"The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time they will be found to improve, and not to be much inferior in eloquence, science, and dignity, to the British Commons. They are patriotic enough, and I believe there are more stupid people in the latter, in proportion."

““But differ greatly in the sequel.” --Fisher Ames, when confronted with the declaration that all men are created equal”

“Fisher Ames expressed the popular security more wisely, when he compared a monarchy and a republic, saying, "that a monarchy is a merchantman, which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock, and go to the bottom; whilst a republic is a raft, which would never sink, but then your feet are always in water.”

“The gentleman puts me in mind of an old hen which persists in setting after her eggs are taken away.”

““intended our government should be a republic, which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism.”

“It was said by Fisher Ames that “falsehood proceeds from Maine to Georgia, while truth is pulling on his boots”.”

“Liberty has never yet lasted long in a democracy; nor has it ever ended in any thing better than despotism.”