Beacon Lights of History, Volume 11: American Founders

Part 1

LORD'S LECTURES

BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY, VOLUME XI

AMERICAN FOUNDERS.

BY JOHN LORD, LL.D.,

AUTHOR OF "THE OLD ROMAN WORLD," "MODERN EUROPE," ETC., ETC.

PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.

Dr. Lord's volume on "American Statesmen" was written some years after the issue of his volume on "Warriors and Statesmen," which was Volume IV of his original series of five volumes. The wide popular acceptance of the five volumes encouraged him to extend the series by including, and rewriting for the purpose, others of his great range of lectures. The volume called "Warriors and Statesmen" (now otherwise distributed) included a number of lectures which in this new edition have been arranged in more natural grouping. Among them were the lectures on Hamilton and Webster. It has been deemed wise to bring these into closer relation with their contemporaries, and thus Hamilton is now placed in this volume, among the other "American Founders," and Webster in the volume on "American Leaders."

Of the "Founders" there is one of whom Dr. Lord did not treat, yet whose services--especially in the popular confirmation of the Constitution by the various States, and notably in its fundamental interpretation by the United States Supreme Court--rank as vitally important. John Marshall, as Chief Justice of that Court, raised it to a lofty height in the judicial world, and by his various decisions established the Constitution in its unique position as applicable to all manner of political and commercial questions--the world's marvel of combined firmness and elasticity. To quote Winthrop, as cited by Dr. Lord, it is "like one of those rocking-stones reared by the Druids, which the finger of a child may vibrate to its centre, yet which the might of an army cannot move from its place."

So important was Marshall's work, and so potent is the influence of the United States Supreme Court, that no apology is needed for introducing into this volume on our "Founders" a chapter dealing with that great theme by Professor John Bassett Moore, recently Assistant Secretary of State; later, Counsel for the Peace Commission at Paris; and now occupying the chair of International Law and Diplomacy in the School of Political Science, Columbia University, New York City.

NEW YORK, September, 1902.

CONTENTS.

PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.

THE AMERICAN IDEA.

Basis of American institutions Their origin The Declaration of Independence Duties rather than rights enjoined in Hebrew Scriptures Roman laws in reference to rights Rousseau and the "Contrat Social" Calvinism and liberty Holland and the Puritans The English Constitution The Anglo-Saxon Laws The Guild system Teutonic passion for personal independence English Puritans Puritan settlers in New England Puritans and Dutch settlers compared Traits of the Pilgrim Fathers New England town-meetings Love of learning among the Puritan colonists Confederation of towns Colonial governors Self-government; use of fire-arms Parish ministers Religious freedom Growth of the colonies The conquest of Canada Colonial discontents Desire for political independence Oppressive English legislation Denial of the right of taxation James Otis and Samuel Adams The Stamp Act Boston Port Bill British troops in Boston The Battle of Lexington Liberty under law

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

DIPLOMACY.

Birth of Franklin His early days Leaves the printer's trade Goes to Philadelphia Visit to England Returns to Philadelphia Prints a newspaper Establishes the "Junto" Marries Deborah Reid Establishes a library "Poor Richard" Clerk of the General Assembly Business prosperity Retirement from business Scientific investigations Founds the University of Pennsylvania Scientific inventions Franklin's materialism Appointed postmaster-general The Penns The Quakers Franklin sent as colonial agent to London Difficulties and annoyances Acquaintances and friends Returns to America Elected member of the Assembly English taxation of the colonies English coercion Franklin again sent to England At the bar of the House of Commons Repeal of the Stamp Act Franklin appointed agent for Massachusetts The Hutchinson letters Franklin a member of the Continental Congress Sent as envoy to France His tact and wisdom Unbounded popularity in France Embarrassments in raising money The recall of Silas Deane Franklin's useful career as diplomatist Associated with John Jay and John Adams The treaty of peace Franklin returns to America His bodily infirmities Happy domestic life Chosen member of the Constitutional Convention Sickness; death; services Deeds and fame

