American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

John Marshall (September 24, 1755-July 6, 1835) was the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by President John Adams, and held that position for 34 years. He had been a captain in the Revolutionary War and had served with General George Washington during the freezing winter at Valley Forge in 1777-78. John Marshall was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and strongly advocated the ratification of the Constitution. He turned down President George Washington's offer to be the U.S. Attorney General, though he later served as U.S. Minister to France, gaining recognition for his refusal to...

Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755-September 22, 1776) was a American patriot of the Revolutionary War. Born in Coventry, Connecticut, he was educated at Yale College and became a teacher at New London. In July of 1775, he joined a Connecticut regiment of volunteers, as did his five brothers. He enlisted as a first lieutenant and within six months was promoted to captain, stationed near New York City. When General Washington appealed for someone to gather desperately needed intelligence on the British forces, Nathan Hale volunteered. He disguised himself as a Dutch schoolmaster and discreetly visited the British camps in New...

Rufus King (March 24, 1755-April 29, 1827) was an attorney, politician and a diplomat. He was one of the signers of the Constitution of the United States; a member of the Continental Congress; a diplomat; a U.S. Minister to England; and a U.S. Senator from New York. He also served as an aide to General Sullivan during the Revolutionary War. At 32 years old, Rufus King, a graduate of Harvard, was one of the youngest delegates at the Constitutional Convention. In a speech made before the Senate at the time Missouri was petitioning for statehood, Rufus King stated: <I hold...

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755-July 11, 1804) was a signer of the U.S. Constitution. He was known as the "Ratifier of the Constitution," writing 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers. These were of immense significance in influencing the States to ratify the Constitution, which was much needed, as two-thirds of the States were required to approve it in order for it to go into effect. Although Alexander Hamilton was raised on the island of Nevis, West Indies, he supported the American's cause. In 1772, at age 15, he came to America. In 1773, he attended King's College, New York, where...

Abraham Baldwin (November 22, 1754-March 4, 1807) was an attorney, educator and politician, He was a signer of the Constitution of the United States, member of Congress and U.S. Senator. He graduated from Yale University and, in 1781, was offered the professorship of divinity there. He served as chaplain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later studied law. In 1783 he was admitted to the bar, elected to the state assembly, and later chosen as a representative from Georgia to the Constitutional Convention. In 1785, he founded and became the first President of the University of Georgia, which...