When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary...
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| Rembrandt's Thomas Jefferson |
The man that penned these infamous words and put freedom in writing for Americans was born on this very day, 271 years ago. To commemorate the birthday of this American Hero, I've invited friend and fellow author Murray Pura to share some interesting facts about this Virginian. He's written a best selling short story on him that released in February!
In celebration of Jefferson's Birthday, we're giving away a kindle copy of BOTH volumes of the Declaration of Independence series on Thomas Jefferson and Samuel Adams!
Murray, thank you for being with us. we're honored to have you here today! I loved
the part of your story discussing Jefferson's original wording in the
declaration. Is it true that some of the founding fathers wanted to
outlaw slavery right off?
Jefferson
owned slaves but it seems to me he wanted to be done with it personally
as well as give America a clean start that was void of such an abuse of
human rights. All the delegates agreed with his original draft where he
abolished slavery EXCEPT South Carolina and Georgia and it was to
appease them and remain united in the face of the British army that
Jefferson's section on abolition was deleted. He was incensed.
What made congress choose Jefferson to pen the Declaration?
That
was the influence of John Adams and Ben Franklin, particularly Adams.
He knew Jefferson had a lively mind, was well-read, and wrote with
eloquence and passion. He persuaded Congress to let Jefferson write the
first draft which would then be subject to Congress approval - and edit.
What was Jefferson's personality like?
More
of an introvert. Didn't like crowded social occasions. Didn't like the
city. Not one for speaking a lot, he preferred to talk via his quill and
writings. A quick wit and a nimble mind, highly intelligent, fluent in a
number of languages, always inventing something (like the lap desk he
wrote a great deal of the Declaration on), exploring the natural world
and recording his observations (thanks to him we know what the weather
was like on
July 4th),
or reading a book. He was warm to his wife and family, less so to
others in the sense he was not a hugger and kisser, yet he was not an
icy man, just more subdued and withdrawn than friends like the Adams
brothers or Ben Franklin.
As you've studied Thomas, what is it you like most about him?
His
energy and passion for all of life, God included, that makes him seem
to me to be as fresh and curious and energetic as a man who possesses
eternal youth.
Jefferson was a lawyer, was the profession in any way different than it is today?
In
Colonial America there was little in the way of cross-examination
allowed, little in the way of the defense calling witnesses in support
of its case, little in the way of trial by jury. Often enough the
prosecuting attorney and the judge were the same person so, as you can
imagine, the defendants were inevitably found guilty. Any hope of
success could only lie in a defense attorney's ability to sway the judge
or judges with his powers of logic and oratory.
Wow. Sounds like Jefferson had his work cut out for him. Thank you so much for joining us today, Murray!
Murray Pura was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, just
north of the Dakotas and Minnesota. His first novel was released in
Toronto in 1988 and was a finalist for the Dartmouth Book Award. Since
that time he has published ten more novels, two collections of short
stories, and several nonfiction titles including the Zondervan books
Rooted and
Streams and the Baker devotional
Majestic & Wild.
He has been a finalist for several awards in the US and Canada and in
2012 won the Word Award of Toronto for Best Historical Novel. Murray
lives and writes in southwestern Alberta and is currently published by
Barbour, Baker, Harper One, Zondervan, and Harvest House as well as
several other publishing houses – he works with publishers in Canada,
America, the UK, and Holland. His releases for 2013 include the novels:
Ashton
Park, The Rose of Lancaster County, A Road Called Love, Seven Oaks, The
Painted Sky, Whispers of a New Dawn, Beneath the Dover Sky, The Name of
the Hawk, and
An Amish Family Christmas. His
diverse writing spans many genres including: historical fiction,
contemporary fiction, literary fiction, romance, adventure, western,
suspense, fantasy, Amish, and inspirational. Most of his work is
available in ebook format for Kindle, Kobo, and Nook as well as in
paperback.
View the DOI Series on Amazon!
Thomas Jefferson by Murray Pura
Samuel Adams by Amber Schamel
Next installment coming soon!
We're giving away a free copy of Thomas Jefferson by Murray Pura AND Samuel Adams by Amber Schamel to one lucky winner! Enter Below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm excited to introduce you to one of my long time friends!
Richard Lawrence (or Mr. Lawrence as I've known him) and his wife were
two of my speech and debate coaches in high school. I knew then that
he'd written a whole line of homeschool science curriculum, but I was
very excited when I heard that he's recently released a Christian
Suspense! 
