Letters & Documents

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

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 1 comment

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

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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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Letter from George Washington to John Rogers, June 11, 1783

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington June 11, 1783 Washington supports the distribution of Bibles to the troops. Head Quarters, June 11, 1783. Dear Sir: I accept, with much pleasure your kind Congratulations on the happy Event of Peace, with the Establishment of our Liberties and Independence. Glorious indeed has been our Contest: glorious, if we consider the Prize for which we have contended, and glorious in its Issue; but in the midst of our Joys, I hope we shall not forget that, to…

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Letter from George Washington to George Washington Snyder

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington October 24, 1798 Mount Vernon, October 24, 1798. Revd Sir: I have your favor of the 17th. instant before me; and my only motive to trouble you with the receipt of this letter, is to explain, and correct a mistake which I perceive the hurry in which I am obliged, often, to write letters, have led you into. It was not my intention to doubt that, the Doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobinism had not spread…

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Letter from George Washington to Benedict Arnold, September 17, 1775

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington September 17, 1775 George Washington had dispatched Arnold on an important mission to secure support from Canadians. Under the Quebec Act, Great Britain had granted Catholics in Canada tremendous religious freedom. At first, the Continental Congress attacked the Quebec Act, but Washington pointed out that attacking Catholics would undermine their efforts to secure the support of the Catholic Canadians. Here he orders Arnold to get his troops to behave honorably toward the Catholic Canadians Camp at Cambridge, September…

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George Washington’s Resignation Address to the Continental Congress, December 20, 1783

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington December 20, 1783 Mr President The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the oppertunity afforded the United States of…

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George Washington’s Circular Letter of Farewell to the Army, June 8, 1783

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington June 8, 1783 The reference in the final paragraph to the “Divine Author of our blessed Religion” is sometimes thought to be an indication that Washington believed America to be a Christian nation Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 8, 1783. Sir: The great object for which I had the honor to hold an appointment in the Service of my Country, being accomplished, I am now preparing to resign it into the hands of Congress, and to return to that…

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George Washington, Proclamation: A National Thanksgiving, October 3, 1789

May 24, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington October 3, 1789 Washington went much farther than modern politicians in leading the country in prayer and praise of God. Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of…

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