I appear, my fellow-citizens, in your presence and in that of Heaven to bind myself by the solemnities of religious obligation to the faithful performance of the duties allotted to me in the station to which I have been called.

It is by a thorough knowledge of the whole subject that [people] are enabled to judge correctly of the past and to give a proper direction to the future.

Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.

I would much rather be found guilty of making a serious mistake in judgment, than to be accused of being even a little bit insincere.

The first and almost the only Book deserving of universal attention is the Bible.

I shall look for whatever success may attend my public service; and knowing that "except the Lord keep the city the watchman waketh but in vain," with fervent supplications for His favor, to His overruling providence I commit with humble but fearless confidence my own fate and the future destinies of my country.

All men profess honesty as long as they can. To believe all men honest would be folly. To believe none so is something worse.