Voices of the American Revolution Images courtesy Library of Congress

"I cannot conclude without mentioning how sensibly I feel the dismemberment of America from this empire, and that I should be miserable indeed if I did not feel that no blame on that account can be laid at my door, and I did not also know that knavery seems to be so much the striking feature of its inhabitants that it may not in the end be an evil that they will become aliens to this kingdom." -King George III, Letter to Shelburne, 1782

"Nothing short of independence, it appears to me, can possibly do. A peace on other terms would..... be a peace of war." - George Washington, Letter to John Banister, 1778

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." “I pronounce it as certain that there was never yet a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” - Benjamin Franklin

“Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own.” - Thomas Jefferson, Rights of British America, 1774

"Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.... This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution." - John Adams, 1818

“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." - Patrick Henry

"Neglected by Congress below, distressed with the small-pox; want of Generals and discipline in our Army, which may rather be called a great rabble, our credit and reputation lost, and great part of the country; and a powerful foreign enemy advancing upon us, are so many difficulties we cannot surmount them." - Benedict Arnold