Was there any backlash from religious communities when the U.S. Senate unanimously ratified the Treaty of Tripoli (1797) which included the phrase "the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion"?

by alschei

I was surprised it was unanimous. Was this not contentious at the time?

Thanks!

chicagofirefifa3

followup q: how would that clause have been read at the time? would it have simply been denying that there was a national church?

Nowhrmn

How did the Muslim Barbary states react to that statement by the US Government?