Treaty of Tripoli

The Treaty of Tripoli references the first treaty between the United States and Tripoli, signed in 1796 and ratified in 1797 under then President John Adams. It is often used in support of the case for the United States founders' position with regard to church-state separation.

Article 11 reads as follows:
 * Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

In terms of contention, there is little reason to believe that the article was controversial. The ratification passed the senate unanimously by the 23 senators present for the vote.