Moses Seixas, "Congratulatory Address to George Washington on Behalf of the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island."

Newport Jews Congratulate President Washington

In the course of his journeys through the country to study the state of the Union, President George Washington visited Newport, Rhode Island. This congratulatory address, written by Moses Seixas, was presented by the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, on behalf of "the children of the seed of Abraham" to Washington on the morning of August 17, 1790. Seixas' text refers to past persecutions of the Jews and then lauds the new nation's commitment to religious liberty. He writes, "Deprived as we have hitherto 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 - both generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and immunities of citizenship - deeming every one, of whatever nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental machine."