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.

Of publishing a book on religion, my dear sir, I never had an idea. I should as soon think of writing for the reformation of Bedlam, as of the world of religious sects. Of these there must be, at least, ten thousand, every individual of every one of which believes all wrong but his own.

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.

A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.

Nothing is so disgusting to our sex as want of cleanliness and delicacy in yours.

The most effective means of preventing tyranny is to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts.

Knowing that religion does not furnish grosser bigots than law, I expect little from old judges.