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…
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…
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…
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…
Continental Congress October 26, 1774 Just five days after complaining that Britain, through the Quebec Act, was giving too much freedom to Canadian Catholics, the Continental Congress flip-flopped and issued this message to curry favor with the Catholics to the north. After cataloguing the many rights and privileges accorded colonists, the Congress asked, “What is offered to you by the late Act of Parliament in their place? Liberty of conscience in your religion? No. God gave it to you.” Friends…
Continental Congress July 13, 1787 This is the law that governed a huge swath of land. Though Congress deferred to the states on most matters, these were nationally-owned lands and therefore policy was set by the national Congress. It was the most significant effort by the pre-Constitution Congress to spell out views on religion and the state. The key provision was Article 1, which provided expansive religious freedom: “No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever…
Continental Congress October 14, 1774 In describing the colonies’ grievances, the Continental Congress cited the Quebec Act, which gave religious freedom to Catholics In Canada. Also the act passed in the same session for establishing the Roman Catholic religion, in the province of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law and government) of the neighbouring British colonies, by the assistance of whose…
Continental Congress November 1, 1777 During the War of Independence, the Continental Congress approved several proclamations of prayer. At this point, the proclamations were overtly Christian (“through the Merits of Jesus Christ”). This proclamation, like others, not only thanks for God’s support in the war but also asked for His forgiveness the Colonists “manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour” from God. IN CONGRESS November 1, 1777 FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore…
Continental Congress March 20, 1779 With the war grinding on In to Its fourth year, this Congressional prayer proclamation evoked a somber tone about the “calamitous” war. They asked for Divine guidance to their commander In chief and asked God to be “be our Shield in the Day of Battle.” March 20, 1779 WHEREAS, in just Punishment of our manifold Transgressions, it hath pleased the Supreme Disposer of all Events to visit these United States with a calamitous War, through…
Continental Congress March 1, 1781 This is the charter that organized the new nation prior to the ratification of the Constitution. Note the final paragraph. While the Constitution that followed made no mention of God, the Articles of Confederation said that the passage of these act happened because “the Great Governor of the World” had guided the legislatures — Inclined “their hearts” — to support the union. To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the under signed Delegates…