Category Archives: Patrick Henry

A Few Random Thoughts From the Founding Fathers

Posted on by July 26, 2010
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” -Benjamin Franklin   “I believe He (God) is pleased and delights in the Happiness of those he has created; and since without Virtue Man can have no Happiness in this world, I firmly believe he delights to see me Virtuous because He is pleased when he sees me Happy.” -Benjamin Franklin (capitalization as he wrote it.)  

“Of all the dispositions and  habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports. . . . (R)eason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. -George Washington read more

Liberty or Not — That is the Question

Posted on by May 17, 2010

When any attention is paid to our nation’s founding documents, much attention is paid to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, especially to the phrase “promote the general Welfare.” It seems to me that too little attention is paid to the words immediately following that phrase.  The words “and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” perhaps currently need much more attention by the citizenry and its representatives.

Are we trying at all to secure the “Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” when we go on unbridled spending sprees? Are we selling our Liberty for a mess of pottage? Are we purchasing our security for a loss of our Liberty, our Liberty and that of our children? read more

Were the Founding Fathers Christian?

Posted on by September 24, 2015

Thinking about Easter today, I was contemplating on some of the pictures people have today about the Founding Fathers. Some people hold to the teachings they now receive in school that the Founding Fathers were not Christians. That they were either unbelievers, athiests, or Deists. Such people should read some of their own words. Words of the Founders of this Nation. Here are just a select few.

George Washington was a Christian, attending services as often as he could. He was a vestryman and a Church warden, and supported the Church with generous financial offerings. He often acknowledged the protection by hand of Providence in his life. He was often seen in prayer, especially at Valley Forge. He said: “I was in hopes (that the present age) would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination (to add to) the peace of society.” read more

George Washington Had a Bad Cold!

Posted on by March 30, 2010

On a trip last week to visit our daughter and to speak about Patrick Henry, I caught a bad cold. On the day I was to make my presentation about one of my favorite founding fathers, I began to lose my voice. I made it through my presentation okay, but my cold and cough got worse. It began to remind me about George Washington.

In December, 1799, George Washington rode out about his beautiful plantation at Valley Forge to mark some trees which needed to be chopped down or trimmed. He kept riding in the midst of snow and sleet. As George returned home, his neck was wet with melted snow and he began to be hoarse. read more

Thomas Jefferson: The Law Gave Him a View of the “Dark Side.”

Posted on by March 11, 2010

Peter Jefferson left this dying declaration regarding his son, Tom: “. . . Tom should receive a thorough classical education.” And Peter died when Tom was only 14, but he left him sufficient funds for such an education.  And then some.

At age 16, Tom dedided he should apply for entrance into the College of William and Mary at Williamsburg, Virginia. Just a few weeks before his 17th birthday he received the results of his entrance examinations. His outstanding results allowed Tom to be admitted into an advanced class in the school of philosophy. Tom would reside in Williamsburg for the next 7 years. read more

Patrick Henry, Why Do You Want to Be A Lawyer?

Posted on by March 8, 2010

When I was in law school, one of our first cases for review in our estate planning class was about a trust which had been written up by Patrick Henry in the 1750’s. His trust was upheld.

But did you know that Patrick Henry became a lawyer just by circumstance? As a young man, Patrick Henry fell in love with a neighbor girl, Sarah Shelton, nicknamed “Sallie.” When they were married, her parents gave them a 300 acre tobacco farm as a wedding gift.

Patrick was 18 at the time, Sarah wasn’t much over 16. Neither knew farming. Patrick grew up in a Merchantile household. Sallie’s parents owned an inn. read more