TO 



JOHN DICKINSON, ESQ. LL. D. 



LATE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, 



AND 



PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF 

 THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



DEAR SIR, 



In finding your Name prefixed to the fol- 

 lowing; pages, without permission, I trust you 

 will feel no emotion more unfavourable than 

 that of surprize. I know not, indeed, to 

 whom I could dedicate such a work as this 

 with more propriety than to an elegant Scho- 

 lar, a comprehensive Observer of a large 

 portion of the century attempted to be re- 

 viewed, a Master of so many of its literary 

 and scientific improvements, a conspicuous 

 Actor in some of its most memorable and im- 

 portant transactions, an able and eloquent 

 Defender of his country's rights, a munih- 

 cent Patron of American literature, and (it 

 personal or local feelings may be allowed to 

 intrude) a uniform and affectionate Friend 

 of my honoured Parents, and one of the most 

 illustrious of those who owe their birth to 

 my native State. 



