^6 IThe L I F E of 



•it were, buried, through the indolence and jea- 

 loufy of the Spaniards and their miniftry. 



The here annexed catalogue of North Ame- 

 rican plants, the advantages which accrue by 

 their knowledge to trade and commerce, the 

 daily new acceiTions to the Flora of this exten- 

 five continent, procured by the adivity of this 

 great, learned and commercial nation are an in- 

 conteilible proof of the advantages which might 

 he reaped, if South America were in the hands 

 of a nation pofTelTed of the fame fpirit of induf- 

 try, and free inquiry, which are tht two great 

 fi^pports of national wealth and liberty : they 

 prove at the fam.etime the providential care over 

 this wealthy and free nation, in that fpirit of in- 

 dolence and jealoufy, with v;hich the Spaniards 

 are ftill infatuated, and probably will be fo for 

 fome time, in fpite of the great and expenfive 

 efforts made from time to time by their govern- 

 ment, in order to promote induftry and learning, 

 and to put their comm.erce on a better bafis. 

 The premature death of Loefing, though very 

 hurtful to fcience in general, may however be 

 confidered as a further proof of this affertion : 

 he died in the prime of his youth, with a flrong 

 conftitution, fupported liberally in a fcience in 

 which he was an enthufiall, before he could go 

 on the intended great expedition, before he 



CQUld 



