Friday Sepr 7 [58] 1787. In Convention

[ [58] The following letter was received on this day from Jonas Phillips, a Jew in Philadelphia:

"Sires

"With leave and submission I address myself To those in whome there is wisdom understanding and knowledge. They are the honourable personages appointed and Made overseers of a part of the terrestrial globe of the Earth, Namely the 13 united states of america in Convention Assembled, the Lord preserve them amen—

"I the subscriber being one of the people called Jews of the City of Philadelphia, a people scattered and despersed among all nations do behold with Concern that among the laws in the Constitution of Pennsylvania their is a Clause Sect. 10 to viz–I do belive in one God the Creature and governour of the universe the Rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked–and I do acknowledge the scriptures of the old and New testement to be given by a devine inspiration–to swear and believe that the new testement was given by devine inspiration is absolutly against the Religious principle of a Jew and is against his Conscience to take any such oath–By the above law a Jew is deprived of holding any publick office or place of Government which is a Contridectory to the bill of Right Sect 2. viz

"That all men have a natural and unalienable Right To worship almighty God according to the dectates of their own Conscience and understanding, and that no man aught or of Right can be compelled to attend any Religious Worship or Erect or support any place of worship or Maintain any minister contrary to or against his own free will and Consent nor Can any man who acknowledges the being of a God be Justly deprived or abridged of any Civil Right as a Citizen on account of his Religious sentiments or peculiar mode of Religious Worship, and that no authority Can or aught to be vested in or assumed by any power what ever that shall in any Case interfere or in any manner Controul the Right of Conscience in the free Exercise of Religious Worship—

"It is well known among all the Citizens of the 13 united States that the Jews have been true and faithfull whigs, and during the late Contest with England they have been foremost in aiding and assisting the States with their lifes and fortunes, they have supported the Cause, have bravely faught and bleed for liberty which they Can not Enjoy—

Therefore if the honourable Convention shall in ther Wisdom think fit and alter the said oath and leave out the words to viz–and I do acknowledge the scripture of the new testeraent to be given by devine inspiration then the Israeletes will think them self happy to live under a government where all Religious societys are on an Eaquel footing–I solecet this favour for my self my Childreen and posterity and for the benefit of all the Israeletes through the 13 united States of america.

"My prayers is unto the Lord. May the people of this States Rise up as a great and young lion, May they prevail against their Enemies, May the degrees of honour of his Excellencey the president of the Convention George Washington, be Extollet and Raise up. May Every one speak of his glorious Exploits. May God prolong his days among us in this land of Liberty–May he lead the armies against his Enemys as he has done hereuntofore–May God Extend peace unto the united States–May they get up to the highest Prosperetys–May God Extend peace to them and their Seed after them so long as the Sun and moon Endureth–and may the almighty God of our father Abraham Isaac and Jacob endue this Noble Assembly with wisdom Judgement and unamity in their Councells, and may they have the Satisfaction to see that their present toil and labour for the wellfair of the united States may be approved of, Through all the world and perticular by the united States of america is the ardent prayer of Sires.

"Your Most devoted obed Servant

"Jonas Phillips

"Philadelphia 24th Ellul 5547 or Sepr 7th. 1787"–Const. MSS.

The mode of constituting the Executive being resumed, Mr Randolph moved, to insert in the first section of the report made yesterday

"The Legislature may declare by law what officer of the U. S. shall act as President in case of the death, resignation, or disability of the President and Vice-President; and such officer shall act accordingly until the time of electing a President shall arrive."

Mr Madison observed that this, as worded, would prevent a supply of the vacancy by an intermediate election of the President, and moved to substitute–"until such disability be removed, or a President shall be elected. [59] Mr Govr Morris 2ded the motion, which was agreed to.

[ [59] In the printed Journal this amendment is put into the original motion.–Madison's Note.

It seemed to be an objection to the provision with some, that according to the process established for chusing the Executive, there would be difficulty in effecting it at other than the fixed periods; with others, that the Legislature was restrained in the temporary appointment to "officers" of the U. S.: They wished it to be at liberty to appoint others than such.

On the Motion of Mr Randolph as amended, it passed in the affirmative.