Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER XVII.

  A polished mien, with elegance of mind, A winning grace, with taste and sense refined, A kindly, sympathizing heart, sincere, The gloomy scene, the pensive thought to cheer.

  In a series of events, a period at length arrived, which manifested tomankind, in a more melancholy degree, the shocking consequences anddevastation of war, the overwhelming sorrow that is brought on familiesfor the loss of friends, with the discouraging embarrassments attendingall kinds of business.

  A severe engagement had recently taken place within half a mile of theNiagara cataract. General Scott, on his arrival at Niagara Falls,learned that the British were in force directly in his front, separatedonly by a narrow piece of wood. He soon pressed through the wood, andengaged the British on the Queenstown road. He advanced upon the enemy,and the action commenced at six o'clock in the afternoon, and continuedwith little intermission until twelve at night. The thunder of thecannon, the roaring of the falls, the incessant discharge of artilleryduring the six hours in which the parties were in combat, heightened bythe circumstance of its being night, afforded such a scene as is rarelyto be met with in the history of the wars of nations. The evening wascalm, and the moon shone with lustre when not enveloped in clouds ofsmoke from the firing of the contending armies. Taking intoconsideration the numbers engaged, few contests have ever been moresanguinary. The battle was one of the most severe that had been foughtduring the war. The British troops engaged in this action amounted to5000 men; many of them were selected from the flower of LordWellington's army. Colonel Miller's achievement, in storming thebattery, was of the most brilliant and hazardous nature, and entitledhim to the highest applause among the Americans.

  [_Interesting Events_: Battle of Niagara (citing "Perkins Late War"):

  Gen. Scott arrived at the Niagara cataract, and learned that the British were in force directly in his front, separated only by a narrow piece of wood. Having despatched this intelligence to Gen. Brown, he advanced upon the enemy, and the action commenced at six o'clock in the afternoon.... Gen. Scott had pressed through the wood, and engaged the British on the Queenston road.... The battle continued with little intermission, from six in the afternoon until twelve at night.... Col. Miller's achievement, in storming the battery, was of the most brilliant and hazardous nature; it was decisive of the events of the battle, and entitled him and his corps to the highest applause.... The battle was fought to the west of, and within half a mile of the Niagara cataract. The thunder of the cannon, the roaring of the falls, the incessant discharge of musketry, the groans of the dying and wounded during the six hours in which the parties were engaged in close combat, heightened by the circumstance of its being night, afforded such a scene, as is rarely to be met with, in the history of human slaughter. The evening was calm, and the moon shone with lustre, when not enveloped in clouds of smoke from the firing of the contending armies. Considering the numbers engaged, few contests have ever been more sanguinary.

  This was one of the most severe and bloody battles, which was fought during the war. The British force engaged in this battle amounted to 5,000 men: many of their troops were selected from the flower of Lord Wellington's army.]

  The measures of the president relative to the war were of such a natureas greatly to draw upon him the approbation and gratitude of the nation.He early began to turn his mind to a contemplation of the generalpolitics of his country. He, therefore, became advanced in the requisitequalifications to assume and maintain the important station he held overit. He had imbibed an attachment for civil liberty almost from hisinfancy, which influenced his every action. He was of a pacifictemperament, and pursued those measures as long as they would answer.But when it became actually necessary for him to recommend to congressto pursue a different course, it was then that the benefactor of hiscountry endeavoured to concert measures still to preserve America as anasylum for civil and religious liberty. He possessed qualities wellcalculated to fulfil the duties of his high station with honour tohimself and justice to the community. He was dignified in hisdeportment, kind, generous, and condescending; a patron to science;a uniform promoter of honourable enterprise, but an enemy to every thingdishonest, hypocritical, and disingenuous. And, as a Christian, hefirmly adhered to the gospel, and regulated his life by its precepts andinjunctions, in a consistent and exemplary manner.

  [_Lives of Signers_: John Adams of Massachusetts

  very early began to turn his mind to a contemplation of the general politics of his country. ... As, therefore, he increased in years, he advanced in qualifications to assume and maintain the important station he held in the revolutionary struggle which ensued.]

  [_Lives of Signers_: Hancock of Massachusetts

  Mr. Hancock from his infancy, had imbibed an attachment to civil liberty. This attachment influenced....]

  [_Lives of Signers_: John Adams of Massachusetts

  an asylum for civil and religious liberty....]

  [_Lives of Signers_: Stockton of New Jersey

  He was dignified in his deportment; affable, kind, and condescending to his inferiors and dependents; a patron of science; an uniform promoter of virtues and honorable enterprise, but an enemy to every thing dishonest, hypocritical, and disingenuous. And, as a Christian, he was a firm believer in the evangelical doctrine of the gospel; regulated his life by its precepts and injunctions, in a consistent and exemplary manner....]

