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Of
Debates in Congress
Amendments
to the Constitution
Thursday,
January 7, 1789
1
Annals of Cong. 1076 et seq. (J. Gales ed., 1834)
As
set forth below, the First Congress established and
funded its own chaplain system. This was a continuation
of the pattern established by the Congress of the Confederation.
At its initial meeting in September 1774, Congress invited
the Rev. Jacob Duché, rector of Christ Church,
Philadelphia, to open its sessions with prayer. He was
elected the body's first chaplain on July 9, 1776, but
defected to the British the next year. On October 1,
1777, Congress appointed joint chaplains, William White,
Duché's successor at Christ Church, and George
Duffield, pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church of
Philadelphia. This policy was continued as set forth
below by the First Congress under the Constitution.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
Pg.
1076
Oliver
Ellsworth, of Connecticut, and William Paterson, from New
Jersey, attended.
A
message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate
that they have resolved that two Chaplains, of different
denominations, be appointed to Congress for the present
session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly.
Mr.
Strong, on behalf of the joint committee, reported to the
Senate, that they had waited on the President of the United
States, agreeably to the order of both Houses, and that
he informed the committee that he would meet the two Houses
in the Senate Chamber tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
The
Senate proceeded to consider the resolve of the House of
Representatives, of this day, relative to the appointment
of Chaplains; and,
Resolved,
That the Senate concur therein; and that the Right Reverend
Doctor Samuel Provost be appointed for the present session,
on the part of the Senate.
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