13 WGW, vol. 25, 9-18-1792.
14 Ibid., see note.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
17 WGW, vol. 28, 8-18-1786.
18 Edwards, Tryon, The New Dictionary of Thoughts – A Cyclopedia of Quotations, (Garden City, NY, Hanover House, 1852; revised and enlarged by C.H. Catrevas, et al. 1891, The Standard Book Company 1963), p.46
19 Blackstone, Commentaries, vol. 1, 38.
20 Ibid., 41.
21 Ibid., vol. 1, 42.
22 Ibid.
23 Rupert Hughes, George Washington The Savior of the States 1777-1781 (New York: William Morrow & Company) 1930. pp. 398-399. The footnote to this text reads:
“Lee Papers, IV., p. 31. In a letter to Dr. Rush, Sept. 26, 1779 he says: “You and many others accuse me of want of religion, there never was a greater mistake – to convince you I send you my proem, from Cicero de legibus – I am perswaded that no Society can exist without religion, and I think the Christian; unincumbered of its sophistications, is the most excellent and [of course] of a divine nature as comprehending the most divine system of which but at the same time, I own, I quarrel with the tediousness and impertinence of the liturgies of the various sects, which so far from being the support are the ruin of all religion – as to the dogmas they are many of ‘em not only absurd but impious as they are dishonorable to the Godhead or visible rule and moderator of the infinity of worlds which surround us I therefore cannot help esteeming myself the [champion] vindicator rather than the Denyer and Blasphemer of the Almighty.” (Lee Papers, III, pp. 373-4.
24 Although Lee could be classified as a skeptic, he seems to long for genuine Christianity lived out without all the interdenominational infighting.
In his project for an ideal state, a military colony, General Lee says: “I speak to men and soldiers, who wish and are able to assert and defend the rights of humanity; and, let me add, to vindicate the character of God Almighty, and real Christianity, which have been so long dishonored by sectarists of every kind and complexion; catholics, church of England men, Presbyterians, and Methodists. I could wish, therefore, that the community of soldiers (who are to be all Christians) should establish one common form of worship, with which every member must acquiesce, at least in attendance of divine worship, and the observation of the prescribed ceremonies; but this so contrived as not to shock any an who ahs been bred up in any of the different sects. for which reason, let all expositions of the scripture, and all dogmas, be fore ever banished. Let it be sufficient that he acknowledges the existence, providence, and goodness of God Almighty; the he reverences Jesus Christ: but let the question never be asked, whether he considers Jesus Christ as only a divine person, commissioned by God for divine purposes, as the son of God, or as God himself. These sophistical subtleties only lead to a doubt of the whole; let it be sufficient therefore that whether a real God or only a divinely inspired mortal; for which reason to prevent the impertinence and ill consequences of dogmatizing, no professional priests of any sort whatever shall be admitted in the community. but still I am of opinion, that a sacred order, or hierarchy, should be established, and in the following manner: that this hierarchy are not to be expositiors of the divine law, which ought to be understood by every member of common capacity; but as the servitors, or administrators of the solemn ceremonies to be observed in the worship of the Supreme Being, of his Son, or missionary.” Lee Papers, III, p. 325.
25 WGW, vol. 35, 12-7-1796, 8th Annual Address to Congress.
26 Ibid., vol. 35, Farewell Address.
27 Ibid., vol. 30, 6-22-1788.
28 Ibid., vol. 30, 6-25-1788.
29 Ibid., 1-8-1790
30 Northwest Ordinance, Article III in The Annals of America, vol. 3, 194-195.
31 WGW vol. 32, 6-22-1792.
32 Ibid., 10-20-1792.
33 WGW, vol. 32, 1-27-1793.
34 Ibid., vol. 3, 9-14-1775.
35 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-9-1776.
36 Lillback, Proclaim Liberty, pp.15-24.
37 PGW, George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 2 Letterbooks, George Washington to Savannah, Georgis, Hebrew Congregation, May, 1790 image 147 of 166.
38 WGW, vol. 30, Proposed Address to Congress.
39 Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 2 p 253
CHAPTER 24
1 Sparks, ed., The Writings of George Washington, vol. XII, 152.
2 Charles Francis Adams, ed., Letters of John Adams—-Addressed to His Wife (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1841), vol. I, 23-24.
3 Journal of the Proceedings of Congress, 1774 (Philadelphia: Printed for the Library Company of Philadelphia, 1974), September 10, 1774, see 30-33.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 WGW, vol. 3, 6-15-1772
7 Their instructions will be found spread on the Journals of the Continental Congress of March 10, 1774.
8 John Rhodehame, ed., George Washington: Writings (New York: The Library of America, 1997), 187-189.
9 WGW, vol. 3, 9- 4-1775.
10 WGW, vol. 4, 11- 5-1775.
