Could I be assured that America would remain virtuous, I would venture to defy the utmost Efforts of Enemies to subjugate her.

If taxes are laid upon us without our having a legal representation where they are laid, we are reduced from the character of free subjects to the state of tributary slaves.

Hence as a private man has a right to say what wages he will give in his private affairs, so has a Community to determine what they will give and grant of their substance for the Administration of public affairs.

Man's rights are evident branches of, rather than deductions from, the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of nature.

The right to freedom being the gift of God, it is not in the power of man to alienate this gift and voluntarily become a slave.

Principally, and first of all, I resign my soul to the Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying on the merits of Jesus Christ for the pardon of my sins.

Give credit to whom credit due.