Saline Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Since my last "bookshelf" report, I've read some more great books.  What I'd like to do today is to present some of the things I've learned from these books.  In most cases, I've taken direct quotes from the books, as there is no way to paraphrase brilliance.

My recent books have been the biographies of our third (Jefferson), fourth (Madison), and fifth (Monroe) Presidents.  All three of them were involved with the revolution and the Declaration of Independence.  All three of them can teach us today the lessons they learned "the hard way."  And so, in their own words:

Thomas Jefferson (Fawn M. Brodie)

The six weeks after his return from Monticello saw a phenomenal burst of productivity, the most spectacular in Jefferson's life.  Between May 17 and June 28, 1776, he wrote his two most famous political documents, the constitution for Virginia, and the Declaration of Independence.  Gone was his lethargy, gone forever his misgivings about the Revolution, and in this light his phrase "I am almost a new man" takes on a special significance.  (p. 116)

We must endeavor to forget our former love for them (the British), and to hold them as we might hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.  We might have been a free and great people together.  (p. 122)

I suppose your reasons are weighty, yet I would suggest that good and able men had better govern than be governed.  If the able and good withdraw themselves from society, the venal and ignorant will succeed.  I cannot but think the House may insist upon you to give attendance without incurring the Censure of being seized.  (p. 166)

The motion of my blood no longer keeps time with the tumult of the world.  It leads me to seek for happiness in the lap and love of my family, in the society of my neighbors and my books, in the wholesome occupations of my farm and my affairs, in an interest or affection in every bud that opens, in every breath that blows around me.  (p. 263)

So Jefferson during the most harassed hours of his private life laid the groundwork for his two greatest triumphs as president, the Louisiana Purchase, and the road to the Pacific.  (p. 366)

As Samuel Johnson once wrote, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully."  (p. 406)

Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties:  1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes.  2.  Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depository of the public interests.  (p. 444)

(In a letter to John Adams after the death of Adam's daughter)  I know the depth of the affliction it has caused, and can sympathize with it the more sensibly, inasmuch as there is no degree of affliction, produced by the loss of those dear to us, which experience has not taught me to estimate.  I have ever found time and silence the only medicine, and these but assuage, they can never suppress, the deep-drawn sighs which recollection for ever brings up, until recollection and life are extinguished together.  (p. 450)

James Madison (Garry Willis)

One of Madison's greatest services to America was his help in ensuring Washington's attendance at the (Constitutional) convention (in 1787).  P. 26

Madison tried to blunt opposition to the war (of 1812) in New England by choosing as his vice-presidential running mate Elbridge Gerry, to replace George Clinton, who died in April.  But Gerry had just been ousted as governor of Massachusetts, despite his redrawing of electoral districts to promote his re-election (a salamander-shaped district let to the term "gerrymander").  P. 116

James Monroe (Daniel Coit Gilman)

Monroe's very lack of genius made him more of a sample of the kind of American Gilman had in mind to encourage his public to emulate than some transcending but inimitable genius.  Character, formed by dint of will and hazard of experience in a tough and unnerving world - that Monroe had and anyone might, according to Gilman.  For along with character went career.  Character was the person, and career the expression of the person in a life of good work.  (Introduction).

Regarding the Monroe doctrine, "Monroe consulted Jefferson as well as the cabinet, on the course which it was advisable to take, and with their approbation prepared his message.   Jefferson's reply to the President (October 24, 1823) was a follows:

"The question presented by the letters you have sent me is the most momentous which has ever been offered to my contemplation since that of independence.  That made us a Nation, this sets our compass and points the course which we are to steer through the ocean of time opening to us."  P. 173

The government of the United States is a limited government, instituted for great national purposes, and for those only.  Good roads and canals will, however, promote many very important national purposes.  To the appropriation of the public money to such improvements there seems to be no well-founded constitutional objection; to do anything further than this general government is not competent."  P. 199

So there you have it - my selected excerpts of passages from the books which I have read recently.

If you're ready to start your search for a Saline home or condo, talk to someone with local knowledge!  I'd be happy to meet with you.  Just give me a call at (734) 476-2063, or send an e-mail, "Vance (at) SalineMichiganRealEstate (dot) com".

You can search for homes and condos in Saline here.

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