In August of 1790, President George Washington visited Rhode Island following the state’s ratification of the Constitution. While in Newport, Rhode Island citizens, leaders, and members of Touro Synagogue including Moses Seixas presented him with letters and concerns about religious freedom. While Washington addressed the congregation on his visit in 1790, he did not travel to Touro Synagogue. Rather, he visited the synagogue in 1781 for a town meeting in his capacity as commander-in-chief.
Visit to Newport, Rhode Island
After Washington toured New England and the south, he travelled to Rhode Island after its ratification the Constitution with Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Throughout his tour of the nascent United States, people shared concerns with the first president, including those about religious liberties. Jewish leaders in various states organized. After a Jewish congregation in Savannah, Georgia shared ideas about religious freedoms with Washington, Jewish leaders in New York began an initiative to author a joint letter across multiple congregations in cities such as Philadelphia, Richmond, and Newport to send to Washington.1
Letter from Moses Seixas
A community leader and warden of Touro Synagogue, Moses Seixas, wrote a letter to Washington about religious freedom in a letter addressed August 17, 1790. In this letter, he stated that Jewish Americans should be entitled to the same privileges as any other denomination. He continued with an analogy comparing the Revolutionary War with the struggles of the ancient tribes of Israel and likened Washington to King David: "With pleasure we reflect on those days—those days of difficulty, & danger when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, shielded your head in the day of battle: and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and ever will rest upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States."2
Washington’s Letter to the Congregants of Touro Synagogue
Washington was moved by these sentiments. On the same day, he responded to the expressions of gratitude with his letter strongly affirming the principle of freedom of religion. In addition, Washington responded by offering his own biblical references: "May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid."3 In this statement, Washington was referencing Micah 4:3-4: "Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they train for war. Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid, For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken."4 In his allusion to this well-known verse, Washington made clear his commitment to granting Jews the same religious freedoms and protections granted to other religious groups in America.
In addition to ethical considerations, Washington may have had a political motivation as well. The state legislatures of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Georgia were in the process of debating the first ten Constitutional amendments later known as the Bill of Rights during the summer of 1790. Washington consistently reaffirming themes of liberty throughout his tour of Rhode Island. Speaking during an address to the Clergy of Newport, given the day after his response to the Touro synagogue, Washington stated the need for "concurrent support of all real friends to the country . . . to enable me to be in any degree useful to this numerous and free People over whom I am called to preside." Later in the speech, he again touched on the value of commitment to "civil and religious liberty."5
Washington's position on religious liberty remained consistent throughout the remainder of his presidency. His correspondence to Touro Synagogue likely prompted by meeting congregants and Moses Seixas’ letter enshrined these sentiments. Washington's remarks established a precedent for protecting religious liberty and pluralism in the United States that persists to this day.
Yaari Tal George Washington University, updated by Zoie Horecny, 13 August 2025
Notes:
1. "Savannah, Georgia, Hebrew Congregation to George Washington, May 1790," George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 2, Letterbooks.
2. "Moses Seixas to George Washington, 17 August 1790," Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, Vol. 6, 286.
3. “George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, 18 August 1790,” Founders Online, National Archives.
4. Micah 4:3-4. New American Standard Bible.
5. “George Washington to the Clergy of Newport, Rhode Island, 18 August 1790,” Founders Online, National Archives.
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