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Letter
from James Madison to William Bradford, April 1, 1774.
The
excerpted portion of this letter from Madison to his
dear friend, William Bradford, is significant because
it gives the reader a glimpse into the state of the
movement for religious freedom in Virginia. Of interest
here is Madison's characterization of the clergy of
the Established Church, who use all their influence
and connections to put down religious insurrection,
thereby securing their livelihood. From other correspondence,
it is clear that Madison found such efforts deplorable.
Also of interest is Madison's understanding of the importance
of religious liberty. Without religious liberty, every
other endeavor undertaken by the human mind is wasted.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
To
William Bradford
April
1st, 1774. Virginia Orange Cy.
My
Worthy Friend:
I
have another favour to acknowledge in the receipt of your
kind Letter of March the 4th. I did not intend to have written
again to you before I obtained a nearer communication with
you but you have too much interest in my inclinations ever
to be denied a request.
*
* *
Our
Assembly is to meet the first of May When It is expected
something will be done in behalf of the Dissenters: Petitions
I hear are already forming among the Persecuted Baptists
and I fancy it is in the thoughts of the Presbyterians also
to intercede for greater liberty in matters of Religion.
For my part I can not help being very doubtful of their
succeeding in the Attempt. The Affair was on the Carpet
during the last Session; but such incredible and extravagant
stories were told in the House of the monstrous effects
of the Enthusiasm prevalent among the Sectaries and so greedily
swallowed by their Enemies that I believe they lost footing
by it and the bad name they still have with those who pretend
too much contempt to examine into their principles and Conduct
and are too much devoted to the ecclesiastical establishment
to hear of the Toleration of Dissentients, I am apprehensive,
will be again made a pretext for rejecting their requests.
The Sentiments of our people of Fortune & fashion on
this subject are vastly different from what you have been
used to. That liberal catholic and equitable way of thinking
as to the rights of Conscience, which is one of the Characteristics
of a free people and so strongly marks the People of your
province is but little known among the Zealous adherents
to our Hierarchy. We have it is true some persons in the
Legislature of generous Principles both in Religion &
Politicks but number not merit you know is necessary to
carry points there. Besides[,] the Clergy are a numerous
and powerful body[,] have great influence at home by reason
of their connection with & dependence on the Bishops
and Crown and will naturally employ all their art &
Interest to depress their rising Adversaries; for such they
must consider dissenters who rob them of the good will of
the people and may in time endanger their livings &
security.
You
are happy in dwelling in a Land where those inestimable
privileges are fully enjoyed and public has long felt the
good effects of their religious as well as Civil Liberty.
Foreigners have been encouraged to settle amg. you. Industry
and Virtue have been promoted by mutual emulation and mutual
Inspection, Commerce and the Arts have flourished and I
can not help attributing those continual exertions of Gen[i]us
which appear among you to the inspiration of Liberty and
that love of Fame and Knowledge which always accompany it.
Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and
unuits it for every noble enterprize every expanded prospect.
How far this is the Case with Virginia will more clearly
appear when the ensuing Trial is made. . . .
Farewell.
JM
Letter
from James Madison to William Bradford (April 1, 1774),
in 1 The Papers of James Madison, at 111-13 (Robert
A. Rutland & William M.E. Rachal, etc., 1962).
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