$6 8 Nations lately become Literary. 



who resided some time in Virginia, and Dr. John 1 

 Clayton," a native of that country, both rendered 

 important services in investigating the botanical 

 treasures of America. To several of these the 

 iovers of natural history owe a large debt of grati- 

 tude ; nor can any one take the most superficial 

 view of the progress of science in America with- 

 out immediately recognizing the extent and the 

 utility of their labours. 



The controversy respecting the introduction and 

 support of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, in the 

 American Colonies, may be considered as forming 

 an important epocha in the literary history of our 

 country. Every inquiry which induces men of learn- 

 ing and talents to write, and which contributes to 

 form good writers, deserves to be considered as an 

 era in the progress of literature. The controversy 

 above-mentioned was certainly useful in both these 

 respects. It called into action latent talents, and by 

 rousingthe public attention, and interesting the feel- 

 ings of some of the most learned men in the country, 

 it gave rise to a number of publications, and, no 

 doubt, extended the taste for inquiry and reading. 

 In this controversy, the principal writers were Dr. 

 Jonathan Mayhew, w Dr. Charles Chauncey/ 



u Dr. John Clayton was a native of Virginia, and devoted a long 

 life to the investigation of its botanical riches. He was a private country 

 gentleman, of moderate fortune, and greatly respected by all who knew 

 him. He resided in Gloucester County, about eighteen or twenty miles 

 from the city of Wiliiamsburgh. Clayton's work appears to have been 

 first printed under the following title; " Flora Virginica : Numeri Plan- 

 tarum in Virginia Obser -cat arum, a Johanne Claytono.". 8vo. 1739— • 

 1743. It was afcerwards published under this title : Joh. Fred. Grono- 

 vii, Flora Virginica, exhibens Plantas quas J. Claytonus observavit, 

 follegit et obtulit, ijfc. Ladg. Bat. 4to. 1762. 



iv Dr. Mayhew was pastor of the West Church in Boston. He was 

 a man of distinguished learning and talents. His principal work on this 

 subject was written in 1764. 



x Dr. Charles Chauxcey was born in Boston, in the year 1705, 

 graduated at Harvard College in 1721 ; was installed pastor of the First 

 Church in Boston in 1727 ; in which station he continued till 1787 ; when 

 he was removed by death. Dr. Chauncey was descended from the cele- 

 brated man of the same name, who, in the days of Archbishop Laub, 



