‘Founders Corner’ Archives
Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address
Liberty Letters, 1801, President Thomas Jefferson Friends & Fellow Citizens, Called upon to undertake the duties of the first Executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look [...]
Madison’s Notes: The Federal Convention of 1787: August 21
Liberty Letters, 21 August 1787, James Madison Editor's Summary: Governor Livingston reads report from the Committee of Eleven granting Congress the power to discharge the debts incurred by the United States as well as the debts of the several states during the late war, and to make laws for organizing and disciplining the militia, or such part [...]
Bancroft’s History of the United States: Preface
Americanist History, George Bancroft Editor's Comment: Today The Moral Liberal begins a rather large undertaking, a chapter by chapter tour through what is in this editor's opinion the most inspirational history on the United States of America ever written, a history which if studied in every American School could be part of a larger formula that [...]
Fisher Ames: The French Revolution, Socialism, and Poverty
Liberty Letters, Fisher Ames The leaders of the French Revolution excited the poor against the rich; this made the rich poor, but it never made the poor rich. _______________________ Source: Fisher Ames, Famous Quotes, Poverty.
For the Relief of Slaves
Liberty Letters, 1788, William Pinkney _________________________ Editor's Summary: William Pinkney of Maryland gives an inspiring address against slavery, and in this particular instance in favor of the right of slave owners to emancipate their slaves at will, either in the present, or through their will at death. He appeals persuasively to the [...]
Dangers of a Salaried Executive Branch
Liberty Letters, 1787, Benjamin Franklin It is with reluctance that I rise to express a disapprobation of any one article of the plan for which we are so much obliged to the honorable gentlemen who laid it before us. From its first reading I have borne a good will to it, and, in general, wished it success. In this particular of salaries to the [...]
John Marshall: On the Federal Constitution
Liberty Letters, 10 June 1788, John Marshall Editor's Summary: John Marshall approaches Patrick Henry's objections to the proposed United States Constitution, one by one, and overcomes them solidly and persuasively. He discusses the abuses of political life under the Articles of Confederation that were ignored by Henry, and then moves on to the [...]
Washington’s Farewell Address
Liberty Letters, George Washington Editor's Summary: Washington declares he will not serve a third term. He recommends the American Constitution to all nations. He says, the Union is "a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence; the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that [...]
In Opposition to Writs of Assistance
Liberty Letters, James Otis Superior Court, Boston, February 1761 May it please your honors, I was desired by one of the court to look into the books, and consider the question now before them concerning writs of assistance. I have, accordingly, considered it, and now appear not only in obedience to your order, but likewise in behalf of the [...]
On the Adoption of the Federal Constitution
Liberty Letters, 1788, Alexander Hamilton I AM persuaded, Mr. Chairman, that I in my turn shall be indulged in addressing the committee. We all in equal sincerity profess to be anxious for the establishment of a republican government on a safe and solid basis. It is the object of the wishes of every honest man in the United States, and I presume [...]
Washington’s First Inaugural Address
Liberty Letters, 1787, George Washington Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the fourth day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with [...]
On Being Appointed Commander In Chief
Liberty Letters, 1775, George Washington THO I am truly sensible of the high honor done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every [...]
On the Federal Constitution
Liberty Letters, 1787, Benjamin Franklin I CONFESS 1 that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present; but, sir, I am not sure I shall never approve of it, for, having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I [...]
On American Independence
Liberty Letters, 1776, Samuel Adams OUR 1 forefathers, ’tis said, consented to be subject to the laws of Great Britain. I will not at the present time dispute it, nor mark out the limits and conditions of their submission; but will it be denied that they contracted to pay obedience and to be under the control of Great Britain because it [...]
Madison’s Notes: The Federal Convention of 1787: 20 August
Liberty Letters, 20 August 1787, James Madison ___________________ Editor's Summary: Pinckney and Morris introduced quite a number of new motions, all of which were sent to committee without discussion, some of them seeming quite contradictory, ranging from items that would belong in a Bill of Rights, to items that had all the appearances of [...]
