PREFACE TO THE NINTH EDITION OF THE POEM ON THE HAPPINESS OF AMERICA.
This Poem having passed through eight editions in little more
than four years, without having been accompanied with any introduction
or preface, the writer hopes he shall escape every uncandid
imputation, in offering, with this edition, his acknowledgments
for the flattering reception it has met with from the public, together
with some of the motives which originally engaged him in
this performance.
The writer is happy that he has chosen a subject more interesting
almost any other to the feelings of his countrymen,
and that the topics introduced in its discussion have not proved unsatisfactory
to those for whose entertainment the work was designed.
To these causes, rather than to its intrinsic value as a
composition, he attributes the distinguished regard with which it
has been honoured.
The United States of America, when first assuming their place
as a nation among the nations of the earth, presented a momentous
and awful spectacle to mankind; for the political welfare
of the species seemed, in some sort, involved in the event. The
theatre was vast, the plot new, the parts important, and the conduct
of the action for a long time so doubtful, as to produce distressing
apprehensions respecting its termination. The Americans,
whose exertions and sufferings had been rewarded by the acquisition
of Independence, were, however, at the end of the war,
surrounded with threatening prospects. In these circumstances
the writer endeavoured to show his countrymen the superior advantages
for happiness which they possessed; to dissipate their
gloomy apprehensions, by the exhibition of consolatory anticipations;
and to make them think favourably of their own situation
when compared with that of other nations. Many circumstances
conspired to give facility to the execution of the task he had imposed
on himself. The ideas were principally suggested by the
peculiarity of our condition. We began our political career, in a
great measure, free from the prejudice, and favoured with the
knowledge of former ages and other nations. The amiable innocence
and simplicity of manners which resulted from the present
state of society in America, offered a curious subject for philosophical
contemplation. Our minds, imperceptibly impressed with
the novelty, beauty, or sublimity of surrounding objects, gave energy
to the language which expressed our sensations. While the
shades of changing nature, which diversified the scenery through
all the intermediate stages of settlement and population, from the
rude grandeur of a wilderness to the pleasant landscapes of cultivation,
afforded an extensive field for variegated description. To
an assemblage of such magnificent images, so proper for poetry,
were added, a multitude of incidents derived from the delights of
agricultural life, the blessings of enlightened society, and the progress
of human improvements. The author, by thus availing
himself of circumstances, was enabled to gratify an early and decided
propensity for contemplating the beauties of creation, especially
under that point of view in which they are most conspicuously
beneficial to his fellow men.
Since this Poem was written, by the establishment of a general
government, and the concurrence of fortunate events, scenes of
happienss have been realized in this country, which were considered
by some altogether chimerical. And the prospects which are
now expanding before our view, seem peculiarly calculated to
excite us to greater exertions, not only for promoting the national
prosperity, but even for producing such examples in civil policy, as
will tend essentially to the amelioration of the human lot.
