American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Sir Henry Vane (baptized May 26, 1613-June 14, 1662) was the Governor of Massachusetts in 1636. An English colonial administrator and statesman, he served as joint treasurer of the English Navy, elected to Long and Short Parliaments and in 1640 was knighted by King Charles I. Sir Henry Vane is noted for having helped Roger Williams secure the Charter for Rhode Island in 1644, which bore Vane's signature as one of the commissioners for the plantation. In April 1663, Roger Williams wrote of Sir Henry Vane: <Under God, the great anchor of our ship is Sir Henry.> 1613HV001 Following Oliver Cromwell's...

Richard Crashaw (c.1613-August 25, 1649) was an English Metaphysical poet, known for using striking figures of speech. He associated with John Donne, and was a contemporary of both John Bunyan and John Milton. At first an Anglican in the High Church, he converted to Catholicism and died as canon of the Santa Casa Cathedral at Loreto. Many of his great poems are contained in Carmen Deo Nostra, 1652. In his Hymn of the Nativity, 1652, Richard Crashaw wrote: <Poor world (said I) what wilt thou do To entertain this starry stranger? Is this the best thou canst bestow? A cold, and...

Third Charter of Virginia (March 12, 1611): <James, by the Grace of God, King of England...Defender of the Faith...Greeting. Whereas at the humble Suit of divers and sundry our loving Subjects, as well Adventurers as Planters of the first Colony in Virginia, and for the Propagation of Christian Religion, and Reclaiming of People barbarous, to Civility and Humanity,  We have...granted unto them...the first Colony in Virginia... We therefore tendering the good and happy Success of the said Plantation, both in Regard of the General Weal of human Society, as in Respect of the Good of our own Estate and Kingdoms,...

Richard Rich (fl.1610) was an Englishman who traveled to Virginia with Captain Christopher Newport. He recounted his voyage in a narrative poem, consisting of twenty-two eight- line verses, titled, Newes from Virginia: The Lost Flock Triumphant, published in London, October 1, 1610, by Edw. Allde. The poem contained the account of their shipwreck on the "Bermoothawes" (Bermudas), which is the probable inspiration for Shakespeare's play, The Tempest. In Newes from Virginia-The Lost Flocke Triumphant, Richard Rich wrote: <With the happy Arrivall of that famous and worthy Knight Sr. Thomas Gates: and the well-reputed and valiant Captaine Mr Christopher Newport, and others, into...

Sir Matthew Hale (November 1, 1609-December 25, 1676) was Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench, a position of high influence in England. He testified: <There is no book like the Bible for excellent wisdom and use.> 1609MH001 <Every morning read seriously and reverently a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and acquaint yourselves with the history and doctrine thereof; it is a Book full of light and wisdom, and will make you wise unto eternal life. Who was it that thus suffered? It was Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God, clothed in our flesh; God and Man united in one person;...