The people are Sovereign. ... at the Revolution, the sovereignty devolved on the people; and they are truly the sovereigns of the country, but they are sovereigns without subjects... with none to govern but themselves; the citizens of America are equal as fellow citizens, and as joint tenants in the sovereignty.
-- John Jay, President of the Continental Congress, 1778 to 1779, first Chief Justice, United States Supreme Court, 1789 to 1795