(March 4, 1791), was the 14th State admitted into the Union. The Constitution of the State of Vermont, adopted 1777, stated: Preamble. Whereas all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community, as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and … Continue reading “VERMONT,
STATE OF”
RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, STATE OF
(May 29, 1790), was the 13th State admitted to the Union. In 1784, the legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations passed an Act abolishing slavery within the State.2037 The Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, adopted 1842, stated: Preamble. We, the people of the State of Rhode … Continue reading “RHODE
ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, STATE OF”
TYLER, JOHN
(March 29, 1790–January 18, 1862), was the 10th President of the United States, 1841–45, responsible for the Annexation of Texas, 1844, the city of Tyler, Texas, being his namesake; the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, 1842, ending the border disputes with Canada; joint U.S.-British naval patrols off the African coast to suppress the slave trade; and the United … Continue reading “TYLER,
JOHN”
JAY, WILLIAM
(June 16, 1789–October 14, 1858), was the son of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the father of John Jay, the influential diplomat. He was a successful attorney, author and judge in Westchester County, New York. William Jay took the unpopular and politically incorrect stance of opposing slavery, and, in … Continue reading “JAY,
WILLIAM”
LINN, WILLIAM
(May 1, 1789), was elected Chaplain of U.S. House of Representatives and given a salary of $500 from the Federal Treasury. He was a respected minister in New York City, and the father of the poet John Blair Linn (1777–1804). Reverend William Linn stated:1986 Let my neighbor once persuade himself that there is no God, … Continue reading “LINN,
WILLIAM”
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
(April 25, 1789), elected the Right Reverend Samuel Provoost (February 26, 1742–September 6, 1815), an Episcopal Bishop, as the first chaplain of the U.S. Senate, appropriating a salary for him to be paid from the Federal treasury. He conducted the service at St. Paul’s Chapel, April 30, 1789, following Washington’s Inauguration, attended by the President, … Continue reading “UNITED
STATES CONGRESS”
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
(1789), was “ordained and established” by the Judiciary Act of Congress. Originally consisting of 6 justices, it has since been increased to 9. The Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., designed by Cass Gilbert, was completed in 1935. Engraved in stone above the head of the Chief Justice are the Ten Commandments with the great … Continue reading “UNITED
STATES SUPREME COURT”
JUDSON, ADONIRAM
(August 9, 1788–April 12, 1850), was the first American foreign missionary. He helped establish the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, translated the Bible in the language of Burma (1840), and compiled the 2 (1849). The conversion of Adoniram Judson is recounted: Adoniram was born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1788. His father was a … Continue reading “JUDSON,
ADONIRAM”
NORTH CAROLINA, STATE OF
(July 30, 1788), during the debates of the Convention to ratify of the Federal Constitution, Governor Samuel Johnston stated: I know but two or three States where there is the least chance of establishing any particular religion. The people of Massachusetts and Connecticut are mostly Presbyterians. In every other State, the people are divided into … Continue reading “NORTH
CAROLINA, STATE OF”
NEW YORK, STATE OF
(July 26, 1788), was the 11th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of New York, adopted 1777, stated: Article XXXVIII. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever hereafter be allowed, within this State, to all mankind: Provided, that the liberty of conscience, … Continue reading “NEW
YORK, STATE OF”