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Madison
Letter to Bradford, January 24, 1774
At
the time of this correspondence, conflict between the
colonies and Great Britain was escalating. This letter
blends Madison's thoughts on religion and the imminent
revolution. Madison credits the lack of a uniform, established
religion throughout the colonies with the diminution
of British control and corruption. In his mind, "ecclesiastical
establishments . . . facilitate the execution
of mischievous projects," such as the British frequently
imposed upon the colonies. Madison's thoughts in this
letter reflect his appreciation for religious division
and competition, which combat the moral evils of ignorance,
corruption, persecution, and slavery. Madison knew of
the perils of established religion. Religious persecution
and corruption raged in Virginia, where the Church of
England had been established. Most upsetting to him
was the clergy's involvement in such persecution. His
angry declaration that such practices are of diabolical
and hell-conceived notions expresses the seriousness
with which he viewed repression of conscience — a most
sacred liberty.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
TO
WILLIAM BRADFORD
January
the 24th, 1774
[P]olitical
contests are necessary sometimes, as well as military, to
afford exercise and practice, and to instruct in the art
of defending liberty and property. I verily believe the
frequent assaults that have been made on America (Boston
especially) will in the end prove of real advantage.
If
the Church of England had been the established and general
religion in all the northern colonies as it has been among
us here, and uninterrupted tranquillity had prevailed throughout
the continent, it is clear to me that slavery and subjection
might and would have been gradually insinuated among us.
Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence,
and ecclesiastical establishments tend to great ignorance
and corruption; all of which facilitate the execution of
mischievous projects.
But
away with politics!. . . . George Luckey
was with me at Christmas, and we talked so much about old
affairs and old friends, that I have a most insatiable desire
to see you all. . . . I want again to breathe
your free air. I expect it will mend my constitution and
confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an atmosphere
at home as the climate will allow; but have nothing to brag
of as to the state and liberty of my country. Poverty and
luxury prevail among all sorts; pride, ignorance, and knavery
among the priesthood, and vice and wickedness among the
laity. This is bad enough, but it is not the worst I have
to tell you. That diabolical, hell-conceived principle of
persecution rages among some; and to their eternal infamy,
the clergy can furnish their quota of imps for such business.
This vexes me the worst of anything whatever. There are
at this time in the adjacent country not less than five
or six well-meaning men in close jail for publishing their
religious sentiments, which in the main are very orthodox.
I have neither patience to hear, talk, or think of anything
relative to this matter; for I have squabbled and scolded,
abused and ridiculed, so long about it to little purpose,
that I am without common patience. So I must beg you to
pity me, and pray for liberty of conscience to all.
Letter
from James Madison to William Bradford, Jr. (January 24,
1774), in 1 The Writings of James Madison, at 18 (Gaillard
Hunt ed., 1900).
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