The Founding Fathers as Leaders

Founding Fathers coverI believe that the Founding Fathers were all EXCEPTIONAL leaders. They were all at the right place at the right time in history. It’s pretty amazing if you think about it. How often can you get 55-56 well educated and experienced men in one room and have them agree on anything, let alone how to build a new nation?

I don’t believe it could ever be done again. It certainly hasn’t been done since 1989! Here’s Peanuts take on this:

Lucy and Charlie Brown are discussing things. Lucy says to Charlie: “There are leaders in this world, Charlie Brown, and there are followers . . .” read more

John and Abigail Adams–A Love Story

Abigail_AdamsOne of my favorite historical novels was about John and Abigail Adams. The book was titled “A Love Story,” by Irving Stone. Most know of their marriage and how Abigail kept the home going while John was off being an attorney, a diplomat and a Founding Father.

When John began courting Abigail, her mother was totally against it. She said that Abigail would be marrying below herself as she was so extraordinary. When education of women wasn’t all that important, Abigail was able to get a good education from her family, from her love of reading and learning, and from the great library they had at home. read more

A Republic or a Monarchy?

I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the Republic for which it stands,
One nation, Under God, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for ALL.

Founding Fathers coverRepublic—a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.

Democracy—government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. read more

Patrick Henry and Root Beer

Yesterday on this Blog, I told a little about how both Benjamin Franklin and his compatriot, Thomas Jefferson, were both very intellectual men and both of them were involved in new inventions. I hope you enjoyed learning about that.

PatrickHenryOne of my other heroes, and Founding Fathers, Patrick Henry, was also an inventor of sorts. Patrick served for a while in his youth as a “bartender” at his father’s General Mercantile Store and Country Inn. He didn’t like it much. He saw first hand how much damage liquor did to the common man. Some people he served lost their money, their families, their wives, their homes, and even their lives to that vile habit—drinking. read more

Journey with the Founding Fathers

ThomasJeffersonWhat a wonderful experience it was today to be introduced to a distant member of the family, by marriage, to a young lady who is an elementary school teacher. And just by chance, she teaches American History!

As I presented her with a copy of my book, she asked me how I came to write it. I got to tell her my story. What fun for me!

After I had graduated from law school, I was invited personally by the mayor of the City of Phoenix to become a member of the Phoenix Citizen’s Crime Commission. There used to be a chapter of such a commission in every major city in the United States—but that’s another story. read more

Inventors Jefferson and Franklin

Most people are well aware that Benjamin Franklin was one of the preeminent inventors of his day. You know, bifocals, lightening rods, catheters, the armonica, etc. I wrote about some of his inventions in a recent blog post. I hope you saw it.

ThomasJeffersonBut most people don’t really think of Thomas Jefferson as an inventor. He, of course, served on the committee to draft the Declaration of
Independence with Benjamin Franklin, and ultimately was chosen as the person on that committee to pen the original draft. read more

Ben Tells Stories While Jefferson Cringes

ThomasJeffersonAfter Thomas Jefferson completed his draft of the Declaration of Independence, he submitted it to the committee ordained for that purpose. They made only a few changes or suggestions. Then it was placed before the whole Congress for its adoption.

Thomas squirmed as members of Congress made their own remarks and suggestions. John Adams defended it. Benjamin Franklin turned to Thomas Jefferson and told this tale from his days as a printer:

“One of my friends, an apprentice hatter, had decided to open a shop for himself. His first concern was to have a handsome signboard with a proper inscription. He composed it in these words: ‘John Thompson, hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money,’ with a figure of a hat subjoined.’ But he thought he would submit it to his friends for their amendments. read more

Independence Declared

On July 2, 1776, the proposition put forward by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, that these colonies have a right to be free and independent of Great Britain, was adopted by Congress.

JohnAdamsJohn Adams who had spoken fervently in Congress that such a proposition should definitely be approved, was excited. He was so proud of this accomplishment that on July 3, he wrote home to Abigail:

“Yesterday the greatest Question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps never was nor will be decided among men . . . The Second Day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha [sic}, in the History of America—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews [sic], Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one end of the Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” (Capitalization as in the original letter). read more

Independence Day Question

JohnAdamsOn this our 4th of July, or our Independence Day weekend, I am sorely reminded of the quote of Abigail Adams. As you know, she was the wife of John Adams, who argued on behalf of accepting Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. As a result he was nicknamed “the Colossus” by Jefferson.

Abigail Adams uttered the agonizing question: “I wonder if future generations will ever know what we have suffered on their behalf?”