Our liberties do not come from charters; for these are only the declaration of pre-existing rights. They do not depend on parchments or seals; but come from the King of Kings and the Lord of all the earth.

If the General Government should be left dependent on the State Legislatures, it would be happy for us if we had never met in this room.

Let us take care of our rights and we therein take care of our prosperity. Slavery is ever preceded by sleep

As in forming a political society, each individual contributes some of his rights, in order that he may, from a common stock of rights, derive greater benefits, than he could from merely his own; so, in forming a confederation, each political society should contribute such a share of their rights, as will, from a common stock of these rights, produce the largest quantity of benefits for them.

Our cause is just. Our union is perfect.

Let our government be like that of the solar system. Let the general government be like the sun and the states the planets, repelled yet attracted, and the whole moving regularly and harmoniously in several orbits.

The rights essential to happiness. . . . We claim them from a higher source - from the King of kings and Lord of all the earth.