PROPOSALS

FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTION,

A NEW WORK,

to be prepared

BY ROBERT WALSH, Jun.

and entitled

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY;

or,

HISTORICAL DICTIONARY OF EMINENT AMERICANS.

---

The term Americans, thus employed, is meant to include all individuals of superior merit or reputation, civil or military, who have at any time belonged to the communities which now compose our extensive and flourishing Republic. In their colonial state, from their first settlement, they were ennobled by genius and learning; by ability and virtue, in the council and the field. That period of their existence ought, therefore, to be laid under contribution for instances of individual excellence and distinction. Every reader conversant with their general annals, must have remarked the want of a work such as the one now projected, and will readily perceive the important purposes, to which, if it should be well executed, it may be lastingly subservient.

Biographical Dictionaries of American Worthies do indeed exist; but they are confined to particular eras, or particular classes of persons; and, for the most part, are far from having general currency and authority. There is none comprehensive both in the plan and the execution—none which can be called an authentic repertory of dates and events, appertaining to American Biography, viewed on the scale above mentioned. It is a repertory of this kind which is designed, wherein shall be carefully specified the deserts not only of Statesmen and Warriors, but of the heads and ornaments of the learned and1 liberal professions—in which leading historical traits may be registered, and beneficial American inventions and writings designated conjointly with the Biographical Notices of those to whom they can be traced. Without being rendered too voluminous, it may be made to comprise much that is valuable and as yet recondite, in regard to American History, Chronology and Bibliography.2

American citizens, almost universally, have occasion to possess or seek information, which this sort of compilation can best supply, and which, in the absence of it, is unattainable by the greater number, and to be procured by the rest, only with much trouble and loss of time. Its utility and convenience to American youth, and to regular Annalists, are too obvious to require illustration. The future historian is deeply interested in the accuracy as to date and circumstance, with which the lives of the public men of the present age are sketched.

A complete American Biographical Dictionary would disclose to Europe honourable names, labours, and achievements, with which, perhaps, even her most diligent enquirers into our history, are altogether unacquainted. In the mass, as well as in particular details, it would cause our national character and pretensions to be better understood and more highly appreciated.

To prevent misapprehension and disarm political prejudice, the editor emphatically states, that he aims at furnishing a record of simple incidents; of meritorious services, and laudable qualities—he will use no colouring of party, admit no invidious interpretations, enter into no discussions, and abstain from all reflections except those which may tend to increase the efficacy of bright examples. When a general character of an individual is added to the abstract of his life, it shall not be tinged with the feelings, nor founded upon the representations of his adversaries; but framed according to the facts related, and the opinions of dispassionate friends and biographers. The formal exposition or scrutiny of demerits is not essential to this species of publication. Its object is the commemoration of3 what has been done for the advantage and credit of society, in connexion with the names of the agents, and an outline of their personal history.

Implicit reliance may, therefore, be entertained that an impartial and patriotic use will be made of the materials which may be employed for the work. These will be drawn from the histories, biographical dictionaries, memoirs, sketches, &c, extant, and from private sources—to the best of which it is believed that ready and successful access can be obtained. It is not necessary nor desirable that originality should be attempted in all, or in the greater part of the contents—truth, exactness, and condensation are to be chiefly studied—what is suitable concurrently with these ends, may be adopted wherever found. At the same time, on several accounts, it is proper that the productions from which articles may be borrowed entire, or principally extracted, should be cited, in acknowledgment of their utility; and it is confidently expected that the work will be rich in new and striking facts, and possess enough of freshness, besides the fullness and accuracy upon which, mainly, claims to patronage are to be rested. Particulars of the lives of the most distinguished among the first settlers in the new States and Territories, will be anxiously sought. From this field much may be gathered, uniting an exhibition of manly virtues and splendid results, with the interest and variety of romantic adventure.

The exclusion of the names of all persons yet alive, might seem a just rule; but, upon reflection, it will hardly be deemed eligible. We have contemporaries who have finally retreated from public life, after a brilliant career; and others, who may be considered as fixed in the highest honours of their pursuits. They would of course be introduced, after death, into some biographical record: but it is now that the most correct sketches of them can be taken; and while the curiosity of the present may as reasonably be gratified as that of4 future generations, it is desirable that the benefit of good models should be enjoyed as soon as possible. Moreover, in this case, a strict, narrow limitation may be imposed on the choice.

Of the advantages of Biography in itself, so much has been written, and the conviction has been so general, both in ancient and modern times, that scarcely any portion of any lettered nation can need to be told in what they consist. The following passage of Dryden’s Life of Plutarch is quoted here, in order that attention may be excited to the peculiar force with which the influence he so happily describes, must act upon Americans when “the great and worthy men” celebrated are their countrymen.

“Though we allow that Biography is in dignity inferior to History and Annals, in pleasure and instruction it equals or even excels both of them. It is not only commended by ancient practice to celebrate the memory of great and worthy men, as the best thanks which posterity can pay them, but also the examples of virtue are of more vigour, when they are thus contracted into individuals. As the sunbeams, united in a burning-glass to a point, have greater force than when they are darted from a plain superficies, so the virtues and actions of one man, drawn together into a single story, strike upon our minds a stronger and more lively impression, than the scattered relations of many men, and many actions; and by the same means that they give us pleasure, they afford us profit too. For when the understanding is intent and fixed on a single thing, it carries closer to the mark; every part of the object sinks into it; and the soul receives it unmixed and whole.”

It is supposed that two volumes Octavo, of about 6005 pages each, will suffice for this Historical Dictionary. Subscription papers, mentioning the terms, &c. will be placed in the principal Book Stores.