  This illustrious president had the good fortune to be blessed with aconsort whose qualifications in her particular capacity were no lessadequate to fill with dignity her elevated station. The parents of Mrs.Madison were natives of Virginia. Their daughter was educated inPhiladelphia among the Friends. She was, therefore, little indebted toacquired graces and accomplishments for the admiration and regard whichfollowed her wherever she was known. To much personal beauty she added awarm heart and a benevolent disposition--charms and attractions whichwon for her not only admirers but friends, and exalted her to higheminence in the public estimation. Her natural and acquired endowmentsshe carried into society with such pleasing manners and gracefuldemeanour, as produced almost universally an impression highlyfavourable to herself among the citizens of Washington. Her society wasmuch esteemed in all the companies she frequented. Her mental powerswere of a superior grade, and the effects of genuine piety and Christianbenevolence distinguished all her actions. To these she added anamiability of temper, the polished address of a lady, with aconversation both pleasing and instructive. Her deportment to all wasprepossessing, by the affectionate manner in which she addressed themseparately, and the interest she manifested in their welfare. In theseshe showed no difference between the rich and the poor, and devoted muchof her time to the cause of charity. She was eminently distinguished forher amiable qualities, and a peculiar versatility of talent in herconversation and manners. She entertained the numerous friends andguests of the president with cordial hospitality. She treated herhusband's relatives with regard and kindness; and in the president'shouse, whenever there were female guests, Mrs. Madison always presided.

  [_Mrs. Madison_ (any quotations are from National Portrait Gallery: see Sources):

  The parents of Mrs. Madison, whose maiden name was Dolly Payne, were natives of Virginia.... Their daughter was educated in Philadelphia in all the strictness of the sect to which the family belonged. She was, therefore, but little indebted to acquired graces and accomplishments for the admiration and regard which followed her wherever she was known. To much personal beauty, she added a warm heart and a benevolent disposition; charms and attractions which won for her not only admirers but friends....]

  [_Lives of Signers_: Rush of Pennsylvania (first paragraph refers to Dr. Rush's mother):

  must exalt her to high eminence in our estimation. ... His natural and acquired endowments he carried into society with such pleasing manners and graceful demeanor, as produced, almost universally, an impression high
ly favorable to himself among the citizens of Philadelphia. His society was much esteemed by all the companies he frequented. His mental powers were of a superior grade. To these he added the polished address and manners of a gentleman, and a conversation both pleasing and instructive. His deportment in the sick room was prepossessing, by the affectionate manner with which he addressed his patients, and the strong interest he manifested for their recovery. In these he showed no difference between the rich, who could amply reward him, and the poor, whose only requital was their cordial gratitude and their prayers.]

  [_Lives of Signers_: Witherspoon of New Jersey:

  possessed a great versatility of talent, which he could successfully apply to any subject he chose to handle.]

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  Here she entertained his numerous friends and guests with an abundant and cordial hospitality. Her mother and sisters lived with her, and the regard and kindness with which her husband treated them, was repaid on her part by similar attentions to the happiness and comfort of his aged mother, who continued to live with her son.]

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  "The President's house was the seat of hospitality, where Mrs. Madison always presided in the absence of Mr. Jefferson's daughters, when there were female guests.]

  After the president's, the house of the secretary of state was theresort of most company. The frank and cordial manners of its mistressgave a peculiar charm to the frequent parties there assembled. Allforeigners who visited the seat of government, strangers from thedifferent states of the Union, the heads of departments, the diplomaticcorps, senators, representatives, and citizens, mingled with an ease andfreedom, a sociability and gaiety to be met with in no other society.Even party spirit, virulent and embittered as it then was, by hergentleness, was disarmed of its asperity.

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  After the President's, the house of the Secretary of State was the resort of most company. The frank and cordial manners of its mistress gave a peculiar charm to the frequent parties there assembled. All foreigners who visited the seat of government-- strangers from the different states of the Union, the heads of departments, the diplomatic corps, senators, representatives, and citizens, mingled with an ease and freedom, a sociability and gaiety, to be met with in no other society.--Even party spirit, virulent and embittered as it then was, by her gentleness was disarmed of its asperity."]

  Individuals who never visited the president's dwelling, nor met at theother ministerial houses, could not resist the softening influences ofher conciliatory disposition, with her frank and generous manners. Shewas constantly receiving and reciprocating civilities in the most kindand friendly manner with the inhabitants of Washington. The president,being wholly absorbed in public business, left to Mrs. Madison thedischarge of the duties of social intercourse. And never was womanbetter calculated for the task. Exposed as she necessarily was, in soconspicuous a situation, to envy, jealousy, and misconstruction, she somanaged as to conciliate the good-will of all, without offending theself-love of any of the numerous competitors for her favour andattention. Every visiter left her with the pleasing impression of beingan especial favourite, of having been the object of peculiar attention.She never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had onceseen, nor the personal circumstances connected with every individual ofher acquaintance. Her quick recognition of persons, her recurrence totheir peculiar interests produced the gratifying impression in each andall of those who conversed with her that they were especial objects ofregard. The house was very plainly furnished, and her dress in no wayextravagant; and it was only in hospitality and charity that herprofusion was unlimited.

