When the government violates the people's rights, insurrection is, for the people and for each portion of the people, the most sacred of the rights and the most indispensible of duties.
Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.
Our articles of confederation ought to be revised and measures immediately taken to invigorate the Continental Union. Depend upon it: there lies the danger for America. This last stroke is wanting, and unless the states be strongly bound to each other, we have to fear from British and, indeed, from European politics.
I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I think, and out of all that I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can.
If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.
True republicanism is the sovereignty of the people. There are natural and imprescriptible rights which an entire nation has no right to violate.
It is the pride of my heart to have been one of the earliest adopted sons of America.
I shall ask for the abolition for the punishment of death until I have the infallibility of human judgment demonstrated to me.
My heart has always been truly convinced that in serving the cause of America, I am fighting for the interests of France.
From an early period, I had the happiness to rank among the foremost in the American Revolution. In the affection and confidence of the people, I am proud to say, I have a great share.
The exercise of natural rights has no limits but such as will ensure their enjoyment to other members of society.
Laws must be clear, precise, and uniform for all citizens.
The good fortune of America is closely tied to the good fortune of all humanity.
May the friends of America rejoice! May her enemies be humbled and her censors silenced at the news of her noble exertions in continuance of those principles which have placed her so high in the annals of history and among the nations of the earth.
My grand affair appears settled, for America is certain of her independence, humanity has gained her cause, and liberty will never be without a place of refuge.
I gave my heart to the Americans and thought of nothing else but raising my banner and adding my colors to theirs.
It was by a Maryland colonel in the year 1777 that the British received, in the gallant defense of an important fort, one of the first lessons of what they were to expect from American valor and patriotism.
Defender of the liberty that I idolize, myself more free than anyone, in coming as a friend to offer my services to this intriguing republic, I bring to it only my frankness and my good will; no ambition, no self-interest; in working for my glory, I work for their happiness.
Nothing hurts so much the interest and reputation of America as to hear of their intestine quarrels.
The American women are very pretty and have great simplicity of character, and the extreme neatness of their appearance is truly delightful: cleanliness is everywhere even more studiously attended to here than in England.
