Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights, in order to vest it with requisite powers.
On the necessity of government and the ceding of some natural rights.
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The people are the sovereign of this country, and consequently the founders of such a society as that of the United States.
To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people, each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.
It is not to be doubted that a unanimous and punctual observance of treaties and public engagements are the best fruits of good faith and honorable integrity.
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