1In August 1814, a British army marched on Washington, D.C., thinking that by burning the American capital it could bring an end to the War of 1812. Panic reigned in the city as the redcoated columns approached. Many public records, including the Declaration of Independence, had already been stuffed into linen bags and carted off to Virginia, where they were piled up in a vacant house. Now the roads leading out of town began to fill with fleeing American soldiers and statesmen as well as wagons loaded with families and their valuables.
2Dolley Madison, wife of the fourth President, calmly directed evacuation details at the White House. A large portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart hung in the dining room. It would be an unbearable disgrace if it fell into British hands. Mrs. Madison ordered the doorkeeper and gardener to bring it along, but the huge frame was screwed so tightly to the wall that no one could get it down. Minutes ticked by as they tugged and pulled. At last someone found an ax. They chopped the frame apart, removed the canvas and sent it off for safekeeping. Soon afterward, the British entered the District of Columbia, setting fire to the Capitol and the White House.
3The rescue of Washington's portrait quickly took its place as one of Americans' most cherished acts of heroism. This letter, written by Dolley to her sister, Anna, even as the city fell, speaks to us of unflinching courage and levelheadedness amid chaos and retreat.
Tuesday, August 23, 1814
Dear Sister:
4My husband left me yesterday to join General Winder. He inquired anxiously whether I had courage or firmness to remain in the President's house until his return on the morrow, or succeeding day, and on my assurance that I had no fear but for him, and the success of our army, he left, beseeching me to take care of myself, and of the Cabinet papers, public and private. I have since received two dispatches from him, written with a pencil. The last is alarming, because he desires I should be ready at a moment's warning to enter my carriage, and leave the city; that the enemy seemed stronger than had at first been reported, and it might happen that they would reach the city with the intention of destroying it. I am accordingly ready; I have pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage; our private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to procure wagons for its transportation.
5I am determined not to go myself until I see Mr. Madison safe, so that he can accompany me, as I hear of much hostility toward him. Disaffection stalks around us. My friends and acquaintances are all gone, even Colonel C. with his hundred, who were stationed as a guard in this enclosure. French John [a faithful servant], with his usual activity and resolution, offers to spike the cannon at the gate, and lay a train of powder, which would blow up the British, should they enter the house. To this last proposition I positively object, without being able to make him understand why all advantages in war may not be taken.
6Wednesday morning, twelve o'clock. Since sunrise I have been turning my spy-glass in every direction, and watching with unwearied anxiety, hoping to discover the approach of my dear husband and his friends, but alas! I can descry only groups of military, wandering in all directions, as if there was lack of arms, or of spirit to fight for their own fireside.
7Three o'clock. Will you believe it, my sister? We have a battle, or skirmish, near Bladensburg, and here I am still, within sound of the cannon! Mr. Madison comes not. May God protest us! Two messengers, covered with dust, come to bid me fly; but here I mean to wait for him . . . At this last hour a wagon has been procured, and I have had it filled with plate and the most valuable portable articles, belonging to the house. Whether it will reach its destination, the "Bank of Maryland," or fall into the hands of the British soldiery, events must determine. Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll, has come to hasten my departure, and in a very bad humor with me, because I insist on waiting until the large picture of General Washington is secured, and it requires to be unscrewed from the wall. This process was found too tedious for these perilous moments; I have ordered the frame to be broken, and the canvas taken out. It is done! And the precious portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of New York, for safekeeping. And now, dear sister, I must leave this house, or the retreating army will make me a prisoner of it by filling up the road I am directed to take. When I shall again write to you, or where I shall be tomorrow, I cannot tell!
Dolley
From THE BOOK OF VIRTUES by William J. Bennett. Copyright © 1993 by
William J. Bennett.
A. to give a brief description of the War of 1812
B. to summarize the content of Dolley Madison's letter
C. to explain why the portrait of Washington was important
D. to help the reader understand the content of the letter
A. It could not fit into the wagon.
B. It could not be properly removed from the wall in the limited amount of time.
C. It was not suitable for the portrait.
D. It was destroyed with the portrait to keep it from the British.
A. is afraid the servant will be careless and hurt himself.
B. does not want the house harmed.
C. thinks it would be wrong to blow up the British soldiers.
D. does not think the trap would work.
A. shout at.
B. see.
C. mourn.
D. tell about.
A. surrender to the British when they come.
B. stay until her husband arrives.
C. direct traffic on the road out of town.
D. leave before the road gets too crowded.