Category Archives: Constitution of the United States

Congress Under the Constitution

Posted on by January 5, 2016

constitutionHere we are thinking about how we will elect our next President and members of Congress of the United States of America. But imagine that first Constitutional Convention where the original Constitution was still being debated and the method of electing the both houses of Congress was under consideration and debate.

There was very heated debate about this process. A constitution of this nature had never been debated, much less created. The members of the Convention did not agree on the method to ascertain who would be the new leaders of the new nation. read more

George Washington, a Success Story

Posted on by December 23, 2015

GeorgeWashingtonThis quote by Booker T. Washington, seems especially to apply to our own First President, George Washington:

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome.”

Although George’s success could by measured by the positions that he reached, during which he had to overcome many obstacles.

He was a hero in the French and Indian War, a member of Virginia’s House of Burgesses, a very successful plantation owner and businessman, the First Commander in Chief of the new United Colonial Army. He also was a hero, a tactician, a chief of a spy ring, and a celebrated and distinguished General in the Revolutionary War—which he eventually won against the World’s largest military and navy. read more

James Madison and the Choice of Liberty

Posted on by December 19, 2015

JamesMadisonJust as Patrick Henry proclaimed “Give me liberty or give me death”, James Madison did likewise. His statement was worded just a little differently.

Madison defined “property rights” to be the same as all human rights. Such rights are specifically protected in our Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments, proposed by Madison and adopted by the States.

James refers to property to include such human rights at freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. He wrote that property “included everything to which a man may attach a value and have a right, and which leaves to every one else the like advantage”(emphasis in the original writing). read more

The Daughters of the American Revolution

Posted on by December 11, 2015

constitutionToday I was honored as the special guest speaker at the monthly meeting of The Daughters of the American Revolution. It was real privilege to present to them a little about our Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

The ladies were invited to bring their husbands, and so we were happy so have some gentlemen there as well. I found the group to be well educated about our country’s revolution, and to be a most attentive and riveted audience.

In the discussion there seemed to be some confusion about the difference between the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was soon cleared up. read more

John Adams and the Constitution

Posted on by November 23, 2015

JohnAdamsShortly after the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress, Adams was sent to France to join Benjamin Franklin as a minister to France. Congress didn’t invite him to return home, even after the Revolutionary War had ended, and he and Franklin had constructed a Peace Treat, very much in favor of the United States.

Instead they sent him to Great Britain to attempt to produce a treaty of commerce with England. Can you imagine that? To try to put together a new treaty with your most recent war enemy? Impossible. Well, at least terribly difficult. read more

Benjamin Franklin and Gossip

Posted on by November 20, 2015

Ben Franklin thumb picture
As you know Benjamin Franklin was a great diplomat. He proved that over and over again. In the Continental Congress with the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, and others. In his victories with France in obtaining the funds and cooperation of the French in the Revolutionary War. In the Constitutional Convention when the arguments were starting to take over the discussions. And just generally in his life time habits and discourses.

Here’s an example of how he achieved so much: read more

Jefferson Speaking of Madison

Posted on by November 12, 2015

ThomasJeffersonAs you know Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were great friends.

As Jefferson completed his mansion “Monticello”, he built into the second floor a room dedicated to visits from James and Dolley Madison.

Jefferson also sent Madison a trunk full of volumes of books from France, regarding government and history to help Madison in drafting the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson was serving as Minister to France at the time at the discretion of Congress.

The erudite Jefferson was excited and inspired by the learning and academic study of James Madison. Here’s what Thomas Jefferson said about his kindred spirit, James Madison: read more

The Least Known Founding Father

Posted on by October 23, 2015

PatrickHenryIn speaking around the country, I am surprised to find that the least know of the Founding Fathers is Patrick Henry. Sure, people have heard of him, but know nothing about his life. Some people know he gave a speech once where he said those immortal words: “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” Where and when and why no one seems to know. Some even think it was around the time of the Civil War.

Patrick Henry gave many speeches. Not the least of which was the first speech he gave as a newly elected member of the House of Burgesses, the civilian legislature approved by the Crown of England. It was that speech that Thomas Jefferson said lighted the light of liberty in his breast, never to be quenched. He was first a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, and during the Revolutionary War they became estranged enemies. read more

Founding Fathers and Humility

Posted on by October 18, 2015

Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_StatesThis is a quote that reminds me of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and others of our Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes:

“Something Very Beautiful happens to a people when their world has fallen apart: A Humility. A Nobility. A Higher Intelligence Emerges at just the point when our knees hit the Floor.” –Marianne Williamson

The world had fallen apart for these men, and they came to the rescue with humility, nobility, and a belief in the support of a Higher Intelligence. Their knees often hit the floor. read more

John Adams defeats Thomas Jefferson, Then Visa Versa!

Posted on by October 13, 2015

JohnAdamsThomasJeffersonJohn Adams was a firm supporter of Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence in the Continental Congress of 1776. Tom then referred to Adams as the Colossus of the debates.

When George Washington declined to run for a third term as President of the United States, John Adams was elected as his replacement. Thomas Jefferson received the next highest number of electoral votes, and so became his Vice President.

John Adams revealed a bit of humorous jealousy when he wrote of what future historians would record about his time: read more