Religious Freedom Archive

George Washington, General Orders, March 22, 1783

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington March 22, 1783 Washington orders his soldiers to observe the Sabbath. Parole Ghent. Countersigns Holland, Ireland. For the day tomorrow Major Ashley. Brigd. Qr. Master 3d. Massa. Brigade. For duty the 2d. Massachusetts regiment. In justice to the zeal and ability of the Chaplains, as well as to his own feelings, the Commander in chief thinks it a duty to declare the regularity and decorum with which divine service is now performed every sunday, will reflect great credit…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 16, 1775

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 16, 1775 Washington orders his troops to worship and abide by Congress’s declaration of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 16, 1775. Parole Carolina. Countersign Springfield. The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next the 20th. Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the english Colonies upon this Continent, as a Day of public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts and Voice unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 9, 1776 George Washington announces the new policy of providing military chaplains. Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 9, 1776 Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at the usual time and place. Passes to go from the…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 04, 1775

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 1 comment

George Washington July 4, 1775 Washington believed that God’s favor would be determined not only by the righteousness of the cause but the behavior of the soldiers and citizens. Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 4, 1775. Parole Abington. Countersign Bedford. Exact returns to be made by the proper Officers of all the Provisions Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Powder, Lead working Tools of all kinds, Tents, Camp Kettles, and all other Stores under their respective care, belonging to the Armies at Roxbury and…

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First Inaugural Address of George Washington, 1789

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington April 30, 1789 He invokes the Almighty Being, the Great Author, and “benign Parent of the Human Race.” Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the 14th day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I…

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Letter from George Washington to George Washington Snyder

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Synder September 25, 1798 Mount Vernon, September 25, 1798. Sir: Many apologies are due to you, for my not acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favour of the 22d. Ulto, and for not thanking you, at an earlier period, for the Book you had the goodness to send me. I have heard much of the nefarious, and dangerous plan, and doctrines of the Illuminati, but never saw the Book until you were pleased to send it to me. The…

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Delaware Declaration of Rights and Fundamental Rules, September 11, 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Delaware Congress September 11, 1776 The religious freedom clauses of the Delaware declaration of rights granted broad religious freedom to “all Persons professing the Christian Religion.” That all Men have a natural and unalienable Right to worship Almighty God according to the Dictates of their own Consciences and Understandings; that no Man ought or of Right can be compelled to attend any religious Worship or maintain any Ministry contrary to or against his own free Will and Consent, and that…

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Delaware Constitution of 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 1 comment

Delaware 1776 Article 22 of the Constitution required officeholders to swear belief in the Trinity and the “divine inspiration” of the Bible. Art. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit: “I, A B, will bear true allegiance to…

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Letter from Danbury Baptists to Thomas Jefferson, October 7, 1801

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Danbury Baptists October 7, 1801 This is the letter that prompted Jefferson’s famous letter declaring there to be a wall separating church and state. Sir, — Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your Election to office; we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyd in our collective capacity, since your Inauguration, to express our great satisfaction, in your appointment to the chief Majestracy in the United States; And though our mode of expression may…

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