Changes of Timber and Plants, Races of Animals 
Extinct. 
Read February 12th, 1811. ‘ 
Belmont, February 4th, 1811. 
Sir, 
Last week, a British publication, entitled, “‘ The Ec- 
lectic Review,”’ for July 1809, was put into my hands; 
and it was the first time I had seen it. It furnishes one of 
those minor means, designed or not, by which irritations 
(injurious to the interests of both) are kept alive, between 
the people of the two countries. I have nothing todo with 
such considerations, as a member of our society, farther 
than as they tend to destroy the usefulness of facts, very 
innocently (whatever may be their relevancy) brought 
forward, to promote the objects we have in view. Had 
this publication been confined to the country in which 
it originated (without meaning to slight the opinions of 
the few, whose notice any thing relating to me would 
attract) I should have been perfectly indifferent about 
it, had I been informed of it. Its want of candour and 
truth, would only have excited an indignant smile. 
Notwithstanding the superficial objections, made by 
the writer of the article in the British Review, to my 
relying on the changes of timber and plants, as an ex- 
ample set by nature, to shew the necessity of changes of 
crops; I still continue of my former opinion. It may 
not be necessary in the old world, wherein almost every 
thing is artificial; and the principles and practice of 
