American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

James Buchanan (April 23, 1791-June 1, 1868) the 15th President of the United States, 1857-61, attempted unsuccessfully to circumvent the rising tension over slavery; U.S. Minister to Great Britain, 1853- 56; Secretary of State under James K. Polk, 1845-49; U.S. Senator, 1834-45; U.S. Minister to Russia, 1832-34; U.S. Representative, 1821-31; the only bachelor President as his fiancee, Ann Coleman, died suddenly when he was a young man, 1820; member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, 1814-16; served in the War of 1812; admitted to bar, 1812; and graduated from Dickinson College, 1809. While serving in Russia as the U.S. Minister, 1832-33, James...

Vermont (March 4, 1791) was the 14th State admitted into the Union. The Constitution of the State of Vermont, adopted 1777, stated: <Preamble. Whereas all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community, as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of existence has bestowed on man.> 1791VT001 <DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, III. That all men have a natural and Unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding, regulated by the word of...

South Carolina Constitution (1790): <ARTICLE 1, SECTION 23. And whereas the ministers of the Gospel are by their profession dedicated to the service of God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their function, therefore no minister of the Gospel or public Preacher of any religious persuasion, while he continues in the exercise of his pastoral function, shall be eligible to the office of governor, lieutenant-governor, or to a seat in the senate or house of representatives. ARTICLE 8, SECTION 1. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship,...

Pennsylvania Constitution (1790): <We, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution... ARTICLE 9, SECTION 3. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any Ministry, against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of...

Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (May 29, 1790) was the 13th State admitted to the Union. In 1784, the legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations passed an Act abolishing slavery within the State. On May 29, 1790, the Convention of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ratified the Constitution of the United Staets: <We the Delegates of the People of the State of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, duly elected and met in Convention, having maturely considered the Constitution for the United States of America, agreed to on the seventeenth day of September, in the...