February 23rd
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“The arts and sciences essential to the prosperity of the state and to the ornament and happiness of human life have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and of mankind.”
Artist: Charles Peale. NPS
To President* Joseph Reed
Morris-town, 15 February 1780
Sir,
I am much indebted to your Excellency for announcing my election as a member of the Philosophical society**. I feel myself particularly honored by this relation to a society whose successful efforts for [promoting] useful knowledge have already justly acquired them the highest reputation in the literary world. I entreat you to present my warmest acknowledgments, and to assure them that I shall with zeal embrace every opportunity of seconding their laudable views and manifesting the exalted sense I have of the institution. The arts and sciences essential to the prosperity of the state and to the ornament and happiness of human life have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and of mankind. With the greatest respect & esteem I am Sir, Yr Most Obedt Servt***
G:o Washington
* governor
** “The American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Washington was elected a member Jan. 19, 1780. His membership certificate, in the Washington Papers, is dated Mar. 22, 1780.” Benjamin Franklin was also a member. — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
*** Washington would write on 17 June 1798: “To promote Literature in this rising Empire, and to encourage the Arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart.”
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