President James Madison and His Times Quiz

Answer: The Bill of Rights

The death of James Madison in 1836 marked the passing of the last of the "Founding Fathers" of the nation. He was "Founding Father" of the United States Constitution and The Bill of Rights.

From his advocacy at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; through his 8 years as a US Representative and leader of the Federalist Party (1789-1797) - including his shepherding of the Bill of Rights through Congress; to his service as Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809); and, finally, to his own two terms as President (1809-1817), James Madison not only witnessed but strongly influenced the political development of a new nation.

The James Madison Papers at the Library of Congress represent the most authoritative documentation of the earliest years of the American experiment in self-governance. Recognizing the importance of his legacy, on March 3 1837 Congress approved the purchase of Madison's notes from the Constitutional Convention of 1787-1788 for $30,000. Again on May 31 1848, Congress agreed to purchase the remainder of Madison's papers for an additional $25,000.

Answer: Congressional Salaries

Text of Article 2 as presented to Congress in 1789: "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened." In 1982 a Texas State legislative assistant, Gregory Watson, began a one-man crusade for the ratification of Article 2. On May 5 1992, Alabama became the 38th state of ratify James Madison's original article 2, making it the 27th Amendment of the US Constitution. Article 1 is still pending ...

Answer: The Federalist Papers

The Supreme Court has cited "The Federalist Papers" more than 300 times in its decisions. They collectively articulate an understanding of the original intentions of the Founding Fathers of the United States in forming "a more perfect union." Though not without contrasting opinions, they are an invaluable source for insight into the philosophy and motives that served as the basis for the United States Constitution.

The "Salmagundi Papers" or "Salmagundi" are a series of 20 satirical essays written by Washington Irving in 1807-1808. The 17th essay contains the first mention of "Gotham" as a reference to New York City.
The "Pentagon Papers", so-called, are a series of documents published in the "New York Times" 1971 and taken from a top secret government report of the planning and conduct of the Viet Nam War.
"The Passport Papers" are what The Department of Homeland Security asks for when a person arrives at a port of entry to the United States.

Answer: brunch

a levee is a morning reception with light refreshment;
a soirée is an evening reception with entertainment;
a séance is a gathering to call forward spirits of the deceased;
a shindig is a loud and boisterous party with dancing.

Answer: The Republic of West Florida

Alas, Texas was not the only lone star republic! The "Bonnie Blue Flag" (single white star centered on a field of blue) flew over the capitol of the Republic of West Florida at St. Francisville, Louisiana from June-October 1810. The President of the Republic, Fulwar Skipwith, at first refused to recognize the annexation but he and the legislature eventually acquiesced and accepted Madison's proclamation.

The 7 parishes of the old Republic that now reside in Louisiana (East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St.

Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington and West Feliciana) are sometimes referred to as the "Florida" parishes.

Answer: The flag had 15 alternating white and red stripes and 15 stars.

The Fort McHenry flag - with 15 stripes and 15 stars - is now housed at The National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. It was patterned after the Flag Act of 1794 which approved the addition of 2 stars and 2 stripes to the original flag of 13 stars and stripes. This modification acknowledged the admission to the United States of Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792).

James Monroe signed a bill from Congress on April 4 1818 directing all future designs of the flag to contain the original 13 stripes (in honor of the original 13 colonies) and the addition of 1 star for each future state admitted to the Union.

Answer: Czar Alexander I of Russia

Beginning in 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia while continuing to wage war in the European theater against Britain. Czar Alexander I needed Britain's full attention and commitment to the European theater of war against Napoleon - not draining resources in an overseas adventure with the United States.

It was with Russia's defense in mind that he offered to mediate a peace between Britain and the United States.

Answer: Daniel Webster

Dolley Madison, living in poverty and poor health in her Lafayette Square home in Washington, was forced by circumstances to sell the slave Paul Jennings to slave agent Pollard Webb in early March 1847. Senator Daniel Webster, a Lafayette Square neighbor, heard of the sale and promptly purchased Jennings from Webb on March 19 1847 for $120. By signed contract, Webster manumitted Jennings at a rate of $8 a month until the $120 was paid. "I have paid $120 for the freedom of Paul Jennings; he agrees to work out the same at $8 per month, to be furnished with board, clothes, washing," &c...."

Concerning Dolley's rescue of the Washington portrait, Jennings relates that: "All she carried off was the silver in her reticule, as the British were...expected every moment. John Suse'(a Frenchman, then door-keeper, and still living) and Magraw, the President's gardener, took it down and sent it off on a wagon, with some large silver urns and such other valuables as could be hastily got hold of"..."A Colored Man's Reminiscences of James Madison", Paul Jennings, 1865.

Answer: The Brick Capitol - now the Supreme Court Building

After the capitol burned, Congress assembled at Blodgett's Boarding House on September 8 1814 to discuss its future options. Many members were of the opinion that Congress should move temporarily to Philadelphia until the capitol was restored. A group of local citizens responded by beginning immediate construction of a large red brick building which they offered to the government to house Congress and keep them in Washington. Congress accepted and continued to meet in session at the "Red Brick Capitol" until 1819. Subsequently, the red brick building was used to house prisoners during the Civil War and became known as The Old Prison.

Because of its prominent location immediately across the street from the original capitol building, the "Red Brick Capitol" site was chosen as the location for the Supreme Court building in 1932.

Answer: I speak better lying down.

After graduating from The College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1771, Madison returned for an additional year to study theology under the tutelage of John Witherspoon (then President of the College).It is possible that because of his vocal limitations, Madison decided against a career in the Presbyterian or Episcopalian ministry and entered the practice of law instead.