Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-30
By AN HISTORIC PEN.
LETTERS or WASHINGTON BEFORE
THE HEBREW HISTORIANS
xasy Important and Interesting Papers
Presented ~ the Iast Meetisg Of the
American jewish Historical Society.
washington Post,

Tho American-Jewish Historical Society
closed its session at the Arlington Thurs
day after brie, meeting in the morning
The most important business transacted
was the selection OF Philadelphia as tina
rlace OF next years meeting. but the ey-
act date IL yet 10 be decided upon. It VIII
be some time Ia December
TO expedite the business Of the meeting
the papers presented were simply read
by title. and referred to the Committee
On Printing
HEBREWS AS PATRIOTS.
The PAPER Of Mr.. Lewis Abraham, OF
this city, was especially interesting In
view OF the historical data which that
gentleman had iaboriously compiled,
showing the prominent and patriotic part
taken by the Hebrew race IN the de-
veiopment OF this country. For instance.
Mr. Abraham presented several letters
from George Washington TO various He
brew congregations. and, so far as IL
known. only one OF these letters has evei
been printed. In his address Mr., Abra'
ham said that the number OF lsraelitcs
In this country prior 10 the declaration
of independence was not large. but there
If undoubted evidence that they were
staunch supporters Of the Colonies In the
efforts of the latter 10 secure severance
from the foreign yoke. When Washing
ton had concluded his labors In the heid
OF war and had attained civic honors ana
iaurels from all quarters were beihg
srowered upon him. the Hebrews Joined
their feIlow-citlzens In felIcitating the
hero and statesman. Out OF this grew the
correspondence referred to. Mr.. Abraham
related that the letter addressed TO The
Eeth Elohim Congregation. of Charleston.
S. c., was destroyed in the great fire in
that city in 1858. In the effort TO secure
q copy, the State Department was APP
realed TO. but no copy seemed to be IN
existence until Mr.. Abraham himself re-
Gently supplied the desired document, and
received the thanks OF the authorities.
The letters were three in number. as
fellows,
Ueply of President George Washington
TO the Address from the Hebrew Con-
gregation OF Savannah. Ga)
Gentlemen: thank you with great SIN
cerity for your congratulations on my
appointment 10 the office which haze
the honor to hold by the unanimous
choice Of my fellow-citlzens. and espe-
eially the expressions you are pleased 10
use in tesufying the confidence that Is
reposed in me by your congrega dciS.
AS the delay which has naturally inter
vened between my election and your ad-
dress has afforded me an opportunity FOR
kppreciatlng the merits OF the Federal
Government and for communicative your
sentiments Of It's administration, have
70 express my satisfaction rather
than regret at a circumstance which re
monstrates. upon experiment your at
tachment 10 the former as well as ap-
probation OF the latter.
rejoice that a spirit Of liberaity and
philanthropy is much more prevalent
than II formerly was among the enl!ght-
ened nations OF the earth. and that your
brethren will benefit thereby in proportion
as IL shall become still more extensive;
happily the people Of the United States
have In many Instances exhibited exam
pies worthy Of imitation. the .alutary in
huence OF which Will doubtless. extend
much farther If gratefully enjoying thuse
blessings of peace which. Under the favor
OF Heaven. have been attained by forti-
tude IN war. they shall conduct them
selves with reverence 10 the Deity arj
charity toward their fellow creatures.
May the same woodworking Deity
who long since delivered the Hebrews
from their Egyptian OppresSOrs. planted
them IN n promised land. whose prOVi-
Dental agency has lately been COnspicC-
Gus In establishing these United States
as an independent nation. sull continue
20 water them with the dews Of Heaven
and make the inhabitants Of every de-
nomination participate In the temporal
and spiritual blessings Of that people
whose God is Jehovah.
c. WASHINGTON.
ANOTHER WASHINGTON LETTER.
Repy to the address Of the Newport
Or. ID Hebrew Congregation)
Gentlemen: While | received with much
satisfaction your address, replete with eX-
pressons OF esteem. l rejoice in the op-
portunity OF assuring You that l shall
always retain grateful remembrance OF
the cordial welcome | experienced on my
visit TO Newport from all classes Of citi-
Eens.
The reflection on the days OF difficulty
and danger which are past Is rendered the
more sweet from a consciousness that
they are succeeded by days Of uncommon
prosperity and security.
II We have wisdom 10 make the best
use OF the advantages with which we are
now favored. we cannot fail, under the
Just administration Of n good government
10 become great and happy people
The citizens Of the United States OF
America have a right 10 applaud them
selves for having given TO mankind
examples Of an enlarged and liberal
policy-a policy worthy of imitation. All
possess alike liberty OF conscience and
immunities OF citizenship.
Ii - now no more that liberation is
spoken OF as II II were the indulgence OF
one class of people that another enjoyed
the exercise of their inherent natural
rights, for. happily. the Government of
the United States, which gives TO bigotry
no factions. to persecution no assistance,
requires only that they who live under its
protection should demean themselves as
good citizens in giving 1t on all occasions
their effectual support.
II would be inconsistent with the frank
ness OF nv character not TO avow that /
am pleased with your favorable opinion
Of my administration, and fervent wishes
for my felicity.
May the children OF the stock OF Abra-
ham who dwell In this land continue to
merit and enjoy the goodwill Of the other
Inhabitants. while every one shall sit in
safety under his own vine and fig tree,
and there shall be no one TO make him
afraid.
May the Father OF all Mercies scatter
Hight and not darkness upou our paths,
uhu MAKE US all IN our several VocauonS
useful here, and In His own due time
and way everlastirgly happy.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Reply 10 the address OF the Hebrew
Congregations In the cities OF Philadel-
phia. New York. Richmond. and Charles
ton:
Gentlemen,-The llberality Of sentiment
toward each other. which marks every
political and religious denomination OF
men In this country, stands unparalleled
In the history OF nations.
The affection Of such q people Is a trea-
sure beyond the reach OF calculation. and
the repeated proofs which my fellow
citizens have given OF their attachment
70 me and appreciation OF my doings
FORM the purest source Of my temporal
felicity.
The arectionate expressions OF your adj
uress again excite my gratitude and re-
ee!ye my warnest acknowledgment.
The power and goodness OF the Al
mighty. so strongly manifested in the
events OF our late glorious revolution.
end His kind interposition In our behalf.
have been no less visible In the establish
msnt OF our present equal government.
an war He directed the sword. and in
peace lie has ruled In our councils. My
Hxeucy In hnfh haS ho.