Documentary History of the Struggle for Religious Liberty in Virginia

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ...and remonstrance of the ministers and lay representatives of the Presbyterian church in Virginia, assembled in convention;' a petition and remonstrance of the committee of sundry Baptist associations; also, petitions from members of Presbyterian church near Peaks of Otter, Bedford county; several petitions of members of sundry Presbyterian societies, from the Quakers, from several Baptist churches, assembled by their representatives in general association in the county of Orange, on the 17th of September, and from sundry citizens of the Commonwealth. Petitions in favor of the bill came up from Mecklenburg, Westmoreland, Essex, Richmond (county), Pittsylvania, Lunenburg, Surry, and Amelia. The people were found to be overwhelmingly against the bill, and, after a brief consideration in Committee of the Whole House, it was given up forever. Dr. Foote, page 431, says that it was lost by a majority of only three votes, which plainly indicates that, but for this appeal to the people, the obnoxious measure would have been fastened upon Virginia. Jefferson's Bill Triumphs. As the assessment bill was buried under the weight of numerous petitions and memorials, Madison took advantage of the favorable opportunity thus presented to bring forward Mr. Jefferson's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom. He advocated it with an able speech, and it was reported to the House, by which body it was adopted, December 17, 1785, by a vote of 67 ayes against 20 noes. January 16, 1786, certain amendments which were reported from the Senate were agreed to by the House, and Mr. Madison was directed to inform the Senate. The enrolled bill was signed by the Speaker, January 19, 1786. Of this bill, Dr. Foote wrote as follows, in 1850: After an experiment of...