Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
of life. If it is good and well meant, it must proceed from thee; thou knowest, O
Lord, our enterprise contains neither fraud, nor malice, nor revenge. Bestow on
me that energy of conduct now become so necessary, that it may be in my power to
carry the young family thou hast given me through this great trial with safety and
in thy peace. Inspire me with such intentions and such rules of conduct as may be
most acceptable to thee. Preserve, O God, preserve the companion of my bosom,
the best gift thou hast given me: endue her with courage and strength sucient
to accomplish this perilous journey. Bless the children of our love, those portions
of our hearts; I implore thy divine assistance, speak to their tender minds, and
inspire them with the love of that virtue which alone can serve as the basis of their
conduct in this world, and of their happiness with thee. Restore peace and concord
to our poor aicted country; assuage the erce storm which has so long ravaged
it. Permit, I beseech thee, O Father of nature, that our ancient virtues, and our
industry, may not be totally lost: and that as a reward for the great toils we have
made on this new land, we may be restored to our ancient tranquillity, and enabled
to ll it with successive generations, that will constantly thank thee for the ample
subsistence thou hast given them.
The unreserved manner in which I have written must give you a convincing
proof of that friendship and esteem, of which I am sure you never yet doubted.
As members of the same society, as mutually bound by the ties of aection and
old acquaintance, you certainly cannot avoid feeling for my distresses; you cannot
avoid mourning with me over that load of physical and moral evil with which we
are all oppressed. My own share of it I often overlook when I minutely contemplate
all that hath befallen our native country.
The End
3.6.2 Reading and Review Questions
1. In Letter III, how does Crevecoeur distinguish what denes identify in
the Old World from what denes identify in America? Why?
2. Unlike Europe, what opportunities and ideal benets does America
oer?
3. In Letter IX, what evidence does Crevecoeur oer in support of the fair
treatment of blacks? Why?
4. Why does Crevecoeur rank slavery with Old World despotism and
superstition, do you think?
5. How do the narrator’s views of America and American life change from
Letter III to Letter XII? Why do you think?
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