Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Welcome to the Dr. Random podcast. I'm Dr. Sarah, and here's the deal. We don't do boxes here.
[00:00:08] Every episode is different, every conversation has its own flavor, and no topic is off limits. If you're looking for predictable, this isn't it. But if you want real conversations, honest takes, and a touch of intellect in the best way, you're in the right place. This is Dr. Random podcast.
[00:00:31] Hi, this is Dr. Sarah and I'm here on the Dr. Random podcast.
[00:00:36] And today I'm going to be discussing a book called Franklin and Washington, the Founding Partnership by Edward J. Larson, who was a Pulitzer Prize winner also.
[00:00:47] And I'll tell you a little bit about the author, Edward Larson. He's actually a Pepperdine professor. He received the Pulitzer Prize in history for Summer for the Gods, the Scopes Trial in America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion. And he is the co author of Modern Libraries, the Constitutional A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison and the author of the Return of George Washington, Uniting the States and a Magnificent Catastrophe, the tumultuous election of 1800, America's first presidential Campaign. He is an inaugural library fellow at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. And Larson is a university professor of history and holds the Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair in Law at Pepperdine University. He travels widely as a media commentator, visiting instructor, and guest speaker. And so this book I love. I am very passionate about our Constitution and our history. And Franklin and Washington is such a cool book that covers the leadership of Franklin and Washington. And as you read this book in history, you'll find that we hear a lot about other presidents having friendships or they kind of group those two together, but rarely do they ever really group Franklin and Washington together. But they actually had a very special relationship which helped form and kind of create the start of our nation here in America, the United States. So Franklin and Washington. I actually did this book for my doctorate program and I loved it so much and I wanted to share it with you guys here on the podcast and I highly recommend reading it. I think you'll learn a lot and learn some new tidbits of information that is very interesting. So George Washington's personal life. Washington was born to a not so wealthy family in Virginia in 1732, and Washington educated himself by reading books. And he was an avid outdoorsman and he was an expert in topography and was a surveyor of the Western frontier and Virginia. And this superior knowledge as a surveyor serves him later in the battle against Britain.
[00:02:53] And Washington served as aide to Britain in the French Indian wars of 1754. And this knowledge of seeing how the British fought serves him later in the battles against Britain.
[00:03:06] Washington is faced with certain death twice and comes out unharmed. And I have actually heard lately that people have been kind of talking about this more on social media. Supposedly that story about him being unharmed is a little downplayed now, but it was actually kind of a miracle of how he was shot at which should have been certain death. And he came out unharmed twice.
[00:03:28] And Washington and others feel it is God's presence and purpose for him and why he was spared.
[00:03:35] And in 1759, Washington marries Martha Washington and Mount Vernon and they were truly in love and they together now basically that image of them together is the image of a leader. And so they were truly in love. And Washington believed in living a virtuous life and also stressed high importance with religious tolerance.
[00:03:58] And there is a photo I'll be sharing. This is of course on the, this will be on the YouTube version. But George Washington in his younger years. There's a painting that is famous and pretty important in history and I want you to rethink the George Washington as more than the wax face on the dollar bill.
[00:04:18] So great minds come together in the forming of the United States and our country and they were unafraid of revolution in the pursuit of liberty. Hamilton, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Madison and Washington, all of them said amongst each other that Washington was the greatest of them all.
[00:04:34] The others said that they could not do what Washington did. He led a militia and he drove out Britain. Despite his challenges faced during the battles for freedom, Washington was not an egotistic man. He was reserved and revealed as little as possible.
[00:04:49] Washington was a legend of his own time. He possessed humility, kindness, gentleness and a commanding presence. Washington was a true leader and the founding father of our nation.
[00:04:59] While most of the founding fathers went to Harvard, Yale or Williams and marry, Washington went to war.
[00:05:06] Washington was willing to put himself at entirety of service even if he lost his life for freedom.
[00:05:14] Patriots throughout the English colonies had enough of King George's taxes and abuses and the cause was freedom from a monarchy rule and in union among the states and the colonies. The first battle was Lexington and Concord and fighting broke out. When the colonists had had enough, it was time to fight for freedom and the cause for freedom. In June 1775, there was a request for Washington to come to Philadelphia to become appointed general and commander of the Continental Army. George Washington was very meticulous about his dress and was fashion conscious. Washington wore his military uniform to show his ambition and willingness to fight for the defense of American liberty. And here's a quote by George Washington. If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent me may be led like sheep to the slaughter. So in the summer of 1775, 43 year old commander of the Continental Army. This is kind of going over some facts about him. With his military in Boston 1775, he transformed the Continental army into a strong militia. In April of 1775-1776 was war and 16,000 militiamen needed resources and supplies. Henry Knox delivers cannons over sleet, snow and swamps. As a result, Britain was drove out of Boston and victory was held. Washington knew the land and placed the cannons on high ground. This plays into his knowledge of topography which played a huge role in why he was so successful in the war for our freedom.
