“I am only an average man, but, by George, I work harder at it than the average man.” —Theodore Roosevelt
In his July 3 letter to Abigail, John Adams described what lay ahead: “I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.” But he added,
Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

“It has been said that America is a country for the poor, not for the rich. There would be more correctness in saying it is the country for both.”
Letter to Francis Corbin, November 26, 1820