Madison was elected to his first public office, the Orange County Committee of Safety, December 22, 1774. Madison, however, believed that his entrance into public life came with his election to the Virginia Constitutional Convention in April, 1776. (The Virginians were in revolt against their old government: they needed a Constitutional Convention to construct a new one.)

On May 15, the Virginia Convention unanimously instructed its delegates to the Continental Congress to propose a declaration of independence. Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia delegate, offered the proposal to Congress on June 15, 1776. Less than three weeks later, July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed.

"George Mason" Altered from an original painting by Dominic W. Boudet (ca.1811).

The same Virginia Convention adopted the famous Virginia Declaration of Rights. George Mason was the primary author, but the youthful, inexperienced Madison succeeded in strengthening the section on religious freedom. Mason's draft spoke of "the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion," while Madison's successful substitute provided that "all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience." Madison's advocacy of the freedom of religion would be a constant theme of his political career.

Phrases from the Virginia Declaration of Rights would show up very soon in the Declaration of Independence and later in the Bill of Rights.

In October of 1776 Madison entered the Virginia House of Delegates established by the new constitution. Thomas Jefferson, also a delegate, led the effort to disestablish (withdraw state aid from) religion. Madison supported these efforts but was too young and diffident to play more than a minor role. (Eight years later, Madison, a seasoned leader, would secure passage of Jefferson's Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. See below.)

Madison failed of reelection in April of 1777, a defeat he attributed to his refusal to provide "spiritous liquors" to the electorate. Despite his youth, frailty, and diffidence, he had been marked as a leader and was elected by the House to serve on the Virginia Council of State. He arrived in Williamsburg January, 1778, to take up his duties.

"Thomas Jefferson" Altered from an original image by Charles Wilson Peale (ca.1791). Independence National Historical Park Collection, Philadelphia, PA

Patrick Henry was governor when Madison was elected to the Council, but Madison continued to serve after Thomas Jefferson became governor in June of 1779. This is when Jefferson and Madison became well acquainted and was the start of their remarkable friendship. They were to remain close friends until Jefferson's death, July 4, 1826.