American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Massachusetts Grand Jury (1802) appointed by Judge Nathaniel Freeman, defined: <The laws of the Christian system, as embraced by The Bible, must be respected as of high authority in all our courts and it cannot be thought improper for the officers of such government to acknowledge their obligation to be governed by its rule.... [Our government] originating in the voluntary compact of a people who in that very instrument profess the Christian religion, it may be considered, not as republic Rome was, a Pagan, but a Christian republic.> 1802MS001 The State of Massachusetts paid the salaries of the Congregational ministers...

Danbury Baptist Association Letter (October 7, 1801) to President Thomas Jefferson, regarding the State of Connecticut's establishment of the Congregational Denomination from its founding till disestablishment in 1818. Jefferson had previously helped Baptists in Virginia by disestablishing the Anglican denomination there in 1786: <The address of the Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut; assembled October 7th 1801. To Thomas Jefferson Esq., the President of the united States of America. Sir, Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your Election to office, we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyed in our collective capacity,...

David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801-August 14, 1870) was an Admiral in the U.S. Navy, 1866. He had served as the Navy's first Rear Admiral, a rank he earned in 1862 by capturing New Orleans during the Civil War. He helped General Ulysses S. Grant capture Vicksburg in 1863, and then took command of a fleet to capture Mobile, Alabama, in 1864. Through tremendous fire, Farragut bravely forced his way into Mobile Bay, which was filled with mines (torpedoes), roaring his phrase, <Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!> 1801DF001 In the Life and Letters of Admiral D.G. Farragut, written by...

William Henry Seward (May 16, 1801-October 10, 1872) was Governor of the State of New York, 1839-43; U.S. Senator 1849-61; and Secretary of State under President Lincoln during the War between the States, 1861-65. Lincoln's assassins also attempted to kill him; one of John Wilkes Booth's accomplices broke into Seward's home and wounded him. He later served as Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson, 1865-69, working to implement the "reconstruction" in the South. Among his accomplishments was the negotiation of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, 1867. At the time it was mockingly called "Seward's Folly," as the land...

Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay (October 25, 1800-December 28, 1859) was an English statesman, essayist, historian and poet. He was a member of Parliament, 1830-56, an eloquent debater, and he served on the Supreme Council in India. His writings were highly popular, as he made historical figures come alive with a vivid style. His works include the Lays of Ancient Rome and The History of England from the Accession of James II, 5 vols., 1849-61. In his piece titled, On John Dryden, 1828, Lord Macaulay stated: <The English Bible-a book which if everything else in our language should perish, would alone...