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characters in history. Her life reads more like a romance than the statement of historical facts. From a condition of nudity in a slave ship she worked her way until she conquered the social cast of Boston and London, and was dined and praised by the cultivated and refined of two continents. George W. William says if her "she addressed a poem to General Washington that pleased the old warrior very much. We have never seen it though we have searched diligently."
Mr. Sparks says of it in his Life of Washington, “I have not been able to find among Washington’s papers this letter and poem addressed to him, They have doubtless been lost.” Thus we see that a distinguished biographer and no less distinguished historian, both searched diligently for the poem and their conclusions were, doubtless it has been lost, but we are glad to inform our readers that the poem in question was not lost, but gone before to the publishers, sent by Washington himself. And having obtained a copy at no little trouble and pains, we shall give it in full, but will first quote two letters germane to it.
Cambridge, Feb.28th 1776
Miss Phillis :-
Your favor of the 26th of October did not reach my hands till the middle of December. Time enough you will say to have given an answer ere this be granted, But a variety of important occurrences, continually interposing to distract the mind, and, withdraw the attention, I hope will apologize for the delay, and plead my excuse for seeming neglect. I thank you most sincerely for your polite notice of me in the elegant lines enclosed; and however undeserving I may be of such ecomium and panegyric the style and the manner exhibit a stricking proff of your poetical talents; in honor of which, and as a tribute justly due you, I would have published the poem, had I had not been apprehensive, that while I only meant to give a place in the public prints. If you should ever come to Cambridge or near headquarters. shall be glad to see a person so favored by the muses, and to whine nature have been so liberal and be efficient in her dispensation. 
I am with great respect, your obedient, humble servant.
George Washington.
This is the kind of letter we would expect from a man who was noble enough to emancipate his own slaves, that they might enjoy that liberty for which he imperiled his life. The following letter accompanied the poem dedicated to Washington just before he took command of the Continental Army:

George Washington, Sir:
I have taken the liberty to address your excellency in enclosed poem, and entreat your acceptance, though I am not insensible to its inaccuracies. Your appointment by the Continental Congress to the Generalissimo of the Armies of North America, together with the fame of your virtues excite sensations not easy to surprises, Your generosity, therefore, I presume will pardon the attempt. Wishing your Excellency all possible success in the great cause you are so generously engaged in, I am your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant. 
Providence, Oct. 26th 1775 
Phillis Wheatly

Celestial Choir enthroned 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 light 
Involved in sorrows and in veil of night.

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