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Tag: Revolutionary War

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

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George Washington January 1, 1790 The liberal sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country stands unrivalled in the history of nations. The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation; and the repeated proofs which my fellow citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite…

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Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May 10, 1789

Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May 10, 1789

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George Washington May 10, 1789 Washington is trying to reassure the Baptists that the new Constitution would provide sufficient guarantees of religious freedom, despite the absence of a Bill of Rights. Gentlemen: I request that you will accept my best acknowledgements for your congratulation on my appointment to the first office in the nation. The kind manner in which you mention my past conduct equally claims the expression of my gratitude. After we had, by the smiles of Heaven on…

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Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

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George Washington March 15, 1790 One of Washington’s greatest contributions to religious freedom was his insistence, as Commander of the Continental Army, that Catholics be treated as equal American citizens. While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has given you an opportunity of realizing, instead…

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Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

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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 Benedict Arnold, September 17, 1775

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

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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

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

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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, October 18, 1777

George Washington, General Orders, October 18, 1777

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George Washington October 18, 1777 In celebrating victory, Washington always gives credit to God’s intervention. Head Quarters, at Wentz’s, Worcester Township, October 18, 1777. Parole Reading. Countersigns Rochester, Ridgefield. The General has his happiness completed relative to the successes of our northern Army. On the 14th. instant, General Burgoyne, and his whole Army, surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Let every face brighten, and every heart expand with grateful Joy and praise to the supreme disposer of all events, who has…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 15, 1776

George Washington, General Orders, May 15, 1776

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George Washington May 15, 1776 Washington implements Congress order for a day of Thanksgiving and prayer. Head Quarters, New York, May 15, 1776. Parole Barre. Countersign Dublin. The Continental Congress having ordered, Friday the 17th. Instant to be observed as a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

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George Washington May 5, 1778 Washington called for prayers of thanks after France formally allied with the Colonists. Earlier, Washington had clamped down on anti-Catholic bigotry in the Continental Army in part because he knew the new nation would need support from France, a Catholic nation. Head Quarters, V. Forge, Tuesday, May 5, 1778. AFTER ORDERS It having pleased the Almighty ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the Cause of the United American-States and finally by raising us up…

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George Washington, General Orders, March 22, 1783

George Washington, General Orders, March 22, 1783

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George Washington March 22, 1783 Washington orders his soldiers to observe the Sabbath. Parole Ghent. Countersigns Holland, Ireland. For the day tomorrow Major Ashley. Brigd. Qr. Master 3d. Massa. Brigade. For duty the 2d. Massachusetts regiment. In justice to the zeal and ability of the Chaplains, as well as to his own feelings, the Commander in chief thinks it a duty to declare the regularity and decorum with which divine service is now performed every sunday, will reflect great credit…

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