INTRODUCTORY [Chap. 



5. My efforts have, all my life long, since I 

 became a man, been directly the reverse of those 

 of these projectors. I have used various en- 

 deavours to cause an addition to be made to the 

 food, the drink, the raiment, of the industrious 

 classes. I know, and I have always known, that 

 complete success cannot attend these endeavours, 

 so long as the present, or any thing like the pre- 

 sent, burthen of taxes remains ; but, a change in 

 this respect must come 3 and, in the meanwhile, 

 it is my duty to persevere in my efforts to add to 

 the permanent resources, the ])ermanent strength, 

 and the permanent happiness of my country, 

 in this way to introduce, and that too, with such 

 success, the general planting of the Locust, and 

 other American trees, was doing a great deal : 

 timber will be grown here, instead of being im- 

 ported from abroad : English ships vv^ill ])e better 

 as well as lighter than they were before: our 

 buildings and our fencing will be more lasting: 

 our implements of husbandry will become lighter 

 and more durable : and, from the same cause will 

 arise a greater quantity of employment than 

 would have existed, had 1 never made a publica- 

 tion upon this subject. 



6. The introduction of the Locust Tree was a 

 matter of such vast importance, affecting all classes 

 in society, that 1 never dreamed of any thing to ex- 

 ceed it in point of value to the country ; but, it 



