Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European Ambition, Rivalship, Interest, Humour or Caprice?

Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.

The crisis is arrived when we must assert our rights, or submit to every imposition, that can be heaped upon us, till custom and use shall make us as tame and abject slaves, as the blacks we rule over with such arbitrary sway.

Without virtue, and without integrity, the finest talents and the most brilliant accomplishments can never gain the respect, and conciliate the esteem, of the truly valuable part of mankind.

My death has not yet quite arrived, but it is near and inevitable as night follows day.

An ambassador has no need of spies; his character is always sacred.

Providence has at all times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us.