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Secular country not intended

Sun., March 5, 2017

George Clark’s Feb. 21 letter, which claims the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli confirms our founding fathers intended to create a secular country, is not correct. Article 11 (which Clark is referencing) of the treaty came under intense debate as it was only included in the English translation nor could it ever be determined how and why it was included in the treaty. The Treaty of Tripoli was later superseded in 1805 by the Treaty of Peace & Amity, and did not include Article 11.

For a better understanding of the intentions of our founding fathers, read “America’s Providential History,” by Dr. Mark A. Beliles and Stephen K. McDowell.

Martha Fleming

Spokane

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