An ironic examination of the founding years of our country. Historian Ellis guides us through the decisive issues of the nation's founding, and illuminates the emerging philosophies, shifting alliances, and personal and political foibles of our now iconic leaders. He explains how the idea of a strong federal government, championed by Washington, was eventually embraced by the American people, the majority of whom had to be won over. And he details the emergence of the two-party system--then a political novelty--which today stands as the founders' most enduring legacy. But Ellis is equally incisive about their failures, making clear how their inability to abolish slavery and to reach a just settlement with the Native Americans has played an equally important role in shaping our national character. Ellis strips the mythic veneer of the revolutionary generation to reveal men possessed of both brilliance and blindness.--From publisher description.
The life of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin / written by himself ; together with a number of his humorous, moral, and literary essays, chiefly in the manner of the Spectator
Loan exhibition of portraits of the signers and deputies to the convention of 1787 and signers of the Declaration of Independence : including their families and associates ... the Corcoran Gallery of Art, city of Washington, November 27, 1937, to February 1, 1938
Chapters: The Failed Crossing --- Haddonfield and Philadelphia --- The March of the Paxton Boys --- Revolution --- Independence --- Democracy --- The Winter Campaign --- The British Occupation --- Benedict Arnold Part One (Illicit Affairs ) --- The Fort Wilson Riot --- Benedict Arnold Part Two ( Court-Martial ) --- A Brief Term In Congress --- Savannah, Georgia --- The Revolution of 1800--- Common Sense Revisited
Summary
"On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to a crowd gathered outside the State House in Pennsylvania. Later in the month the proclamation was engrossed on vellum. Delegates began signing that finely penned document in early August. The man who read the Declaration and then later embossed it"--
The United States album embellished with the arms of each state and other appropriate engravings, containing the autographs of the President and Cabinet, Twenty-eighth Congress, Supreme Court, ministers, and other officers of government
[52] blank leaves, [63] leaves of plates (part col.) : coats of arms, facsims., col. ports. ; 26 cm.
Notes
"One hundred pages of the finest writing paper are attached, intended for the insertion of the signatures of the governors, heads of departments, and members of the legislatures of each state..." Cf. Preface.
Includes text of the Constitution of the United States.
