Wieland; or the Transformation

Charles Brockden Brown is widely considered one of early America's foremost writers, despite dying before the age of 40. His works were hailed as the predecessor of works such as James Fenimore Cooper's.

Here's an excerpt from the beginning:

"The following Work is delivered to the world as the first of a series of performances, which the favorable reception of this will induce the Writer to publish. His purpose is neither selfish nor temporary, but aims at the illustration of some import...