The Virginia Renaissance
I. The Old Dominion: The mother of the agrarian West. Transition from middle-class to plantation ideals. Increasingly libertarian 5
II. The Heritage of Jeffersonianism
I. Jeffersonianism an expression of native conditions. Interpreted in terms of Physiocratic agrarianism, natural rights. Terminable nature of compact the source of states-rights doctrine. Struggle between capitalistic and agrarian economics. Virginia the leader of the latter movement 10
II. John Taylor--Agrarian Economist: Leader of the young Republicans. His works. Theory founded in Physiocratic doctrine. Aristocratic origins of the political state. Examination of the principles of John Adams, Hamilton--social classes derive from exploitation. Danger of a paper aristocracy. His philosophy summarized 14
III. John Marshall--Last of the Virginia Federalists: His strategic position. Middle-class sympathies; intellectual qualities. A politician on the bench. Two fixed ideas: sovereignty of the federal state; sanctity of private property. His decisions Federalistic. Two main groups: sovereignty of the judiciary; irrevocable nature of contract. The Yazoo Fraud case. An arch conservative 20
IV. The Older Plantation Mind
I. Plantation backgrounds: The literary renaissance followed English romantic movement. Kennedy’s _Swallow Barn_ and the rise of the plantation tradition 28
II. William Wirt: The man--embodiment of eighteenth-century culture. _The British Spy_--characteristics. _Life of Patrick Henry_--solution of the problem. Later shift in political sympathies 30
III. Nathaniel Beverley Tucker--A Virginia Fire-eater. His parochialism; his pessimism. _The Partisan Leader_--a dramatization of Calhoun’s philosophy; the note of romantic extravagance. Hatred of democracy--appeal to South Carolina 35
V. Adventures in Romance
I. William Alexander Caruthers and the transition to romance. _The Kentuckian in New York_, a contribution to intersectional good will. An appreciation of northern qualities; a criticism of slavery. _The Cavaliers of Virginia_, the new spirit of romance. His slight reputation 41
II. John Pendleton Kennedy--A southern Whig: The man--Jeffersonian backgrounds; influence of Edward Gray. Turned protectionist, accepted the doctrine of progress. A romantic; an amateur. _Swallow Barn_--an idyl of plantation life--slavery. _Horse-Shoe Robinson; Rob of the Bowl_--cavalier romance. _Quodlibet_--a Whig satire of Jacksonianism. His later career 46
III. Edgar Allan Poe: Relations to southern environment--his prejudices against New England. Aloofness from Virginia ideals. A problem for abnormal psychology and belletristic criticism. An artist and a critic 57