INTRODUCTION. 



IT is the singular merit of this Republic that, 

 during a brief national existence which has not yet 

 attained the limits of a century, she has produced 

 men in each department of intellectual excellence, 

 who are celebrated in every portion of the civilized 

 world. It is also a remarkable circumstance con- 

 nected with the progressive and rapid development 

 of the national greatness, that its master-spirits in 

 every sphere have been evoked into a splendid and 

 efficient existence, precisely in proportion as the 

 developing wants of the country demanded their 

 presence and their activity. 



The first necessity of the young Republic was the 

 possession of soldiers and generals whose skill and 

 prowess should overturn the unjust supremacy of 

 Britain, by their achievements on the battle-field, 

 and thus repel the aggressions of the most powerful 

 nation on the globe. That necessity was satisfied 

 as soon as felt, from the rich resources of the nation ; 



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