In reply to questions as to the design of the Constitution from the
committee of a Baptist society in Virginia, Geo. Washington wrote, Aug.
4, 1789, as follows:--

"If I had the least idea of any difficulty resulting from the
Constitution adopted by the Convention, of which I had the honor to
be President when it was formed, so as to endanger the rights of
any religious denomination, then I never should have attached my
name to that instrument. If I had any idea that the general
government was so administered that the liberty of conscience was
endangered, I pray you be assured that no man would be more willing
than myself to revise and alter that part of it, so as to avoid all
religious persecutions. You can, without doubt, remember that I
have often expressed my opinion, that every man who conducts
himself as a good citizen is accountable alone to God for his
religious faith, and should be protected in worshiping God
according to the dictates of his own conscience."

In 1830, certain memorials for prohibiting the transportation of mails
and the opening of post-offices on Sunday were referred to the
Congressional Committee on Post-offices and Post-roads. The committee
reported unfavorably to the prayer of the memorialists. Their report was
adopted and printed by order of the Senate of the United States, and the
committee discharged from the further consideration of the subject. Of
the Constitution, they say:--

"We look in vain to that instrument for authority to say whether
the first day, or seventh day, or whether any day, has been made
holy by the Almighty."