[00:06:51] Washington decided to move his troops south to New York. And alongside his whole time was William Lee.
[00:06:57] Despite him being a slave of Washington's, he was his friend, ally and protector and never left his side.
[00:07:04] Washington wanted to draw up the emancipation and free slaves as much as he wanted to form the republic. And Washington freed his slaves in his will. After the colonies beat Britain in the Battle of Boston, King George was angered and sent a fleet of over 400 ships and 33,000 soldiers to put an end to the rebellion. Washington was faced with the impossible challenge in New York to win. He knew if they took control of New York, they would have access to all the waterways and ports.
[00:07:35] On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is signed. And Washington read aloud the Declaration of Independence to the men on July 9, 1776 where the twin towers once stood, it is an iconic spot in history. The troops are lined up and they look down the harbor.
[00:07:58] You see the largest invasion of ships and the forefathers were all standing on the green grass having the Declaration read to them the call to why they fight this sacred honor to die for freedom. On August 2, 1776, the Battle of Long Island. Washington was surrounded. Britain thinks Washington will surrender, but he is resilient. In New York, where the Brooklyn Bridge is now is where some of the troops huddled from the British in 1776. George Washington read common sense to the army which declares creating a new nation to keep morale up and spirits high among the men.
[00:08:38] Washington lost more battles than he won, but he was resilient and never gave up for the cause despite Congress felling him with supplies and ammunition.
[00:08:49] I am loyal to the last drop of my blood to the cause. Washington was surrounded and decided to order Retreat at dawn.
[00:08:59] But a miraculous fog appears and allows Washington to evacuate all his 9,000 troops without loss of life. Under the fog bank back to Manhattan.
[00:09:08] The British were so confident that they had us beat then that they came down to the beach at dawn and it was empty. It is said that Washington was the last man to leave the beach in the Battle of Trenton. Washington had a plan on Christmas of 1776 to get across the Delaware river to hit the British by surprise. Victory or death were Washington's exact words.
[00:09:35] The plan took longer than anticipated due to a storm that had hit and the swelling waters. Two of his leads quit.
[00:09:43] But Washington fought on and continued and the plan worked. So let's think about that for a second. Two of his leading people quit, but he kept going. Despite not getting ammunition and supplies, he kept going for the cause. Like Washington is so important. I, I actually, it's so crazy but like I'm so patriotic. I actually get a little teary eyed talking about this story because if you really think about it, it's like, wow, if it wasn't for him and his tenacity and having that drive, like where would we be today?
[00:10:12] So on New Year's Eve in 1776, American troops did a surprise attack then on Princeton. And Washington ordered the troops to leave their fires burning and succeeded and won the battle. And Washington restored hope.
[00:10:27] The streets were alive with celebration and parades and Britain retreated and left. It was the momentum and the persistence of Washington that led to freedom. And now moving on to Benjamin Franklin. And you think of the Benjamins.
[00:10:43] We want some Benjamins in our life. No.
[00:10:47] So Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, a diplomat, an inventor, a humanitarian, a philanthropist and a politician. He was from a candle maker family and Ben loved ships. He had a lifelong romance with books and he worked in the family printing shop alongside his brother.
[00:11:06] There was a spirit of change in Boston in 1722, and at 16 years old, Benjamin wrote stories under an alias name that were printed in the local paper.
[00:11:17] Ben decided to sell out of Boston and landed in Philadelphia where he had a printing press. He then traveled to London for two years and returned to America as the official printer for Pennsylvania.
[00:11:29] Franklin used to say, I would have rather lived youthfully than die rich.
[00:11:37] And Benjamin was a true scientist and invented electricity. But he refused to patent all his ideas due to his beliefs that it should be shared for the common good. And Benjamin Franklin was fully invested in the cause.
[00:11:50] Franklin's son gave allegiance to the crown and their relationship was never reconciled. Franklin was given the duty of maintaining the alliance with France and also worked with France in negotiations and having prisoners released from Britain held from the Revolutionary wars. Franklin oversaw Navy ships and aided American merchants doing business in Europe. The printing press background of Franklin aided him in printing passports and other documents.
[00:12:15] Franklin envisioned a union of people, not a confederation of states. Franklin as ambassador in France convinced the leaders of Paris to provide money to the Americans. He led the French to believe that Americans were gentle Quakers that lived in the backwoods. He fit in quite well with the French. Ben considered himself a great leader in person and strong in his writing, but not in public speaking. He was actually silent during the Constitutional Convention and just listened. There's a really cool photo that will be shared on YouTube too from the book, which is pretty cool. And Benjamin Franklin, besides inventing electricity, invented the odometer, the bifocal glasses and a new anchor for ships and the Franklin stove.
