American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794-March 4, 1858) was the U.S. Navy Commodore who opened Japan to world trade through a dramatic show of force on July 8, 1853 and again in February 1854. His brother was Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, who won fame in the war of 1812. Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry stated: <I have just finished the Bible; I make it a point to read it through every cruise. It is certainly a wonderful Book-a most wonderful Book....From boyhood I have taken a deep interest in Christianizing the heathen, and in imparting a knowledge of God's revealed truth...

Vermont Constitution (July 9, 1793): <CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 1. That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety: therefore, no male person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave, or apprentice, after he arrives to the age of twenty one years, nor female in like manner, after she arrives to the age of eighteen...

Felicia Dorothea Browne Hemans (September 25, 1793-May 16, 1835) was an English poet. She was noted for her naturalness and simplicity. Sir Walter Scott wrote the epilogue for her play, The Vespers of Palermo. Felicia Hemans is best known to American readers for her work, The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, in which she penned: <What sought they thus afar? Bright jewels of the mine? The wealth of seas, the spoils of war? They sought a faith's pure shrine! Ay, call it holy ground, The soil where they first trod! They have left unstained what there they found - Freedom to worship...

New Hampshire (1792, 1804, 1805, 1817) separate acts of legislation were passed giving exemptions given to Episcopalians, Baptists, Universalists, and Methodists, providing that each should be <considered as a distinct denomination, with privileges as such.> 1792NH002 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1792NH002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New Hampshire Constitution, 1792, 1804, 1805, 1817.

New Hampshire Constitution (1792): <PART FIRST, ARTICLE 4. Among the natural rights, some are in their very nature unalienable, because no equivalent can be given or received for them. Of this kind are the rights of conscience. ARTICLE 5. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience and reason; and no person shall be hurt, molested, or restrained in his person, liberty, or estate for worshipping God in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persuasion; provided he doth...