It is well known among all the Citizens of the I3 united states that the Jews have been true and faithful whigs, & during the late Contest with England they have been foremost in aiding and assisting the states with their lifes & fortunes, they have supported the cause, have bravely fought and bled for liberty which they cannot Enjoy.
Therefore if the honourable Convention shall in their Wisdom think fit and alter the said oath & leave out the words to viz, and I do acknowledge the scripture of the new testiment to be given by divine inspiration, then the Israelites will think themself happy to live under a government where all Religious societys are on an Equal footing….
My prayers is unto the Lord. May the people of this states Rise up as a great & young lion, May they prevail against their Enemies, may the degrees of honour of his Excellency the president of the Convention George Washington, be Exhalted & Raise up. May Everyone speak of his glorious Exploits….
“In 1786, after the Revolution, [Phillips] returned to New York where he set up in business as a vendue master, but within three years he went back to Philadelphia where he spent his last days. We catch a characteristic glimpse of this staunch Jew in the record that ‘The case of Stansberry v. Marks, reported in 2d Dallas, page 213, was tried on Saturday, April 5, 1793. The defendant offered Jonas Phillips, a Jew, as his witness, but he refused to be sworn because it was his Sabbath. The Court therefore fined him £10.’
Jonas Phillips passed away on January 29, 1803.
“In his will he left a legacy of £ 12 [pound sterling] to the New York congregation so that when even the descendants of his numerous progeny may have forgotten him, his name will still be commemorated in grateful memory.”