The liberty, prosperity, and the happiness of our country will always be the object of my most fervent prayers to the Supreme Author of All Good.

I have great satisfaction in stating that our relations with France, Russia, and other powers continue on the most friendly basis.

History has shown that at least one-half of every century is consumed in war.

In wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do

Our country may be likened to a new house. We lack many things, but we possess the most precious of all - liberty!

There is every reason to believe that our system will soon attain the highest degree of perfection of which human institutions are capable.

Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.