It was not my intention to doubt that, the Doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobinism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more truly satisfied of this fact than I am.

To expect ... the same service from raw and undisciplined recruits, as from veteran soldiers, is to expect what never did and perhaps never will happen. Men, who are familiarized to danger, meet it without shrinking; whereas troops unused to service often apprehend danger where no danger is.

I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.

It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.

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

Avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, we should remember also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it

Nothing short of self-respect and that justice which is essential to a national character ought to involve us in war.