The Founders on the Founders: Word Portraits from the American Revolutionary Era

by John P. Kaminski (Editor)

"I never indeed thought him an honest, frank-dealing man, but considered him as a crooked gun, or other perverted machine, whose aim or stroke you could never be sure of."―Thomas Jefferson on Aaron Burr "[A]lways an honest Man, often a wise one, but sometimes, and in some things, absolutely out of his senses."― Benjamin Franklin on John Adams "I do now know [Jefferson] to be one of the most artful, intriguing, industrious and double-faced politicians in all America."― John Nicholas to George Washington "I shall really regret to leave Mr. Jefferson, he is one of the choice ones of the Earth."― Abigail Adams More than two centuries after the ground-breaking events of the American struggle for independence, its key figures strike us more as players in a myth than as people who lived, worked, and interacted with one another. To recover the human dimension of the founders, we need look no further than their own words. Through a series of revealing quotations, historian John P. Kaminski profiles thirty of the era’s best-known individuals, including Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Thomas Paine, and Patrick Henry ("all tongue without either head or heart," according to Thomas Jefferson), as well as the early presidents and their first ladies. The discourse is unfailingly respectful, and yet this is no mutual admiration society. The subjects are not afraid to be sharp about one another, but this only makes their words of praise more convincing and poignant. One could hardly ask for a more clear-eyed, and touching, tribute than Thomas Jefferson’s appraisal of George "He was incapable of fear, meeting personal dangers with the calmest unconcern.... His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man." Beginning with an introductory essay that provides an overview of the relationships between the founders, the book then presents each individual, providing a biographical sketch and a chronologically arranged series of quotations, clarifying not only each person’s place within the independence movement but the contours of their character. The authors strike us with their candor, their insight, and their eloquence as they make their subjects come alive for us. As this book reveals, greatness is not only a matter of responding to the times; the people themselves were remarkable.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction

624 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2008

Reviews

[Tim Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure why the overall rating on this book here is a 3, however, I've found it to be one of the best 'history' books about the early days of America. The great thing in it is, to me, that there is no opinion by people from years removed, no 'blanks filled in', etc. It is all, simply, discussion from the people of that day about the people of that day, and from this a lot can be gleaned. It is written in a way that can easily make for a quick daily read, or you can sit and delve deeply into a person or persons for an extended time. All in all a fantastic book if you love learning about the founding fathers of America.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book - It was like reading a gossip magazine but with refined language and a purpose. A few of my favorite quotes:

Abigail Adams
“Tis true I enjoy good health, but am larger than both my sisters compounded. Mr. Adams too keeps pace with me, and if one horse had to carry us, I should pity the poor beast.” – Mrs. Adams writing to a friend.
“Knowing the weight which her opinion had with him [John Adams]” Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush.

John Adams
“A fondness for Dogs, by no means depreciates any character in my estimation, because many of the greatest Men have been remarkable for it; and because I think it Evidence of an honest attachements being characteristics of that Animal” – John Adams to Charles Lee *I have been a fan of John Adams for years but this was like finding gold.
“I hope you enjoy Health. Dr. Lee says you grow very fat” –Abigail Adams to John Adams (LOVE this!)
“He is profound in his views, and accurate in his judgment except where knowledge of the world’s necessary to form a judgment. He is so amiable that I pronounce you will love him if ever you become acquainted with him.” – Thomas Jefferson to James Madison

Aaron Burr
“I am still at a loss to know what Burr is doing – and to what object he is driving. As a conspirator – or as a politician - he has a fault – he is too cunning – too secret – even in business where frankness & openness would not injure him. The reputation of being a cunning man, is enough to blast any man’s popularity – it at once renders him an object of suspicion. Burr’s lawful business always appears enveloped in mystery. This trait in his character is strong, and marks all his conduct” – John Adams
“I never had one hostile sentiment. I never indeed thought him an honest, frank-dealing man, but considered him a crooked gun, or other perverted machine, whose aim or stroke you could never be sure of” Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles

Samuel Chase
“Judge Chase (one of the largest men I ever saw) is as remarkable for the largeness as Johnny for the smallness of his size”

