June 10, 2008

 

As we explored the American Philosphical Society Library I was astounded to find such a rich collection of original documents, books and journals.  To read Lewis and Clark’s original journals and see their detailed pen drawings created by mixing their own powdered ink was inspiring. To see the only document with the four first Presidents signatures on it was fascinating.

 

Ten years before Lewis and Clark set out there had been a failed expedition to explore the frontier.  On the document to raise funds for the original expedition were the names of Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison as well as other famous people of the time.  It was fun just searching for famous names and signatures and looking to see what they donated to a fund an expedition, the idea of which, would lay the groundwork of the Lewis and Clark expedition 10 years later.  It was incredible to ponder that Jefferson, who was president of the Philosophical Society and President of the United States at the time would link the two positions to support Lewis and Clark’s expedition.  Their journals were labeled with the Philosophical Society’s insignia.  Next we looked at a draft of the Declaration.  I think it is important for students to understand that even the best writers, even the great Thomas Jefferson, had to make revision after revision and that they too resented their editors’ corrections at times.  It was terrific to see the letter written to Franklin for his input, and to learn how wincingly Jefferson took critiques from  Lee. Lee made numerous unsolicited edits in the margins.  I absolutely loved this and how it once again showed the human side of this amazing process. 

 

Upstairs at the Philosophical Society I began looking at some of the books behind the glass cases-Poor Richard’s Almanacs, and all sorts of Franklin’s original writings.  I would love to leaf through those original documents- and of course see the original copy of Franklin’s Autobiography.  I was fascinated to read Thomas Paine’s writings to Washington and to ponder the reasons Washington did not respond to Paine’s requests.  I also enjoyed the letter Franklin’s son William wrote to his son as he airmailed the letter across the English Channel.

 

When we crossed the street to the Original American Philosophical Society building, we were treated to a terrific presentation by Ursula.  Her stories about Franklin were wonderful and persuaded me that I should pick up a copy of Walter Isaacson’s biography on Franklin.

 

Classroom Application:

Lewis and Clark Journals

Why are these journals so critical to our history?  Why are they housed at the Philosophical Society?  Who was the president of the Philosophical Society when Lewis and Clark made their journey? How were funds raised for explorations? In the failed exploration 10 years prior to Lewis and Clark, how were  funds raised for early exploration of our country, who contributed what, who was most generous and why?  What did the Lewis and Clark journals contain? 

Discussion about how the journals were created, what they contained and how they were kept as they traveled 8,000 miles.  What was the significance of the trip?  How did they prepare?  How did they design the journal entries? 

 

I would take my students to the PBS website to read additional questions and see answers through the eyes of six different historians/writers/Lewis and Clark scholars. http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/living/index.html

 

Declaration of Independence drafts and final copies

Discussion comparing the various drafts of the Declaration, what changes were made and why.  Link the discussion to a lesson from the Library of Congress.

http://myloc.gov/Education/Pages/lessonplans/education/lessonplans/declaration/index.aspx

 

Thomas Paine’s letter to Washington

Questions:

What is the context of the letter Paine is writing to Washington?  What are Americans in fear of during this time?  Why is Washington’s failure to respond the source of great disappointment and frustration for Paine?  Why did Washington fail to respond?

Comparing the letter to Washington to the writings in Common Sense, what components in Common Sense were also found in Paine’s correspondence to Washington?  How are Paine’s passionate writings received? How had things changed from the writing of Common Sense to this writing to Washington?  Why was Paine so bitter? How did  Paine, whose writings swayed public opinion about declaring independence, and whose leadership in the French Revolution briefly made him a hero, lose most of his friends?  Were Paine’s accusations about Washington legitimate or radical? How could Thomas Paine be both pro Independence and Anti-Federalist?

 

For transcriptions of over 80 of Paine’s writings:

http://www.thomaspaine.org/contents.html