George Washington: “I have thought proper to nominate, and do hereby nominate, John Jay as envoy extraordinary of the United States to His…”

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

Satisfied, therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavored to avert war, and exhausted to the last drop the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause.

I must not conceal from you my earnest wish that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of war.

Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.