PREFACE. H 



ferent nations. But nothing is stationary, noth- 

 ing that depends upon the social state, is so un- 

 alterably fixed, but that it will change and vary 

 with the degradation or improvement of the hu- 

 man race. And hence, while the nature of man 

 remains unaltered, the state of society is per- 

 petually changing, and the men of one age and 

 country, in many respects appear different from 

 those of another. And as men themselves are 

 more or less improved, every thing that consti- 

 tutes a part of the social state, will bear a differ- 

 ent appearance among different nations, and in 

 the same nation in different circumstances, and 

 in different periods of time. To ascertain what 

 there is thus peculiar and distinguishing in the 

 state of society in the Federal Union, to explain 

 the causes which have led to this state, to mark, 

 its effect upon human happiness, and to deduce 

 improvement from the whole, are the most im- 

 portant objects which civil history can contem- 

 plate in America : And they are objects, every 

 W'here more useful to men, than any refinements, 

 distinctions, or discoveries, merely speculative. 

 I have wislied to keep such objects in view, 

 in considering the state of society in this part of 

 the continent : But it is with difHdence that I 

 submit the attempt to the view of the public. 

 The disposition of America is to favor such at- 

 tempts and publications, as are adapted to pro- 

 mote any valuable public purpose : But specu- 

 lative and useless essays cannot much engage 

 the attention of a people, whose main object is 

 the prosperity and improvement of their country. 

 The public sentiment will be a just decision, a- 

 mong vv'hich of these, the following work ought 

 to be placed. 



