Sect. III.] United States of America. 249 



Carolina*. Beside these, a number of writers of 

 smaller name embarked in the same cause, and 

 contributed to the mass of inquiries and publica- 

 tions which the period produced. And though 

 the distresses of the times served to derange and 

 almost to destroy some important literary institu- 

 tions j yet, during this period, seeds were sown 

 which were destined soon afterward to spring up 

 and to bring forth fruit highly honourable to that 

 country. 



The revolutionary war was no sooner termi- 

 nated by the peace of 1783, than the friends of 

 literature began to feel more than ever the im- 

 portance of encouraging institutions for diftusing 

 useful knowledge among the people. Indeed, 

 before the din of arms ceased to be heard, plans 

 began to be formed, and in some instances to be 

 executed, for the promotion of this object. The 

 inhabitants of the American States now not only 

 felt independent in a political view, but they also 

 began to cherish the wish for greater literary in- 

 dependence than they had heretofore enjoyed. 

 The zeal and enterprise which had been directed 



brought down to the year 1779, in three large volumes, which he 

 intended to correct and publish, but was prevented by death. 

 He died in Philadelphia in 1779, Avhile attending his duty ii> 

 congress, in the thirty seventh year of his age. 



* The author regrets, that it is not in his power to give a more 

 complete catalogue of the writers on the American controversy. 

 Many well written pamphlets on both sides of this question were 

 published anonymously. This was especially the case with 

 those who wrote in favour of the British claims; so that out of 

 the large number who belong to the latter class, only lieutenant- 

 governor Hutchinson and Mr. Galloway are sufficiently knowi 

 to be particularly mentioned. 



