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Letter from William Bradford to James Madison (about religious freedom in Pennsylvania)

Letter from William Bradford to James Madison (about religious freedom in Pennsylvania)

William Bradford March 4, 1774 Bradford’s college classmate, James Madison, has informed Bradford that persecution is rampant in Virginia.  Bradford respond that liberty seems to be thriving in Pennsylvania. I am sorry to hear that Persecution has got so much footing among you. The discription you give of your Country makes me more in love with mine. Indeed I have ever looked on America as the land of freedom when compared with the rest of the world, but compared with…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Thomas Cooper, November 2, 1822

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Thomas Cooper, November 2, 1822

Thomas Jefferson November 2, 1822 Jefferson believed Unitarianism would become the dominant religion. He also explains why he has no professor of divinity at the University of Virginia. DEAR SIR,  Your favor of October the 18th came to hand yesterday. The atmosphere of our country is unquestionably charged with a threatening cloud of fanaticism, lighter in some parts, denser in others, but too heavy in all. I had no idea, however, that in Pennsylvania, the cradle of toleration and freedom…

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Pennsylvania’s Charter of Libertie, 1682

Pennsylvania’s Charter of Libertie, 1682

Pennsylvania April 25, 1682 To ALL PEOPLE to whom these presents shall come WHEREAS King Charles the second by his Letters, Patents under the Great Seal of England for the Considerations therein mentioned hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (By the name of William Penn Esq’r son and heir of Sr. William Penn deceased) and to my heirs and assigns forever ALL that tract of land or province called PENNSILVANIA in America with divers…

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Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1681

Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1681

Pennsylvania 1681 [Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c To our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Chancellor Heneage Lord Finch our Chancellor of England greeting Wee will and comand you that under our Great Seale of England remaining in your Custody you cause our Letters to be made Forth patents in form following] CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland,…

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Letter from Jonas Phillips to President and Members of the Constitutional Convention

Letter from Jonas Phillips to President and Members of the Constitutional Convention

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Jonas Phillips September 7, 1787 A Jew from Philadelphia writes to the Constitutional Convention urging them to reject a Pennsylvania law requiring that office holders pledge allegiance to the New Testament. With leave and submission I address myself To those in whome there is wisdom understanding and knowledge. they are the honourable personages appointed and Made overseers of a part of the terrestrial globe of the Earth, Namely the 13 united states of america in Convention Assembled, the Lord preserve…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, January 24, 1774

Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, January 24, 1774

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James Madison January 24, 1774 Madison contrasts the persecution he’s witnessing at home in Virginia with the freedom he saw in Philadelphia, home of his Princeton classmate, William Bradford. The persecution of the Baptists in Northern Virginia apparently influenced Madison greatly, want again to breathe your free Air. I expect it will mend my Constitution & confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an Atmosphere at home as the Climate will allow: but have nothing to brag of as…

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Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

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January 1, 1776 This Pennsylvania Constitution grants broad religious freedoms to any citizen “who acknowledges the being of a God.” It also provides that conscientious objectors need not serve in the militia, a provision included to accommodate Quakers, who were highly influential in Pennsylvania. Article II. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding: And that no man ought or of right can be compelled…

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Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America by Benjamin Franklin

Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America by Benjamin Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin A sympathetic description of the patience and civility of the Indians, Including on matters of faith. Savages we call them, because their Manners differ from ours, which we think the Perfection of Civility. They think the same of theirs. Perhaps if we could examine the Manners of different Nations with Impartiality, we should find no People so rude as to be without Rules of Politeness, nor any so polite as not to have some Remains of Rudeness The…

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Plain Truth: or, Serious Considerations On the Present State of the City of Philadelphia, and Province of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Franklin, 1706)

Plain Truth: or, Serious Considerations On the Present State of the City of Philadelphia, and Province of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Franklin, 1706)

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Benjamin Franklin 1706 In “A Tradesman of Philadelphia,” Franklin waded into a vexing religious/political dilemma of his time. Pennsylvania was controlled by Quakers, who were pacifists. But Indians, allied with the French, were raising the Pennsylvania border towns, scalping and terrorizing citizens. Franklin complimented the sincerity of the Quakers while nonetheless calling upon other Pennsylvanians to pay for the colony’s defense. It is said the wise Italians make this proverbial Remark on our Nation, viz. The English feel, but they…

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Dialogue between Two Presbyterians, by Benjamin Franklin, 1735

Dialogue between Two Presbyterians, by Benjamin Franklin, 1735

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Benjamin Franklin April 10, 1735 The person called “S” is thought to represent Franklin’s views. Franklin wrote this after a Presbyterian synod in Philadelphia had brought charges against a young preacher named Samuel Hemphill. He was accused of placing too much emphasis on morality rather than faith. Mr. Franklin, You are desired by several of your Readers to print the following Dialogue. It is between Two of the Presbyterian Meeting in this City. We cannot tell whether it may not…

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