“8 AN ACCOUNT of tHr~ 
only be neceflary to cut offfome of their branches fo as to’ 
alter its center of gravity, and to allow the high winds to 
have an eafy paflage through them. Orchards of fugar ma- 
ple trees, which grow with an original expofure of all their 
parts to the a¢tion of the fun will not be liable to this in- 
convenience. 
In contemplating the prefent opening profpe&s in hu- 
man affairs, Lam led to expeét that a material part of 
the general happinefs which Heaven feems to have pre- 
pared for mankind will be derived from the manufactory: 
and general ufe of maple fugar, for the benefits which I 
flatter myfelf are to refult from it will not be confined to 
our own country. They will I hope extend themfelves to 
the interefts of humanity in the Weft-Indies. With this 
view of the fubje& of this letter, I cannot help contemplat- 
ing a fugar maple tree with a fpecies of affection and 
even veneration, for | have perfuaded myfelf to behold 
in it the happy means of rendering the commerce and 
flavery of our African brethren in the fugar Iflands as un- 
neflary, as it has always been inhuman and unjuit.* | 
I fhall conclude this letter by wifhing that the patronace 
which you have afforded to the maple fugar as well as the: 
maple tree, by your example } may produce an influence 
in our country as extenfive as your reputation for ufeful 
{cience and genuine patrioti{m. Vid. ) 
From Dear Sir your 
- Sincere Friend and Obedient Servant, 
BENJAMIN RUSH. 
_* This letter was written befofe the a¢count. of the war- which has lately taken place in 
Hifpaniola, between the white people and their flaves, /had reached the city of Philadelphia.* 
-+ Mr. Jefferfon ufes no other fugar' in hisfamily than that which is obtained from the fugar 
Maple sree. He has lately planted an orchard of maple trees on hisfarmin Virginia | - . 
Pro, 
