Back when the Eastern coast of America was only an unofficial assemblage of British colonies, there were some major disturbances in Boston. Because of communication between some of the leaders, some individuals decided to do something.

When the King’s appointed governor of the Colony of Virginia confiscated the gunpowder magazine, the building containing the colonist’s gunpowder, some of the leaders objected. The building was in the capitol of Virginia at Williamsburg.

One of those leaders was Patrick Henry, who assembled a group of farmers, merchants, and yes, even lawyers, to march on Williamsburg and recapture the magazine. With guns. As they marched toward Williamsburg the group of “militia” grew in size. It grew to a troop of about 5,000 men.

Patrick Henry’s group took on the name of “The Orangemen.” One of the early residents of Virginia who joined that group called The Orangemen, was a youngster named James Madison. Madison was a small man, about 5’4” and weighing less than 100 pounds at the time. He wanted to be on the side of the rebels should there be a Revolution.

The Governor, Lord Dunmore, learned of the approach of the Orangemen toward Williamsburg, and of their intention to recapture the gunpowder magazine. He decided to nip it in the bud and offered Patrick Henry the ransom of the value of the gunpowder, if they would return to their homes, peacefully. They decided to take him up on the offer and the soldiers were disbanded and sent home.

James Madison, was an excellent shot with his rifle. He could shoot the eye out of a rabbit at the range of 100 yards. Quite a feat in those days, with those not so accurate rifles. However, he learned on this march, that his constitution was not strong enough to endure such a vigorous march, even for a good cause.

James decided to give up on soldiering and learn all he could about nation building. He was a real scholar and a well-read intellectual. That became his passion. He was the leader in our Constitutional Convention. As a result he designed the Virginia Plan, which became the basis for our U.S. Constitution. From one constitution to another. Thanks James Madison!