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

Like as a wise man in time of peace prepares for war.

I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.

Military arrangement, and movements in consequence, like the mechanism of a clock, will be imperfectand disordered by the want of a part.

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.

The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

The U.S. is a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance.