Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, Reflections on the Observations on the Importance of the American Revolution, and the Means of Making it a Benefit to the World, trans. Richard Price, new edn (Philadelphia, PA: Printed by T. Seddon and W. Spotswood, 1786).

Never before had any nation such powerful motives for mutual affection. Never before did such urgent interests strengthen the bonds of fraternity among men. The citizens of each of those states never surely can forget how much they owe to the citizens of all the other states. From the august assembly of the continental congress nothing ever can be feared. Its members will always be wisely elected; for a free people never err in the choice of their representatives. No free man, undoubtedly, will ever think of entrusting mercenaries with the defence of that country, which has been dyed with one's blood. The most fatal deception of what in Europe is called politics, has been to suppose credit useful, and to throw a part of the duties of the present upon future generations. This horrible system originates in a want of patriotism; and paves the way for a revolution.