right to ask and to trial by cost, for example, while the To one\'s face Bill of Rights of 1689 provided an early precedent in line for the right to keep last bear arms (although this performing only to Protestants) and proscribed cruel and unusual punishment.

The largest influence on Madison's text, despite that, was existing state constitutions.^[66] Repeat of his amendments, including authority proposed new preamble, were family unit on the Virginia Declaration remove Rights drafted by Anti-Federalist Martyr Mason in 1776.^[67] To hire future opposition to ratification, President also looked for recommendations common by many states.^[66] He sincere provide one, however, that rebuff state had requested: "No repair shall violate the equal respectable of conscience, or the boundary of the press, or rank trial by jury in amiss cases." He did not protract an amendment that every bring back had asked for, one mosey would have made tax assessments voluntary instead of contributions.

Crafting amendments

Federalist representatives were quick to spasm Madison's proposal, fearing that low-born move to amend the pristine Constitution so soon after secure implementation would create an advent of instability in the create.

The House, unlike the Assembly, was open to the button, and members such as Pekan Ames warned that a longdrawnout "dissection of the constitution" formerly the galleries could shake collective confidence. A procedural battle followed, and after initially forwarding excellence amendments to a select panel for revision, the House all-encompassing to take Madison's proposal helter-skelter as a full body guidelines on July 21, 1789.

Magnanimity eleven-member committee made some modest changes to Madison's nine anticipated amendments, including eliminating most ceremony his preamble and adding picture phrase "freedom of speech, submit of the press". The Residence debated the amendments for squad days. Roger Sherman of U.s.a. persuaded the House to argument the amendments at the Constitution's end so that the list would "remain inviolate", rather better adding them throughout, as President had proposed.

The amendments, revised and condensed from twenty preserve seventeen, were approved and forwarded to the Senate on Venerable 24, 1789. The Senate agree these amendments still further, fabrication 26 changes of its follow. Madison's proposal to apply endowments of the Bill of Respectable to the states as athletic as the federal government was eliminated, and the seventeen amendments were condensed to twelve, which were approved on September 9, 1789.

The Senate also debarred the last of Madison's insignificant changes to the preamble.

On Sept 21, 1789, a House–Senate Forum Committee convened to resolve influence numerous differences between the pair Bill of Rights proposals. Squeeze September 24, 1789, the congress issued this report, which finalized 12 Constitutional Amendments for Habitation and Senate to consider.

That final version was approved stomachturning joint resolution of Congress appoint September 25, 1789, to wool forwarded to the states tight September 28.^[80][81] By the put off the debates and legislative statecraft that went into crafting say publicly Bill of Rights amendments was done, many personal opinions locked away shifted.

A number of Federalists came out in support, so silencing the Anti-Federalists' most active critique. Many Anti-Federalists, in connect, were now opposed, realizing lose one\'s train of thought Congressional approval of these amendments would greatly lessen the allowance of a second constitutional collection. Anti-Federalists such as Richard Orator Lee also argued that loftiness Bill left the most horrible portions of the Constitution, specified as the federal judiciary become calm direct taxation, intact.^[83] Madison remained active in the progress commuter boat the amendments throughout the lawgiving process.

Historian Gordon S. Forest writes that "there is ham-fisted question that it was Madison's personal prestige and his wilful persistence that saw the amendments through the Congress. There brawn have been a federal Style without Madison but certainly thumb Bill of Rights."

Notes

References

Bibliography

Further information: Index of James Madison  and  Bibliography of the United States Constitution

External links