Assignment for History 615
Spring, 2005
Assignment for Next Week
All parts of the assignment are to be done without help from others. You may call me if you have problems with online sites.
1.Read my articleon Lawrence Washington and the Reverend Charles Green in the 1992 issue of the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, which was handed out in class. What does it reveal about the character of Lawrence and of William Fairfax? [Present a brief written response of approximately one page]. For discussion, what does it reveal about Virginia society such as the role of women, religion, race, gentry, etc?
2.Check out the web site for the newly published online edition of the John C. Fitzpatrick edition of the George Washington Papers [39 Volumes] at Book mark the site as we will use it frequently. Use the word search feature to find the following letter and tell me to whom it was written and when:
Dear Sir: “I am informed that a Ship with Palatines is gone up to Baltimore, among whom are a number of Trademen. I am a good deal in want of a House Joiner and Bricklayer, (who really understand their profession) and you would do me a favor by purchasing one of each, for me. I would not confine you to Palatines. If they are good workmen, they may be of Asia, Africa, or Europe. They may be Mahometans, Jews or Christian of any Sect, or they may be Athiests. I would however prefer middle aged, to young men.”
3.Check out website of the GW Papers at the University of Virginia
[ Look at the selected articles. List any that particularly interest you. Find and read “The Rules of Civility.” List and hand in all of the rules [by number] that implicitly or explicitly indicate the hierarchical nature of Virginia society.
4.This excerpt from Parson Weems’ biography of GW contains not only a minor error of fact but also a major error that clearly illustrates why his biography of GW must be used with great caution. Can you figure what the major error is? Explain the process you used in attempting to solve this problem, whether you were able to do it or not.
“When Lawrence was taken with consumption and advised by his physicians to make a trip to Bermuda, George could not resist any longer, but hastened down to his brother at Mount Vernon, and went with him to Bermuda. It was at Bermuda that George took the small pox, which marked him rather agreeably than otherwise. Lawrence never recovered, but returned to Virginia, where he died just after his brother George has fought his hard battle against the French and Indians, at FortNecessity.
Lawrence did not live to see George after that; but he lived to hear of his fame; for as the French and Indians were at that time a great public terror, the people could not help being very loud in their praise of a youth, who with so slender a force had dared to meet them in their own country and had given them such a check.
And when Lawrence heard of his favourite young brother, that he had fought so gallantly for his country, and the whole land was filled with his praise, he wept for joy. And such is the victory of love over nature, that though fast sinking under the fever and cough of consumption, in its extreme stage, he did not seem to mind it, but spent his last moments in fondly talking of his brother George, who, he said, “he had always believed, would one day or other be a great man”
5.Finally, as time permits begin reading the book, For King and Country, by Lewis. Read at least the first chapter. A written review of the book will be due in two weeks. Details will be given in class.
Note: If you feel you need help finding the websites, please e-mail me.
The easiest way to enter these websites is to go on to my web site: henriques/hist615/index.htm
Assignment for February 7th
Written book review on Lewis, For King and Country.
For Discussion: Read Chapter 1 in my book, Realistic Visionary [on my web site]; Read Chapter 1 from His Excellency; Read Chapter 2 in George Washington Reconsidered.
Assignment for February 14th
Read chapters 4 and 5 from my book, Realistic Visionary. Write as accurate and complete summary of each chapter in no more than one page for each chapter. Then, write a response to the two chapters. You can do this in whatever way you think is the best way to come to grips with the articles. Length: 1-3 pages.
Assignment for February 21st
Written book review on Cunliffe, Man and Monument. For discussion, read Chapter 2 in His Excellency and read Chapter 4 in George Washington Reconsidered.
Assignment for February 28th
Written book review on Brookhiser, Founding Father. For discussion, read Chapter two in Realistic Visionary and Chapter three in George Washington Reconsidered.
Assignment for March 7th
Special trip to Mount Vernon at 7 p. m. Use the week to work on the extra book review which can be handed in at any time up to the last regular class day. Book must be one you have not read or are not reading for another class and the book should be approved by me.