American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Jacob Duche' (January 31, 1738-January 3, 1798) was the Anglican clergyman. At the request of the Continental Congress, opened the first session of Congress with prayer. As recorded in the Journals of the Continental Congress, the first official act of Congress, immediately upon receiving the news that British troops had attacked Boston, was to open in prayer: <Tuesday, September 6, 1774. Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Duche' be desired to open the Congress tomorrow morning with prayers, at the Carpenter's Hall, at 9 o'clock.> 1738JD001 The 35th Psalm, the Psalter for September 7th, was read by Rev. Mr. Jacob Duche' in...

Ethan Allen (January 21, 1738-February 12, 1789) was an American Revolutionary War leader and Commander of the Green Mountain Boys. On the morning of May 10, 1775, in a surprise attack, Allen's troops surrounded Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. Ethan Allen demanded that Captain de la Place surrender the fort instantly. The bewildered captain asked in whose name and in whose authority Allen was making such a demand. Ethan Allen responded: <In the Name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.> 1738EA001 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement....

Charles Carroll (September 19, 1737-November 14, 1832) was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the first signers of the Declaration of Independence. Born at Annapolis, Maryland, he became one of the richest men in the Colonies. Charles, who outlived all the other signers, made many daring speeches and greatly supported the patriot cause with his finances. When he signed his name to the Declaration, someone commented that there were many men with the name "Charles Carroll" and that the British would not know which one was him. He at once added "of Carrollton," and was known by...

Thomas Paine (January 29, 1737-June 8, 1809) was the American Revolutionary author who wrote a sixteen-pamphlet series titled, The American Crisis, which he signed "Common Sense." Greatly fanning the flames of colonial independence, his first essay, issued December 23, 1776, was read out loud to the Colonial Army at Valley Forge by order of General Washington. In The American Crisis, Thomas Paine wrote: <THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks...

John Hancock (January 12, 1737-October 8, 1793) was an American merchant and Revolutionary leader. He was a graduate of Harvard, 1754, a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 1766-72; and a member of the Continental Congress, 1774-78. He became well-known for being the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was the Governor of Massachusetts, 1780-85, 1787-93. On March 5, 1774, on the occasion of the Boston Massacre, John Hancock gave an oration in Boston, which was printed in five pamphlet editions and widely circulated: <Some boast of being "friends to government": I am a friend to "righteous" government,...