vi PREFACE. 



nions, which cannot be defended on any principle 

 of juftice, humanity, or national expediency. 



To fuch perfons particularly I have, with greater 

 zeal than abilities, addrefled the following fketches 

 relative to the antient and prefent Hate of Great Bri- 

 tain; being fully convinced, that the objects of the 

 greateft value to fociety, may be obtained at lefs 

 expence of treafure, and without involving the inno- 

 cent multitude in the complicated, undefcribable dif- 

 trefles of war. 



$ome of the tables," calculations, and eftimates, 

 -sire inferted from authentic documents ; others, upon 

 mrfcellaneous authorities ; and fome upon probable 

 conjecture. Any errors that may have efcaped notice, 

 amidft fo many figures, will be corrected ; the fame 

 attention will be given to any miftakes in opinion, as 

 foon as they (hall be difcovered, or pointed out. 



The writer muft difclaim any pretenfions to lite- 

 rary embellifhments, grounding his hope of appro- 

 bation, merely on the application, fatigues, and 

 expence, which have been unavoidable through every 

 ftage and department of the bufmefs ; and if any of 

 the grievances, Hated in theie pages fhall be redreffed 

 or mitigated, he alfo will derive additional fatisfac- 

 tion, in the feelings of his own breaft. 



RICHMOND, SURRY, 

 April, 1784. 



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