Category Archives: George Washington

The Original Patriots

Posted on by September 22, 2016

Today, some of us football fans especially, think of the Patriots as the New England Patriots football team. You know, they’ve been in the Super Bowl four times in the last few years, and are an amazing fun team to watch play football. I myself am a football fan, and a Patriot fan as well.

Founding Fathers coverHowever, the original Patriots didn’t play football. Football hadn’t even been invented yet. Those original Patriots played for keeps and they created a new nation. The first one ever to be of the people, by the people and for the people. read more

Inspired Leaders of the Constitution

Posted on by September 19, 2016

Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_StatesWilford Woodruff, a religious leader in the 1800’s, reflected in his writings about the nature of the leaders of the nation in 1776 as compared to the individual characters of those of only 100 years later. It seemed to him that there was a growing gulf between the character, integrity, and inspiration of the leaders of his time, and that of the leaders in the Revolution and the promulgating of the U.S. Constitution.

He was considering Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison.

Wow. What if he had lived another 100 years. What would he think of the leaders now? read more

Did You Know This About the Constitution?

Posted on by September 10, 2016

Who was Gouverneur Morris?

Was he a Governor of some State or Colony? What did he do that I should even know who he was?

No, that’s not a misspelling. That’s how he spelled his name—Gouverneur. And he pronounced it “Goo-ver-newer”.

constitutionNo, he was not a Governor at the time. He was one of the important men attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787. He was one of the important men, at that Convention, such as James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. read more

Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton and Burr

Posted on by September 4, 2016

hith-alexander-hamilton-EBoy, that was an eye-opening account of “Legends and Lies” by Bill O’Reilly tonight. It was on TV. Pictured was the death of President George Washington, the election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, which was decided in the House, and the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

As you will recall from your High School history class, Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in the duel. Scholars still debate whether or not Hamilton had purposely aimed high miss Burr or if he just got off a bad shot. I am inclined to believe the first. read more

James Madison and The Constitutional Convention

Posted on by August 30, 2016

constitutionNot only did James Madison convince George Washington to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, he promoted other members and their ideas along the way.

James convinced Governor Edmund Randolph to introduce his “Virginia Plan” in such a way that would comply with the purpose for which the Convention had been called. Its original purpose was to amend the unworkable Articles of Confederation. Yes, amend them out of existence.

Edmund Randolph had been an “Aide de Camp” to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Randolph was the currently acting Governor of Virginia. So he was a man of learning and prestige who would be listened to at this Convention. Randolph made an extraordinary introduction to Madison’s plan. read more

George Washington and the News

Posted on by August 29, 2016

Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_StatesThe President of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington, was determined to prevent leaks from the meetings in Philadelphia. One day one of the delegates absent-mindedly left his notes behind on a table in the meeting room.

The next day President Washington held up the page of notes before the group, saying: “I must entreat the gentleman to be more careful lest our transactions get into the newspapers and disturb the public response by premature speculations. I know not whose paper it is, but there it is; let him who owns it, take it.” read more

Founding Fathers and Words

Posted on by August 28, 2016

ThomasJeffersonThomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had several things in common. Not the least of which was how they faced an argument or a political debate.

Thomas Jefferson explained how he thought about his friends and fellow Founding Fathers this way: “I never heard either of them (George Washington and Benjamin Franklin) speak ten minutes at a time, nor to any but the main point . . .They laid their shoulders to the great points, knowing that the little ones would follow of themselves.” read more

Jefferson and Words

Posted on by August 27, 2016

ThomasJeffersonOur American language has some strange words, or words with different meanings than you would expect. Jefferson was, of course, great with words. George Washington was trained in his youth to write well and use correct words. John Adams did so well with words that he told Abigail that he only accomplished good things with his exemplary use of language—words.

Just for the record, some words don’t seem to make sense any more because their original meaning has been lost. Album is a word that comes to mind. It was used to mean a vinyl record when record players were the vogue. Originally records which spun around the records player at 78 revolutions per minute (RPM), could only contain 4-5 minutes of recorded music. read more

The American Way

Posted on by August 25, 2016

ThomasJeffersonGeorge Washington, our first President, said this: “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”

Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

That’s where we get out freedoms from. Not from the government, but from God. But it’s a troublesome servant and a fearful master. We have to stay in charge, not give it away. read more