With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live as slaves.

The power of the people pervading the proposed system, together with the strong confederation of the states, will form an adequate security against every danger that has been apprehended.

Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.

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.

Experience must be our only guide. Reason may mislead us.

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.

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