These are quotes of a more personal and character nature.
View of Himself & Character
I know that obscure as I am, my name is making considerable deal of fuss in the world. I can't tell why it is, nor in what it is to end. Go where I will, everybody seems anxious to get a peep at me.
1834 Narrative
I know'd this was a whapper of a lie, as soon as I heard it.
On hearing reports of his own death in 1816
You know that I am a poor man; and that I am a plain man. I have served you long enough in peace, to enable you to judge whether I am honest or not - I never deceived you - I never will deceive you. I have fought with you and for you in war, and you know whether I love my country, and ought to be trusted.
Election letter to constituents
I thought with him, as he thought before he was President: he has altered his opinion - I have not changed mine. I have not left the principles which led me to support General Jackson: he has left them and me; and I will not surrender my independence to follow his new opinions, taught by interested and selfish advisers, and which may again be remoulded under the influence of passion and cunning.
On friendship with Andrew Jackson & principles
I am not inclined to adopt a vote of thanks to any man, without knowing what for, or being satisfied they are deserved.
Commenting on a 'vote of thanks' to an earlier House Speaker
President Jackson has made his will. I suppose he has willed his soul to God - if he has not, he ought to...
Glimpse on his religious views
Family Matters
Having gotten my wife, I thought I was completely made up, and needed nothing more in the whole world. But I soon found this was all a mistake - for now having a wife, I wanted every thing else; and, worse than all, I had nothing to give for it.
Reflecting on the responsibility of marriage
In this time we had two sons, and I found I was better at increasing my family than my fortune.
On the needs of his young family
Death, that cruel leveller of all distinctions...entered my humble cottage, and tore from my children an affectionate good mother, and from me a tender and loving wife.
On the death of his first wife
...I determined not to break full handed, but thought it better to keep a good conscience with any empty purse, than to get a bad opinion of myself, with a full one. I therefore gave up all I had, and took a bran-fire new start.
On paying debts
I wasn't quite dead, but mighty nigh it; but I had my powder, and that was what I went for.
After risking death in an icy river to obtain powder
About this time, I met with a very severe misfortune..."Just pay up, as long as you have bit's worth in the world; and then every body will be satisfied, and we will scuffle for more." This was just such talk as I wanted to hear, for a man's wife can hold him devlish uneasy, if she begins to scold, and fret, and perplex him, at a time when he has a full load for a rail-road car on his mind already.
His second wife's support at the time of economic tragedy
I have thought that I was never to see my family any more tho thanks be to God, I hope that I am recovering as fast as I could expect. I have a great hope that I am to spend the ballance of the Session with much better health.
Upon recovering from illness on his way to Washington DC
This convinced me, clearly, of one of the hateful ways of the world. When I made my report, it wasn't believed, because I was no officer; I was no great man, but just a poor soldier. But when the same thing was reported by Major Gibson! why, then, it was all as true as preaching, and the colonel believed every word.
Reaction to an officer at Ten Islands Camp 1813
...I don't want it understood that I have come electioneering. I have just crept out of the cane, to see what discoveries I could make among the white folks.
Comments to an 'aristocratic' political opponent at a rally
That if the bounty of the government is to be at all bestowed, the destitute poor, and not the rich...are the objects who most claim it... That no one class of citizens...has an exclusive right to demand or receive...more than an equal and ratable proportion of the funds of the national treasury, which is replenished by a common contribution, and in some instance, more at the cost of the poor man, who has but little to defend, than that of the rich man, who seldom fights to defend himself or his property. That each and every institution, calculated at public expense, and under the patronage and sanction of the Government, to grant exclusive priviledges except in consideration of public service, is not only an aristocratic but downright invasion of the rights of citizens...
Comments on the funding of West Point
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The Infoporium
The Infoporium