Madison’s Notes: The Federal Convention of 1787, August 18
Liberty Letters, 18 August 1787, James Madison ____________________ Editor's Summary: Madison submits a list of powers to be added to Congress, to include, surprisingly, the creation of a National University, the power to create encouragements beyond securing patents to advance "useful knowledge and discoveries" by "offering premiums and [...]
On the Dangers of Deficits and Perpetual Revenue
The Moral Liberal with Steve Farrell In the Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, Mr. Mason of Virginia, suggested: the necessity of preventing the danger of perpetual revenue which must of necessity subvert the liberty of any Country. If it be objected to on the principle of Mr. Rutledge's motion that public credit may require perpetual [...]
As to Standing Armies In Time of Peace
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, 1787, Elbridge Gerry Mr. GERRY took notice that there was no check here against standing armies in time of peace. The existing Congress is so constructed that it cannot of itself maintain an army. This would not be the case under the new system. The people were jealous on this head, and great opposition to [...]
Madison’s Notes: Federal Convention of 1787: August 17
Liberty Letters, 17 August 1787, James Madison ___________________ Editor's Summary: Ghorum moves to involve the House in the appointment of the Treasurer. Pinkney and Sherman opposed it as favoring the larger states. Mason desired it might be considered to whom the money would belong; if to the people, the legislature representing the people [...]
John Adams to Officers of the Massachusetts Militia
American Papers As war with France threatens, local militias volunteer for the defense of the new nation. President John Adams replies to the officers of one of the units. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. ___________________________ To The Officers of the [...]
Madison’s Notes: Federal Convention of 1787: August 16
Liberty Letters, 16 August 1787, James Madison ______________________ Editor's Notes: Revision/veto power of the President continues to be tinkered with. James Wilson upon request of Mr. Martin explains the difference between duties and imposts: "duties are applicable to many objects to which the word imposts does not relate. The latter are [...]
Democratic Thinker: History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol. 4
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
Democratic Thinker: History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol. 3
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
Christopher Gadsen: Report of the Stamp Act Congress
Background of the American Revolution Christopher Gadsden, an ardent supporter of a united American effort to protect the rights of the colonies, reports the actions of the Stamp Act Congress of October 1765 to the agent of the South Carolina Colony. There ought to be no New England men, no New Yorker, &c., known on the Continent, but all [...]
Madison’s Notes: Federal Convention of 1787, August 15
Liberty Letters, 15 August 1787, James Madison _____________________ Editor's Summary: Madison moved that all bills ought to be submitted not just to the President, but to the Supreme Court for approval, something that was done in England to insure that laws were both soundly written and Constitutional (this was not the first time this was [...]
Democracy: A More Pure and Unmixed Tyranny
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, James Wilson Mr. Wilson, after viewing the subject with all the coolness and attention possible was most apprehensive of a dissolution of the Government from the legislature swallowing up all the other powers. He remarked that the prejudices against the Executive resulted from a misapplication of the adage [...]
Madison’s Notes: The Federal Convention of 1787: August 14
Liberty Letters, 14 August 1787, James Madison ____________________ Editor's Summary: The debate for 14 August 1787 focused on two issues. 1. Should members of the House be eligible under the Constitution to accept civil service offices during or shortly thereafter serving in the House? And why or why isn't this a danger? 2. Who should pay [...]
Gouverneur Morris: On Office Hunting
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Gouverneur Morris To avoid another inconveniency, we are to have a whole Legislature at liberty to cut out offices for one another. He thought a self-denying ordinance for ourselves would be more proper. ... He had scarcely seen a single corrupt measure in the Legislature of North Carolina, which could not be [...]
Madison’s Notes: Federal Convention of 1787: August 12
Liberty Letters, 12 August 1787, James Madison _____________________ Editor's Summary: Minimum citizenship requirements for members of the House of Representatives considered. Wilson and Randolph advocated lowering the requirement from 7 years a citizen to 4. Mr. GERRY objected, wishing that in the future "the eligibility might be confined to [...]
Democratic Thinker: The History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol. II
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
