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James Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance

By , About.com Guide

There is a lot of disagreement and debate in America over the meaning and value of the separation of church and state. Some hold it to be inviolate while others deny that it does or should exist. In the arguments over Jefferson's metaphor of a "wall of separation," however, the concerns of James Madison, who wrote the First Amendment, tend to be lost. Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance was his most decisive and important explanation of his feelings on religious freedom.

Memorial and Remonstrance: Background

Madison believed that, under the Constitution, "there is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermeddle with religion" and that "this subject is, for the honor of America, perfectly free and unshackled. The Government has no jurisdiction over it...." At no point is Madison more unrelenting than in his opposition to state support or aid for religion. Not even 'three pence' contribution was to be taken from any citizen for such a purpose. "If it were lawful to impose a small tax for religion the admission would pave the way for oppressive levies." Not the amount but "the principle of assessment" itself was wrong.

Memorial and Remonstrance: Text

Full text of James Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance, written in response to Patrick Henry's Assessment Bill, a bill designed to collect taxes on behalf of Christian churches.

Patrick Henry's Assessment Bill: Text

Full text of Patrick Henry's Memorial and Remonstrance, designed to collect taxes on behalf of Christian churches in order to forestall an alleged decay of civility, morality and piety in the state of Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom: Text

Full text of Thomas Jefferson's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, enacted in Virginia largely due to the efforts of James Madison in 1786 while Jefferson was attending to diplomatic duties in Europe.

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