[45] The text is from the edition of 1809. The poem, given originally as the graduating address of Freneau and Brackenridge at Princeton, Brackenridge delivering it, was first published In 1772 at Philadelphia, by Joseph Crukshank, for R. Aitken, bookseller. This pamphlet edition is the only one extant of the original poem. Freneau reprinted his own part, with many modifications and additions, in the first edition of his poems, 1786, explaining it with the following note: "This poem is a little altered from the original (published in Philadelphia in 1772), such parts being only inserted here as were written by the author of this volume. A few more modern lines towards the conclusion are incorporated with the rest, being a supposed prophetical anticipation of subsequent events." The text of the edition of 1772, which is now exceedingly rare, is as follows: A POEM ON THE RISING GLORY OF AMERICA Being an Exercise delivered at the Public Commencement at Nassau-Hall, September 25, 1771. ARGUMENT The subject proposed.--The discovery of America by Columbus and others.--A philosophical enquiry into the origin of the savages of America.--Their uncultivated state.--The first planters of America.--The cause of their migration from Europe.--The difficulties they encountered from the resentment of the natives and other circumstances.--The French war in North America.--The most distinguished heroes who fell in it; Wolf, Braddock, &c.--General Johnson,--his character.--North America, why superior to South.--On Agriculture.--On commerce.--On science.--Whitefield,--his character.--The present glory of America.--A prospect of its future glory, in science,--in liberty,--and the gospel.--The conclusion of the whole. LEANDER