They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?

The first thing I have at heart is American liberty; the second thing is American union.

The people have a right to keep and bear arms.

Give me liberty or give me death.

This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.

O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone.

My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against tyrants.