John Jay

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.”

“No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent.”

“Let it be remembered that civil liberty consists not in a right to every man to do just what he pleases, but in an equal right to all citizens.”

“Those who own the country ought to govern it.”

“Justice is indiscriminately due to all, without regard to numbers, wealth, or rank.”

“A strong sense of duty is the spring of all action.”

“It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it.”

“The people are the sovereign of this country.”

“This country and this people seem to have been made for each other.”

“It is the duty of all wise, brave, and virtuous Americans to watch over and protect their rights and liberties.”

“The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favoured with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.”