Category Archives: Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry and the Constitution

Posted on by August 1, 2017

In addition to Thomas Jefferson, another Virginian, Patrick Henry was opposed to ratification of the newly proposed Constitution. As the Constitution went around to the various States for adoption, the States held their own conventions to approve or reject it.

In the Virginia Convention, which lasted 23 days, Patrick Henry spoke in opposition on 18 of those days. One day he made 8 different speeches. And he was quite an orator, as you know from his “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. People listened to him. However the rational arguments were on the side of fellow Virginian, James Madison. read more

Thomas Jefferson and the Constitution

Posted on by July 31, 2017

Not only was John Adams not present at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, neither was Thomas Jefferson. Although Jefferson had sent his good friend, James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, trunk-loads of books about government for use in preparing for the Constitution.

Why wasn’t Jefferson there? He was in France, from where he sent those books to Madison. Why was he in France? Because he was sent there by Congress to join Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in preparing the Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary War. Adams went to England and Franklin returned home to Pennsylvania after that treaty was signed. read more

The Founding Fathers and the First Amendment

Posted on by June 16, 2017

Patrick Henry didn’t like the U.S. Constitution. He spoke out forcefully against its adoption in the Virginia Constitutional Convention. He spoke nearly every day –18 of the 23 days of the Convention, arguing against its adoption. Why didn’t he like it, you ask? It wasn’t because he was not a true patriot. He was known as America’s first patriot.

He didn’t like it because he thought it didn’t protect the citizens as well as it should. He thought America would descend into a monarchy just like Great Britain unless it provided more written proofs of the citizens’ rights. read more

Founding Fathers as Christians

Posted on by June 11, 2017

Some have said that the Founding Fathers were not Christian. They haven’t read the words of these men themselves. They all left quotes and references that would convince most anyone otherwise..

Read George Washington’s Farewell address. Read Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. Read James Madison’s notes on the Constitutional Convention. Give yourself time to read Benjamin Franklin’s speeches at that same Convention.

Patrick Henry summed it up well in his last will and testament. “This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed. read more

Our Founding Fathers and Moral Virtues

Posted on by June 4, 2017

Benjamin Franklin created his “Project for Moral Perfection” in order to become as perfect as he could in his chosen principles.

George Washington was taught at the request of his father in Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour.

Thomas Jefferson sometimes recited the Lord’s 10 Commandments out behind the barn to help his school go faster.

John Adams’ father wanted him to become a minister and that’s the main reason he was sent to The College of New Jersey to study.

Patrick Henry had a tradition of spending each evening with his family to read scriptures together. read more

The George Washington Birthday Celebration

Posted on by May 31, 2017

Perhaps you were able to attend one of the Mesa, Arizona, George Washington Birthday Celebrations. I was the organizer, the planner, the idea man, and the chief fundraiser and donor. They were held for four years in a row on Presidents Day Monday. The attendance increased each year until the crowd of 2,500 was simply too much for our location. The Mesa School District offered to let me continue the event at any of the Mesa schools. However, I declined. I knew that would ruin the neighborhood feeling of the annual event. read more

The Founding Fathers’ Homes

Posted on by May 28, 2017

The original Founding Fathers didn’t seem to move around too much. You know, sell their homes and find another. George Washington loved Mount Vernon so much that he wanted to return there instead of serving another term as President.

Thomas Jefferson loved Monticello and continued rebuilding and remodeling all his life. James Madison, his close friend, likewise loved Montpelier. That’s where he grew up, lived after marriage and after he served as President. That’s where he eventually passed away. read more

The Ages of the Founding Fathers

Posted on by April 27, 2017

The Founding Fathers were industrious and positive thinking men. They lived not only fruitful lives, but lives full of activity, wisdom, leadership, and friendship.

Benjamin Franklin, who took part in most of the life changing events of his time, lived to be 84. He died in 1790.

George Washington, the indispensible man, our nation wouldn’t exist without his accomplishments, died at the age of 67. He died in December of 1799, just before the new century was rung in.

Patrick Henry also died in 1799. He was known as America’s noble patriot and the first national hero. He was only 63 when he left his family of 17 children. read more

Lessons From Prison

Posted on by April 26, 2017

Patrick Henry warned us about losing some of our rights, even with the new Constitution. Yes, just as he warned, I was unjustly and falsely accused of conspiracy to defraud the government. To avoid a possible 37 year prison sentence, I accepted a plea offer. Later I was exonerated when the civil court decided I had done no wrong.

Read about this In my upcoming book “A Patriot Imprisoned.” Sometimes people ask me how I could have made it through confinement, imprisonment, and detention, and remain confident, optimistic, and even positive? It’s because those are my choices. That is my character. read more

The Christian Founding Fathers

Posted on by April 11, 2017

This week’s commemoration of Good Friday and then Easter Sunday is an important milestone in the Christian Religion. It was honored by our Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson said that the “Wee Little Book” he created is “proof positive that I am a real Christian . . . .”

Benjamin Franklin’s “Project for Moral Perfection” had him working on his character to imitate the humility of Jesus. George Washington paid for his own seat or booth at the Christian Church in Alexandria which was close to Mount Vernon. read more