Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine; nor is it given to us in this life to know whether yours or mine, our friend's or our foe's, are exactly the right.

The cement of this union is in the heart blood of every American. I do not believe there is on earth a government established on so immovable a basis.

music, drawing, books, invention & exercise will be so many resources to you against ennui.

Every honest man will suppose honest acts to flow from honest principles, and the rogues may rail without intermission.

The concentrating of powers in the same hands is precisely the definition of despotic government. It will be no alleviation that these powers will be exercised by a plurality of hands, and not by a single one.

Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.

The declaration of rights [Bill of Rights] is, like all other human blessings, alloyed with some inconveniences and not accomplishing fully its object. But the good in this instance vastly outweighs the evil.