Benjamin Franklin
“Being seventy years of age, the Ladies not only allow him to embrace them as often as he pleases, but they are perpetually embracing him.” –John Adams to Abigail Adams
“He is in perfect good health, and his mind appears more vigorous than that of any man his age I have known. He certainly is a valuable Minister, and an agreeable companion.” - John Jay
“Congress had the fullest evidence and conviction that Dr. Franklin was both a dishonest & incapable man” – Arthur Lee to James Warren

Alexander Hamilton
“In every relation, which you have borne to me, I have found that my confidence in your talents, exertions and intergrity, has been well placed. I the more freely render this testimony of my approbation, because I speak from opportunities of information which cannot deceive me, and which furnish satisfactory proof of your title to public regard.” – George Washington
“I do not any confidence in the honour, integrity or patriotism of any Man, who does not believe that Thou shalt not commit Adultery is a positive prohibition of God. Thou shall not covet thy Neighbor’s wife” – Abigail Adams to John Adams

John Hancock
“Mr. Hancock is amiable and polite when he wishes to be, but he is accused of not always having this wish. At such times, he develops miraculous case of gout which protects him against all visitors and bars the doors of his house. Mr. Hancock is not as highly educated as his rival, Mr. Bowdoin, and seems even to scorn learning….Hancock is more loved by the people.”

John Jay
“Mr. Jay’s political importance increases every day. Congress appears to goven itself only by his impulses, and it is difficult to obtain anything without the concurrence of this minister as to have a measure that he has proposed rejected.” - Louis Guillaume
“His character is too well established to be called in question upon any unimportant or trivial concern.” – James Monroe to James Madison
“In speaking of Mr. Jay’s suspicions respecting the policy of the French Court at the time of making peace, Mr. Madison observed, that ‘he had two strong traits of character, suspicion, and religious bigotry’” James Madison
“He was remarkable for strong reasoning powers, comprehensive views, indefatigable application and uncommon firmness to mind” – Lindley Murray

Thomas Jefferson
“Jefferson is a slender Man. Has rather the Air of Stiffness in his Manner. His clothes seem too small for him. He sits in a lounging Manner on One hip, commonly, and with one of his shoulders elevated much above the other. His face has a scrawny aspect. His whole figure has a loose sacking Air. He had a rambling Vacant look.” – William Maclay
“I have no ambition to govern men. It is a painful and thankless job.” – Thomas Jefferson to John Adams
“I do now know him to be one of the most artful, intriguing, industrious and double-faced politicians in all America” – John Nicholas to George Washington
“Jefferson is tall and thin, of a sallow complexion, with a fine, intelligent eye. Dr. M yesterday introduced me, and we spent a half hour with him, in which time he conversed in a very easy correct, and pleasant style. His language is peculiarly appropriate, and his manner very unaffected. The negligence of his dress a little surprised me. He received us in his slippers, and wore old-fashioned clothes, which were not in the nicest order, or of the most elegant kind….The president is a little awkward in his first address, but you are immediately at ease in his presence. His manners are inviting, and not uncourtly; and his voice flexible and distinct. He bears the marks of intense and perseverance in his countenance.” – Joseph Story

Henry Knox
“Mrs. Knox has been in Philadelphia and is now gone to Morristown. She is fatter than ever which is a great mortification to her. The General is equally fat and therefore one cannot laugh at the other. They appear to be extravagantly fond of each other and I think they are perfectly happy.” – Nathan Greene

Marquis de Lafayette
“General Washington will be truly unhappy if I speak to him of leaving. His confidence in me is greater than my age allows me to admit. In his position, he is surrounded by flatters and secret enemies. He finds in me a trustworthy friend to whom he can open his heart, and who always tells him the truth. Not a day passes that he does not have long conversations with me or write me long letters, and he likes to consult me about the most important matters.” – Marquis de Lafayette
“The Marquis de Lafayette has zealously interested himself in all our important matters. He assumes the language of a true born American, and is very popular character in the country.” – Samuel Osgood
“With great natural frankness of temper he unites much address with very considerable talents, a strong thirst of praise and popularity. In his politics he says his three hobby horse are alliance between France and the United States, the union of the latter and the manumission of slaves.” – James Madison to Thomas Jefferson
“I shall lose part and the greatest part of American intelligence by quitting France, for no person is so well informed from all the states as Marquis de Lafayette. He has established a correspondence in all the states and has the newspapers from every quarter” – Abigail Adams

