I deem it the duty of every man to devote a certain portion of his income for charitable purposes; and that it is his further duty to see it so applied and to do the most good for which it is capable.

The ordinary affairs of a nation offer little difficulty to a person of any experience.

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning knife.

Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to; convinced that on their good sense we may rely with most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty.

The moment a person forms a theory, his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory.

Botany I rank with the most valuable sciences.