Sir. I have the honor to transmit to you as President of the Convention, a resolve of the directors of the Library Company in this City. I am Sir with perfect respect your most obedient humble servant Third Street 6th July 1787 [INDORSEMENT.] N° 7. W: RAWLE. Wm Rawle July 6. 1787. with a resolve of the Library Company of Philadelphia At a meeting of the directors of the Library company of Philadelphia on Thursday the 5th July 1787 Resolved That the librarian furnish the gentlemen who compose the Convention now sitting with such books as they may desire during their continuance at Philadelphia, taking receipts for the same. By order of the directors, W: RAWLE Secretary. Sires With leave and submission I address myself To those in whome there is wisdom understanding and knowledge. they are the honourable personages appointed and Made overseers of a part of the terrestrial globe of the Earth, Namely the 13 united states of america in Convention Assembled, the Lord preserve them amen— I the subscriber being one of the people called Jews of the City of Philadelphia, a people scattered and despersed among all nations do behold with Concern that among the laws in the Constitution of Pennsylvania their is a Clause Sect. 10 to viz-I do belive in one God the Creature and governour of the universe the Rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked-and I do acknowledge the scriptures of the old and New testement to be given by a devine inspiration—to swear and believe that the new testement was given by devine inspiration is absolutly against the Religious principle of a Jew. and is against his Conscience to take any such oath-By the above law a Jew is deprived of holding any publick office or place of Goverment which is a Contridectory to the bill of Right Sect 2. viz That all men have a natural and unalienable Right To worship almighty God according to the dectates of their own Conscience and understanding, and that no man aught or of Right can be compelled to attend any Relegious Worship or Erect or support any place of worship or Maintain any minister contrary to or against his own free will and Consent nor Can any man who acknowledges the being of a God be Justly deprived or abridged of any Civil Right as a Citizen on account of his Religious sentiments or peculiar mode of Religious Worship, and that no authority Can or aught to be vested in or assumed by any power what ever that shall in any Case interfere or in any manner Controul the Right of Conscience in the free Exercise of Religious Worship— It is well known among all the Citizens of the 13 united States that the Jews have been true and faithfull whigs, and during the late Contest with England they have been foremost in aiding and assisting the States with their lifes and fortunes, they have supported the Cause, have bravely faught and bleed for liberty which they Can not EnjoyTherefore if the honourable Convention shall in ther Wisdom think fit and alter the said oath and leave out the words to viz—and I do acknowledge the scripture of the new testement to be given by devine inspiration then the Israeletes will think them self happy to live under a goverment where all Relegious societys are on an Eaquel footing-I solecet this favour for my my Childreen and posterity and for the benefit of all the Isrealetes through the 13 united States of america self My prayers is unto the Lord. May the people of this States Rise up as a great and young lion, May they prevail against their Enemies, May the degrees of honour of his Excellencey the president of the Convention George Washington, be Extollet and Raise up. May Every one speak of his glorious Exploits. May God prolong his days among us in this land of Liberty- May he lead the armies against his Enemys as he has done hereuntofore- May God Extend peace unto the united States-May they get up to the highest Prosperetys-May God Extend peace to them and their Seed after them so long as the Sun and moon Endureth-and may the almighty God of our father Abraham Isaac and Jacob endue this Noble Assembly with wisdom Judgement and unamity in their Councells, and may they have the Satisfaction to see that their present toil and labour for the wellfair of the united States may be approved of, Through all the world and perticular by the united States of america is the ardent prayer of Sires Your Most devoted obed Servant JONAS PHILLIPS Philadelphia 24th Ellul 5547 or Sept 7th 1787 [ADDRESS.] To His Excellency the president and the Honourable Mem bers of the Convention assembled Present [INDORSEMENT.] N° 8. Letter from Jonas Phillips a Jew, dated Sept. 7, 1787. to the President & Members of the Convention Sir Philadelphia 1st May 1787 I have just received an express from Baltimore informing me that my brother lays dangerously ill, in consequence of which I set out immediately for that place. I wish to communicate this circumstance to your Excellency that it may be mentioned to the convention should my absence without leave be taken any notice of— With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir His Excellency the President of Convention [ADDRESS.] His Excellency Geo. Washington Esq President of Convention [INDORSEMENT.] N° 9. Letter from Mr McHenry to the President JAMES MCHENRY May 1. 1787. |