I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. Such a variety of subjects, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the success of another, and instead of one harvest a continued one through the year.

The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.

I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.

The possession of facts is knowledge; the use of them is wisdom.

Government is being founded on opinion, the opinion of the public, even when it is wrong, ought to be respected to a certain degree.

The merchant has no country .

The trifling economy of paper, as a cheaper medium, or its convenience for transmission, weighs nothing in opposition to the advantages of the precious metals it is liable to be abused, has been, is, and forever will be abused, in every country in which it is permitted.