Henry Cabot Lodge: “The United States will never have occasion, I hope, to ask for the interposition of that power, or any other, to…”

It showed that America had demonstrated to Europe that she could win independence, and it had been proved to the traditional enemy of England that the time had come when it would be profitable to help the revolted colonies.

Fortitude in misfortune is more common than composure in the hour of victory.

Let us imitate this prudence; and, before we float farther on the waves of this debate, refer to the point from which we departed, that we may, at least, be able to conjecture where we now are.

Washington was wholly free from the vulgar ambition of the usurper, and the desire of mere personal aggrandizement found no place in his nature.