Richard Henry Lee
“I pray you then to procure me a pair of the best temple spectacles that can be had. In fitting these perhaps it may be proper to remember that my age is 46, that my eyes are light colored and had been quick and strong but now weakened by constant use – my head thing between the temples” – Henry Lee

James Madison
“Mr. Madison a gloomy, stiff creature, they say is clever in congress, but out of it he has nothing engaging or even bearable in his manners – the most unsociable creature in existence” – Abigail Adams
“Educated, wise, moderate, docile, studious; can be more profound than Mr. Hamilton, but less brilliant; Intimate friend of Mr. Jefferson and sincerely attached to France. He has been in Congress since a youth and he seems to be especially dedicated to public affairs.” – Louis Guillaume
“The imbecility of Madison is daily more manifest, still his friends and party in general adhere to him” – Rufus King
“When I read Mr. Madison’s message [his second inaugural address] I supposed him to be out of his senses, and have since been told that he never goes sober to bed. Whether intoxicated by opium or wine was not said, but I learned last winter that pains in his teeth had driven him to use the former too freely.” – Gouverneur Morris

Gouverneur Morris
“In adopting a republican form of government, I not only took it as a man does his wife, for better, for worse, but, what few man do with their wives, I took it knowing all its bad qualities” –Gouverneur Morris

Robert Morris
“I am not one of those testy politicians that run resty when my own plans are not adopted, for I think it the duty of a good Citizen to follow when he cannot lead, happy would it be for America if all her inhabitants would adopt this maxim” – Robert Morris
“I like no body so well as the family of Mr. Morris. There is among them throughout a warmth & cordiality which is extremely pleasing” – John Marshall
“The house of Robert Morris, recently sold, is a monument to the folly of this man who, in spite of all his genius for commerce, has finished by becoming bankrupt.” – Julian Ursyn
“Mr. Morris delivered himself to his bail and went to jail last week” – Abigail Adams

Thomas Paine
“I am neither farmer, manufacturer, mechanic, merchant nor shopkeeper. I believe, however, I am of the first class. I am a farmer of thoughts” – Thomas Paine
“Paine…thought more than he read” – Thomas Jefferson to George Washington

Benjamin Rush
“In some of their letters and conversations I am considered as a fool and a madman. In others I am considered as a sly, persevering and dangerous kind of fellow. Almost every epithet of ridicule and resentment in our language has been exhausted upon me in public newspapers and in private cabals” – Benjamin Rush to John King

George Washington
“You will be pleased with him. He is brave, wise, generous and humane” – John Adams
“Our army love our General very much, but yet they have one thing against him, which is the little care he takes of himself in any action. His personal bravery, and the desire he has of animating his troops by example, make him fearless of any danger. This while it makes him appear great, occasions us much uneasiness. But, Heaven who has hitherto been his shield, I hope will still continue to guard so valuable of life” – Samuel Shaw
“The first evening I spent under the wing of his hospitality, we sat a full hour at table by ourselves, without the least interruption, after the family had retired. I was extremely oppressed by a severe cold and excessive coughing, contracted by the exposure of a harsh winter journey. He pressed me to use some remedies, but I declined doing so. As usual after retiring, my coughing increased. When some time had elapsed, the door of my room was gently opened, and on drawing my bed-curtains, to my utter astonishment, I beheld Washington himself, standing at my bedside, with a bowl of hot tea in his hand” –Elkanah Watson
“The General is amiable and accomplished and judicious, and cool; You will soon know the person and character of his Lady. I hope she has a much ambition for her Husband’s glory as Abigail Adams” – John Adams

[Don LeClair · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read this after seeing multiple references to it in Chernow's Hamilton. It did provide perspective on the strong personalities of the day, but it was kind of like sitting down to read the encyclopedia. It seemed like a better reference book than a pure read.

[Carlos "CAP" · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on the true founders, not the mythical god's who came down from Olympus and "gave us" the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Rather the men and women who through their letters become real people who fought bitterly, lived and died, or survived to wish for us, as the Marquis of Lafayette said, ...

"May this Immense temple of freedom ever stand a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights of mankind. And may these happy United States attain that complete splendor and prosperity which will illustrate the blessings of their government, and for the ages to come rejoice the departed souls of its founders."

God Bless the United States, its friends and allies.

[Rodney Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but too long. I would add a star if it were half the size.

[Maryalyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and full of truth and uplifting thoughts of our forefathers.