Post Presidency and Death
In 1817, James Madison left office to retire (once again) with his wife Dolley. Madison occupied himself by taking care of his plantation on Montpelier. Madison also kept busy with his longtime friend, Thomas Jefferson, by serving on a board to erect the University of Virginia. In 1825, the school opened, crediting Jefferson as its rector. The next year, Madison was granted control over the university after Thomas Jefferson died.
In the year 1829, James Madison shortly returned to the public life. Madison served as a delegate for the state's Constitutional Convention. In addition, Madison, along with Andrew Jackson and James Monroe, was involved with the American Colonization Society. This group aspired to restore freed slaves back to Africa. Madison also became president of this organization in 1833.
On June 28, 1836 at the age of 85, James Madison died at the Montpelier Estate. Prior to his death, his 1834 note titled "Advice to My Country" was made public. Madison explicitly asked that the message not be released until after his death. With his concluding political statement, he wrote: "The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened; and the disguised one, as the Serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into Paradise."
In the year 1829, James Madison shortly returned to the public life. Madison served as a delegate for the state's Constitutional Convention. In addition, Madison, along with Andrew Jackson and James Monroe, was involved with the American Colonization Society. This group aspired to restore freed slaves back to Africa. Madison also became president of this organization in 1833.
On June 28, 1836 at the age of 85, James Madison died at the Montpelier Estate. Prior to his death, his 1834 note titled "Advice to My Country" was made public. Madison explicitly asked that the message not be released until after his death. With his concluding political statement, he wrote: "The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened; and the disguised one, as the Serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into Paradise."