American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Gunning Bedford (1747-March 30, 1812) was a signer of the United States Constitution. He was the delegate from Delaware to the Constitutional Convention, where he played a considerable part in the Federal Convention. In 1789, he was appointed to the First Federal District Court by President Washington. Gunning Bedford attended Princeton University, sharing rooms with James Madison. He studied under the influence of John Witherspoon, one of the nation's premier theologians and legal scholars. As a delegate from the State of Delaware, Gunning Bedford would have complied with the requirements for office, as stipulated by that State's constitution: <Article XXII. Every...

John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg (October 1, 1746-October 1, 1807) was an American clergyman, soldier and politician. In 1774, being 30-years-old, he was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and a pastor. He was the son of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, one of the founders of the Lutheran Church in America. In 1775, John Peter Muhlenburg preached a message on Ecclesiastes 3:1, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." He closed his message by saying: <In the language of the Holy Writ, there is a time for all things. There is a time to...

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (February 25, 1746-August 16, 1825) was a signer of the United States Constitution. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and helped to write the Constitution of the State of South Carolina. A Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate, he was a successful lawyer, planter, statesman, soldier, aide-de-camp to General Washington and Brigadier General. Pinckney turned down many offers from President Washington for positions within government, including several cabinet appointments and a place on the U.S. Supreme Court, though he finally accepted the position of U.S. Minister to France. He helped found the Charleston Bible Society and served as...

Princeton University (1746) was originally called "The College of New Jersey." It was founded in Princeton, New Jersey, by the Presbyterian Church. Many influential individuals served as it president, including: Jonathan Dickinson, Aaron Burr Sr., Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, Samuel Finley and Woodrow Wilson, who was the first president not a clergyman. Its president just prior to the Revolutionary War was John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, 1776. Princeton University, under President John Witherspoon, 1768-94, graduated 478 students who directly shaped America, including: James Madison, who served eight years as Secretary of State and eight...

William Paterson (December 24, 1745-September 9, 1806) was a jurist, politician and a signer of the United States Constitution. He served as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1793-1806, having been appointed by President George Washington. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1787; a U.S. Senator, 1789-90; Governor of New Jersey after Governor Livingston died, 1790-93; New Jersey State Attorney General, 1776; member of the State Constitutional Convention, 1776; and a member of the New Jersey Provincial Congress, 1775. The people of his state esteemed him so much that they named the city of Paterson, New Jersey, after him....