The Founders Intent

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Yeah, probably 99.9% true. ;)

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to my page. I'm interested in American Colonial History as it is related to the founding of the United States of America, classic cars, helicopters, and American politics.

FAVORITE FOUNDER QUOTES INCLUDE:

"On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." --Thomas Jefferson to William Johnson, 1823. ME 15:449

"As a guide in expounding and applying the provisions of the Constitution, the debates and incidental decisions of the Convention can have no authoritative character…[T]he legitimate meanings of the Instrument must be derived from the text itself; or if a key is to be sought elsewhere, it must be…in the sense attached to it by the people in their respective State Conventions, where it received all the authority which it possesses." Letter [Madison] to Thomas Ritchie, September 15, 1821

Both quotes refer to the state conventions as the prime reference for interpreting the Constitution.

"Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure." -- Thomas Jefferson

The pivotal initiatives and writings by some of the Founders are ordinarily overlooked by most people, who do not study their history.

GOALS

I use Wikipedia quite often, and am amazed at the breadth and depth of topics. I would like to help on topics I'm knowledgeable in, so don't hesitate to ask. Also I hope to improve the appreciation of early American history. I also like improving the accuracy and format of articles, so you might find subtle changes after I edit. I don't consider myself a article creator (maybe occasionally), but will add here and there to make them better. I also try to assist in the fight against vandalism and sometimes to help on talk pages.