I will move gently down the stream of life until I sleep with my fathers.

It gives me real concern to observe ... that you should think it necessary to distinguish between my personal and public character, and confine your esteem to the former.

My aim has been... to keep the United States... independent of all and under the influence of none.

Your late purchase of an estate in the colony of Cayenne, with a view to emancipating the slaves on it, is a generous and noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit would diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this country; but I despair of seeing it.

The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing...is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

Offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only means of defence.

If ever again our nation stumbles upon unfunded paper, it shall surely be like death to our body politic. This country will crash.