A letter from Moses Seixas to President George Washington

A letter from Moses Seixas to President George Washington

During a visit to Newport, R.I., in 1790, a year before the Bill of Rights was ratified; the then President George Washington, received a letter from Moses Seixas, warden of the Touro Synagogue.

Below is the transcript of the letter and its reply.
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To the President of the United States of America.
Sir:

Permit the children of the stock of Abraham, to approach you with the most cordial affection, and esteem, for your person and merits — and to join with our fellow citizens, in welcoming you to NewPort.

With pleasure we reflect on those days — those days of difficulty, and danger, when the G-d of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, — shielded Your head in the day of battle: — and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit, who rested in the Bosom, of the greatly beloved Daniel, enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire; rests and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States.

Deprived as we heretofore have been, of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now, with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty, disposer of all events, behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People — a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance — but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: — deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental Machine: —

This so ample and extensive Federal Union, whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue; we cannot but acknowledge, to be the work of the Great G-d, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good.

For all these Blessings, of civil and religious liberty, which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men — beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness, into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you, through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life:

— And, when like Joshua, full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise, to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.
Done and Signed, by order of the Hebrew Congregation, in NewPort, Rhode Island, August 17th 1790.
Moses Seixas, Warden
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The letter from George Washington in response to Moses Seixas
To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island.

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 national gifts.

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 figtree, 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
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This work published before January 1, 1923, therefore it is in the public domain worldwide, because the author died at least 100 years ago.