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Richard Henry Lee Quotes

Former President of the Continental Congress

Richard Henry Lee was a prominent politician during the American Revolutionary War, serving as the President of the Continental Congress. Born on January 20, 1732, and passing away on June 19, 1794, Lee played a crucial role in the movement for American independence. He proposed the resolution for the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which was a pivotal moment in the war for American independence.

Famous Richard Henry Lee Quotes

“A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.”

Source: An Additional number of letters from the Federal farmer to the Republican, leading to a fair examination of the system of government, proposed by the late Convention: to several essential and necessary alterations in it; and calculated to illustrate and support the principles and positions laid down in the preceding letters. Together with Oberservations on the new Constitution, and on the Federal and State Conventions by a Columbian patriot

“It must never be forgotten...that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government as by the limitation of power.”

People Government Political Freedom Liberty Power Safe Limits Forgotten Limitation Never Forget Gracious

Author:Richard Henry Lee

“It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.”

People Government Liberty Virtue Moral Virtues

Book:Memoir of the Life of Richard H. Lee, and His Correspondence with the Most Distinguished Men in America and Europe

Source: Memoir of the Life of Richard H. Lee, and His Correspondence with the Most Distinguished Men in America and Europe

“Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [...] To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”