The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.

A passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils

At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation; and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.

Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable.

Precedents are dangerous things; let the rein of government then be braced and held with a steady hand.

The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.

The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.