The Federalistnavy.com Spirit of America Port
by Drake Raft

THE FOUNDING OF CLASSICALS INC.
From The Jolly Roger to Classicals Cafe.

Often enough it occurs that we receive inquiries regarding the nature of our founding and purpose that it merits a brief narrative. It began as a Princeton secret society and soon evolved into a Chapel Hill grunge band for tax purposes. Then it manifested itself as the world's largest literary warship, flagship of the renaissance generation, The Jolly Roger, before finally becoming the world's largest virtual classical community scattered across several different websites. And in the near future, as we voyage forth as the flagship of the renaissance generation, we hope to open a chain of Classicals Cafes/Bookstores.

In composing a brief summary of our history, we have decided to salute some of those men who as of late we have been drawing much inspiration from-- the Founding Fathers of The United States of America. Check out our Declaration of Literary Independence, which was originally drafted in March of 1995, commemorating the inception of our literary freedom upon this wondrous, profound new medium, the WWW. Just as the Puritans settled the new world with dreams of religious freedom, so too has The Jolly Roger been transporting people yearning for aesthetic freedom to a new world where the classics are cherished, honored, read, and discussed.

Today our central mission is to resurrect a profound classical context...continued

From: North Star <>
To: becket@jollyroger.com
Subject: starbuckclassicalpoetry.com poetry port

Dear Becket,

I enjoyed reading your essay very much. The spirit of your mission is extremely exciting. I ran across the Jolly Roger and Starbuck a few days ago, and this mysterious, adventurous feeling has crept into me. Something about you and your partners' words have stirred my sleeping soul. I have become so caught up in my career and my graduate work that I forgot the youth that used to write poetry, that used to shout out a battle cry for change. Last night, for the first time in eons, I set myself to the task of writing my girlfriend a poem. I felt so invigorated! I worked on it until three in the morning, and at the last line, I knew that this was the most worth-while creation that I had made in years. Thanks for letting me aboard.

Your mate,
Northstar

THE CAPTAIN RESPONDS: Argrhrghr there! Many times have I stayed up late, plundering infinite treasures by the tip of me pen. 'Tis the greatest of feelings, when noble inspiration fills yer sails, and ye find copious booty in all corners of yer mind. 'Tis something the postmodernist perpetually envies.

From: Sherry Vowel
To: becket@jollyroger.com
Subject: Wonderful Website

Dear Mr. Knottingham,

I don't quite know how I came across your site (might be because I'm re-reading Moby Dick), but I'm glad I did. You write beautifully.

It's unfortunate that many of your instructors seem interested only in money, politics, or towing the politically correct line; however, their disinterest seems to have started you on a noble quest--to gather together the orphans left floating on their coffin-life buoys and to give them a safe port to sail in to and out of again, knowing they will always be welcomed back.

Continue thy noble quest and take heart; not all instructors are egoists (unfortunately, some have I met), nor are all thirtyish persons materialistic moneygrubbers (these, too, have I known).

Good sailin' to ye,

Sherry Vowel (33-year-old English prof, who teaches because she loves to hear her students think out loud)

THE CAPTAIN RESPONDS: ARGRHRGR! Were I one of yer students!

From: Gharris
To: becket@jollyroger.com
Subject: How can I learn?

Ok, I found this site looking for info on a report after reading Pride and Prejudice in an AP English class. I'm a Senior in a small Middle west high school. I've been a frequent visitor since I first found you guys. Have read P&P, The Sun Also Rises, Red Badge Of Courage, The Great Gatsby, and now The Scarlet Letter for my AP class. Bought a bunch of classics from a used book store (Lord Jim, Poetry and prose by John Milton, Farewell to Arms, Heart of Darkness) to read this summer. Going to St. Thomas University in St Paul next year. How do you guy's write such great stuff? I've used 2 ink tanks for printouts and have about 20 bookmarks to various places on your site in my browser. I'd love to learn to write poetry like that but not sure how or where to start. "Ubi abundavit peccatum superabundavit gratia!"

THE CAPTAIN RESPONDS: Ahoy there! If ye'd like to learn to write poetry, fall in love, read Shakespeare, Melville, and Milton, and then let yer spirit express yer sentiments until ye've won her heart. It's how I learned back in Ohio, one glorious September.

From: Pam S.
To: becket@jollyroger.com
Subject: thank you

Thanks for putting such a cool site on the internet. I just came upon this site in my travels, and haven't had time to thoroughly enjoy, but have bookmarked it and plan to come back very often. As a freshman in high school, I agree with some of the other postings that we are told to slack off because it doesn't really matter. Thank you for turning my brain back on again, and making me realize what the world has to offer.

- Kirsten

THE CAPTAIN RESPONDS: Agrhrh! The wind's rising for this generation, I say. The deeper ones have yet to speak for themselves, and we shall be captaining the millenium's renaissance, or something!

From: LUDWIG L
Subject: upon this sight.

I was searching the net for information on the 101 Airborne division during WWII and somehow ended up at your web site --I'm so glad I did! What a wonderful place to visit and I will visiting again!

I feel like I've found a diamond mine --Great stuff!