Taxation is, in fact, the most difficult function of government and that against which their citizens are most apt to be refractory.

The art of printing secures us against the retrogradation of reason and information.

The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their union, and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise; and if they see their interest in separating why should we take sides? God bless them both, and keep them in union if it be for their good, but separate them if it be better.

The best (remedy) I can devise would be to give future commissions to (federal) judges for six years with a re-appointability by the President with the approbation of both houses. If this would not be independence enough, I know not what would be.

One single object . . . [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation.

Truth and reason are eternal. They have prevailed. And they will eternally prevail; however, in times and places they may be overborne for a while by violence, military, civil, or ecclesiastical.

No government should be without critics. If its intentions are good then it has nothing to fear from criticism.