No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right man in the right place.

If your letters are as long as the bible, they will appear short to me. Only let them be brim full of affection.

A lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools.

The most sacred of the duties of a government [is] to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.

The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management.

Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle. The real extent of this state of misinformation is known only to those who are in situations to confront facts within their knowledge with the lies of the day.

we defer therefore till this time twelve month to avail ourselves of the instruction of that place, and particularly of your kindness in the two branches of Botany and Natural history to which we wish him particularly to apply.