Today's Politicos vs The Words and Deeds of The Founders

An interesting correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and a friend includes a warning and a message for today.

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It seems only right that we should acknowledge the Father of our country on his birthday. He really does merit our gratitude and awe.

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The impetus for this post, other than filling out the Pierce story, was Lamar's devotion to the Constitution, even after Secession. We have to ask: What would Lamar think about present-day efforts to circumvent it?

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The Niles National Register is a really neat resource. The original papers have all been scanned in and it's full of interesting stuff. See it in action!

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It seems as though the puzzles are too hard, so this week we've made it a bit easier. Whether or not you're up to the challenge, it's worth reading this short letter from Abigail Adams to her husband John. The ladies of Boston didn't take kindly to a greedy store keeper's gouging ways.

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Even though the context is different, it's eerie how well some of the words fit today's issues. In this letter, Jefferson pleads with Washington to remain in office for a second term. Treaties have yet to be resolved, the national debt is skyrocketing, and the country seems poised for strife.

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Despite personal and political tribulations, John and Abigail’s devotion to one another, to their children and their country, remained resilient and unshakable. The recent book, First Family, by Joseph Ellis, provides an intimate look at this perfectly matched pair.

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An old letter filled with clues leads Martin on a merry chase through history and yields some pretty surprising discoveries.

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Not all history is found in books. The private correspondence of one Lizzie Pierce, formerly of New York, lately of Oxford Mississippi, provides a glimpse of that ugly period misnamed Reconstruction, and the anger and hostility it engendered.

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This week's crossword is taken from some letters exchanged between Abigail and John Adams. They had a terrific marriage, but didn't always agree on everything. John thought she was being "saucy", but one gets the impression that she was more than a little serious.

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