7  This  letter  of  May  2,  1788,  reads  as  follows  :
"  Dear  Sir,

I  have  received  your  obliging  letter  of  the  28th  of  March,  inclosing  a  copy  of
some  remarks  on  the  customs,  languages  &c  of  the  Indians,  and  a  printed  pamphlet  con-
taining the  stated  rules  of  a  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Heathen  ;  for
which  tokens  of  polite  attention  and  kind  remembrance  I  must  beg  you  to  accept  my  best
thanks.
So  far  as  I  am  able  of  judging,  the  principles  upon  which  the  Society  is  founded,  and  the
rules  laid  down  for  its  government,  appear  to  be  well  calculated  to  promote  so  laudable  and
arduous  an  undertaking ;  and  you  will  permit  me  to  add  that   if  an  event   so   long   and   so


1786 i8o6.  559

Again  on  July  10,  1789,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Directors  of  the
Society,  a  congratulatory  address  was  framed  to  be  sent  to  him  in
view  of  his  inauguration  as  President  of  the  United  States.  It  was
committed  to  the  Rev.  James  Birkby,  the  Moravian  pastor  in  New
York  City,  to  present  in  person.  This  was  done  and  a  very  cordial
answer  was  returned  by  Washington,  which  was  received  August  20,
1789,    to    the    board    at    Bethlehem.^     The  sentiments  expressed  by


ardently  desired  as  that  of  converting  the  Indians  to  Christianity  and  consequently  to  civili-
zation can  be  effected,  the  Society  at  Bethlehem  bids  fair  to  bear  a  very  considerable  part  in  it.
With  sentiment  of  esteem,

I  am  your  most  obedient  humble  servant,

Geo.  Washington."
8  The  address  of  the  Directors  read  as  follows:

"To  HIS  Excellency  George  Washington,   President  of  the   United   States  of
America.
The  Address  of  the  Directors  of  the  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  for  Propagating  the
Gospel  among  the  Heathen.
