To George Washington from John Lathrop, 28 January 1788
From John Lathrop
Boston 28 Jany 1788
Sir,
Our worthy an amiable friend General Linclon asked me the other day, whether I had sent one of my Discourses ⟨de⟩livered before the Humane Society to General Washington, I told him I had not, and indeed the reason I had not was, that I had not confidence enough in its merit, to think it worth sending so far. But as Genral Linclon assurd me Your excellency wished to see every thing of the kind publishd in America, and that he would take the trouble of sending it, I will ask your acceptance of one of those Discourses for your self, and one for any friend to whom you may please to give it.1
I also take the liberty to Send a Discourse deliverd on the Peace.2 ⟨I⟩ felt myself greatly interested in the events of the w⟨ar I⟩ never enjoyed a more happy Day than that which ⟨brough⟩t peace, with innumerable Blessings.3 With ev⟨ery s⟩entiment of respect ⟨I⟩ beg leave to Subscribe myself Your Excellency’s most obedient & humbe Servt
John Lathrop
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. John Lathrop (c.1739–1816) published many of the sermons that he delivered during his long tenure as minister of the Second Church in Boston. A Discourse, before the Humane Society, in Boston: Delivered on the Second Tuesday of June, 1787 was printed by E. Russell in Boston in 1787.
2. Lathrop’s A Discourse on the Peace; Preached on the Day of Public Thanksgiving, November 25, 1784 was printed by Peter Edes in Boston in 1784.
3. GW replied from Mount Vernon on 22 Feb.: “Sir, I have received your letter of the 28th Ulto—accompanied by the three pamphlets which you did me the honor to send me. You will do me the favor, Sir, to accept of my best thanks for the mark of polite attention in forwarding your discourses to me.
“The one delivered before the Humane Society is upon a subject highly interesting to the feelings of every benevolent mind. The laudable view of Institutions of this nature do honor to humanity. The benefices resulting from them is not confined to any particular class or nation—it extends its influence to the whole race of mankind and cannot be too much applauded. I am, Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt Go: Washington” (LS [photocopy], NjP: Armstrong Photostats; LB, DLC:GW).