John Dalton - New System of Chemical Philosophy (1808)

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1. Small particles called atoms exist and compose all matter;
2. They are indivisible and indestructible;
3. Atoms of the same chemical element have the same chemical properties and do not transmute or change into different elements.

John Dalton
Chemical analysis and synthesis go no farther than to the separation of particles one from another, and to their reunion. No new creation or destruction of matter is within the reach of chemical agency. We might as well attempt to introduce a new planet into the solar system, or to annihilate one already in existence, as to create or destroy a particle of hydrogen. All the changes we can produce, consist in separating particles that are in a state of cohesion or combination, and joining those that were previously at a distance.

John Dalton
Now it is one great object of this work, to shew the importance and advantage of ascertaining the relative weights of the ultimate particles, both of simple and compound bodies, the number of simple elementary particles which constitute one compound particle, and the number of less compound particles which enter into the formation of one more compound particle.

John Dalton
When we attempt to conceive the number of particles in an atmosphere, it is somewhat like attempting to conceive the number of stars in the universe; we are confounded with the thought. But if we limit the subject, by taking a given volume of any gas, we seem persuaded that, let the divisions be ever so minute, the number of particles must be finite; just as in a given space of the universe, the number of stars and planets cannot be infinite.

John Dalton
The ultimate particles of all homogeneous bodies are perfectly alike in weight, figure &c.

John Dalton
A pure elastic fluid is one the constituent particles of which are all alike, or in no way distinguishable. Steam, or aqueous vapour, hydrogenous gas, oxygenous gas... and several others are of this kind.... Whatever... may be the shape or figure of the solid atom abstractedly, when surrounded by such an atmosphere it must be globular; but as all the globules in any small given volume are subject to the same pressure, they must be equal in bulk, and will therefore be arranged in horizontal strata, like a pile of shot.

John Dalton
These observations have tacitly led to the conclusion which seems universally adopted, that all bodies of sensible magnitude, whether liquid or solid, are constituted of a vast number of extremely small particles, or atoms of matter.

John Dalton
Those who are conversant in practical chemistry, know that not more than one new experiment in five is fit to be reported to the public; the rest are found, upon due reflection, to be some way or other defective, and are useful only as they shew the source of error, and the means of avoiding it.

John Dalton
We do not know that anyone of the bodies denominated elementary, is absolutely decomposable...

John Dalton