een signed by the United States commissioners at Ghent, on December
4, 1814, and being communicated by the president to the senate, was
ratified by that body in February, 1815.

It was silent on the paramount question of impressment, and left the
commercial regulations between the two countries for subsequent
negotiation. But the country was tired of the war, and the treaty was
hailed with acclamation. In this general joy no one person joined more
heartily than did Madison. He had acquiesced reluctantly to the
commencement of hostilities, and had longed for peace since the
beginning. The country came out of a war, which cost her 30,000 lives
and $1,000,000, stronger and more honored than before; thoroughly
convinced of her own power and resources, and regarded with increased
respect by all the nations of the world.

In 1815 a commercial treaty was concluded with Great Britain based upon
a policy of perfect reciprocity. The subjects of impressment and
blockades were not embraced in it. The return of peace disbanded the
organized opposition to the administration, and the remainder of
Madison's term was undisturbed by exciting events.

In April, 1816, congress incorporated a national bank with a capital of
$35,000,000, to continue for twenty years. The president had vetoed a
similar bill in January of the preceding year, but now approved of it,
from a conviction that the derangement of the currency made it
necessary. It encountered strong opposition, but was supported by Henry
Clay and other friends of the president, and passed both houses.

In December, 1816, Madison sent in his last annual message to congress.
Its recommendations were considered judicious and liberal, and secured
the general approbation of the country.

On March 4, 1817, his long official relations with the country
terminated, and he retired to his farm at Montpelier, Virginia. In this
pleasant retreat he passed the remainder of his days in agricultural
pursuits. Like most of our famous men, his matrimonial connection was a
source of great advantage to him. During his later years, in spite of
his ill-health, Madison still busied himself in service to his
neighbors.

While at school, for MONTHS TOGETHER, he had slept but three hours out
of the twenty-four. He was not an orator naturally; many others of his
schoolmates, it is stated, were far superior to him in natural
abilities. Why, then, did he succeed, while so many others failed? The
strong fea