George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Uzal Ogden, 20 September 1785

From Uzal Ogden

State of Jersey, Newark 20 Sep. 1785.

Dear Sir,

Though late, permit me to congratulate you on the Establishment of Peace and Independence to these States, and to mention that I feel Sensations of Gratitude to those, who, under Providence, have been instrumental in obtaining these invaluable Blessings.

May they, by our Virtue and Wisdom, ever be secured to us, with the Enjoyment of each earthly Good!

I have taken the Liberty to inclose two Pamphlets, which I beg your Acceptance of,1 and am, with affectionate Regards to Mrs Washington, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and very humble Servant

Uzal Ogden

ALS, DLC:GW.

Uzal Ogden (1744–1822), an Episcopal clergyman from Newark, was a pamphleteer who became a controversial figure in the church after the General Convention in 1799 refused to approve his election as first bishop of New Jersey.

1The two pamphlets, both of which are in the Boston Athenæum, are entitled: A Sermon Delivered at Morris-Town, on Monday December 27, 1784, It Being the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, before the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, of Lodge No. 10, in the State of New-Jersey and An Address to Those Persons at Elizabeth-Town, and Newark, and in Their Vicinity, in the State of New Jersey, Who Have Lately Been Seriously Impressed with a Desire to Obtain Salvation to Which is Annexed, a Prayer Adapted to a Person in a State of Penitence (Griffin, Boston Athenæum Collection, description begins Appleton P. C. Griffin, comp. A Catalogue of the Washington Collection in the Boston Athenæum. Cambridge, Mass., 1897. description ends 154). Both pamphlets were printed in New York in 1785.

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