Mr. Madison spoke strongly of the helplessness of all
countries cursed with a servile population in a conflict with

••« Society in Aioeriei^" vol. iL, p. 160.
MAllOBON. 193'

a people wholly free; ridiculed the idea of the Southern '
States being able to maintain a rising against the North ;
and wondered that all thinkers were not agreed in a thing so '
plain. He believed that Congress has power to prohibit
the internal slavetrade. He mentioned the astonishment of
some strangers, who had an idea that slaves were always
whipped all day long, at seeing his negroes go to church one
Sunday. They were gayly dressed, the women in bright*
coloured calicoea; and, when a sprinkling of rain came, up
went a dozen umbrellas. The astonished strangers veered
round to the conclusion that slaves were very happy ; but
were told of the degradation of their minds ; of their care*
lessness of each other in their nearest relations, and their'
cruelty to brutes.
Mrs. Madison's son by a former marriage joined us before
dinner. We dined in the next room to Mr. Madison, and'
found him eager for conversation again as soon as we had
risen from table. Mrs. M. is celebrated throughout the
country for the grace and dignity with which she discharged
the arduous duties which devolve upon the president's lady.
