I have much to say why my reputation should be rescued from the load of false accusation and calumny which has been heaped upon it.

Let there be no inscription upon my tomb let no man write my epitaph: no man can write my epitaph.

Let no man dare, when I am dead. to charge me with dishonor let no man attaint my memory by believing that I could have engaged in any cause but that of my country's liberty and independence, or that I could have become the pliant minion of power in the oppression or the miseries of my countrymen.

Let no man write my epitaph. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written.

Calumniators are those who have neither good hearts nor good understandings. We ought not to think ill of any one till we have palpable proof and even then we should not expose them to others.