To George Washington from Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 5 November 1796
From Judith Sargent Stevens Murray
Boston Franklin Place1 November 5th 1796
Sir
The homage of the heart, sanctioned by a judgment resulting from the most deliberate investigation, will ever be the involuntary tribute of incomparable abilities, animated, and directed, by illustrious virtues. From this incontrovertible truth, it follows, of course, that every reflecting American will, without hesitation, prostrate before the luminous manifestations, of that assemblage of excellence, which is embodied by, and so eminently distinguishes the present head of the Columbian Union.
No subject of an absolute Monarch ever approached her Sovereign with more reverential duty, glowing affection, and ardent wishes for his continued Celebrity, and prosperity, than the ambitious writer of this address, approaches the Patriot Warrior who has endowed her Country with all that independence, and freedom, which can consist with a due administration of wholesome laws; and who has so conducted the public weal, as to produce for our Citizens, an establishment at once lucrative, and respectable.
I am sensible, Sir, of the temerity of this address—but, when I recollect the day (and it is numbered among the fairest, and most splendid of my life) upon which I was introduced to you, and your meritorious Companion, during your residence in New York2—when I recur to the dignified Condescension, and mild benignity, with which you banished from my bosom those timid fears, which your unequalled name, and transcendant superiority, had grouped about my heart—when I remember that I am the sister of Colonel Sargent3—I indulge a hope, that these circumstances, may be considered as palliatives of my preseumption.
Deign, Honored Sir, to set your name to the inclosed proposals, and thus give Eclat to the production which they announce. Presumption, produces presumption—and I have yet another favour to ask—suffer your Secretary to return the inclosed proposals—with whatever attention you shall judge they merit—under a cover, directed to me—No. 5 Franklin Place.4
If I am still honored by a place in the remembrance of Mrs Washington—Please to present her my most respectful regards—The flower piece done by Miss Custus is still situated among the most pleasing ornaments of my parlour—May the matrimonial election of that amiable, and admired young Lady, augment her felicity,5 and may every thing conspire to render supremely happy, the setting Life of our matchless Hero, our Benignant Father, and our Invariably disinterested Friend. Permit me to say, honored Sir, that I am with sentiments of inexpressible veneration, and perfect esteem, your most obedient humble servant, and faithful Admirer
J. Sargent Murray
A Mr Jackson, who I expect will have the honor to present you this—will take charge of your responces—a line written by your own hand, would be preserved with sacred veneration through life, and bequeathed, at my death, as a legacy to the most favoured of my friends. Doubtless you know how to pardon the arrogant Pretender—and will not refuse to extend to me, that clemency, which you are in the habit of practicing.6
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Judith and her husband Rev. John Murray lived at No. 5 Franklin Place in Boston. Located on the north side of Franklin Street near Arch Street, Franklin Place in the early 1790s stretched to Federal Street and comprised a line of about eight elegant houses over four blocks. Situated across from the row of three-story houses called the Tontine Crescent, Franklin Place was demolished in 1857–58 and the area became part of Franklin Street.
2. Murray first met GW and Martha Washington in the summer of 1790, while she was in New York City. Martha introduced Murray to GW during the weekly levee held at the presidential mansion on 10 Aug. 1790. According to Murray’s account of the reception, the first lady “seated me by her side, and addressing herself particularly to me, as the only stranger present, she engaged me in the most familiar and agreeable conversation.” When describing GW’s entrance into “the Drawing Room,” Murray noted that her “eyes had never before beheld him,” and that “Mrs. Washington herself introduced me.” After Murray performed her “duteous salutations,” a “smile of kindness iluminated the features of the President,” who sat beside her. During her two-hour attendance at the levee, Murray’s status as a “stranger” caused Martha to be especially attentive to her ( 19:144–46). On 12 Aug. 1790, Martha paid an hour-long visit to Murray (see GW to the Convention of the Universal Church, c.9 Aug. 1790, source note).
3. Murray’s brother was Winthrop Sargent, secretary of the Northwest Territory.
4. The enclosed proposals have not been found. However, the enclosure probably was a printed proposal to publish by subscription the three-volume set of poems, plays, and essays written by Murray under the pseudonym “Constantia,” and which later appeared under the title The Gleaner (Boston, 1798). The Providence Gazette for 21 Jan. 1797 printed a piece, dated “Boston, 1797,” and headed: “PROPOSAL for publishing by Subscription, AN ORIGINAL AMERICAN WORK, in three Vols. 12mo. entitled The GLEANER.” According to the advertisement, The Gleaner was to “consist of three Vols. 12mo. of about 300 Pages each.” The published proposal promised delivery of the work “to Subscribers at One Dollar per Volume, in good common Binding.” Many of the essays that appeared in The Gleaner already had been published in the Massachusetts Magazine between 1792 and 1794; emphasized the importance of practical, vocational, education; and advocated for the education and moral improvement of women for the purpose of their financial independence. Both GW and Martha Washington subscribed to The Gleaner, and on 24 Nov., GW sent Murray $5 in partial payment for their subscription (see n.6 below). Other prominent subscribers included John Adams, Rev. Jeremy Belknap, and Henry Knox. In the spring of 1798, Murray forwarded GW his three-volume set of The Gleaner, which he “read with very great pleasure” (GW to Murray, 4 June 1798, found at Murray to GW, 29 March 1798, n.1, in 2:162–64). One three-volume set of The Gleaner, with GW’s autograph, was in GW’s library at the time of his death (see , 493).
5. GW’s step-granddaughter Eleanor Parke “Nelly” Custis, who lived in the presidential household, did not marry until February 1799, when she wed Lawrence Lewis. GW’s most recently married step-granddaughter was Elizabeth Parke Custis, who had wed Thomas Law in March 1796 (see GW to Law, 28 March 1796). Elizabeth’s and Nelly’s sister, Martha Parke Custis, had married Thomas Peter in January 1795.
6. GW replied to Murray from Philadelphia on 24 Nov.: “The letter with which you were pleased to honor me—dated the 5th instant, came duly to hand; and is entitled to my grateful acknowledgments for the favourable sentiments your partiality has led you to express for me; and for the services I have endeavoured to render our common country.
“I wish both were more deserving of the eulogium you have bestowed thereon.
“Mrs Washington adds her name to mine as a subscriber to your works, and with Miss Custis (who is with us) unites in best wishes for the success of it—and for your personal happiness … ⟨P.⟩S. Enclosed is a five ⟨D⟩ollar Bank note on acct ⟨o⟩f the subscription” (ALS [letterpress copy’], DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW; the text in angle brackets is taken from the letter-book copy).