Continental Congress

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, September 16, 1774

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

John Adams September 16, 1774 Early in the Continental Congress, it was proposed that the delegates begin the day in prayer. Some members objected since there were now so many different denominations represented. How could they find someone who could represent them all? Sam Adams (not known for his religious tolerance), broke the logjam by saying that even though he was Congregationalist, he could accept an Episcopalian preacher. His cousin, John Adams, recounts the scene. Having a Leisure Moment, while…

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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, 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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Continental Congress Appeals to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, October 26, 1774

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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…

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Northwest Ordinance, 1787

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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…

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Continental Congress, Declaration and Resolves, October 14, 1774

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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…

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Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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…

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Articles of Confederation, 1781

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

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…

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The Articles of Association, Continental Congress, October 20, 1774

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

The Continental Congress October 20, 1774 In this declaration resolved to boycott British tea and launch several other acts of protest. Unlike the later Declaration of Independence, these articles (In the preamble) specifically cite the Quebec Act, which many patriots criticized for allowing religious freedom for Catholics In Quebec. They feared the Catholics would lead a charge against the Protestant colonies: “thus, by the influence of civil principles and ancient prejudices, to dispose the inhabitants to act with hostility against…

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Message from the Continental Congress to the People of Great Britain, October 21, 1774

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Congress October 21, 1774 Congress virulently attacked Great Britain’s Quebec Act, which gave religious freedom to Catholics In Canada. The Continental Congress expressed “astonishment, that a British Parliament should ever consent to establish in that country a religion that has deluged your island in blood, and dispersed bigotry, persecution, murder and rebellion through every part of the world.” Congress soon thereafter realized that Insulting the Canadian Catholics might not be the best way to win their favor or that of…

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