1. STATESMEN AND POLITICAL WRITERS.--Among the causes which rapidly
developed literature and eloquence in the colonies, the most important
were the oppressions of the mother country, at first silently endured,
then met with murmurs of dissatisfaction, and finally with manful and
boldly-expressed opposition. Speeches and pamphlets were the weapons of
attack, and treating as they did upon subjects affecting the individual
liberty of every citizen, they had a powerful influence on the public
mind, and went far towards severing that mental reliance upon Europe which
American authorship is now so rapidly consummating. The conventionalism of
European literature was cast aside, and the first fruits of native genius
appeared. The public documents of the principal statesmen of the age of
the Revolution were declared by Lord Chatham to equal the finest specimens
of Greek or Roman wisdom. The historical correspondence of this period
constitutes a remarkable portion of American literature, and is valuable
not only for its high qualities of wisdom and patriotism, but for its
graces of expression and felicitous illustration. The letters of
Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Jay, Morris, Hamilton, and many of
their compatriots, possess a permanent literary value aside from that
which they derive from their authorship and the gravity of their subjects.
The speeches of many of the great orators of the age of the Revolution are
not preserved, and are known only by tradition. Of the eloquence of Otis,
which was described as "flames of fire," there are but a few meagre
reports; the passionate appeals of Patrick Henry and of the elder Adams,
which "moved the hearers from their seats," and the resistless declamation
of Pinkney and Rutledge, are preserved only in the history of the effects
which these orators produced.
The writings of Washington (1732-1799), produced chiefly in the camp
surrounded by the din of arms, are remarkable for clearness of expression,
force of language, and a tone of lofty patriotism. They are second to none
of similar character in any nation, and they display powers which, had
they been devoted to literature, would have achieved a position of no
secondary character.
Jefferson (1743-1826) early published a "Summary View of the Rights of
British America," which passed through several editions in London, under
the supervision of Burke. His "Notes on Virginia" is still a standard
work, and his varied and extensive correspondence is a valuable
contribution to American political history.
Hamilton (1757-1804) was one of the most remarkable men of the time, and
to his profound sagacity the country was chiefly indebted for a regulated
currency and an established credit after the conclusion of the war. During
a life of varied and absorbing occupation as a soldier, lawyer, and
statesman, he found time to record his principles; and his writings, full
of energy and sound sense, are noble in tone, and deep in wisdom and
insight. "The Federalist," a joint production of Hamilton, Madison, and
Jay, exhibits a profundity of research and an acuteness of understanding
which would do honor to the most illustrious statesmen of any age. The
name of Madison (1751-1836) is one of the most prominent in the history of
the country, and his writings, chiefly on political, constitutional, and
historical subjects, are of extraordinary value to the student in history
and political philosophy.
Marshall (1755-1835) was for thirty-five years chief-justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States; a court, the powers of which are
greater than were ever before confided to a judicial tribunal.
Determining, without appeal, its own jurisdiction and that of the
legislative and executive departments, this court is not merely the
highest estate in the country, but it settles and continually moulds the
constitution of the government. To the duties of his office, Judge
Marshall brought a quickness of conception commensurate with their
difficulty, and the spirit and strength of one capable of ministering to
the development of a nation. The vessel of state, it has been said, was
launched by the patriotism of many; the chart of her course was designed
chiefly by Hamilton; but when the voyage was begun, the eye that observed,
the head that reckoned, and the hand that compelled the ship to keep her
course amid tempests without, and threats of mutiny within, were those of
the great chief-justice, whom posterity will reverence as one of the
founders of the nation. Marshall's "Life of Washington" is a faithful and
conscientious narrative, written in a clear, unpretending style, and
possesses much literary merit.
Fisher Ames (1758-1808), one of the leaders of the federal party during
the administration of Washington, was equally admired for his learning and
eloquence; although, owing to the temporary interest of many of the
subjects on which he wrote, his reputation has somewhat declined.
