fREFACE. T 



With a steady and certain tendencj', to preserve 

 that equality and freedom, which nature had 

 made. This spirit of freedom was in some de- 

 gree checked by the customary interpositions of 

 royal authority : But these were too irregular 

 and contradictory, to become matters of venera- 

 tion, to alter the natural feelings of men, or to 

 change the natural course and tendency of things : 

 And while the ministers of kings were looking 

 into their laws and records, to decide what 

 should be the riy-hts of men in the colonies, na- 

 ture was establishing a system of freedom in A- 

 merica, which they could neither comprehend or 

 discern. The American Revolution explained 

 the business to the world, and served to confirm 

 what nature and society had before produced. 



Having assumed their rank among the na- 

 tions of the earth, the states of America now 

 present to the world a new state of society ; 

 founded on principles, containing arrangements, 

 and producing effects, not visible in any nation 

 before. The uncommon and increasing pros- 

 perity which has attended it, has ascertained its 

 spirit and tendency : The people are distinguish- 

 ed by the spirit of inquiry, industry, economyp 

 enterprize, and regularity : The government is 

 dependent upon, but guides, and reverences the 

 people : And the whole country is rapidly in- 

 creasing in numbers, extent, wealth, and power. 

 The highest perfection and felicity, which man 

 is permitted to hope for in the present life, may 

 rationally be expected in such a state of society ; 

 And it becomes of course the object of univer- 

 - sal inquiry and attention. 



To represent the state of things in America 



