The Character of George Washington

Posted on by November 8, 2015

Landsdowne paintingGeorge Washington was always very careful with his character, not only as others saw him, but that he stayed true to his central beliefs. You can see this in every stage of his life.

In the French and Indian war, he was especially careful to carry out his duties, even when he was feeling “unwell.”

In the Revolutionary War he was careful to lead his men, even in times of deep despair and tribulation.

In the Constitutional Convention he was very careful of his leadership as President of the Convention, and didn’t try to sway things from his chair up front. Instead he would take the time to visit with and persuade the members of that great Convention privately. read more

President and Mrs. Washington and President and Mrs. Madison

Posted on by November 5, 2015

There is a touching and even heart-rending irony in that neither George Washington, the “Father of our Country” nor James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” had any children of their own. However, they both married widows and raised step-children.

George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, the lovliest and perhaps the wealthiest widow in Virginia. Martha had two children with her previous husband, Daniel Custis. Martha was very beautiful, as science has now confirmed with the new methods of reproducing what someone would have looked like at a certain age. (Click here to see a picture). At barely 5’, Martha stood only as tall as Washington’s chest. George was nearly 6’4” tall. read more

John Adams and Government

Posted on by November 4, 2015

JohnAdamsJohn Adams was an important member of the First Continental Congress. Then the next year John was elected to represent Massachusetts in the second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which met in May, 1775. It was in that session that he nominated George Washington to become the First Commander of the United Colonial Armies, and he was soon elected and left to begin his service in that position.

By January, 1776, a new pamphlet had begun circulating in the Colonies. A month later, when John resumed his seat in the Continental Congress, this new pamphlet was already in its third printing. In a letter to Abigail, John commented that he expected “Common Sense” (the name of this pamphlet) to become the common faith in the colonies. read more

Governor Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty . . .

Posted on by November 3, 2015

PatrickHenryI can recall a time after High School, when I could sort of remember the name of Patrick Henry. I even knew that he gave a monumental talk at some point in his life where he said the words: “Give me liberty . . . or give me death!”

I didn’t know when he gave that speech, or where it occurred. But I seemed to think it was sometime around the Civil War period. As you can guess, history was not my favorite subject in High School.

Then in 1976, yes, 1976, as a young attorney, I was elected to represent a Phoenix Mayor’s committee at a National Convention of Citizens Crime Commissions, to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that year. For those of you who weren’t around then, that was our Nation’s Bi-centennial celebration of the adoption of our Declaration of Independence. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Airbaths

Posted on by November 2, 2015

Ben FranklinFranklin had a habit of engaging in a daily “Air Bath.” When Ben would arise every morning, he would open every window in his room, remove all of his clothes and sit around in the room for an hour or so in the “altogether”. Not even cold winter weather would discourage him in this practice.

He often recommended this practice to his friends or fellow traveling companions. He once told John Adams that this was the reason he rarely suffered from a cold. John Adams, however, couldn’t quite convert to it! read more

Happy Halloween, Greet Thanksgiving

Posted on by November 1, 2015

800px-Mtchoirandorchestra_ConferenceCenter_(cropped)They didn’t have Halloween celebrations or trick or treating in the early days of our nation. No masquerade balls, or trunk or treating either.

But they did begin to get ready for Thanksgiving. I hope that’s what we all will do now. It will be here quickly!

“The greatest saint in the world is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice. It is he who is most thankful to God, and who has a heart always ready to praise Him.” –William Law read more

Ben Franklin’s Dying Remarks

Posted on by October 30, 2015

Ben FranklinMy mother-in-law passed away last night. She was a very special person. Why? Because she made everyone around her feel special. She always had a beautifully positive outlook on life and life’s experiences. I remember the first time I met her and how welcome she made me feel.

Anyway, her death brought to mind Benjamin Franklin’s last days. He was the wisest and oldest of the Nation’s Founding Fathers, almost by a whole generation.

Early in April, 1790, Franklin complained of a pain in his chest which endured for at least 10 agonizing days. Then it subsided just enough to let Sally, his daughter, make his bed fresh for his so that he might “die in a decent manner.” After making up the bed, Sally declared that she was praying that Ben would get well and live for many more years. Franklin quietly responded: “I hope not!” read more

Thomas Jefferson, Books and Learning

Posted on by October 29, 2015

ThomasJeffersonOne of Thomas Jefferson’s personal characteristics was that he was a sponge for learning. Even as a youth he was so inquisitive that he was such a good student, the classes didn’t go fast enough for him.

He graduated college at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and then continued to study law with George Wythe, who became the first law professor at that college. Wythe later became one of the signers of Jeffferson’s Declaration of Independence.

In Jefferson’s Monticello, his mansion near Charlotte, Tom kept several different locations available for him to sit and read and study at the drop of a hat. He wrote to John Adams: “I cannot live without books.” His collection of books exceeded that of the Congressional Library, which was burned  in the War of 1812, and replaced by Jefferson in 1814. read more

George Washington, Integrity, and the World Series

Posted on by August 29, 2016

As you know, George Washington could “never tell a lie.” And we also have the President “Honest Abe” Lincoln as an example of integrity. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were also well known for their traits of honesty. Jefferson said:

“Honesty is the first chapter in the Book of Wisdom.”

Watching the World Series on television, made me think of this story about integrity and baseball players. I’ll think you’ll enjoy it today.

“When Ted Williams was forty years old and closing out his career with the Boston Red Sox, he was suffering from a pinched nerve in his neck. ‘The thing was so bad,’ he explained, ‘that I could hardly turn my head to look at the pitcher.’ That year, 1959, for the first time in his career he batted under .300, hitting just .254 with 10 home runs. read more