Nations lately become Literary. 531 



But those who recollect the origin and progress of 

 the settlements which now form the United States, 

 and who make an impartial estimate of what may 

 be justly expected from a people situated as their 

 inhabitants have been and are, will entertain a more 

 respectful opinion of the small portion of literature 

 which our country contains/ 



The original settlers of the American States 

 may be divided into three classes, viz. 1. Emi- 

 grants from England, who fled from persecu- 

 tion, and came to enjoy liberty of conscience : 

 Of this class were the first settlers in New- 

 England. 2. Emigrants from the same coun- 

 try, who were prompted chiefly by the hope of 

 temporal emolument : Of this description were 

 the first settlers in Virginia and the Carolinas. 3. 

 Emigrants from Sweden and Holland, who planted 

 themselves in New- York, and certain parts of New- 

 Jersey and Pennsylvania. The English colony 

 established some years afterwards in Pennsylvania 

 by the illustrious William Penn, as well as that in 

 Maryland, by Lord Baltimore, may be considered 

 as bearing the mixed character of settlements 

 prompted both by religious and worldly motives. 



It might have been expected that the colonists 

 of New-England would be most early and zealous 

 in their attention to literature. Their character, 



t The Author regrets that his account of the rise and progress of Ame- 

 rican literature is so much less full and satisfactory than he once hoped 

 to make it. With all his partiality for his native country, he is con- 

 vinced that its literary history, even if completely drawn out. would not 

 make a very honourable figure. But of the few learned men, and literary 

 events of which we have to boast, it is mortifying that we know so little. 

 The very names of some who, a century ago, were the most conspicuous 

 benefactors to the interests of liberal knowledge in our country, are now 

 almost forgotten ; and with respect to the details of their acquirements and 

 services, nothing can be learned. An attempt is made in the following 

 pages, to collect a few of the names and facts which appeared worthy of 

 notice There is no doubt that more will occur to different readers equal- 

 ly worthy of being mentioned. The author can only say, that he has en- 

 deavoured, as impartially as he was able, to exhibit the small portion of in- 

 formation which came within his reach. 



