"I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery."

"unless someone pops in unexpectedly-Mrs. Washington and myself will do what I believe has not been done within the last twenty years by us, that is to sit down to dinner by ourselves."

"The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon."

"Speak not evil of the absent, for it is a sure way to lose the confidence of all present."

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."