This essay is an excerpted from a speech of William Grayson, June 11, 1788, in Jonathan Elliot (ed.), The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution……. (Philadelphia, 1876) 5 vols., III, 274-79. The adoption of this government will not meliorate our own particular system. I beg leave to consider …
Continue reading “Antifederalist No. 2 — We Have Been Told of Phantoms”
We are on the eve of a very important election. Much has been said about the Constitution and what is Constitutional so let’s take a few weeks and look at the foundational letters written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the creation of the US Constitution. The comment tab is open. Please share your …
Continue reading “FEDERALIST No. 2: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence”
Steganography is the practice of concealing a message within another message. The advantage of steganography over cryptography alone is that the intended secret message does not attract attention to itself as an object of scrutiny. Plainly visible encrypted messages, no matter how unbreakable they are, arouse interest whereas, steganography both conceals the message and hides …
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. September 29, 1789 – Congress created the United States Army. Following the Revolution, the Continental Army was disbanded. This act of Congress under the US Constitution created a permanent …
The Culper Ring developed a complex method of gathering and relaying information to General George Washington. Below is the sequence of steps the Ring would take to gather and relay the valuable information. (The process of replaying information has many different variations due to its complexity and secrecy.) Abraham Woodhull (Samuel Culper) would visit his …
From The Boston Gazette and Country Journal, November 26, 1787. I am pleased to see a spirit of inquiry burst the band of constraint upon the subject of the NEW PLAN for consolidating the governments of the United States, as recommended by the late Convention. If it is suitable to the GENIUS and HABITS of …
We are on the eve of a very important election. Much has been said about the Constitution and what is Constitutional so let’s take a few weeks and look at the foundational letters written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the creation of the US Constitution. The comment tab is open. Please share your …
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. September 23, 1779 HMS Serapis captured by John Paul Jones On September 23, the Bonhomme Richard engaged the Serapis and the smaller Countess of Scarborough, which were escorting the …
Washington’s Crossing Autumn Market and EncampmentWashington’s Crossing Historic Park October 16, 2021 12:00pm – 4:00 pm At the Autumn Market & Encampment at Washington’s Crossing Historical Park, colonial townspeople will gather at the marketplace in the Historic Village and sell their wares, soldiers will drill 18th-century military tactics, the park’s fife and drum corps will perform, and …
Sometimes the most interesting things are the things you learn by accident. So, I did my normal Spymaster program at Princeton on September 12, 2021 and in this program, I demonstrate invisible inks. My invisible ink (for cost and safety constraints) is a Na2HCO3 (baking soda) and turmeric reaction. Unfortunately, when the people who graciously …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 