I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends on her virtue.

It is therefore recommended... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor.

We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to improve them.

If virtue & knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great security.

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

I believe that no people ever yet groaned under the heavy yoke of slavery but when they deserved it.

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.