TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, LOUIS THE Sixteenth, KING OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE.
SIRE,
In recounting the numerous blessings which have
arisen to mankind from the discovery of America,
the mind dwells with particular pleasure and gratitude
upon those Characters, from whose hands these
blessings have immediately flowed. That change
in the political face of Europe, that liberality of
sentiment, that enlargement of commercial, military
and philosophical knowledge, which contrast the
present with the fifteenth century, are but so many
consequences of this great event; an event which
laid open all parts of the earth to the range of the
liberal mind. The illustrious line of your royal
Ancestors have been conspicuous in seizing those
advantages and diffusing their happy effects. The
great Father of the House of Bourbon will be held
in the highest veneration, till his favourite political
system shall be realized among the nations of Europe,
and extended to all mankind. But it was
left to his more glorious Descendant, to accelerate
the progress of society, by disregarding the temporary
interests and local policies of other Monarchs,
reaching the hand of beneficence to another hemisphere,
and raising an infant empire, in a few years,
to a degree of importance, which several ages were
scarcely thought sufficient to produce.
This is the sublime of humanity, to feel for future
ages and distant nations; to act those things,
as a Monarch, which another can only contemplate
as a Philosopher, or image in the flights of poetry.
America acknowledges her obligations to the Guardian
of her rights; mankind, who survey your conduct,
and posterity, for whom you act, will see that
the tribute of gratitude is paid.
If to patronize the Arts can add to the praise of
these more glorious actions, your Majesty's fame
in this respect will be ever sacred; as there are none,
who can feel the subject so strongly as those who
are the particular objects of your royal condescension.
The following work, which may be considered
in part, as the offspring of those reflections which
your Majesty's conduct has taught me to make,
possesses one advantage scarcely to be expected in a
Poem written in a foreign language. Your Majesty's
permission, that the unfortunate Columbus
may once more enjoy the protection of a royal benefactor,
has added a new obligation to those I before
felt—in common with a grateful country. It is
the policy of wise Princes to encourage the liberal
arts among their subjects; and, as the human race
are the objects of your extended administration,
they may all in some measure claim the privilege
of subjects, in seeking your literary as well as political
protection.
With the deepest sense of your Majesty's royal
munificence to my country, and gracious condescension
to myself, I have the honour to be,
Sire, YOUR MAJESTY's Most humble and Most devoted Servant, Joel Barlow.
