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Author: Religious Freedom Archive

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

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George Washington January 1, 1790 The liberal sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country stands unrivalled in the history of nations. The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation; and the repeated proofs which my fellow citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite…

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Sixth Annual Message of George Washington, November 19, 1794

Sixth Annual Message of George Washington, November 19, 1794

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George Washington November 19, 1794 In the final paragraph, Washington called upon Divine support for his policies opposing the Whiskey Rebellion. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of Heaven by which the American people became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our country, and look forward to the riches, power, and happiness to which it seems destined, with the deepest regret do I announce…

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Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May 10, 1789

Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May 10, 1789

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George Washington May 10, 1789 Washington is trying to reassure the Baptists that the new Constitution would provide sufficient guarantees of religious freedom, despite the absence of a Bill of Rights. Gentlemen: I request that you will accept my best acknowledgements for your congratulation on my appointment to the first office in the nation. The kind manner in which you mention my past conduct equally claims the expression of my gratitude. After we had, by the smiles of Heaven on…

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Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

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George Washington March 15, 1790 One of Washington’s greatest contributions to religious freedom was his insistence, as Commander of the Continental Army, that Catholics be treated as equal American citizens. While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has given you an opportunity of realizing, instead…

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Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregations of the City of Savannah, Georgia

Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregations of the City of Savannah, Georgia

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George Washington thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office which I have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow-citizens, and especially the expressions you are pleased to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congregations. As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has afforded me an opportunity for appreciating the merits of the Federal Government and for communicating…

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Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, August, 18 1790

Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, August, 18 1790

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George Washington August, 18 1790 For most of the Colonial era, “tolerance” meant tolerance for different denominations of Christians, and sometimes Catholics. In this famous letter, Washington declared that American tolerance included Jews, too. While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens. The reflection…

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Letter from George Washington to the Grand Master of Free Masons of Massachusetts, December 27, 1792

Letter from George Washington to the Grand Master of Free Masons of Massachusetts, December 27, 1792

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George Washington December 27, 1792 To the Grand Master of the Free & Accepted Masons, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Flattering as it may be to the human mind, & truly honorable as it is to receive from our fellow citizens testimonies of approbation for exertions to promote the public welfare; it is not less pleasing to know that the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a society whose liberal principles must be founded in the immediate…

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Letter from George Washington to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches

Letter from George Washington to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches

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George Washington January 1, 1789 While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven as the source of all public and private blessings; I will observe that the general prevalence of piety, philanthropy, honesty, industry, and economy seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs, particularly necessary for advancing and conforming the happiness of our country. While all men within our territories are protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of their consciences; it is rationally to…

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Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

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George Washington July 8, 1777 Washington opposed a proposal from the Continental Congress to appoint chaplains on a brigade level, instead of based on smaller regimental groups, a system that would have made it less likely that the chaplain would represent the denominations of the soldiers to which he was ministering. Such an approach, he explained, “would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess.” Instead, having chaplains matched to local sensibilities was “founded on a…

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Letter from George Washington to the Ancient York Masons of Pennsylania, 1792

Letter from George Washington to the Ancient York Masons of Pennsylania, 1792

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George Washington January 3, 1792 Presented 3 January 1792 To the Ancient York Masons of the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. Gentlemen & Brothers, I receive your kind congratulations with the purest sensations of fraternal affection; and from a heart deeply impressed with your generous wishes for my present and future happiness, I beg you to accept my thanks. — At the same time, I request you will be assured of my best wishes and earnest prayers for your happiness while you…

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