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Washington's origin and family His early life Personal traits Friendship with Lord Fairfax Washington as surveyor Aide to General Braddock Member of the House of Burgesses Marriage, and life at Mount Vernon Member of the Continental Congress General-in-chief of the American armies His peculiarities as general At Cambridge Organization of the army Defence of Boston British evacuation of Boston Washington in New York Retreat from New York In New Jersey Forlorn condition of the army Arrival at the Delaware Fabian Policy The battle of Trenton Intrenchment at Morristown Expulsion of the British from New Jersey The gloomy winter of 1777 Washington defends Philadelphia Battle of Germantown Surrender of Burgoyne Intrigues of Gates Baron Steuben Winter at Valley Forge British evacuation of Philadelphia Battle of Monmouth Washington at White Plains Benedict Arnold Military operations at the South General Greene Lord Cornwallis His surrender at Yorktown Close of the war Washington at Mount Vernon Elected president Alexander Hamilton John Jay Washington as president Establishment of United States Bank Rivalries and dissensions between Hamilton and Jefferson French intrigues Jay treaty Citizen Genet Washington's administrations Retirement of Washington Death, character, and services

ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

AMERICAN CONSTITUTION.

Hamilton's youth Education Precocity of intellect State of political parties on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War Their principles Their great men Hamilton leaves college for the army Selected by Washington as his aide-de-camp at the age of nineteen His early services to Washington Suggestions to members of Congress Trials and difficulties of the patriots Demoralization of the country Hamilton in active military service Leaves the army; marries; studies law Opening of his legal career His peculiarities as a lawyer Contrasted with Aaron Burr Hamilton enters political life Sees the necessity of a constitution Convention at Annapolis Convention at Philadelphia The remarkable statesmen assembled Discussion of the Convention Great questions at issue Constitution framed Influence of Hamilton in its formation Its ratification by the States "The Federalist" Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury His transcendent financial genius Restores the national credit His various political services as statesman The father of American industry Protection Federalists and Republicans Hamilton's political influence after his retirement Resumes the law His quarrel with Burr His duel His death Burr's character and crime Hamilton's services His lasting influence

JOHN ADAMS.

CONSTRUCTIVE STATESMANSHIP.

The Adams family Youth and education of John Adams New England in the eighteenth century Adams as orator As lawyer The Stamp Act The "Boston Massacre" Effects of English taxation Destruction of tea at Boston Adams sent to Congress His efforts to secure national independence Criticisms of the Congress Battles of Lexington and Concord Adams moves Washington's appointment as general-in-chief Sent to France Adams as diplomatist His jealousy of Franklin Adams in England As vice-president Aristocratic sympathies As president Formation of political parties The Federalists; the Republicans Adams compared with Jefferson Discontent of Adams Strained relations between France and the United States The Alien and Sedition laws Decline of the Federal party Adams's tenacity of office His services to the State Adams in retirement

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.

Part 2

Thomas Jefferson Birth and early education Law studies Liberal principles Practises law Successful, but no orator Enters the House of Burgesses Marries a rich widow Builds "Monticello" Member of the Continental Congress Drafts the Declaration of Independence Enters the State Legislature Governor of Virginia Appointed minister to France Hails the French Revolution Services as a diplomatist Secretary of state Rivalry with Hamilton Love of peace Founds the Democratic party Contrasted with Hamilton Becomes vice-president Inaugurated as president Policy as president The purchase of Louisiana Aaron Burr His brilliant career and treasonable schemes Arrest and trial Subsequent reverses The Non-importation Act Strained relations between France and the United States English aggressions The peace policy of Jefferson The embargo Triumph of the Democratic party Results of universal suffrage Private life of Jefferson Retirement to Monticello Vast correspondence; hospitality Fame as a writer Friend of religious liberty and popular education Founds the University of Virginia His great services

JOHN MARSHALL.

BY JOHN BASSETT MOORE.

THE SUPREME COURT.

The States of the American Union after the Revolution, for a time a loose confederation, retaining for the most part powers of independent governments.

The Constitution (1787-89) sought to remedy this and other defects.

One Supreme Court created, in which was vested the judicial power of the United States.

John Marshall, in order the fourth Chief Justice (1801-35), takes pre-eminent part in the development of the judicial power.

Earns the title of "Expounder of the Constitution".

Birth (1755) and parentage.

His active service in the Revolutionary War.

Admitted to the bar (1780) and begins practice (1781).

A member of the Virginia Legislature.

Supporter of Washington's administrations, and leader of Federal party.

United States Envoy to France (1797-98).

Member of Congress from Virginia (1799-1800), and supporter of President Adams's administration.

Secretary of State in Adams's Cabinet (1800-01).

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