The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; . . . . We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors . . . [they] transmitted them to us with care and diligence.
Source: Article published in 1771.
-- Samuel Adams, (Sep 27 1722-1803), US revolutionary, statesman; He was leader of the Massachusetts radicals, and the force behind the Boston Tea Party, 1773; signer of the Declaration of Independence.