There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the public engagements; that our appropriations should ever go hand in hand with our promises. To say that the United States should be answerable for twenty-five millions of dollars without knowing whether the ways and means can be provided, and without knowing whether those who are to succeed us will think with us on the subject, would be rash and unjustifiable. Sir, in my opinion, it would be hazarding the public faith in a manner contrary to every idea of prudence.

Who are to be the objects of popular choice? Every citizen whose merit may recommend him to the esteem and confidence of his country.

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labour of slaves.

[T]he great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachment of the others.

The security intended to the general liberty consists in the frequent election and in the rotation of the members of Congress.

The political truths declared in that solemn manner acquire by degrees the character of fundamental maxims of free Government, and as they become incorporated with national sentiment, counteract the impulses of interest and passion.

The safety and happiness of society are the objects at which all political institutions aim, and to which all such institutions must be sacrificed.