James Madison - Team work

[dwhannah]

Madison probably knew Jefferson as well as or better than anyone else living during that time (180). The two men began a working relationship in France that would serve both gentlemen well throughout their lives. The partnership the two would develop would last for fifty years (83). Although both men are regarded for their contributions to this new country, Madison always would assume a junior role to Jefferson. During the early 1790’s this long standing relationship would ascend to new levels. In fact at times it would be hard to distinguish between the two because where one’s thoughts would end the other would take the lead. John Quincy Adams put it nicely that “the mutual influence of these two mighty minds upon each other is a phenomenon, like the invisible and mysterious movements of the magnet in the physical world.” The communications that the two had enjoyed while Jefferson was in France would serve them well as to the secretive nature of their correspondence while they waged war against Hamilton. The two were a dynamic duo with Jefferson being the superior in intelligence and Madison was the one who dealt with the messier details. Madison being the talented spokesman and that allowed Jefferson to remain behind the scenes (145). Madison was always the protector of Jefferson’s ego because Jefferson never really took criticism well. He would allow a psychological game to ramble on for Jefferson that would cause him great distress at times. Madison seemed to understand Jefferson’s need for solitude and the need for spiritual healing when Jefferson was injured by others words or actions to the items that he had worked so hard to establish.