Religious Freedom 1790-1791
On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island became the 13th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. President George Washington had visited New England states in the Fall of 1789, deliberately bypassing Rhode Island, which had refused to call a state convention to ratify. Following the state’s ratification, President Washington made a trip to Newport, Rhode Island on August 17, 1790.
The small Jewish community of Newport presented the president with a letter reflecting on the battles Washington waged to establish the new nation and wishing him success in his administration. The President reciprocated on August 21, 1790 with this letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, committing the new government to counter bigotry and persecution, and assure the safety of all inhabitants:
Gentlemen:
While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.
If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and happy people.
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity.
May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants – while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
At the time of his visit, Washington and other government officials with him were working toward states’ adoption of a list of twelve amendments to the Constitution sent to the states for ratification the previous September. Ten amendments became law on December 15, 1791. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
NOTE: The states rejected two of the original twelve amendments. The first rejected amendment proposed a ratio to determine the number of people to be represented by each member of the House of Representatives. The second rejected amendment concerned pay for the services of Senators and Representatives.