An exerpt from an essay which appeared in a New York newspaper in 1860 which brought this man national attention.

Tha are like sum men, verry korrupt at harte; ive known them tu be good mules for 6 months, just tu git a goof chance to kick sumbody.
I never owned one, nor never mean to, unless thare is a United States law passed, requiring it.
The only reason why tha are pashunt, is bekause tha are ashamed ov themselfs.
I have seen eddikated mules in a sirkus.
Tha kould kick, and bite, tremenjis. I would not sa what I am forced tu sa again the mule, if his birth want an outrage, man want tu blame for it.
enny man who is willing tu drive a mule, ought to be exempt by law from running for the legilatur.
Tha are the strongest creeturs on earth, and heaviest ackording tu their sise; I herd tell ov one who fell oph from the tow path, on the Eri kanawl, and sunk as soon as he touched bottom, but kept rite on towing the boat tu the nex stashun, breathing thru his ears, which stuck out ov the water about 2 feet 6 inches; i didn't see this did, but an auctioneer told me ov it, and i never knew an auctioneer tu lie unless it was absolutely convenient.

I hold that a manhaz az much rite tew spell a word as it iz pronounsed az he haz tew pronounse it the way it ain't spelt Josh Billings

i rekon ther is hope 4 sum1 like mee - Firstring