FEDERALIST No. 65: The Powers of the Senate

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 …

Did Jews Participate in the American Revolution? Well here are a few stories. (the "Jew Company")

In South Carolina of at least thirty-four Jewish soldiers served in what would become known as the “Jew Company” under Captain Richard Lushington.  The Jews who served in Lusington’s company did not constitute a majority, but since most of them had been conscripted as a group from the King Street shopkeepers of Savanah, they all …

Antifederalist No. 64 — On the Organization and Powers of the Senate. (Part 3)

Taken from the New York Journal, Nov. 22, 1787 by “Cincinnatus” It appears to have been written in answer to James Wilson’s Antifederalist # 12). I come now, sir, to the most exceptionable part of the Constitution — the Senate. In this, as in every other part, you [James Wilson of Pennsylvania] are in the …

FEDERALIST No. 64: The Powers of the Senate

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 …

How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools – Measuring Lines

Land surveys consist of six basic tasks: Determinizing your position on Earth using celestial navigation methodsMeasuring distances with a Gunter’s Chain.Measuring changes in elevation with a Range PoleMeasurement of directions and angles using a Compass.Drawing the map on a Plane Table, andComputing areas with basic plane geometry In this series we will discuss the fundamentals …

Did Jews Participate in the American Revolution? Well here are a few stories. (Moses Franks)

In 1776, as Washington was preparing in Boston to move against New York, the general requested Congress to send him $250,000 in hard coin to pay the militia whose term of service had expired. Washington’s problem was not to raise the money, but to transport it to Boston past hostile Tories. Shipping the specie by …

There’s been a Murder at Fort Mifflin — THE CURIOUS CASE OF LIEUTENANT BODDY

Saturday, February 5, 2022 Lieutenant Boddy, a generally disrespectable and disrespected, bad bargain of an officer was found shot dead on the Parade Ground, presumably on his way back after carousing in town. While no one, except perhaps his tavern keeper, will mourn the loss of Lt. Boddy we cannot allow vigilante justice within our …

Antifederalist No. 63 — On the Organization and Powers of the Senate. (Part 2)

. . . . The senate is an assembly of 26 members, two from each state; though the senators are apportioned on the federal plan, they will vote individually. They represent the states, as bodies politic, sovereign to certain purposes. The states being sovereign and independent, are all considered equal, each with the other in …

Did Jews Participate in the American Revolution? Well here are a few stories. (Jewish Pirates)

When the Spanish expelled the Jews in 1482, many came to the “New World” is search of freedom and safety.  Not surprising, many turned to piracy as both a means of income and as retribution for their mistreatment in Spain. Similarly, many Jews, already heavily involved in shipping and trade, began to arm merchant ships …