Richard Allen: Eulogy of George Washington (1799)

Introduction

Richard Allen was a founder on behalf of African Americans. In 1787, the formerly enslaved Allen cofounded a mutual-aid organization—the Free African Society—in order to assist Philadelphia’s newly freed and increasingly all-free Black communities. From his position of leadership within the African American community, Allen’s memorial to Washington was poignant. In addition to the military and political accomplishments of the late president, Allen praised Washington’s emancipation of his 100 slaves in his will and the provision providing for their education. The pastor no doubt hoped others would follow Washington’s example by steadily eradicating human bondage throughout the new country.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

• Why, do you think, did the Reverend Allen commence his eulogy by characterizing Washington’s death as “an event in which we participate in common”?
• What lines, or lines, from this address inspire you? What passages raise questions for you?
• Does this address cause you to think differently about the meaning of George Washington’s legacy?
• More broadly, how does Allen’s commemoration read in light of present-day understandings of slavery and the country’s founders?

Eulogy of George Washington – Richard Allen

At this time it may not be improper to speak a little on the late mournful event—an event in which we participate in common with the feelings of a grateful people—an event which causes “the land to mourn” in a season of festivity. Our father and friend is taken from us—he whom the nations honoured is “seen of men no more.”

We, my friends, have particular cause to bemoan our loss. To us he has been the sympathising friend and tender father. He has watched over us, and viewed our degraded and afflicted state with compassion and pity—his heart was not insensible to our sufferings. He whose wisdom the nations revered thought we had a right to liberty. Unbiased by the popular opinion of the state in which is the memorable Mount Vernon—he dared to do his duty, and wipe off the only stain with which man could ever reproach him.

And it is now said by an authority on which I rely, that he who ventured his life in battles, whose “head was covered” in that day, and whose shield the “Lord of hosts” was, did not fight for that liberty which he desired to withhold from others—the bread of oppression was not sweet to his taste, and he “let the oppressed go free”—he “undid every burden”—he provided lands and comfortable accommodations for them when he kept this “acceptable fast to the Lord”—that those who had been slaves might rejoice in the day of their deliverance.

If he who broke the yoke of British burdens “from off the neck of the people” of this land, and was hailed his country’s deliverer, by what name shall we call him who secretly and almost unknown emancipated his “bondmen and bondwomen”—became to them a father, and gave them an inheritance!

Deeds like these are not common. He did not let “his right hand know what his left hand did”—but he who “sees in secret will openly reward” such acts of beneficence.

The name of Washington will live when the sculptured marble and statue of bronze shall be crumbled into dust—for it is the decree of the eternal God that “the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, but the memorial of the wicked shall rot.”

It is not often necessary, and it is seldom that occasion requires recommending the observance of the laws of the land to you, but at this time it becomes a duty; for you cannot honour those who have loved you and been your benefactors more than by taking their council and advice.

And here let me intreat you always to bear in mind the affectionate farewell advice of the great Washington—”to love your country—to obey its laws—to seek its peace—and to keep yourselves from attachment to any foreign nation.”

Your observance of these short and comprehensive expressions will make you good citizens—and greatly promote the cause of the oppressed and shew to the world that you hold dear the name of George Washington.

May a double portion of his spirit rest on all the officers of the government in the United States, and all that say my Father, my Father—the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof, which is the whole of the American people.

Source: Allen, R. (1799). Eulogy of George Washington. The Philadelphia Gazette. (Reprinted in “We participate in common: Richard Allen’s eulogy of Washington,” by R. S. Newman, 2004, William and Mary Quarterly, 61[1], 117–118).