“The English nation, for their improvements in the theory of government, has, at least, more merit with the human race than any other among the moderns. The late most beautiful and liberal speculations of many writers, in various parts of Europe, are manifestly derived from English sources. Americans, too, ought for ever to acknowledge their obligations to English writers, or rather have as good a right to indulge a pride in the recollection of them as the inhabitants of the three kingdoms. The original plantation of our country was occasioned, her continual growth has been promoted, and her present liberties have been established by these generous theories.”

— John Adams

Source: 1780s, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government (1787), Ch. 1 Marchamont Nedham : The Right Constitution of a Commonwealth Examined"

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2nd President of the United States 1735–1826

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