Congressional years

When the Constitution was ratified, Madison was elected to the United States House of Representatives from his home state of Virginia and served from the First Congress through the Fourth Congress, (1789--97)

His most famous contribution was writing the Bill of Rights, which had been promised to the opponents of ratification. On June 8, 1789, he offered a package of twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution. By December 15, 1791, the final ten of these rights became what is collectively known as the Bill of Rights.

The chief characteristic of Madison's time in Congress was his desire to limit the power of the federal government.

Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton built a nationwide network of supporters that became the Federalist Party, and promoted a strong central government with a national bank. The Federalists promoted friendly relations with Britain, as exemplified by the Jay Treaty of 1795. Madison and Jefferson opposed these policies and opposed the Federalists as centralizers and pro-British elitists who would undermine republican values. Madison led the unsuccessful attempt to block Hamilton's proposed Bank of the United States, arguing the new Constitution did not explicitly allow the federal government to form a bank.

Most historians argue that Madison changed radically from a nationally-oriented ally of Hamilton in 1787-88, to a states-rights oriented opponent of a strong national government by 1795. Then as he had to fight the War of 1812 he realized the need for a strong government and adopted Hamiltonian positions in favor of a national bank, a strong navy and a standing army. However, other historians, led by Lance Banning, continuity in Madison's views.

In 1794, Madison married Dolley Payne Todd, who cut as attractive and vivacious a figure as he did a sickly and antisocial one. Dolley is largely credited with inventing the role of "First Lady" as political ally to the president.

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