When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.

Being a Christian... is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it.

The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

....I am sure that the dangers of this system (the Federal Constitution) are real, when those who have no similar interest with the people of this country (the South) are to legislate for us - when our dearest rights are to be left, in the hands of those, whose advantage it will be to infringe them.

My political curiosity, exclusive of my anxious solicitude for the public welfare, leads me to ask who authorized them (the framers of the Constitution) to speak the language of 'We, the People,' instead of 'We, the States'?

I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion.