All the forms of civil polity have been tried by mankind, except one, and that seems to have been reserved in Providence to be realized in America. Most of the states, of all ages ...have been founded in rapacity, usurpation, and injustice; so that in the contests recorded in history ...the military history of all nations being but a description of the wars and invasions of the mutual robbers and devastators of the human race.

In justice to human society it may perhaps be said of almost all the polities and civil institutions in the world, however imperfect, that they have been founded in and carried on with very considerable wisdom.

Let the grand errand into America never be forgotten.

The constitutions of Maryland and New York are founded in higher wisdom.

Let a bill, or law, be read, in the one branch or the other, every one instantly thinks how it will affect his constituents.

The greater part of the governments on earth may be termed monarchical aristocracies, or hereditary dominions independent of the people.

All the forms of civil polity have been tried by mankind, except one, and that seems to have been reserved in Providence to be realized in America.