James
Madison
Fourth
President of the United States
It is not uncommon for great men
to achieve some of their greatness with the help and encouragement of their
wives. However, it is not often that a wife is credited with providing
the impetus that resulted in a famous leader joining our fraternity. In
the Library of Crongress there reposes a letter from John Mercer, Governor of
Maryland, to James Madison, dated February 11, 1795 while Madison was a member
of the U.S. House of Representatives. "I have had no opportunity of
congratulating you before on becoming a Freemason -- a very ancient and
honorable fraternity -- I hold a lodge on your road, pray let me take your
hand in it, and let Mrs. Mercer welcome the fair prophetess who has converted
you to the true faith... The librarian of the Supreme Council S.J. thinks the
letter refers to Madison's new wife, Dolly, and that he became a Mason at her
urging. His membership is best evidenced by the spirited attacks on him
during the anti-Masonic era. EDSEL
