James Madison had prepared himself to be a builder of nations. He wanted to go to The College of William and Mary, like his close friend and mentor. However he found that the weather and temperatures there were not favorable to his health and stamina. So he looked northward and enrolled at The College of New Jersey, later known as Princeton College, which had a good reputation.  Princeton had been founded originally to train Presbyterian Ministers.

James graduated after receiving a solid education in only 2 ½ years. He went on to study law, but never practiced that profession. After the Revolutionary War he was extremely concerned that the Articles of Confederation just weren’t working. They needed to be amended.

He gathered the necessary delegates from the several states, including a reluctant George Washington, to attend the Convention. He drew up a plan to propose to the Convention to amend the Articles of Confederation—Amend them out of existence!

He made several speeches during the hot summer sessions. He made himself the secretary of the meetings, which is why we have a record of what transpired. Most of his plan was adopted, with some modifications which came out of the debates. George Washington sometimes had to try to settle him down outside of the meetings, he had become so disturbed and disquieted at some of the arguments and diatribes.

Come together they did. With help from Benjamin Franklin the delegates approved and signed the new document. There was a brand new nation with a concise contract between the states. It could absolutely not have been accomplished without the leadership of James Madison. Hooray for Madison!!