Her skill and enduring legacy is expressed in her writings on presidents Thomas Jefferson and on James Madison in the summer of 1809, during the first year of his presidency. She was aware of the state of the nation and understood that the citizenry was in need of reassurance regarding the president's leadership. Her commentary during her summer trip firmly established Jefferson's legacy as president, as well as shaping his image as "the Sage of Monticello." While visiting Montpelier, the Virginia home of James and Dolley Madison, Smith keenly observed Dolley's hospitality and her political performance as the wife of the President. The ease of Dolley's entertaining became her trademark, and Smith wrote about it in great detail.