Rockingham and Valpal1 are dead on correct.
Conservatism begins with Burke.
In fact, as Russell Kirk points out the term “conservative” was first used in the politically descriptive sense by French writers of his time in describing Burke and those of his “Old Whig” positions. That term was not used in a political sense until he showed the world the idiocy of the French Revolution.
As the leader of the Rockingham Whigs he stood up for America, impeached Hastings for India criminality, and was a huge force when out of power. Read him even though it will be hard at first.
Rockingham makes a good suggestion about Kirk’s book.
Another Kirk book I would suggest is “The Roots of American Order” which shows what principles we inherited that led to our nation’s founding.
An interesting fact that I got from Forrest McDonald was the Blue and Buff that Washington and the Continental Congress picked for the Revolutionary Army offices were the Whig political colors. This was so well understood at the time that it was rarely explained or written about.
While Kirk, Meyer, Weaver and Buckley were influencial in the 50s, it was Goldwater that lifted the conservative banner that the Robert Tafts left buried for 20 years.
Fantastic - thanks for all the suggestions and information. I knew I could count on my buds at FR - you guys are great!