Abstract
In 1788, when North Carolina debated whether or not to ratify the new federal constitution with its guarantee that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States," its governor, Samuel Johnston, described two possible conditions under which "Jews, Mahometans, pagans, &c." might be elected to "the office of President or other high office." "First," he declared, "if the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen." "Another case," he continued, "is if any persons of such descriptions should, notwithstanding their religion, acquire the confidence and esteem of the people of America by their good conduct and practice of virtue, they may be chosen."