@booklet {11672, title = {The United Worlds: A Poem in Fifty Seven Books}, year = {1834}, month = {1834}, pages = {250 pp.}, publisher = {Printed for the Proprietor. Smith Press }, address = {Hamilton, NY}, abstract = {

On the first page, the author says, \“The writer of this poem aims at the moral improvement of the reader. Chiefly he would inculcate the love of civil and religious liberty,--of justice,--of peace and mercy,--of temperance. These virtues cannot come single. He would also encourage public enterprise--ardor in undertaking, and perseverance in accomplishing.\” Using the theory of John Cleves Symmes (1780-1829), the interior of the Earth immediately under America consists of six concentric Orbs that have been linked by roads and bridges and has a democratically elected government with representatives from each Orb. It is inhabited by peaceful people descended from Noah who have advanced technology based on advanced steam technology, including giant machines \“in the form of man\” called Androides (34-35). The capitol, Golden City, is located directly under corrupt New York. The Subterraneans meet with a Christian missionary and are converted. They meet in a great conclave and conclude that they should bring peace to the surface. They meet in Washington and an agreement is reached, which is then undermined by a group of conspirators. War follows, which the Subterraneans win. Delegates from all nations and regions of the surface convene and adopt a Constitution for the United Worlds that includes two legislative branches and an elective Chief with no veto. No despotism, no slavery. \“Peace, truth, right, temperance, pureness, mercy\’s reign/These the world\’s order that the law sustain\” (248). The Copy of the book at the University of Virginia is from the granddaughter of Nathaniel King and is inscribed as from grandfather.

}, keywords = {Male author, US author}, author = {[General] [Nathaniel] [King] (1767-1848)} }