[00:12:59] And Benjamin shared full credit with his fellow scientists. He was awarded a MA from Harvard and Yale in 1753 and organized the first fire department, police department, hospitals, fire insurance company, logging companies and street cleaning. The Stamp act and Sugar act all surround Benjamin Franklin. Franklin urged the colonists to boycott Britain goods and the Boston Tea Party was now what he had in mind. And he was actually embarrassed and offered to pay for the tea. But he was now seen as a threat in the Britain rule. Franklin's power was strong in the colonies and many homes had his portrait hung above their fireplaces. Britain decided to negotiate with Franklin and he provided a list of terms. But he refused to compromise with the British.
[00:13:48] Why? He and Washington had such a close tie and strong friendship. They wrote letters during the wars and had a famous gathering in Ben's garden with tea before the Constitutional Convention began. Not sure if many people knew that and I love it. Just picturing them having tea together in the garden.
[00:14:06] Washington and Franklin also shared a strong faith in God and Christian beliefs. And the scene at the signing of the Constitution from the book Franklin and Washington by Edward Larson is pretty cool. It's a famous painting. I actually myself this year got to visit Philadelphia and I was so excited because I got to see the room where the Constitutional Convention was held and where they signed the Constitution. I highly recommend visiting Philadelphia at least once so you can go see all these historic sites. It's pretty cool. The Constitutional Convention in their last years. In 1784, Washington resigned to live days on his farm in Mount Vernon after the wars to civilian life. And no war hero or legend had done that before. Other greats stepped into powerful positions right after roles in war he wanted to see Americans explore and start new lives on the frontier. So what do you consider the modern frontier of today?
[00:15:02] You might want to contemplate and think about that for a second. Maybe. AI.
[00:15:06] In 1787, Washington was urged and convinced to return to Philadelphia and be president for the convention for the Constitution. The blueprint of our system of government. The greatest republic in the history of the earth. Issues brought up of course was slavery. But Washington had to unite the country first. But his top priority was also to free the slaves which came later down the road with Lincoln.
[00:15:29] But I think Washington would have wanted it to happen sooner. Washington was expected to be named president, but he didn't want it. He served two four year terms while president. Washington set up the US Navy, the Supreme Court, the federal banking system and much more. Washington as a leader had a vision.
[00:15:46] Washington warned of political parties putting their views over the benefit of the united nation. Our United States and Benjamin Washington were two dynamic leaders in the formation of our country. Franklin gave his crab apple tree walking stick with the gold head with the cap of liberty to General Washington in his will. A token of remembrance and grateful friendship. Franklin built a home with a personal library and dining room for entertainment. All influenced from his trips to France. He built the home for his family including his children and grandchildren.
[00:16:19] Washington adopted the title President and preferred General Washington and didn't want your majesty because. Because it was too closely associated with a monarch. Washington formed a federal union from converse states and formed a cabinet of advisors. Appointed Alexander Hamilton and the role of treasury Secretary for the State Department. He picked Thomas Jefferson. Edmund Randolph became Attorney General and Secretary of War. Henry Knox in Congress, James Madison in the House and Robert Morris in the Senate to launch the judicial branch. He nominated John J.
[00:16:54] A for a unified republic. Now I'm encouraging you of course to pick up this book and read it. But I just hope that you know I wanted to share some stuff that I just thought was really fascinating information and wanted to share the history on it. And me of course with having my doctorate in educational psychology. I love educating people on things and sharing things and I just love this book so much. And I also myself am actually I'm a. I'm partake once a month we have a meeting but I'm part of the Daughters of American Revolution and my ancestor is actually from New York and did correspond with Washington himself which is pretty cool. And my ancestor. Well I know there's more but the. The first one that I was approved for for DAR is actually.
[00:17:40] His name is Dunning and there's actually a plaque up in Malta, New York where he helped found that town. And it's so funny every time I ask somebody who's from New York, nobody knows what Malta, New York is.
[00:17:53] But just interesting. But I do want to go visit New York so. But yeah, I highly recommend you guys picking up this book. You can also listen on audible of course. The hard copy is great.
[00:18:04] And I just have some questions I want to end with real quick just for you guys to contemplate before I close. Have you ever stuck to your beliefs, stood your ground despite the odds against you and ended up winning despite losses along the way? Have you ever had a vision in mind for the good of others that was so important to you, yet you had to wait to fulfill a more urgent cause to ensure that could be fulfilled? Have you ever failed more than you succeeded, but ended up persevering and winning the battle, whatever that may be?
[00:18:31] Have you ever embraced being you, took your own path and shared your findings along the way with others? The rights of the Constitution in our judicial system created by Franklin Washington today, we all have these rights now because of them. And have you ever had to go ask for money from family, friends, the bank or whoever?
[00:18:52] That feeling of having to ask for money is so humbling. And that's what Franklin did with France to secure the Continental army and later America.
[00:19:01] So today America does owe China a lot of money, but just something to think about when reading this book, how it's interesting how they formed our nation and it's such an important part of history and how we can learn from it and apply today and this moving forward in our United States.
[00:19:20] So thank you so much for listening Today to the Dr. Ran in podcast. And again, I highly recommend that you pick up Franklin in Washington, the Founding partnership by Edward Larson.
[00:19:30] All right, ciao.
