Revolutionary War

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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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 9, 1776 George Washington announces the new policy of providing military chaplains. Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 9, 1776 Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at the usual time and place. Passes to go from the…

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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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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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