Henry Cabot Lodge: “When we should be ready and willing to fight we could settle that question, but not before.”

He had that entire simplicity of manners and modes of life which is the crowning result of the highest culture and the finest nature.

After stating plainly that the army was on the verge of dissolution, he said: "To me it will appear miraculous if our affairs can maintain themselves much longer in their present train.

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.

All that can be said is, that without the influence and the labors of Washington the convention of 1787, in all probability, would have failed of success.