When I die, I desire no better winding sheet than the Stars and Stripes, and no softer pillow than the Constitution of my country.

I have lived among negroes, all my life, and I am for this Government with slavery under the Constitution as it is. I am for the Government of my fathers with negroes. I am for it without negroes. Before I would see this Government destroyed I would send every negro back to Africa, disintegrated and blotted out of space

If I am to be shot at, I want no man to be in the way of the bullet.

Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigorously, more vigorously, and more severely, than by one.

For myself, I care not whether treason be committed North or South; he that is guilty of treason is entitled to a traitor's fate!

It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell any word.

I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event [Lincoln's assassination] which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.