George Washington's "To Bigotry No Sanction" Letter to the Newport Hebrew Congregation: Exceedingly Rare Broadside in Yiddish and English

"All possess alike liberty of conscience, and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support?."

GEORGE WASHINGTON. Broadside in English and Yiddish, featuring a facsimile of George Washington's original letter (in English) to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, along with its translation into Yiddish. With blue and gold border, and a portrait of Washington on the top surrounded by George Washington's family crest with the motto Virtas Sola Nobilitas (Virtue alone ennobles, or more colloquially, Virtue is its own reward), and the Great Seal of the United States with its motto E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One). The text is printed over an outline portrait of George Washington in light bright yellow. Legend at bottom left: "Copyrighted by Julius Loeb, 10 Spruce St., N.Y., U.S." Ca. late 19th century, possibly for the centennial of the letter (1790) or of Washington's death (1799). 15.5 x 21.75 in., framed to 24.75 x 31 in.

On August 17, 1790, Moses Seixas, a Newport merchant and banker, wrote a welcome address to George Washington on behalf of the Congregation Kahal Kadosh Yeshuat Israel. From fifteen Sephardic families who arrived in 1658, Newport's Jewish community grew to be the largest in the colonies by the Revolutionary War. Many Jews left during the British occupation, but a significant number returned. By the time of Washington's visit, there were approximately 300 Jews in the thriving Newport community.

Seixas' letter expressed his hopes for the success of the new "government erected by the majesty of the people, a government which to bigotry gives no sanction, persecution no assistance, but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience." Washington echoed Seixas's words, and built on them, to make his most celebrated statement on religious freedom, describing a nation based on inclusion.

Newport's Touro Synagogue is the oldest Jewish house of worship in North America. A public reading of George Washington's letter takes place every year in this synagogue.Professionally conservation treated, 2025.

Provenance: "The Wayte Raymond Public Auction Sale, Part 4, December 6-8, 1978, New York City, lot no. 26" (according to the label attached to the reverse side of the frame) > Kedem Auction House, February 18, 2025, lot 334.

Professionally conservation treated, 2025.