James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Liberty & Learning - Index

liberty & learning
ity for tutoring three of his siblings (William, Sarah, and Elizabeth) “in some of
the first rudiments of literature but it does not take up so much of my time.” 28
Madison also began to read and explore the law, apparently motivated more out
of boredom than by any strong avocation. He was in frequent correspondence
with his college friend, William Bradford, and sometimes the two reminisced
about their carefree days at Princeton. “The value of a college-life like most other
blessing[s] is seldom known but by its loss,” wrote Bradford in 1772. “I little
thought I should have regretted my leaving Nassau Hall so much as I feel I do
... I leave Nassau Hall with the same regret that a fond son would feel who parts
with an indulgent mother to tempt the dangers of the sea.” 29
The onset of the American Revolution, though, offered many ambitious young
men unprecedented opportunity. James Madison was soon drawn into the political
conflict, personally outraged by the punitive British actions against the Massachusetts
colony following the Boston Tea Party. As his home colony quickly became radicalized,
Madison was elected to the Orange County Committee of Safety in 1774 and
was later promoted to the rank of colonel with the local militia. He proudly boasted
about his military unit’s abilities as well as his own accuracy with a musket.
The strength of this Colony will lie chiefly in the rifle-men of the Upland
Counties, of whom we shall have great numbers. You would be astonished at
the perfection this art is brought to. The most inexpert hands rec[k]on it an
indifferent shot to miss the bigness of a man’s face at the distance of 100 Yards.
I am far from being among the best & should not often miss it on a fair trial
at that distance. 30
Despite such bravado, Madison’s military career was confined to occasional
musters and drills, since his poor health precluded the true hardships of a regular
army life. 31
In 1776, Madison was elected to serve as the Orange County representative to
the revolutionary government then being formed in Williamsburg; thus began
what would be lifelong political service to the nation. Madison served on George
Mason’s committee to draft the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and he quickly
earned the reputation of bringing a scholar’s sense of inquiry and integrity to virtually
every important issue. Allies and opponents alike were impressed with the
sophistication and wisdom of Madison’s arguments as well as the thoroughness
of his preparation. It was obvious to all that his education at the College of New
Jersey had served him extremely well.
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