[ iv ] 



and our Countrymen have Claims upon our 

 Affe£tions, prior in Order and fuperior in 

 Strength to thofe that refult merely from our 

 common Nature. 



Even in particular Societies, befides the Ties 

 of Friendfhip and Family, other Circumflanccs 

 will exift by which Individuals find themfelves 

 more intimately conneifted with each other, than 

 with the reft of their fellow Citizens. — -Thus the 

 Graduates of a particular Univerfity, or the Na- 

 tives of a particular Province, confider them- 

 felves, in all Countries, as bound to each other 

 by a more immediate Relation than that in 

 which they (land to others of the Community. 



In a country like North-America, the Inhabi- 

 tants of which have derived their Origin from 

 different Parts of Europe, it is not furprifing that 

 they fhould be attentive to thai Circumftance. 



Though now blended in one political Body, 

 they are flill diflinguifhed by the Places from 

 which they fprang, and look back to England, 

 Scotland ox Ireland as the Country of their 

 Anceftors. 



Hence havearifen Societies, diftinguilhed by 

 Names peculiarly adapted to each Country; and 

 (o far from prejudicing, they promote.the general 



Interefts 



