Colonial Period

A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law by John Adams, 1765

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

John Adams 1765 Patriots equated the practices of the Church of England with that of the Catholic Church. On August 12, 1765, the Boston Gazette published an essay again linking both churches to each other, and to tyranny. The essay argued that religious canon law – “extensive and astonishing” — was created by the “the Romish clergy for the aggrandizement of their own order.” Church law enslaved people by “reducing their minds to a state of sordid ignorance and staring timidity” and…

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Letter from James Madison to James Monroe, April 12, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Monroe April 12, 1785 In the third paragraph, Madison updates his friend James Monroe about the “general assessment,” Patrick Henry’s proposal to tax Virginians to help support religion. He notes with contempt that the Presbyterians had opposed state support of religion when Orange April 12 1785. Dear Sir,— I wrote you not long since by a young gentleman who proposed to go as far as N. Y. acknowledging the rect. of your favor of Feby 1st. I have since…

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The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison June 6, 1787 During the debate about the balance of powers between states and the federal government, James Madison argued for less state power in part on the grounds that the colonies had persecuted religion. He also argued that they couldn’t count on religious values to temper bad behavior as “Religion itself may become a motive to persecution & oppression.” Mr. PINKNEY according to previous notice & rule obtained, moved “that the first branch of the national Legislature…

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Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments by James Madison, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison June 20, 1785 This is one of the most important documents in the history of religious freedom. James Madison wrote it as part of a drive (by Patrick Henry and the Episcopal Church) to tax Virginians to help support religion. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the churc We the subscribers, citizens of the said Commonwealth, having taken into serious consideration, a Bill printed by order of the last Session of General Assembly, entitled “A Bill establishing a provision…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, April 1, 1774

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison April 1, 1774 After graduating from Princeton (then called the College of New Jersey) James Madison returned to Virginia to find a wave of persecution. He writes here to his college friend, William Bradford, about efforts to protect religious minorities. Our Assembly is to meet the first of May When It is expected something will be done in behalf of the Dissenters: Petitions I hear are already forming among the Persecuted Baptists and I fancy it is in…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, January 24, 1774

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison January 24, 1774 Madison contrasts the persecution he’s witnessing at home in Virginia with the freedom he saw in Philadelphia, home of his Princeton classmate, William Bradford. The persecution of the Baptists in Northern Virginia apparently influenced Madison greatly, want again to breathe your free Air. I expect it will mend my Constitution & confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an Atmosphere at home as the Climate will allow: but have nothing to brag of as…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, November 9, 1772

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison November 9, 1772 A young James Madison writes his Princeton classmate congratulating him on his decision to study the humanities but suggests that they might add religious studies too, less they become so full themselves that they “neglect to have our names enrolled in th Orange Virginia, Novr. 9th. 1772 My dear Billey, You moralize so prettily that if I were to judge from some parts of your letter of October 13 I should take you for an…

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Letter from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, August 20, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison August 20, 1785 This is the cover letter that Madison wrote when he sent Thomas Jefferson, his “Memorial and Remonstrance,” which would become one of the most important documents in the history of American religious freedom. Madison drew up the treatise to turn the public. Orange Aug. 20th. 1785. Dear Sir, –Yours of the 18th of March never reached me till the 4th inst. It came by post from N. York, which it did not leave till the…

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Letter from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, August 20, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison August 20, 1785 Dear Sir,–Yours of the 18th of March never reached me till the 4th inst. It came by post from N. York, which it did not leave till the 21 of July. My last was dated in April, & went by Mr. Mazzei, who picked it up at N. York and promised to deliver it with his own hand. The machinations of G. B. with regard to Commerce have produced much distress and noise in the…

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Letter from James Madison to James Monroe, April 12, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison April 12, 1785 In the third paragraph, Madison updates his friend James Monroe about the “general assessment,” Patrick Henry’s proposal to tax Virginians to help support religion. He notes with contempt that the Presbyterians had opposed state support of religion when it looked like they were excluded but now that they might get a piece of the action, they’ve become supportive Dear Sir,— I wrote you not long since by a young gentleman who proposed to go as…

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