Citizen Thinker

W h a t W e r e T h e y T h i n k i n g ? F i n d o u t b y c l i c k i n g o n t h e i m a g e o f e a c h f o u n d i n g f a t h e r .

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John Jay’s contributions before, during, and after the War for Independence helped secure freedom from Britain and Liberty and Justice for all American’s, past and present. 1774 - Elected delegate from New York to the first Continental Congress 1778 - Elected President of the Continental Congress 1782 - As part of a delegation which included Ben Franklin and John Adams, Jay was influential in the negotiations of the Treaty of Paris which ended the War of Independence from Britain 1787 - Authors 5 of the 85 articles later known as the “Federalist papers” which make the case for a strong centralized government 1789 - Appointed the 1st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President Washington 1794 – Negotiates the “Jay Treaty” which prevents a second war with Britain until 1812

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George Washington did not think he was “equal” to the task of leading the Continental Army to victory over the British. We should be forever grateful that he so gloriously proved himself wrong. 1767 - Took his first stance against the acts of the British Parliament opposing openly the “Stamp” and “Townsend” acts 1774 - Chaired the “Fairfax Resolve” which lead to the convening of the 1st Continental Congress 1775 - Is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army 1783 – After 8 years of indecisive victories on both sides and with the aid of French allies he corners British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. The resounding victory ends hostiles and leads to the signing of the Treaty of Paris September 17, 1787 – He is the first to sign the new Constitution of the United States 1789/97 – He is elected the 1st President of the Unities States of American serving two terms

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James Madison may have been born a man of small stature but as the “father of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights” he was a giant among his fellow Citizen Thinkers. 1780 - At 29 he was the youngest delegate to the Continental Congress 1787 - At 36 he wrote the Virginia Plan which formed the basis for the U.S. Constitution 1787/88 - Wrote 29 of the 85 Federalist papers 1791 - Championed with success the addition of a “Bill of Rights” to the Constitution 1801 - Appointed Secretary of State and oversees the Louisiana Purchase for President Jefferson 1809-1817 - Elected the 4th President of U.S. serving two terms1812 - As President and Commander-in-Chief he wins the “2nd War for Independence” from Britian and ends all future claims by the Crown 1928-34 - Honored as the face of the $5000 bill

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John Adams in truth did aspire to glory and fame, and when he finally achieved it, it was well deserved. 1770 - Defends British soldiers on trial for the killing of 5 civilians later known as the “Boston Massacre” 1773 - Publically supports the actions of the Boston Tea Party protesters 1774/77 - Appointed Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress where he pushes for the right of Americans to a jury trial 1775 - Nominates George Washington for Com-mander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and argues Congress for permanent severance from Britain 1776 - Makes significant contributions to the draft of the Declaration of Independence 1783 - Member of the delegation that successfully negotiated the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the War for Independence 1789/96 - Became the 1st Vice President of the U.S. 1796 - Elected 2nd President of the U.S.

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Thomas Jefferson, Author, Statesman, Diplomat, President, Etc…Etc… 1775 - At age 33 he becomes one of the youngest delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress 1776 - Authors the Declaration of Independence 1777 - Authors a bill on religious freedoms for Virginia that would be included in the Bill of Rights 1779 - Elected governor of Virginia 1783 - Appointed delegate to the U.S. Congress of the Confederation where he travels to France to negotiate trade deals for the new Nation 1789 – President Washington appoints him the 1st Secretary of State 1796 - Becomes vice president under John Adams 1801/09 - Elected 3rd U.S. president serving 2 terms 1803 - Authorizes the Louisiana Purchase which nearly doubles the size of the country 1807 - Signs the Act Prohibiting expansion of slavery into the newly acquired Northwest Territories

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Alexander Hamilton devised a way to pay off the state’s combined debt and by doing so, our nation was kept. 1775 - Joined the New York Volunteer Militia Company called “The Corsicans” 1776 - Elected Captain of the New York Artillery Provincial Company 1777 - Played a pivotal role in the final victory at the battle of Princeton 1778 - At the age of 22 he is invited by General Washington to be his Chief Staff Aide 1781 - Is appointed Commander of 3 battalions in the decisive final battle at Yorktown 1782 - Is appointed to the Congress of the Confederation where he becomes an out spoken supporter of a strong central government 1787 - Authors 51 of the 85 Federalists papers 1789 - Is appointed 1st Secretary of the Treasury where he established the the 1st National Bank, the U.S. Mint, and a new American currency

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Benjamin Franklin’s contributions to the creation of our American Nation came late in his life. He spent his early life industriously seeking countless ways to improve the lives of all human kind. · At 23 becomes successful newspaper editor and printer · A few well known inventions: bi-focal glasses, lightning rod, Franklin stove · Founded the 1st U.S. subscription library · Founded one of the 1st volunteer fire companies · Co-creator of the 1st U.S. hospital · Led the repel of the Stamp Act of 1765 · Member of the “Committee of 5” that drafted the Declaration of Independence · Appointed ambassador to France securing that nations crucial aid to win the war · At 70 he was oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence · Only Founding Father to sign the four key documents that established our nation

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To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, [VIZ. African slaves] involves an inconsistency not to be excused.

Freedom has more often been lost in small steps by progressive incrementalism, than it has been by catastrophic upheavals such as violence or war.

"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government…”

A private central bank issuing the public currency is a greater menace to the liberties of the people than a standing army. We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.

…[It is] of the greatest consequence that the debt should, with the consent of the creditors, be remoulded into such a shape as will bring the expenditure of the nation to a level with its income. Till this shall be accomplished the finances of the United States will never wear a proper countenance.

Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property…He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary.

When the people find that they can VOTE themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.