True republicanism is the sovereignty of the people. There are natural and imprescriptible rights which an entire nation has no right to violate.

If you were lost for America, there is nobody who could keep the army and the revolution [going] for six months.

Insurrection is the most sacred of rights and the most indispensable of duties.

I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I reflect, and out of all of this I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can. I shall not speak much for fear of saying foolish things; I will risk still less for fear of doing them, for I am not disposed to abuse the confidence which they have deigned to show me. Such is the conduct which until now I have followed and will follow.

In my idea General Washington is the greatest man; for I look upon him as the most virtuous.

All that you are, all that I owe to you, justifies my love.

In the American colonies, the main problem of liberty has been solved, demonstrated and practiced in such a manner as not to leave much to be said by European institutions.