From George Washington to Eliphalet Pearson, 14 November 1791
To Eliphalet Pearson
Philadelphia November 14th 1791.
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 10th of September, enclosing, by order of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Judge Lowell’s eulogy on the late Governor Bowdoin.1
I must beg, Sir, you will present my proper acknowledgements to the Academy for this mark of attention, and at the same time receive yourself my thanks for the polite manner in which you have transmitted to me the Eulogy on that worthy Character, and for the Catalogue of Harvard College which accompanied it. I am, Sir, with due Consideration, Your most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, MBA; LB, DLC:GW.
After graduating from Harvard College in 1773, Eliphalet Pearson (1752–1826), corresponding secretary to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, taught at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. During the Revolutionary War he manufactured saltpeter and gunpowder for the state. In 1786 he was appointed professor of Hebrew and oriental languages at Harvard.
1. Pearson sent GW the pamphlets on 10 Sept., writing: “Thinking it possible, that some of your friends might be gratified with this tribute to the memory of a gentleman, who had a place in your esteem, I have ventured to forward six copies. Your Excellency’s goodness will also excuse my presumption in begging your acceptance of the latest catalogue of our College” (DLC:GW). A copy of John Lowell’s An Eulogy, on the Honourable James Bowdoin, Esq. L.L.D. Late President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Who Died at Boston, November 6, A.D. 1790. Delivered before the Society, January 26, 1791 . . . (Boston, 1791) was in the library at Mount Vernon at the time of GW’s death ( 127–28).