How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He spake that evening of America, saying: "My friends—this is a continent that beckons with its mighty crags, its thunderous rivers, its gloomy forests, so filled with unknown life. Yes? God has spread here a mighty canvas, stretched and ready for the artist's hand. Everywhere there is bounty, demanding to be plucked from the tree; and trees, that, in their ancient beauty, beg to be felled and made into ships and houses on the illimitable hills of this land, offered so freely to civilized man. I believe fully, gentlemen, that the Golden Age shall come again in this new Eden." (1.5.39)
Mr. Gitney's going on about how America is basically a big buffet table God gives to the "civilized man" and that "civilized man" should just go hog-wild and do what he wants with what he's given—like build houses and ships and stuff. His attitude is kind of like that guy who kills all the truffula trees to make thneeds in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.
Quote #2
Well canst thou imagine that I could not hazard our little portion on such a dangerous business, which venture can end only in financial ruin and the destruction of Christians by heathen tomahawk and the tricks of barbarous Deviltry. I should not be sorry, did the Lord sweep the savages further to the west; but I doubt His divine will shall ever be expressed through Virginians. They are not his especial people. (1.13.12)
This is from Dr. Matthias Fruhling's letter to his wife, and, just so you know, that "Dr." in front of his name doesn't mean he can't be a total racist… which he pretty much is, if you can't tell already. But what's ironic is that his brand of racism would actually leave Native American people alone. We're guessing if the rest of America followed Dr. Fruhling's ideas, Native Americans would be a whole lot happier about their place in American history.
Quote #3
My mentor murmured in Latin, "We Americans are not fond of the customs duties. We do not appreciate taxation."
"What," I asked, "are customs duties for?"
He answered almost too quickly for me to translate, "These? For the Crown's protection against the French and for the extermination and rout of the Indians so we might settle. We forget men must be paid to kill. Even an act as simple as leveling a village is costly; rapine is not cheap; and children, I am afraid, will not burn themselves." (1.18.20-22)
Octavian's talking to Dr. 09-01 here, who's trying to explain to Octavian why a Customs Inspector is being tarred, feathered and beaten in front of them. 09-01 is also pointing out an interpretation of taxes that remains relevant today—you'd be hard pressed to find somebody who's exclusively pleased with what the taxes they pay funds.