Heralds of American literature; a group of patriot writers of the revolutionary and national periods

Front matter

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Father Abraham in his Study.

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Preface

Each decade calls forth a more detailed study of the beginnings of American history. The lives of our pioneer soldiers and statesmen have been narrated in many volumes. On the other hand, the writers who prophesied, and sought to promote, a national literature during the early days of American independence have not been so generally studied, except in groups. Moses Coit Tyler individualized scores of Colonial and Revolutionary versifiers and satirists, but the selfimposed limits of his theme prevented him from completing the later services of some of these writers, after the Revolution. He did not live to accomplish a similar work in biography for the patriot-writers of the National period in which American government, industry, and education were slowly established. The aim of this book is to recount, in detailed study and largely from original sources, the lives and services of a group of typical writers during the pioneer days of national growth, who revealed the standards and aspirations of their time and who announced the dawn of a national literature, although their own products were often immature and crude.

In my researches, which have extended over many years, I have had valuable assistance from vi PREFACE

librarians at Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Princeton Universities, the Library of Congress, the Lenox Library of New York, the Athenaeum and Public Library of Boston, the American Antiquarian Society and Public Library at Worcester, and Pequot Library at Southport, Connecticut. I would also acknowledge indebtedness to the Historical Societies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. For editorial suggestions I am grateful to members of the faculty of the University of Chicago. Descendants of some of these early writers, and many individuals, have given me generous interest and co-operation. Four of the chapters, in abbreviated form, have been printed in the New England Magazine, and one in the Critic. Thanks are due the editors of these journals for permission to reprint.

A. R. M.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

i. Frontispiece : Father Abraham In His Study. From y a copy of Franklin's "Father Abraham's Advice," 1760, in Boston Public Library.

2. Francis Hopkinson. From a painting by R. Pine, 1785, engraved by J. B. Longacre; facing page 19.

3. Francis Hopkinson's "Battle of The Kegs/' From an early broadside in American Antiquarian Society Library; facing page 41.

4. Philip Freneau. From a print, long owned by Dr. Emmett, made from crayon sketch; facing page 61.

5. John Trumbull. From a painting by the artist, / John Trumbull, 1793; facing page 107.

6. Title-Page of "M'Fingal," first edition, Philadelphia, 1775. From copy in Watkinson Library, Hartford; facing page 130.

7. Title-Page of "The Echo," New York, 1807; facing page 161.

8. Joseph Dennie. From a portrait long owned by the family, possibly painted by Charles W. Peale; facing page 193.

9. Title-Page of "The Lay Preacher," first edition, 1796. From copy in American Antiquarian Society Library; facing page 228.

10. Title-Page of William Dunlap's Play, "Andre," 1798; facing page 255.

11. Charles Brockden Brown. From a miniature painted by William Dunlap, 1806, engraved by J. B. Forrest; facing page 279.

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Introductory: Signs of the Dawn — The

Impulse of Franklin 2