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

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

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

“Detached Memoranda” by James Madison, 1817

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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Autobiography of James Madison

Autobiography of James Madison

James Madison 1831 Madison sketched a thin autobiography in response to a request from a would-be biographer. He writes in third person. He is over 80 years old at this point, and it’s noteworthy that he devotes significant space in this 12-page treatise to his work on religious freedom. At the age of 12 years, he was placed by his father under the tuition of Donald Robertson, from Scotland, aman of extensive learning, and a distinguished Teacher,in the Countyof King…

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Bill of Rights Amendments Offered in Congress by James Madison, June 8, 1789

Bill of Rights Amendments Offered in Congress by James Madison, June 8, 1789

James Madison June 8, 1789 James Madison initially argued that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary. But in his first race for Congress, he promised he would propose a Bill of Rights, including a provision for religious freedom. He kept his promise. On June 8, 1789, he went to the floor of the House and proposed amendments to be embedded throughout the original constitution, rather than as a separate Bill of Rights. His proposal included language that would evolve into…

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