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  "Individuals who never visited at the President's, nor met at the other ministerial houses, could not resist the softening influences of her conciliatory disposition, of her frank and gracious manners....

  "... receiving and reciprocating civilities in the most kind and friendly manner; The Secretary himself, being wholly absorbed in public business, left to Mrs. Madison the discharge of the duties of social intercourse. And never was a woman better calculated for the task. Exposed, as she necessarily must have been in so conspicuous a situation, to envy, jealousy, and misconstruction, she so managed as to conciliate the good-will of all, without offending the self-love of any of the numerous competitors for her favor and attention. Every visitor left her with the pleasing impression of being an especial favorite, of having been the object of peculiar attention. She never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had once seen, nor the personal circumstances connected with every individual of her acquaintance. Her quick recognition of persons; her recurrence to their peculiar interests, produced the gratifying impression, in each and all of those who conversed with her, that they were especial objects of regard.

  "Her house was very plainly furnished, and her dress in no way extravagant. It was only in hospitality and in charity that her profusion was unchecked...."]

  The amiable and engaging qualities which have been here described,characterized Mrs. Madison in her husband's public life. In the midst ofthe bitterness of party spirit, and the violence of political animosity,she was mild and courteous to all. The political assailants of herhusband she treated with a kindness which disarmed their hostility ofits individual rancour, and sometimes even converted political enemiesinto personal friends, and still oftener succeeded in neutralizing thebitterness of opposition.

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  The amiable and engaging qualities which have been described, characterized Mrs. Madison through the whole of her husband's public life. In the midst of the bitterness of party spirit and the violence of political animosity, she was mild and courteous to all. The political assailants of her husband she treated with a kindness, which disarmed their hostility of its individual rancor, and sometimes even converted political enemies into personal friends, and still oftener succeeded in neutralising the bitterness of opposition.]

  At this period her courage and firmness were put to a severe test. InAugust, 1814, the British troops landed forty miles below Washington,and approached that city. The president left the city to hold a councilof war. Before his departure he anxiously inquired if she had courage orfirmness to remain in their house until his return on the morrow, orsucceeding day. She assured him she had no fear but for him and thesuccess of the army. When the president reached Bladensburgh heunexpectedly found the two armies engaged. Meanwhile terror spread overthe city--all who could obtain conveyances fled to the adjoining towns.The sound of the cannon was distinctly heard, and universal confusionand dismay prevailed. Some personal friends who remained with Mrs.Madison, strongly urged her to leave the city. They had her carriagebrought to the door, but could not persuade her to enter it till herhusband should return, and accompany her. And she did not finally departtill several messengers had been despatched to bid her fly.

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  During the last war her courage and firmness were put to a severe test. In August, 1814, the British troops landed forty miles below Washington, and approached that city. The President left the city to hold a council of war.

  Before his departure, he anxiously inquired if she had courage or firmness to remain in the President's house until his return on the morrow or succeeding day. She assured him she had no fear but for him and the success of our army. When the President reached Bladensburgh he unexpectedly found the two armies engaged. Meanwhile terror spread over the city. All who could obtain conveyances fled to the adjoining towns. The sound of the cannon was distinctly heard, and universal confusion and dismay prevailed. Some personal friends who remained with Mrs. Madison strongly urged her to leave the city. They had her carriage brought to the door, but could not persuade her to enter it till her husband should return and accompany her. And she did not finally depart till several messengers had been despatched to bid her fly.]


  Much as she graced her public station, she was not less admirable indomestic life. Neighbourly and companionable among her country friends,as if she had never lived in a city, delighting in the society of theyoung, and never better pleased than when promoting every youthfulpleasure by her participation;--she still proved herself theaffectionate consort, without neglecting the duties of a kind hostess,and a faithful friend and relation. She smoothed and enlivened, occupiedand appeased, each varying scene of life. Her husband knew, appreciated,and acknowledged the blessing which heaven had bestowed on him, ingiving him such a companion.

  [_Mrs. Madison_:

  "Much as she graced her public station, she has been not less admirable in domestic life. Neighborly and companionable among her country friends, as if she had never lived in a city; delighting in the society of the young, and never better pleased than when promoting every youthful pleasure by her participation; she still proved herself the affectionate wife during the years of suffering health of her excellent husband. Without neglecting the duties of a kind hostess, a faithful friend and relative, she smoothed and enlivened, occupied and amused the languid hours of his long confinement. He knew, appreciated and acknowledged the blessing which heaven had bestowed on him in giving him such a wife."]