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“It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans (Muslims), pagans, etc., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans, or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves."

Elliot’s Debates, Vol. IV, pp 198-199, Governor Samuel Johnston, July 30, 1788 at the North Carolina Ratifying Convention

 

Samuel Johnston

 

 

 

 


North Carolina state legislature, 1760
North Carolina State Senate 1779
Delegate to Continental Congress/ North Carolina, 1780-81
Governor of North Carolina, 1787-89
U.S. Senator from North Carolina, 1789-93