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(For the latest FBI forensic research on Thomas Jefferson's
letter click here.
For an analysis of the context of this exchange between the Danbury Baptists
and Jefferson, see Daniel Dreisbach's "'Sowing Useful Truths and Principles':
The Danbury Baptists, Thomas Jefferson, and the 'Wall of Separation'" in the
Journal of Church and State, Vol. 39, Summer 1997; or see David Barton's
article "The
Separation of Church and State")
Letter from the Danbury Baptists:
The address of the Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut,
assembled October 7, 1801.
To Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America
Sir,
Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your election
to office, we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyed in our collective
capacity, since your inauguration , to express our great satisfaction in your
appointment to the Chief Magistracy in the Unite States. And though the mode
of expression may be less courtly and pompous than what many others clothe
their addresses with, we beg you, sir, to believe, that none is more sincere.
Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty: that Religion
is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals, that no man
ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions,
[and] that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than
to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor. But sir, our constitution
of government is not specific. Our ancient charter, together with the laws
made coincident therewith, were adapted as the basis of our government at
the time of our revolution. And such has been our laws and usages, and such
still are, [so] that Religion is considered as the first object of Legislation,
and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the State)
we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights. And these favors
we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgments, as are inconsistent
with the rights of freemen. It is not to be wondered at therefore, if those
who seek after power and gain, under the pretense of government and Religion,
should reproach their fellow men, [or] should reproach their Chief Magistrate,
as an enemy of religion, law, and good order, because he will not, dares not,
assume the prerogative of Jehovah and make laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ.
Sir, we are sensible that the President of the United States is not the
National Legislator and also sensible that the national government cannot
destroy the laws of each State, but our hopes are strong that the sentiment
of our beloved President, which have had such genial effect already, like
the radiant beams of the sun, will shine and prevail through all these States--and
all the world--until hierarchy and tyranny be destroyed from the earth. Sir,
when we reflect on your past services, and see a glow of philanthropy and
goodwill shining forth in a course of more than thirty years, we have reason
to believe that America's God has raised you up to fill the Chair of State
out of that goodwill which he bears to the millions which you preside over.
May God strengthen you for the arduous task which providence and the voice
of the people have called you--to sustain and support you and your Administration
against all the predetermined opposition of those who wish to rise to wealth
and importance on the poverty and subjection of the people.
And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last
to his Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator.
Signed in behalf of the Association,
Neh,h Dodge }
Eph'm Robbins } The Committee
Stephen S. Nelson }
*A cite for this letter could read:
Letter of Oct. 7, 1801 from Danbury (CT) Baptist Assoc. to Thomas Jefferson,
Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division,
Library of Congress, Wash. D.C.
President Jefferson's Reply:
Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, and Stephen s. Nelson
A Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut.
Washington, January 1, 1802
Gentlemen,--The affectionate sentiment of esteem and approbation which you
are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association,
give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous
pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are
persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more
and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man
and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship,
that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions,
I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people
which declared that their legislature would "make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall
of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the
supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall
see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend
to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right
in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common
Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious
association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.
Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802
* A cite for this letter could read:
Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert E. Bergh, ed. (Washington, D. C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association of the United States, 1904), Vol. XVI, pp. 281-282.
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