Joel Barlow

1754–1812 · American poet & diplomat; drafted the English Treaty of Tripoli

Joel Barlow was an American poet, diplomat, and one of the “Hartford Wits,” who served as U.S. consul at Algiers in the 1790s. As agent to the Barbary states he prepared the English text of the Treaty of Tripoli, including the famous Article 11. The clause reflects the treaty’s diplomatic aim — reassuring a Muslim power that the young republic bore it no religious enmity — rather than a personal declaration by any Founding Father.

Traced to source

1 quote we’ve traced

“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion”

Disputed

Did they really say it?

Thought Joel Barlow said something else?

Type a quote you think Joel Barlow said — we’ll tell you what we know, or point you to the best sources.