The Forgotten Presidents (The presidents before George Washington)

Arx Axiom Newsletter ^ | Unknown | George Grant

[the bottle let me down]

bump for later

[sheltonmac]

BUMP for Richard Henry Lee and his descendents.

[DeaconBenjamin]

Don't forget ignominy. He was responsible for "St. Clair's Defeat," called the worst defeat ever suffered by US forces in Indian warfare, which was fought on November 4, 1791. More than 600 soldiers were killed when Indians infiltrated the US camp, which lacked adequate numbers of sentries.

[Liberal Classic]

BUMP!

Excellent find.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

This is very interesting. However, the United States of America did not exist until the Revolutionary War was won. So, technically, George Washington was the first President of the Unitrd States.

[Luis Gonzalez]

The British surrendered in 1781. Washington was inaugurated in 1789.

Someone had to run things in between.

[Le-Roy]

   This compilation is available (along with a whole lot of other really good info) in a small book called "The Pocket Patriot" (sub-title - An Introduction to the Principles of Freedom),
written by George Grant,
published by Cumberland House Publishing, Inc.,
431 Harding Industrial Drive,
Nashville, Tennessee
37211

ISBN #1-58182-092-5
Copyright 2000

   I bought my copy at the D.A.R. gift shop at the corner of Lexington Commons. I would like to find the same in a larger, hard-bound version.

(Yo! Santa! Didja catch that?)

[KantianBurke]

bump

[Marie Antoinette]

Yes, the Confederation government had many successes to its credit. Frankly, I think we made a mistake by abandoning it.

With Kalifornistan out of control and Oregon merily blocking Ashkroft, we can say that we now have a confederation of leftist states. Somehow the legal states always get short changed compared to the unrepenting ones.

I've been considering what our country would look like if we ere still under the ARticles of Confederation. States would still reign supreme. The Fed had no power, but to legislate. No enforcement, no coining money, no military, no nothing.

Certainly would be interesting. Where is that alternate timeline thread?

Mr.M

[Luis Gonzalez]

The British surrendered in 1781. Washington was inaugurated in 1789.

Someone had to run things in between.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Oooop! Double posts! That will teach me to log off when I leave the house!

[AlGone2001]

These others were not presidents of the US, as we were not the US. There really was no true president until the constitution was ratified. Those prior were just great founding fathers and leaders who paved the way for George Washington, and those who followed him.

[Captain Kirk]

Actually, there is a science fiction book which describes a "parallel world" in which the U.S. remained under the Confederation government: L. Neil Smith, The Probability Broach. It was published back in the early 1980s.

[AmishDude]

You are correct. The Articles were a much different document. The president had almost no independent power. In terms of French history, that might be referred to as the First Republic and we are currently in the Second.

[Lady In Blue]

The British surrendered in 1781. Washington was inaugurated in 1789.

Someone had to run things in between.

Wouldn't these guys be governors?

[Luis Gonzalez]

I don't think so, they presided over the Confederation.

"the United States continually had functioning governments from as early as September 5, 1774 and operated as a confederated nation from as early as July 4, 1776. During that nearly fifteen year interval, Congress—first the Continental Congress and then later the Confederation Congress—was always moderated by a duly elected president."

[Roebucks]

Fascinating stuff!!!

I have John Adam's new biography on my short Christmas list, I do so hope that Mrs. Santa was listening.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"...the United States of America did not exist until the Revolutionary War was won..."

In reading the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, I see where the Founders may have not agreed with you.

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

The United States existed from the moment that the decision was made to break from England, the War was England not willing to sit idle and accept that break.

[Luis Gonzalez]

No, I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. We became the United States of America upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence, read the last paragraph on post #38.

[Luis Gonzalez]

My questions concern the people living in the thirteen colonies at the time of the Revolutionary war. These people where French citizens, British subjects, Poles, Germans...how did they become American citizens? What if you didn't want to become an American citizen? Was there some sort of procedure involved?