“Although George Washington may have personally met her only once for a period of around half an hour, the kindness and respect that he showed toward Phillis Wheatley, a female African slave, serves as a telling example of his moral complexity and capacity for humanitarian … Philliss talents were recognized when she was young, and he was taught to read and write a poem she wrote in 1776 supporting George Washington brought her an invitation to visit his army head quarters. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. Born around 1753, Phillis Wheatley was the first black poet in America to publish a book. I thank you most sincerely for your polite notice of me, in the elegant lines you enclosed;  and however undeserving I may be of such encomium and panegyric, the style and manner exhibit a striking proof of your poetical talents; in honor of which, and as a tribute justly due to you, I would have published the poem, had I not been apprehensive, that, while I only meant to give the world this new instance of your genius, I might have incurred the imputation of vanity. Wheatley writes an ode to George Washington entitled "To His Excellency, George Washington." She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write, He liked the poem so much he invited her to come visit him. GW sent Wheatley’s letter and poem to Joseph Reed in Philadelphia on 10 Feb. 1776, and Reed apparently arranged to have it published in the Pennsylvania Magazine. Communication With George Washington In 1776, Phillis Wheatley had written a poem to George Washington, lauding his appointment as commander of the Continental Army. A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine. For in their hopes Columbia's arm prevails. At age fourteen, Wheatley began to write poetry, publishing her first poem in 1767. See mother earth her offspring’s fate bemoan. Granted. Celestial choir! In Phillis Wheatley's homage to George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, the poet creates a goddess she calls Columbia to personify the American colonies. Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late. Auspicious queen, thine heav’nly pinions spread,And lead celestial Chastity along;Lo! Born in Gambia, she was made a slave at age seven. Bow propitious while my pen relates. © Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038. Now famous throughout New England, she became a strong supporter of the colonists’ struggle for freedom from Britain. Involved in sorrows and the veil of night! Muse! When Gallic powers Columbia's fury found; The land of freedom's heaven-defended race! Washington also extended an invitation for Wheatley to call on him at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.”, https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/phillis-wheatley/. While round increase the rising hills of dead. Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side. Be thine. Phillis sends the poem to Washington. Be thine.”, Washington responded with a letter expressing his appreciation for Wheatley’s poem. Manuscript/Mixed Material George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, February 28, 1776. In 1776, Wheatley wrote “To His Excellency General Washington,” an inspiring address to George Washington which praises the American Revolution as a virtuous cause. In December of 1775, Washington – the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army – received a letter from Wheatley containing an ode written in his honor. Unnumber’d charms and recent graces rise. Muse! Bow propitious while my pen relatesHow pour her armies through a thousand gates,As when Eolus heaven's fair face deforms,Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms;Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar,The refluent surges beat the sounding shore;Or think as leaves in Autumn's golden reign,Such, and so many, moves the warrior's train.In bright array they seek the work of war,Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air.Shall I to Washington their praise recite?Enough thou know'st them in the fields of fight.Thee, first in peace and honors—we demandThe grace and glory of thy martial band.Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more,Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore! Phillis Wheatley(1753 – 5 December 1784) Phillis Wheatley was the first published African American poet and first African-American woman whose writings helped create the genre of African American literature. The goddess wears olive and laurel to symbolize peace and victory and inspires … Such, and so many, moves the warrior’s train. From Helicon’s refulgent heights attend,Ye sacred choir, and my attempts befriend:To tell her glories with a faithful tongue,Ye blooming graces, triumph in my song. Thee, first in peace and honors—we demand The grace and glory of thy martial band. While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms. While freedom’s cause her anxious breast alarms. Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore! Eventually Wheatley’s owners began to see such great potential in her intellectual development that they excused her from household duties and allowed her to focus on her studies. enthron’d in realms of light. Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side. Educated by them, she was reading the Greek and Latin classics by the age of 12. 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Publication of “An Elegiac Poem, on the Death of the Celebrated Divine George Whitefield” in … This, and nothing else, determined me not to give it place in the public prints. But how many know about the first Black American to receive a patent, Thomas L. Jennings? Enough thou know’st them in the fields of fight. Fix’d are the eyes of nations on the scales. Not only was this letter the only one Washington is known to have written to a former slave, but he addressed Wheatley as “Miss Phillis” and signed off as “Your obed[ien]t humble servant,”1 unusual and even paradoxical courtesies. That same year, Phillis was released from slavery. O Thou bright jewel in my aim I striveTo comprehend thee. Columbia’s scenes of glorious toils I write. With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Phillis Wheatley’s poem to George Washington I posted a poem last week by Phillis Wheatley, who was one of the best known poets of pre-nineteenth century America. Shall I to Washington their praise recite? Phillis Wheatley adopted an abstruse language and a personal voice in her poetry. George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, February 28, 1776. their necessities, provided it does not encourage them in idleness; and I have no objection to your giving my Money in Charity, to the Amount of forty or fifty Pounds a Year, when you think it well bestowed stowed. She became a well-known poet during her lifetime through patriotic and Puritan poems such as "To His Excellency George Washington." It ends with a stanza reading: “Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side, / Thy ev’ry action let the goddess guide. GW sent Wheatley’s letter and poem to Joseph Reed who apparently had them published. She was purchased in Boston by a wealthy merchant, John Wheatley. See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan. They allowed their eighteen-year-old daughter Mary to begin tutoring the young Phillis in Greek, Latin, poetry, and other subjects. 1. Imagination! Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more. Fix'd are the eyes of nations on the scales. How pour her armies through a thousand gates. Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late. See the bright beams of heaven’s revolving light. Phillis Wheatley Writes to George Washington song. enthron'd in realms of light,Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write.While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms,She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan,And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!See the bright beams of heaven's revolving lightInvolved in sorrows and the veil of night! While round increase the rising hills of dead. Now here, now there, the roving Fancy flies,Till some lov’d object strikes her wand’ring eyes,Whose silken fetters all the senses bind,And soft captivity involves the mind. “Although George Washington may have personally met her only once for a period of around half an hour, the kindness and respect that he showed toward Phillis Wheatley, a female African slave, serves as a telling example of his moral complexity and capacity for humanitarian understanding. Celestial choir! This was during the time her enslavers were alive, and she was still quite the sensation. Boston, October 26, 1775 To His Excellency George Washington Sir,I have taken the freedom to address your Excellency in the enclosed poem, and entreat your acceptance, though I … In bright array they seek the work of war. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. 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