Founding Friendship - George Washington, James Madison, and the Creation of the American Republic (Electronic book text)

Although the friendship between George Washington and JamesMadison was eclipsed in the early 1790s by the alliances of Madison with Jeffersonand Washington with Hamilton, their collaboration remains central to theconstitutional revolution that launched the American experiment in republicangovernment. Washington relied heavily on Madison's advice, pen, and legislativeskill, while Madison found Washington's prestige indispensable for achieving hisgoals for the new nation. Together, Stuart Leibiger argues, Washington and Madisonstruggled to conceptualize a political framework that would respond to the majoritywithout violating minority rights. Stubbornly refusing to sacrifice either of theseobjectives, they cooperated in helping to build and implement a powerful, extremelyrepublican constitution.

Observing Washington andMadison in light of their special relationship, Leibiger argues against a series ofmisconceptions about the two men. Madison emerges as neither a strong nationalist ofthe Hamiltonian variety nor a political consolidationist; he did not retreat fromnationalism to states' rights in the 1790s, as other historians have charged.Washington, far from being a majestic figurehead, exhibits a strong constitutionalvision and firm control of his administration.

Byexamining closely Washington and Madison's correspondence and personal visits, Leibiger shows how a marriage of political convenience between two members of theChesapeake elite grew into a genuine companionship fostered by historical events anda mutual interest in agriculture and science. The development of their friendship, and eventual estrangement, mirrors in fascinating ways the political development ofthe early Republic.