Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, Volume 8R. W. Pomeroy, 1827 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
adopted affairs America appeared appointed army articles of confederation assembly Benjamin Harrison Boston Britain British cause character chief civil colonies commander commerce committee congress consider constitution convention court declared defence Delaware delegates distinguished duties ELBRIDGE GERRY elected eloquence enemy England executive exertions favour feelings fellow citizens France French gentlemen Gerry governor gress happiness Harrison Haslet honour house of burgesses immediately important independence instructions interest Jefferson John Adams king laws legislature letter liberty M'Kean Massachusetts measures ment military militia mind minister ministry nation necessary negotiation occasion opinion parliament party patriotism peace period Philadelphia political president principles province received republican resolution respect Richard Henry Lee Rodney royal Samuel Adams situation spirit stamp act tion took his seat town treaty troops United views Virginia virtue vote Washington WILLIAM PACA writs of assistance
Popular passages
Page 213 - England, Sir, is a nation, which still I hope respects, and formerly adored, her freedom. The colonists emigrated from you when this part of your character was most predominant ; and they took this bias and direction the moment they parted from your hands. They are therefore not only devoted to liberty, but to liberty according to English ideas, and on English principles.
Page 246 - Thucydides, and have studied and admired the master states of the world — that for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of difficult circumstances, no nation, or body of men, can stand in preference to the General Congress at Philadelphia.
Page 305 - Congress shall earnestly recommend it to the legislatures of the respective States, to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights and properties which have been confiscated, belonging to real British subjects...
Page 208 - It appears to me the worst instrument of arbitrary power, the most destructive of English liberty and the fundamental principles of law, that ever was found in an English law book.
Page 270 - The graces taught in the schools, the costly ornaments and studied contrivances of speech, shock and disgust men, when their own lives, and the fate of their wives, their children, and their country, hang on the decision of the hour. Then, words have lost their power, rhetoric is vain, and all elaborate oratory contemptible.
Page 53 - Congress, it is expedient, that on the second Monday in May next, a convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several States, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures, such alterations and provisions therein, as shall, when agreed to in Congress, and confirmed by the States, render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of government, and the preservation...
Page 40 - STATES, and to consist of one delegate from each state; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under their direction...
Page 267 - Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people of the Colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies.
Page 145 - It will be all over with me in a moment; but you will be kicking in the air half an hour after I am gone.
Page 270 - Words and phrases may be marshalled in every way, but they cannot compass it. It must exist in the man, in the subject, and in the occasion. Affected passion, intense expression, the pomp of declamation, all may aspire after it, they cannot reach it.