_To Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge and Others, a Committee of the
Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut_
January 1, 1802
Gentlemen
,
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you
are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury
Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties
dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my
constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity
to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more
pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely
between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his
faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach
actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign
reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that
their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a
wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this
expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights
of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of
those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights,
convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing
of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for
yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high
respect and esteem.
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