Letter to George Washington

Moses Seixas

1790

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.

In His Reply, President Washington Echoed Seixas’s Words

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it was 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.

Handwritten letter in English with small stamp at top and signature on bottom.
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On August 17, 1790, Moses Seixas of the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, wrote a letter welcoming the visiting George Washington, the newly elected first president of the United States. The letter expressed his faith in the new nation—that it would ensure equal rights to all its citizens through “a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance—but generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and immunities of citizenship.”

Credits

Moses Seixas, Letter to George Washington. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 6.

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Creator Bio

Moses Seixas

1744–1809

Moses Seixas was a first-generation American of Portuguese Jewish stock, his parents having emigrated from Lisbon. The family settled in Newport, Rhode Island, where Seixas was later to distinguish himself in civic, religious, and mercantile affairs. A Freemason, Seixas was grand master of his Masonic lodge. He was also warden of the Touro Synagogue. A banker by profession, Seixas was the cofounder and first cashier of the Bank of Rhode Island. His congratulatory letter of 1790 to George Washington expresses his deep concern for the future of religious liberty in the new American republic.

Related Guide

Political Life and Thought, 1750–1880

Jews debated all sides of the major political issues of their day. Some welcomed the idea of equality, whereas others feared the loss of their religious-institutional distinctiveness. 

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