institutions, that it is there thought impious to detect them and dangerous
to root them out, tho acknowledged to be false. Wo be to the republican
principle and to all the institutions it supports, when once the pernicious
doctrine of the holiness of error shall creep into the creed of our schools
and distort the intellect of our citizens!

The Columbiad, in its present form, is such as I shall probably leave it to
its fate. Whether it be destined to survive its author, is a question that
gives me no other concern than what arises from the most pure and ardent
desire of doing good to my country. To my country therefore, with every
sentiment of veneration and affection I dedicate my labors.




Introduction.



Every circumstance relating to the discovery and settlement of America
is an interesting object of inquiry, especially to the great and growing
nations of this hemisphere, who owe their existence to those arduous
labors. Yet it is presumed that many persons, who might be entertained
with a poem on this subject, are but slightly acquainted with the life and
character of the hero whose extraordinary genius led him to discover the
continent, and whose singular sufferings, arising from that service, ought
to excite the indignation of the world.

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa about the year 1447, when the
navigation of Europe was scarcely extended beyond the limits of the