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

The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.

Let me ... warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party.

I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them.

A variety in punishment is of utility, as well as a proportion.

A part of the plan for creating discord, is, I perceive, to make me say things of others, and others of me, wch. have no foundation in truth. The first, in many instances I know to be the case; and the second I believe to be so; but truth or falsehood is immaterial to them, provided their objects are promoted.