My hold of the colonies is in the close affection which grows from common names, from kindred blood, from similar privileges, and equal protection. These are ties which, though light as air, are as strong as links of iron.

The great difference between the real leader and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; the one lives by the day, and acts upon expediency; the other acts on enduring principles and for the immortality.

Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together.

Toleration is good for all, or it is good for none.

Taxing is an easy business. Any projector can contrive new compositions, any bungler can add to the old.

The worthy gentleman who has been snatched from us at the moment of the election, and in the middle of the contest, whilst his desires were as warm and his hopes as eager as ours, has feelingly told us what shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue.

Contempt is not a thing to be despised.