To George Washington from Richard Snowdon, 13 November 1793
From Richard Snowdon
Newton Gloucester State of New Jersey Novbr 13th 93
The Author of the enclosed Volume presents it to the Worthy President of the United States as a Small Tribute of that affectionate esteem which he with many thousands bear for his Person whose merit both as a Hero and Citizen hath captivated the feeling Heart that thrills with exalted pleasure at the loved name of Washington.1 As the Author is one of the People called Quakers he cannot consistent with his profession make use of a Style that custom hath established in what is called the Polite World Shall therefore confine himself to the feeling Language of the Heart and that mode of expression which he hath been educated in And notwithstanding Providence hath placed him in the humble Walks of Life he is firmly persuaded that like the Widows Mite it will be no less acceptable on that account And shall now take the Liberty to conclude this address in the Words of Dr Young as they accord with the Sentiments of his own Heart viz.
“Farewel! thro’ boundless ages fare tho⟨u⟩ well! The dignity of Man and blessing of Heaven be with thee! The broad Hand of the Almighty cover thee! Mayst thou Shine when the Sun is extinct⟨!⟩ Mayst thou live and triumph when time Expires” 2 is the Ardent wish of thy Sincere friend and Admirer
Richard Snowdon
ALS, DLC:GW. Richard Snowdon (Snowden; 1753–1825) was the author of The American Revolution; Written in the Style of Ancient History (2 vols., Philadelphia, 1793–94); The Columbiad, or, a Poem on the American War, in Thirteen Cantoes (Philadelphia, 1795); and The History of North and South America, from Its Discovery to the Death of General Washington (2 vols., Philadelphia, 1805).
1. Snowdon enclosed the first volume of his American Revolution. GW wrote Snowdon on 4 Dec. to acknowledge its receipt: “I have received, and thank you for the first vol. of the American Revolution—I shall read it, I am persuaded, when my leizure will allow me with not less pleasure because it is ‘written in the style of ancient history’—I thank you also for the favorable sentiments & good wishes you have expressed for me” (ADfS [photocopy], NjMoHP).
2. Snowdon is quoting the English poet Edward Young (1683–1765). The passage, with “quenched” in place of “extinct,” appears in the section called “The Dignity of Man Resumed” in the later editions of Young’s The Centaur Not Fabulous. In Six Letters to a Friend, on the Life in Vogue (see, for example, The Works of the Reverend Edward Young, LL.D. Rector of Wellwyn in Hertfordshire, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty [4 vols., London, 1765], 4:177–78).