The passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the Government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.
The whole frame of the Federal Constitution proves that the government which it creates was intended to be one of limited and specified powers.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue to be of a pacific character.
Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.
Although... the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a party only, but of the whole people of the United States.
I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.