The necessity of procuring good Intelligence is apparent & need not be further urged-All that remains for me to add, is, that you keep the whole matter as secret as possible. For upon Secrecy, Success depends in most Enterprizes of the kind, and for want of it, they are generally defeated, however well planned & promising a favourable issue.

A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.

Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. - March 15, 1783

We are not to expect perfection in this world; but mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of government.

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?

Indians and wolves are both beasts of prey, tho' they differ in shape.

To err is nature, to rectify error is glory.