Among other writers and orators of the age of the Revolution were Warren,
Adams, and Otis, Patrick Henry, Rutledge, Livingston, Drayton, Quincy,
Dickinson, and numerous firm and gifted men, who, by their logical and
earnest appeals roused the country to the assertion of its rights and gave
a wise direction to the power they thus evoked.
2. THE POETS.--One of the most distinguished poets of the Age of the
Revolution was Philip Freneau (1752-1832). Although many of his
compositions which had great political effect at the time they were
written have little merit, or relate to forgotten events, enough remains
to show that he was not wanting in genius and enthusiasm.
John Trumbull (1750-1831) was the author of "McFingal," a humorous poem in
the style of Butler's Hudibras, the object of which was to render
ludicrous the zeal and logic of the tories. There is no contemporaneous
record which supplies so vivid a representation of the manners of the age,
and the habits and modes of thinking that then prevailed. The popularity
of McFingal was extraordinary, and it had an important influence on the
great events of the time. Trumbull was a tutor in Yale College, and
attempted to introduce an improved course of study and discipline into the
institution, which met with much opposition. His most finished poem, "The
Progress of Dullness," was hardly less serviceable to the cause of
education than his McFingal was to that of liberty. Francis Hopkinson
(1738-1791), another wit of the Revolution, may be ranked beside Trumbull
for his efficiency in the national cause.
Joel Barlow (1755-1812) as an author was among the first of his time. His
principal work is the "Columbiad," an epic poem which, with many faults,
has occasional bursts of patriotism and true eloquence, which should
preserve it from oblivion. His pleasing poem celebrating "Hasty Pudding"
has gained a more extensive popularity. The few songs of William Clifton
(1772-1799), a more original and vigorous poet, are imbued with the true
spirit of lyric poetry.
Timothy Dwight (1752-1819) was the author of "Greenfield Hill," the
"Conquest of Canaan," an epic poem, and several other productions; but his
fame rests chiefly on his merits as a theologian, in which department he
had few if any equals. Many other names might be cited, but none of
commanding excellence.
3. WRITERS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS.--Although in the period immediately
succeeding the Revolution there was a strong tendency to political
discussion, not a few writers found exercise in other departments.
Theology had its able expounders in Bellamy, Hopkins, Dwight, and Bishop
White. Barton merits especial notice for his work on botany, and for his
ethnological investigations concerning the Indian race, and Drs. Rush and
McClurg were eminent in various departments of medical science. In 1795,
Lindley Murray (1745-1826) published his English Grammar, which for a long
time held its place as the best work of the kind in the language.
It should be borne in mind, however, that during this period very few
writers devoted themselves exclusively to literature. Charles Brockden
Brown (1771-1810) was the first purely professional author. His chief
productions are two works of fiction, "Wieland" and "Arthur Mervyn," which
from their merit, and as the first of American creations in the world of
romance, were favorably received, and early attracted attention in
England.
One of the earliest laborers in the field of history was David Ramsay
(1749-1815), and his numerous works are monuments of his unwearied
research and patient labor for the public good and the honor of his
country. Graydon's (1742-1818) "Memoirs of his own Times, with
Reminiscences of Men and Events of the Revolution," illustrates the most
interesting and important period of our history, and combines the various
excellences of style, scholarship, and impartiality.
Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814), better known by his title of Count Rumford,
acquired an extensive reputation in the scientific world for his various
philosophical improvements in private and political economy. William Wirt
was the author of the "Letters of the British Spy," which derives its
interest from its descriptions and notices of individuals. His "Life of
Patrick Henry" is a finished piece of biography, surpassed by few works of
its kind in elegance of style and force of narrative.
John Ledyard (1751-1788), who died in Egypt while preparing for the
exploration of Central Africa, was the first important contributor to the
literature of travel, in America, and his journals, abounding in pleasing
description and truthful narratives, have become classic in this
department of letters, A captivating book of travels in France, by
Lieutenant Pinkney, which appeared in 1809, created such a sensation in
England, that Leigh Hunt tells us it set all the idle world going to
France. Zebulon Pike, under the auspices of the government, published the
first book ever written on the country between the Mississippi and the
Rocky Mountains.