I had a chance to speak to the Rumsey Hall students about this marvelous, and almost lost, document from the founding years of the United States. Only an Episcopalian would realize this, but his sentiment is wholly consistent with the historic theology of our particular branch of Christianity. [George was an Episcopalian, remember; and the senior warden of his home parish.]
In anticipation of Washington’s visit to Newport, the members of America’s oldest Jewish congregation prepared a letter welcoming Washington for presentation to him at a public event on the morning of August 18. The letter was authorized by the congregation’s board and signed by its president, Moses Seixas. It is Washington’s magnificent letter responding to Seixas that is known as a testament to religious freedom and that has become famous as one of the classic statements of religious toleration in America.