The Treaty of Tripoli, passed by the U.S. Senate in 1797, read in part: "The
government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian
religion." The treaty was written during the Washington administration, and
sent to the Senate during the Adams administration. It was read aloud to the
Senate, and each Senator received a printed copy. This was the 339th time
that a recorded vote was required by the Senate, but only the third time a
vote was unanimous (the next time was to honor George Washington). There is
no record of any debate or dissension on the treaty. It was reprinted in
full in three newspapers - two in Philadelphia, one in New York City. There
is no record of public outcry or complaint in subsequent editions of the
papers.
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