Nicholas Pike (1743–1819) was a Harvard-educated teacher and mathematician from New Hampshire. He was the most influential figure in the teaching of mathematics in the United States during the early decades of the republic. He published a large number of school text books, mostly derived from his first and most significant book A New and Complete System of Arithmetic, composed for the Use of the Citizens of the United States, published in Newburyport by John Mycall in 1788. As indicated by the full title of his treatise, Pike saw his work as a patriotic undertaking and it was warmly embraced by his fellow citizens, including President George Washington.Pike began teaching during the 1760s, focusing on arithmetic and trigonometry. Pike "was the first American arithmetician to attain wide popularity in the field of school textbooks....the orderly presentation of the subject to children is stressed [by Pikes method], the Federal money....is given adequate treatment, and the applications of arithmetic to business are well indicated....Pike made an enduring contribution to American education" (DAB XIV:598).Aside from its placement as the first widely circulated American arithmetic book, Pikes work served a very important role with a uniquely American dilemma of the times. At the time of its publication, and for 70+ years thereafter, the United States maintained the legal status of circulating foreign currencies, and early on the various coinages of the American Colonies were also accepted in commerce. The process of any American of that era accepting payments and making "change" was riddled with complexities, and Pikes work resonated with the necessary counsel and solutions. Indeed, within five years time, Thomas Jefferson echoed that counsel in addressing the United States Congress, in his Notes on the establishment of a Money Mint, and of a coinage for the United States.On 25 March 1786, Pike wrote to Washington seeking permission to dedicate the System of Arithmetic to him; Washington politely declined Pikes request in a letter of 20 June 1786. Undeterred, when the work was published two years later, Pike sent a copy to Mount Vernon. That elicited the letter offered here, in which Washington applauds Pikes achievement:George Washington, as first President. Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington"), 2 1/2 pages (9 1/2 inches x 7 1/2 inches; 241 mm x 190 mm), Mount Vernon, 20 June 1788, to Nicholas Pike; tiny losses to central fold, a few light spots. Housed in a gilt-lettered blue calf portfolio case."I request you will accept my best thanks for....the copy of your System of Arithmetic which you were pleases to present to me."The handsome manner in which that Work is printed and the elegant manner in which it is bound, are pleasing proofs of the progress which the Arts are making in this Country, But I should do violence to my own feelings, if I suppresses an acknowledgment of the belief that the work itself is calculated to be equally useful and honorable to the United States."It is but right, however, to apprise you, that, diffident of my own decision, the favorable opinion I entertain of your performance is founded rather on the explicit and ample testimonies of gentlemen confessedly possessed of great mathematical knowledge, than on the partial and incompetent attention I have been able to pay to it myself. But I must be permitted to remark that the subject, in my estimation holds a higher rank in the literary scale than you are disposed to allow. The science of figures, to a certain degree, is not only indispensably requisite in every walk of civilized life, but the investigation of mathematical truths accustoms the mind to method and correctness in reasoning, and is an employment peculiarly worthy of rational beings. In a clouded state of existence, where so many things appear precarious to the bewildered research, it is here that the rational faculties find a form foundation to rest upon. From the high ground of mathematical and philosophical demonstration, we are insensibly led to far nobler speculations and sublime meditations."I hope and trust that the Work will ultimately prove not less profitable than reputable to yourself. It seems to have been concluded, on all hands, that such a System was much wanted. It merits being established by the approbation of competent Judges, I flatter myself that the idea of its being an American production, and the first of its kind which has appeared, will induce every patriotic and liberal character to give it all the countenance and patronage in his power. In all events, you may rest assured, that, as no person takes more interest in the encouragement of American Genius, so no one will be more highly gratified with the success of your ingenious, arduous and useful undertaking than he, who has the unfeigned pleasure to subscribe himself with esteem & regard."In this lot, Washingtons letter is accompanied by Nicholas Pikes own copy of the first edition of A New and Complete System of Arithmetic, signed by him on the front free endpaper and with marginal notes and insertions throughout. (Lightly browned and a bit foxed; contemporary calf binding, quite rubbed.) Evans, American Bibliography 21394.Also included in the lot is perhaps the sole surviving copy of a March 1786 promotional broadside, as well as an autographed arithmetical manuscript signed several times by Nicholas Pike, 1764, containing notes and work that likely formed the basis of much of his published treatise, covering topics including the decimal system, algebra, trigonometry, surveying, and sailing. The manuscript is lavishly illustrated with original drawings and diagrams, many hand-colored; a roundel drawing of the Pike family tree signed by Joseph Pike, 1802, accompanies the manuscript. (Some staining; contemporary vellum, worn, stained, and a bit shaken).
