American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Sir William Blackstone (July 10, 1723-February 14, 1780) was an English jurist who deeply influenced the growth of Common Law, jurisprudence and the basis of law in America. In 1758, he was honored by being elected Oxford's first Vinerian lecturer, and in 1770, he became one of the Judges of the Common Pleas. From 1765 to 1770, Sir William Blackstone published his highly influential work titled, Commentaries on the Laws of England. These were so universally accepted in America that by 1775 they had sold more copies in America than in England. This work set the foundation for America's great legal...

Adam Smith (June 16, 1723-July 17, 1790) was a Scottish pioneer of political economy, considered the father of modern economics. In 1759, Smith wrote The Theory of Moral Sentiments and in 1776 he wrote An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, considered the first modern work of economics. After the invincible Spanish Armada set sail May 19, 1588, to conquer England. Queen Elizabeth relied on Sir Francis Drake and his smaller, faster vessels. Drake ingeniously floated burning ships at night into the anchored Spanish fleet, dispersing them in a panic. Aided by gale force winds half...

Roger Sherman (April 19, 1721-July 23, 1793) was an American Revolutionary patriot, jurist and politician. He was distinguished as the only Founding Father to sign all four major founding documents: The Articles of Association, 1774; The Declaration of Independence, 1776; The Articles of Confederation, 1777; and The Constitution of the United States, 1787. Roger Sherman was a shoe cobbler, surveyor and merchant prior to his political career. He was a self-taught lawyer; a state senator; a superior court judge; and a judge in Connecticut for fourteen years. He was member of the Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence....

Jonathan Mayhew (October 8, 1720-July 9, 1766) was a Congregational minister of West Church in Boston. In 1747, he graduated with honors from Harvard and in 1765, he was given the distinguished position of Dudlein Lecturer at Harvard. In 1765, reflecting the colonists' feelings toward King George III's hated Stamp Act, Jonathan Mayhew state in a sermon: <The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe the legal rights of the people, as the people are bound to yield subjection to him. From whence it follows that as soon as the prince sets himself above the law, he...

Ebenezer Bridge (1716-1792) a well-known clergyman in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, delivered an "Election Sermon" in 1767, in which he stated: <The Supreme ruler and governor of the universe hath so adjusted things in the moral world, that order and government are necessary for advancement his own glory, and promoting the good of his rational, intelligent creatures. And it is very obvious that anarchy and confusion must terminate in the destruction of men's lives, as well as of their liberty and property.> 1716EB001 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes:  1716EB001. William...