PREFACE.
In the following pages, the Public, according to the
promise of the Publishers, is presented with a Volume
of American Poems; partly Selected, and partly Original.
In undertaking this Work, they have been actuated by a
variety of motives, and drawn onward by a number of objects.
When looking round them, they saw many Poems,
written by the most eminent American Authors, from the
loose manner of their publishment, known only to a few of
their particular acquaintance, and unheard of by the generality
of their Countrymen. The value of the performances,
and the regard which authors generally feel for their
literary offspring, left them no room to doubt, but that,
at some future period, each person would think it not unworth
the while to collect what he had scattered. But
this period was uncertain; and the publishers tho't that it
would not be rendering an unacceptable service to the Public,
if they undertook the business of collecting, and arranging
each Author's productions in a volume, which from
its size should claim a more universal attention.—Beside the
smaller Poems of Gentlemen, distinguish'd for their poetical
talents, many others, of very great merit, have appeared
in the different Periodical publications of the United
States. Performances of this kind, falling from the pens
of persons not intent on literary fame; or intent on reputation
different from poetical reputation; or whose names
have not yet been dignified by national applause; especially
as many of them are adapted to particular and local occasions;
notwithstanding their desert, are constantly liable
to be forgotten and lost. And the publishers have observed
it to be a matter of much regret, among persons of
reading and taste, that the frail security of an obscure newspaper,
was the only one they had for some of the hansomest
specimens of American Poetry. To afford a stronger,
and more durable security, is one of the objects of this
Publication.—Among other things, it did not appear to be
a matter altogether destitute of usefulness, to bring together,
in one view, the several poetical productions of the different
States. By this means a more certain estimation
can be made of the comparative merit of their various writers;
a more thorough acquaintance may be obtained of the
state of the belles-lettres in the individual parts of the Union;
and hereby will be promoted a more intimate combination
of literary interests.—It especially seemed a matter
of importance, to draw forth, for the amusement of the
lovers of poetry, those Poems which, for want of a Repository
of this kind, alone, were withheld from the Public.
It was easy to foresee, that many persons, acting with a
proper regard to the worth of their own writings, would
readily give up that advantage, which news-papers bestow,
of having them known to every body; if they could by
means of a Work like the present one, secure them a certain
conveyance to the attention of the scientific and refined.
It was likewise the wish of the Publishers, to excite the
attention of those possessed of talents and leisure, to similar
pursuits; by holding out to them a Work where, united
with the like performances of the most celebrated
among their Countrymen, their Poems may be equally secure
of preservation and notice.—These have been the intentions
of the Publishers. How far their design is accomplished,
is not for them to determine. That it should be
completely so, was not to be expected. This is but the beginning
of an Undertaking; and they hope, not an unpromising
one. The Public alone, have the power to countenance
and support them in its accomplishment.—Should
the Volume, now published, meet with that success which
the value of the Poems it contains seems to warrant, it is
the intention of the Publishers to add another; and to continue
the Collection as long as the
present supply of Materials,
and
that for which, in future, they may be indebted
to the generosity of the literarty, will enable them.
They have, now, only to return, to their subscribers,
their most unfeignedly grateful acknowledgments for the
generous support which they have afforded them; and to
express a hope, that tho' the publication owing to some
unfortunate circumstances, has been delayed longer than
their first purpose, no other expectation, which they have
held forth, may be disappointed on a careful examination of
the Work.
Litchfield (Connecticut) June 1793.
