CONSCIOUS RECTITUDE. The consciousness of having attempted faithfully to discharge my duty, and the approbation of my country, will be a sufficient recompense for my services. 1783. Conscious, that it is the aim of my actions to promote the public good, and that no part of my conduct is influenced by personal enmity to individuals, I cannot be insensible to the artifices, employed by some men, to prejudice me in the public esteem. 1779. SACRIFICES TO PRINCIPLE. I believe, or at least I hope, that there is public virtue enough left among us, to deny ourselves every thing but the bare necessaries of life, to accomplish our end. To share the common lot, and participate the inconveniences which the army, from the peculiarity of our circumstances, are obliged to undergo, has, with me, been a fundamental principle. 1789. ENDURANCE. We should never despair. Our situation has before been unpromising, and has changed for the better; so, I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new exertions, and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times. 1777. The value of liberty was enhanced in our estimation, by the difficulty of its attainment; and the worth of characters appreciated, by the trial of adversity. 1790. THE SACRIFICES AND REWARDS OF PATRIOTISM. It is but justice, to assign great merit to the temper of those citizens whose estates were more immediately the scene of warfare. Their personal services were rendered, without constraint; and the derangement of their affairs submitted to, without dissatisfaction. It was the triumph of patriotism over personal considerations. And our present enjoyments of peace and freedom reward the sacrifice. 1789. THE PATRIOT'S TWO-FOLD DEPENDENCE. I have ever thought, and am still of opinion, that no terms of accommodation will be offered by the British ministry, but such as cannot be accepted by America. We have nothing to depend upon, but the protection of a kind Providence, and unanimity amona ourselves. SELF-CONTROL. It is our duty, to make the best of our misfortunes, and not suffer passion to interfere with our interest and the public good. UNYIELDING PURPOSE. We will retreat beyond the Susquehanna river, and thence, if necessary, to the Alleghany mountains. 1777. THE PATRIOT'S GREAT OBJECT. The welfare of the country, is the great object to which our cares and efforts ought to be directed. I shall derive great satisfaction from a co-operation in the pleasing, though arduous task, of insuring to our fellow-citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal govern ment. TALENTS, RECTITUDE, PATRIOTISM. In these honorable qualifications, I behold the surest pledges, that, as, on one side, no local prejudices *He had been asked what could be done, if the enemy continued to advance. or attachments, no separate views, no party animosities will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests; so, on another, that the foundations of our national policy will be laid, in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the pre-eminence of free government be exemplified, by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world. 1789. PATRIOTISM, FIRMNESS, WISDOM. To secure the blessings which a gracious Providence has placed within our reach, will call for the cool and deliberate exertion of patriotism, firmness, and wisdom." 1790. Our conflict is not likely to cease, so soon as every good man would wish. The measure of iniquity is not yet filled; and, unless we can return a little more to first principles, and act a little more upon patriotic grounds, I do not know when it will be, or what may be the issue of our contest. I find, you are only empowered to grant pardons. We have committed no offence; we need no pardon. 1776. * Colonel Patterson, deputed by Lord Howe, to settle all differences with the revolutionists. PRUDENCE, TEMPER, MODERATION. Nothing but DISUNION can hurt our cause. This will ruin it, if great prudence, temper, and moderation are not mixed in our counsels, and made the governing principles of the contending parties. THE PATRIOT'S HAPPINESS. To stand well in the good opinion of my countrymen, constitutes my chief happiness, and will be my best support under the perplexities and difficulties of my present station. 1778. To be in any degree instrumental, in procuring to my American brethren a restitution of their just rights and privileges, will constitute my chief happi ness. 1776. THE PATRIOT'S REWARD. Whatever services I have rendered to my country, in its general approbation I have received an ample reward. 1797. POPULAR SPIRIT. It is a happy circumstance, that such an animation prevails among the people. I would wish to let |