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William Willams’s Letter About the Godless Constitution

William Willams’s Letter About the Godless Constitution

William Williams February 11, 1788 In the American Mercury, William Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut, complains about the failure of the Constitution to invoke God’s Supremacy and protection. He proposes amending the preamble to call upon “the creator and Supreme Governour of the world.” Since the Federal Constitution has had so calm, dispassionate and so happy an issue, in the late worthy Convention of this State; I did not expect any members of that hon….

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, December 20, 1787

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, December 20, 1787

Thomas Jefferson December 20, 1787 Writing from Paris, where he was ambassador, Jefferson is responding to reports he’s hearing about the new Constitution. Some advocates of the Constitution argued that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary because Congress could only exercise powers it was explicitly granted. Jefferson disagreed. DEAR SIR, My last to you was of Oct. 8 by the Count de Moustier. Yours of July 18. Sep. 6. & Oct. 24. have been successively received, yesterday, the day before…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, March 15, 1789

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, March 15, 1789

Thomas Jefferson March 15, 1789 James Madison had written Jefferson suggesting that perhaps a Bill of Rights might not be wise, since it would not have the breadth that the two of them might want. Jefferson responded forcefully that a Bill of Rights was essential. Your thoughts on the subject of the Declaration of rights in the letter of Oct. 17. I have weighed with great satisfaction. Some of them had not occurred to me before, but were acknoleged just…

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Patrick Henry at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 12, 1788

Patrick Henry at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 12, 1788

Patrick Henry June 12, 1788 During the debates over ratification of the Constitution, supporters argued that religion was protected because the document didn’t give Congress explicit powers to regular religion. Patrick Henry, a popular figure in Virginia, opposed the Constitution and stated that such an important right should be explicitly protected. Wherefore is religious liberty not secured? One honorable gentlemen, who favors adoption, said that he had had his fears on the subject. If I can well recollect, he informed…

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Luther Martin Complains About Lack of Religious Test in Constitution (Genuine Information XII)

Luther Martin Complains About Lack of Religious Test in Constitution (Genuine Information XII)

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Luther Martin February 8, 1788 Although some praised the Constitution for banning religious tests for public office, others feared that it would lead to Pagans, Jews, and Muslims taking office and Catholicism becoming the official religion. Responses came from two leading federalists, James Spencer and James Iredell, who later became a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. The part of the system, which provides that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under…

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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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Message from John Adams to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massacusetts

Message from John Adams to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massacusetts

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John Adams October 11, 1798 In this letter Adams declares point blank that, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Gentleman, While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination…

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James Madison Comments at Virginia Ratifying Convention, April 12, 1785

James Madison Comments at Virginia Ratifying Convention, April 12, 1785

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James Madison June 12, 1788 In the Virginia convention called to consider ratification of the Constitution, opponents such as Patrick Henry argued that the Constitution would allow creation of a national religion or other forms of state involvement in religion. James Madison returned to Virginia to rebut the arguments himself, claiming that a Bill of Rights was not needed because the Constitution did not give Congress powers to regular religion. The honorable member has introduced the subject of religion. Religion…

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The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

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James Madison June 6, 1787 During the debate about the balance of powers between states and the federal government, James Madison argued for less state power in part on the grounds that the colonies had persecuted religion. He also argued that they couldn’t count on religious values to temper bad behavior as “Religion itself may become a motive to persecution & oppression.” Mr. PINKNEY according to previous notice & rule obtained, moved “that the first branch of the national Legislature…

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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

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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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