ARGUMENT.
Address to my soul to explore the future fortunes of the United
States, which are destined to experience many trials and adversities
in our progress to national felicity and glory—our commerce
interrupted by the Algerines—sensation produced by it in the
Americans—invocation for powers of expression to excite them
to revenge—a view of the miseries of the prisoners, which terminates
in an anathema on the perpetrators of such cruelties—
friends of the captives and ruined merchants, how affected—
exhortation to arm unless an equitable peace can be obtained—
apostrophe to the tributary powers—resolution to be taken by
us—our resources hinted, from a glance at the last war—Great-Britain
and Algiers contrasted—prayer to the Supreme Being
—an army raised—a navy formed—naval combat with the
corsairs—their defeat—their woe—utter destruction of their
country—return and rejoicings of the victors—when depredations
shall be committed by the piratical privateers of other
nations, the American Government is to assume an attitude of
defence—in the mean time is exhibited a view of our danger
from anarchy—establishment of a more efficient government—
true liberty extended through the west—improvement in fortifications,
highways, and inland navigation—the new city of
Washington built for the permanent residence of the Federal
Government—our country an asylum for the oppressed of all
nations—Columbia congratulated on her natural and moral
blessings, which are the harbingers of freedom to other countries
—wars which must first arise, together with the horrors
of the French Pentarchy—this epocha succeeded by a prospect
of peace, and the amelioration of the human condition, until
the consummation of all things.
