American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Continental Congress (September 11, 1777) a Committee approved and recommended to the people that 20,000 copies of The Holy Bible be imported from sources other than England. This was in response to the shortage of Bibles in America caused by the Revolutionary War interrupting trade with the King's commissioned printers. The Chaplain of Congress, Patrick Allison, brought the matter to the attention of Congress, who assigned it to a special Congressional Committee, which reported: <The use of the Bible is so universal and its importance so great that your committee refers the above to the consideration of Congress, and if...

Vermont Constitution (July 8, 1777): <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 the other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever those great ends of government are not obtained, the people have a right, by common consent, to change it, and take such measures as to them may appear necessary to promote their safety and happiness... And whereas, the inhabitants of this State have (in consideration of protection only)...

New York Jewish "Ketubah" Marriage Certificate (July 6, 1777) of Haym Salomon with Rachel Franks was published in New York. President Calvin Coolidge paid tribute to Haym Solomon, May 3, 1925, laying the cornerstone of the Jewish Community Center, Washington, D.C.: <There is a romance in the story of Haym Solomon, Polish Jew financier of the Revolution. Born in Poland, he was made prisoner by the British forces in New York, and when he escaped set up in business in Philadelphia. He negotiated for Robert Morris all the loans raised in France and Holland, pledged his personal faith and fortune...

New York Constitution (April 20, 1777): <Whereas the Delegates of the United American States, in general (Congress convened, did, on the fourth day of July now last past, solemnly publish and declare, in the words following; viz: "When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them... "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal;...

Henry Clay (April 12, 1777-June 29, 1852) was an American politician. The son of a Baptist minister, Henry Clay studied law under George Wythe. He served in Congress over 40 years, being elected Speaker of the House six times. Serving as a U.S. Senator, Representative and Secretary of State, Clay was part of the "Great Triumvirate," with Daniel Webster and John Calhoun, which led Congress in the early to mid-1800's. Clay helped negotiate the treaty that ended the War of 1812 and was key to John Quincy Adams being the 6th President instead of Andrew Jackson. Clay was three times...