The alternate triumphs of different parties ... make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels.

With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your later days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. I cannot... I cannot come to each of you but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand.

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

If we cannot learn wisdom from experience, it is hard to say where it is to be found.

It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.

My opinion with respect to immigration is, that except of useful mechanics and some particular description of men and professions, there is no use of encouragement.

In the appointments to the great offices of the government, my aim has been to combine geographical situation, and sometimes other considerations, with abilities and fitness of known characters.