Madison and a Bloody Prediction

Patrick Henry’s Lasting Enmity

Aug 30, 2006

James Monroe, Brodebund© ClickArt 750,000

James Madison sees the new Constitution ratified and makes a lifelong enemy of Patrick Henry. Henry predicts there well be rivulets of blood.

James Madison as well as George Washington feared that Patrick Henry would cause the new Constitution not to be ratified. To prevent this Washington urged Madison to run for election to the state ratification convention, pointing out to Madison that the new Constitution would require explanation and who better than Madison could accomplish that.

Henry Predicts Rivulets of Blood Will Run

At the convention to ratify the new Constitution Madison saw the ratification win by a narrow vote of 89 to 79. He also saw the beginning of Patrick Henry's lasting enmity.

When Madison was proposed to be one of Virginia's new United States senators Henry made a declaration of his own. He predicted that if Madison was elected there would be a revolution and there would be "rivulets of blood throughout the land."

One Election Lost, One Election Won

Perhaps there were others that also believed what Patrick Henry had said about Madison becoming a senator, as Madison lost the election. However, Madison was not through with politics and ran for United States Representative. Henry again attempted to stop Madison. This time Henry put up as Madison's opposition the young and well-liked James Monroe. Henry's might was not strong enough, however, and Madison was elected by a small margin.

Madison off to Congress

James Madison distinguished himself in Congress when he prepared the Bill of Rights amendments to the Constitution. He also prepared much of the legislation that formed various departments of the new government. In addition, he acted as an adviser to Washington,

and helped prepare both the President's Inaugural Address and his Farewell Address.

Wedding Bells for Madison

In 1794, the pretty widow Dolly Payne Todd, who was seventeen years younger than Madison, became his bride. It has been said that Dolly's social charm very well aided Madison in his later career as Secretary of State. During those years she often acted as hostess for the widowed President Jefferson. When her husband became president she stood strongly at his side during the difficult war years. The Madisons had no children of their own, but reared her son by a previous marriage.

James Madison and a Bloody Prediction: Patrick Henry's Lasting Enmity continues with Home to Montpelier: James Madison Retires to Virginia.

Previous: Madison and Hamilton: A Revised Articles of Confederation.

The copyright of the article Madison and a Bloody Prediction in American History is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish Madison and a Bloody Prediction in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.