---

Programme Note

Digital perusal score available from SchirmerOnDemand

George Washington's texts from Washington Speaks:
“The liberty enjoyed by the people of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their consciences, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.”
— To the Annual meeting of Quakers, September 1789

“We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart.”
— Letter to the Members of the New Church in Baltimore, January 27, 1793

“All possess alike liberty of the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

“May the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

“May the Father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.”
— Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, 1790