Reason and free inquiry are the only effective agents against error. Give a loose to them, they will support the true religion by bringing every false one to their tribunal, to the test of their investigation. They are the natural enemies of error and error only. Had not the Roman government permitted free inquiry, Christianity could never have been introduced. Had not free inquiry been indulged at the era of the Reformation, the corruption of Christianity could not have been purged away.

The reward of esteem, respect and gratitude [is] due to those who devote their time and efforts to render the youths of every successive age fit governors for the next.

Take painsto write a neat round, plain hand, and you will find it a great convenience through life to write a small and compact hand as well as a fair and legible one.

...We are all Federalists,and we are all Republicans.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

Let the farmer forevermore be honored in his calling; for they who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God.

I have overlived the generation with which mutual labors & perils begat mutual confidence and influence.