That slow poison [slavery] is daily contaminating the minds and morals of our people. Every gentlemen here is born a petty tyrant, practiced in acts of despotism and cruelty.

I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God that gave it me, hoping that through the meritorious death and passion of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ to receive absolution and remission for all my sins.

The poor despise labor when performed by slaves.

As nations can not be rewarded or punished in the next world they must be in this.

We are now to rank among the nations of the world; but whether our Independence shall prove a blessing or a curse must depend upon our own wisdom or folly, virtue or wickedness.... Justice and virtue are the vital principles of republican government.

The augmentation of slaves weakens the states; and such a trade is diabolical in itself, and disgraceful to mankind.

The freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.