Words from Our Founders: George Washington on Being a Happy Nation

Today we continue our series examining our Founding Fathers in their own words and considering their high esteem for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

Below is a letter written by George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, dated April 4, 1783. In it Washington says that the key to a happy nation is humble imitation of God.

(more…)

Words from Our Founders: George Washington on Military Chaplains

Today we continue our series examining our Founding Fathers in their own words and considering their high esteem for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

Below is an excerpt from a letter dated April 17, 1758, in which George Washington–then an officer in the British Army–asks that a chaplain be appointed to serve over his regiment.


“The last Assembly, in their Supply Bill, provided for a chaplain to our regiment, for whom I had often very unsuccessfully applied to Governor Dinwiddie. I now flatter myself, that your Honor will be pleased to appoint a sober, serious man for this duty. Common decency, Sir, in a camp calls for the services of a divine, and which ought not to be dispensed with, altho’ the world should be so uncharitable as to think us void of religion, and incapable of good instructions.”

Words from Our Founders: George Washington to Benedict Arnold

Today we continue our series examining our Founding Fathers in their own words and considering their high esteem for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

Below is an excerpt from a set of instructions issued by General George Washington to then-Colonel Benedict Arnold on September 14, 1775. They order him to ensure his soldiers do not ridicule religious ceremonies and beliefs of others, and that the free exercise of religion is enjoyed by all, to the fullest extent possible.

(more…)