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I had rather be in my grave than in my present situation, I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world and yet they charge me with wanting to be a king.

George Washington

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George Washington
Age: 67 †
Born: 1732
Born: February 22
Died: 1799
Died: December 14
1St U.S. President
Cartographer
Engineer
Farmer
Land Surveyor
Military Officer
Politician
Slaveholder
Statesperson
Westmoreland County
Virginia
Washington
President Washington
G. Washington
Father of the United States
The American Fabius
Rather
Charge
World
Grave
Graves
Wanting
King
Kings
Emperor
Present
Farm
Situation
Farms

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I commend you, however, for passing the time in as merry a manner as you possibly could it is assuredly better to go laughing than crying thro' the rough journey of life.
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May 12-13: Sowed Hemp at Muddy hole by Swamp. August 7: Began to separate the Male from the Female at Do - rather too late.
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Let me ... warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party.
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We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture.
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Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.
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It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves to them.
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History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.
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There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.
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It is a maxim, founded on the universal experience of mankind, that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest and no prudent statesman or politician will venture to depart from it.
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There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
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In disputes, be not so desirous to overcome as to not give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.
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This tribe of black gentry work more effectually against us, than the enemy's arms. They are a hundred times more dangerous to our liberties, and the great cause we are engaged in. It is much to be lamented that each State, long ere this, has not hunted them down as pests to society, and the greatest enemies we have to the happiness of America.
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Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.
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A lottery is the perfect tax...laid only upon the willing.
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I am not only retired from all public employments, but I am retiring within myself, and shall be able to view the solitary walk and tread the paths of private life with heartfelt satisfaction.
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Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large.
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The scheme, my dear Marqs. which you propose as a precedent, to encourage the emancipation of the black people of this Country from that state of Bondage in wch. they are held, is a striking evidence of the benevolence of your Heart. I shall be happy to join you in so laudable a work.
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Being a politician makes your hair turn white.
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At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.
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The crisis is arrived when we must assert our rights, or submit to every imposition, that can be heaped upon us, till custom and use shall make us as tame and abject slaves, as the blacks we rule over with such arbitrary sway.
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