After the Declaration of Independence had been written, argued, agreed upon and signed, Benjamin Franklin was sent by Congress to seek to negotiate a loan from the King of France. This was needed to keep the Revolutionary Army of George Washington in service.
At the same time, Franklin’s friend, John Paul Jones was in Le Havre asking the French King for some warships. Jones’ written letters were to no avail.
Benjamin Franklin prepared to sail back to Pennsylvania after his loan was granted and a treaty with France were finally signed.
Nearly everyone knows of Benjamin Franklin’s success as a printer and businessman, as well as his many diplomatic successes. However, not many people know of his invention as a musician.
Wilford 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.
–James Madison
Of course you know that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were both Virginians, and they were great friends. Madison asked Jefferson to send him some books as he was studying how to plan for a new government. Jefferson sent him two trunks of “literary cargo” from France where Jefferson was the Minister.
One of the Supreme Court Justices nominated by James Madison was Joseph Story. Now remember, Madison was the most learned man when it came to the U.S. Constitution. He sheparded it through to approval, including writing many of the “Federalist Papers”.
Tonight I spoke to a group of adults about James and Dolley Madison and the Constitution. The presentation was well received. I enjoyed it.
Peanuts cartoons often have sage words of wisdom and advice. Here’s one I like: