The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the union of the states be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened, and the disguised one as the serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into paradise.

I hope this will find you...enjoying the commencement of a new year with every prospect that can make it a happy one.

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

Americans need not fear the federal government because they enjoy the advantage of being armed, which you possess over the people of almost every other nation.

A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species.

Thus the right of nullification meant by Mr. Jefferson is the natural right, which all admit to be a remedy against insupportable oppression.

It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society.