Display-worthy print celebrating Moses Seixas’s 1790 letter to George Washington on behalf of the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, which inspired the Founders’ views on religious freedom; available in multiple sizes on sturdy, high-quality paper in archival ink

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In May 1790, Rhode Island ratified the new Constitution of the United States. It was the last of the original 13 colonies to do so, nearly three years after the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia had presented the document. Rhode Island’s reluctance to ratify centered in large part on the new Constitution’s lack of a bill of rights; a new, more powerful central government understandably frightened many of the citizens and leaders of the new nation’s smallest state.

When the young country’s first president, George Washington, visited Newport, Rhode Island, a few months later, in August 1790, to celebrate the ratification, local civic and faith leaders presented written greetings to him. Among these was Moses Seixas, warden of Newport’s Touro Synagogue.

Seixas’s letter on behalf of his congregation focused largely on the religious and other freedoms guaranteed by the new Constitution and protected by the new federal government. These were perhaps unsurprising topics for a Rhode Islander to be concerned with; after all, his state had guaranteed religious freedom for well over a century at that point, and Seixas was writing after the state’s three-year battle for ratification. Nonetheless, his tone is striking and his words inspiring: “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 everyone, of whatever nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental machine.”

In his reply, Washington not only echoed these sentiments; he largely quoted them back to Seixas and Congregation Kahal Kadosh Yeshuat Israel verbatim. “All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship,” Washington proclaimed to the Hebrew Congregation. “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.”

Washington’s letter has been remembered for centuries — and rightfully so — for setting the tone for religious freedom and tolerance in the United States. But it should not be forgotten that these ideas were first written under the hand of a Jewish leader. In a very real sense, the freedom of religion sought by the Founders and guaranteed by the United States — the first country in the modern world to grant such freedom — was inspired by the philosophy and ideals of Judaism.

This print celebrates the rightful place of Moses Seixas’s words in the history of religious freedom and tolerance in the United States. It is designed to accompany the Great Documents print of Washington’s letter. The document is printed on sturdy, high-quality paper with archival inks and offered in multiple sizes that will fit any space. This print is perfect for display in a classroom, office, or other public space or even at home.