American statesman and political theorist, Madison was the 4th President of the United States and became known as the "Father of the Constitution." He was instrumental in drafting the United States Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights. Madison inherited his plantation known as Montpelier and throughout his life owned hundreds of slaves which he used to cultivate the crops on his plantation. After the drafting of the Constitution, Madison became one of the key figures in its ratification. He collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to produce the Federalist Papers in 1788. Madison's political views changed during his life. During the creation of the Constitution, he favored a strong, national government. As the years progressed he grew to favor stronger state government and would eventually adopt a viewpoint somewhere between the two. Madison drafted the first ten amendments to the Constitution. He worked closely with President George Washington to help organize the new national government. He along with Thomas Jefferson organized what they called the Republican Party in opposition to the policies of the Federalists. He would serve under President Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Madison supervised the Louisana Purchase which effectively doubled the nation's size. Elected President in 1809, he would serve two terms leading the country into the War of 1812. This ornate, museum quality frame, measuring 31" x 23.5", houses two frames. On the right, a portrait of President James Madison. On the left, a Mediterranean ship's passport signed "James Madison" as President, Robert "R Smith" as Secretary of State and countersigned by "David Gelston Collector." Gelston was the Collector of the Port of New York. This ship's passport, issued to William Burns, is dated May 21, 1811 and was created after the United States signed a treaty with Algiers in 1795 in order to insure safe passage of U.S. ships through the area of the Mediterranean. The top of the passport form was cut in a distinctive scalloped pattern, providing proof of the document's authenticity. U.S. consuls provided copies to the Barbary corsairs, who were instructed to let pass all vessels holding passports which fit the scalloped pattern. This particular document promised that the ship was not mounted with guns and traveled with 11 men. The document features engraved pictures of a sailing ship and lighthouse as well as the white paper seal of the United States. A piece of the document is missing presumably from a varmint that "artistically" ate away at the animal skin document. $1950.00

American statesman and political theorist, Madison was the 4th President of the United States. He was instrumental in drafting the United States Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights. Madison inherited his plantation known as Montpelier and throughout his life owned hundreds of slaves which he used to cultivate the crops on his plantation. After the drafting of the Constitution, Madison became one of the key figures in its ratification. He collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to produce the Federalist Papers in 1788. Madson's political views changed during his life. During the creation of the Constitution, he favored a strong, national government. As the years progressed he grew to favor stronger state government and would eventually adopt a viewpoint somewhere between the two. Madison drafted the first ten amendments to the Constitution. He worked closely with President George Washington to help organize the new national government. He along with Thomas Jefferson organized what they called the Republican Party in opposition to the policies of the Federalists. He would serve under President Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Madison supervised the Louisana Purchase which effectively doubled the nation's size. Elected President in 1809, he would serve two terms leading the country into the War of 1812. This museum quality frame houses a portrait of James Madison and a land grant dated March 15, 1809. The document was issued to Henry Dixson Junior of Columbiana County, Ohio for payment to the US Government for land in Stubenville, Ohio that is "in the Territory north-west of Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river." Signatures of Madison and Secretary of State Robert Smith are on the lower left corner of the document. $1590.00

4th US President, principal architect of the US Constitution, co-author, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, of the Federalist Papers, friend and ally of Thomas Jefferson. Free-franked postal cover with a "Washington City" postmark, and stamped "Free." Traces of the red wax seal remain. Officially docketed twice with an October 10, 1803 date and addressed to "Joseph Wilson, Esq., Collector of the Customs, Marblehead, Massach." Signed on the front by Madison as Secretary of State in the Jefferson administration. $875.00

4th US President, principal architect of the US Constitution, co-author, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, of the Federalist Papers, friend and ally of Thomas Jefferson. Check drawn on the Office of Pay and Deposit of the Bank of Columbia for $100.00, dated July 10, 1815, while Madison was President. Made payable to "A. B. or bearer," and signed "James Madison." $1450.00

4th US President, principal architect of the US Constitution, co-author, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, of the Federalist Papers, friend and ally of Thomas Jefferson. A receipt made out by Madison on May 28, 1802, to his sister, Nellie Conway Madison, for $50 from their Grandfather's estate. Madison's full name is signed in the first line of the note, and the entire document is in his hand. Signed by Nellie C Madison, who died shortly after this receipt was made. She had been named for their mother, who herself lived to 1829 and the ripe old age of 98. $2800.00