7218. RELIGION, Federal government and.—
In matters of religion, I have considered
that its free exercise is placed by the
Constitution independent of the powers of the
General Government. I have, therefore, undertaken,
on no occasion, to prescribe the
religious exercises suited to it; but have left
them, as the Constitution found them, under
the direction and discipline of State or church
authorities acknowledged by the several religious
societies.—
Second Inaugural Address. Washington ed. viii, 42.
Ford ed., viii, 344.
(1805)
