XI 



and honorable, though it may be severe criticism, as that, 

 should the work be hereafter resumed, will make its execution 

 more easy for those to whom it may be entrusted; but I may 

 claim to have brought to the work the strongest enthusiasm 

 and desire for its success ; and to have done what I could to 

 execute it in a creditable manner, and to meet the reasonable 

 wishes of the State. More cannot be had from the highest 

 talents, and it is a consolation to feel that more cannot be de- 

 manded of the most humble. A mind actuated by a generous 

 ambition of excellence never meets its own wishes, because, in 

 proportion to its success, its standard of duty and attainment 

 becomes elevated and enlarged. How can it be expected then 

 to meet the wishes and expectations of others ? It is no small 

 gratification to me that the survey has been spoken of in terms 

 of approbation in several parts of the country, and by those in 

 foreign countries, whose esteem is a high honor. If among 

 ourselves, from those whose cooperation seemed most naturally 

 demanded, it has failed, through any motive, to receive the en- 

 couragement which it had reason to hope, it has been to me an 

 occasion only of unfeigned regret. It is the misfortune of some 

 minds never to look at any thing but through optics clouded or 

 distorted by a grovelling selfishness. To take enlarged and 

 generous views of large subjects and to merge all personal con- 

 siderations in the good proposed and sought, belongs only to 

 that small and higher class of minds who preserve their purity 

 untainted, in an age diseased to the very core with avarice, 

 party spirit, or personal ambition. It is sometimes extremely 

 mortifying to learn by what influences many of the most valu- 

 able interests of the community are affected. It is suffi- 

 ciently illustrative of the manner in which public business is 

 sometimes managed, objects are brought up or objects put 

 down, to state, that of a large committee of the Legislature, to 



