More Presidential Assassinations

Library of Congress Reading RoomAs I told you yesterday, I have learned some interesting facts from reading a fiction Bestseller. But I didn’t mention the name of the book or the author. So if you are interested, the name of the book is “the Fifth Assassin” by Brad Meltzer. The main character is Beecher White who is an archivists and the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

An archivist is, of course, someone who is in charge of Archives. An archive is a place where public records or historical documents are kept. The National Archives in Washington is a beautiful building in the District in which the original Declaration of Independence, the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and many other very important historical documents are kept. read more

Lincoln’s Foundry Church

I just finished reading an exciting mystery novel the hero of which was a archivist in the Nation’s Capitol. It was a good book and a very interesting plot, with lots of tidbits of history interspersed.

For example, did you know anything about the Foundry Church in Washington, DC? Neither did I. A foundry is by definition a factory to make cannons and other guns. Henry Foxall built and ran a factory in that city, and that’s what they did. They made guns and cannons for the U. S. Government in the 1800’s. And he was quite good at it. read more

Quotes Re Virtue and Law

hith-alexander-hamilton-EAlexander Hamilton said it this way: “The law . . . dictated by God Himself is, of course, superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times. No human laws are of any validity if contrary to this.”

Coleman Cox, author, said it this way: “If we could make a great bonfire of the thousands of laws we have in this country, and start all over again with only the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments, I am sure we would get along better.” read more

Martha Washington – Be Cheerful!

Martha-Washington-by-Andrews“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.” –Martha Washington, First American First Lady, 1732-1802.

Martha met George Washington one day in late Autumn in 1758. She had been invited to dine at the home of Mr. Richard Chamberlayne, who was also a friend of George. Washington happened to stop by the home of his friend for supper while George was on his was to meet with the Governor in Williamsburg. read more

Presidents Day

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASeveral years ago while I was a successful practicing attorney, I was looking through the morning newspaper. Yes, we still had one on home delivery in those days.

It was late in the month of January. I noticed there was an announcement for an upcoming sale for sheets and linens for Presidents Day. Later in the paper was an add for amazing sales on Ford automobiles at the local dealer. Likewise there were adds for specials for meals in honor of Presidents Day. But nowhere did I notice any local events, parades, or feasts being held in honor of either George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. read more

Benjamin Franklin and Words

Mark_Twain_by_AF_BradleyAs you know, Benjamin Franklin was a printer since his early days when he was apprenticed to his brother, James. He eventually moved on from Boston to Philadelphia, where he became a very successful printer with his own company.

Because he was a printer, he was also an avid reader, even though he had a rudimentary education. His access to books helped him become a leader in the City, then the State, then throughout the Colonies, then in England and France, and finally at the Constitutional Convention. read more

George Washington’s Perseverance

GeorgeWashingtonWashington was well known for sticking to a task that he had undertaken. He couldn’t be shaken from doing his duty, or fulfilling his promise.

After he had fought in the French and Indian War, served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Served as Commander in Chief of the United Colonial Armies until he won the War, served as President of the Constitutional Convention, was unanimously elected, not once but twice as the President of the new United States of America, he finally wanted to return home to Mount Vernon to live out his life. The country wanted him to serve a third term as President, but he finally declined a job! He truly had served enough!! read more

The Tact of the Founding Fathers

“So be sure when you step,
step with care and great TACT.
And remember that life’s
A great balancing act.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
–Dr. Seuss

Abraham_Lincoln_2“Tact is the ability to see others as they see themselves.”
–Abraham Lincoln

“So you’ve got a problem? That’s good. Why? Because repeated victories over your problems are the rungs on your ladder to success With each victory you grow in wisdom, stature, and experience. You become a bigger, better, more successful person each time you meet a problem and tackle and conquer it with a positive mental attitude.”
–W. Clement Stone read more

George Washington Didn’t Quit

GeorgeWashingtonOne thing that the British are certain about is that General George Washington never quit. No matter how difficult the challenge, or how bad the weather, or how small the number of recruits, George carried on. He was after all the unanimously appointed Commander in Chief of the United Colonial Army.

He carried on courageously until Yorktown when he became the ultimate winner. What a war. But he still wasn’t finished.

I just read a story about another person who would quit. For some reason it made me think of all Washington had to endure. read more

Franklin as Postmaster—Again!

Ben FranklinBenjamin Franklin returned from a long, long business trip to London in 1775. He was happy to be home. But not quite as happy as those leaders of the Colonies.

John Hancock, of Boston, was President of the Continental Congress when Ben returned to Philadelphia. Ben was welcomed by his wife, by his friends in Philly, and by Congress, the Continental Congress, where he would become a delegate from Pennsylvania.

But before that John Hancock approached Benjamin Franklin with the news. “Dr. Franklin, we’re giving you your old job back as Postmaster of the Colonies.” read more