Letters & Documents

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 Reverend Jasper Adams, January 1, 1832

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison January 1, 1832 I recd in due time, the printed copy of your Convention sermon on the relation of Xnity to Civil Gov’ with a manuscript request of my opinion on the subject. There appears to be in the nature of man what insures his belief in an invisible cause of his present existence, and anticipation of his future existence. Hence the propensities & susceptibilities in that case of religion which with a few doubtful or individual exceptions…

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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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Letter from James Madison to James Monroe, May 29, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison May 29, 1785 In the third paragraph, Madison expresses his relief that Congress lost interest in a plan to set aside public lands for religious purposes, a step that was “smelling so strongly of an antiquated Bigotry. Then he catches up Monroe on the fight in Virginia Orange May 29 1785. Dear Sir, –Your favor of May–came to hand a few days ago. It is fortunate that the variant ideas have been so easily accomodated touching the mode…

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Letter from James Madison to Frederick Beasley, November 20, 1825

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison November 20, 1825 Madison’s description of why he believes in God is somewhat abstract. I have duly recd the copy of your little tract on the proofs of the Being & Attributes of God. To do full justice to it, would require not only a more critical attention than I have been able to bestow on it, but a resort to the celebrated work of Dr. Clarke, which I read fifty years ago only, and to that of…

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Letter from James Madison to F.L. Schaeffer, December 3, 1821

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison December 3, 1821 An aging James Madison write that American history has proved that religion thrives most when it is independent of government. Also, his praise for Martin Luther contrasts with Thomas Jefferson’s sharp criticism of Luther. Revd Sir, –I have received, with your letter of November 19th, the copy of your address at the ceremonial of laying the corner-stone of St Matthew’s Church in New York. It is a pleasing and persuasive example of pious zeal, united…

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Letter from James Madison to Edward Livingston, July 10, 1822

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison July 10, 1822 As an old man, Madison wrote that the separation of church and state had led to an improvement in the quality and vitality of religion. He warned that many people still inclined toward the “old error” of creating alliances between government and religion. “The danger cannot be too carefully guarded agst.,” he said. observe with particular pleasure the view you have taken of the immunity of Religion from civil jurisdiction, in every case where it…

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“Detached Memoranda” by James Madison, 1817

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison January 1, 1817 In 1946, this amazing document was found in the files of Madison’s earliest biographer. explaining his views on a wide variety of issues – especially religious freedom. In this “Detached Memoranda,” thought to have been written between 1817-32, Madison gave his reasoning for his positions and actions on a variety of church-state issues including his opposition congressional chaplains, military chaplains, his vetoes of religion-related laws. The danger of silent accumulations & encroachments by Ecclesiastical Bodies…

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