Newspapers . . . serve as chimnies to carry off noxious vapors and smoke.

If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what one so cheap to those of whose system of politics morality makes no part?

My principle is to do whatever is right, and leave consequences to him who has the disposal of them.

The spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force.

The provisions we have made [for our government] are such as please ourselves; they answer the substantial purposes of government and of justice, and other purposes than these should not be answered.

If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.

The information of the people at large can alone make them the safe as they are the sole depositary of our political and religious freedom.