14 INTRODUCTION. 



of policy is to govern all our actions; if, becaufe wd 

 may ftruggle through the immediate difficulties we 

 have to encounter, and are able to ward off any im- 

 minent danger in our own lives, we are therefore 

 to purfiie the narrow policy of neglecting to pro- 

 vide for pofterity, with what reproaches will af- 

 ter generations load our memory ? -Are we not 

 daily pouring out bleffings upon our forefathers, 

 for the conftitution which they have matured, 

 and handed down to us to enjoy ? But if we omit 

 to take any fteps to preferve the means of pro- 

 tecting that conftitution, (for without a navy, 

 what will be that conftitution ?) shall we not be 

 certain of drawing down upon us the execrations, 

 inftead of the praifes of pofterity ! 



" I have no doubt what the general tendency 

 of the meafures to be adopted for enfuring a per- 

 manent fupply ought to be ; but I purpofely de- 

 fift from enlarging on them ; becaufe any details 

 of that nature would lead me to ftate what I have 

 declared my refolution to refrain from difclofing, 

 left fuch a publication mould interfere with any 

 of the plans which Government may think it ex- 

 pedient to adopt for enfuring a permanent fupply 

 of naval timber, without folely confiding in any 

 of thofe refources which, from their nature, muft 

 be contingent and precarious. I can, therefore, 

 only again recommend to your moft ferious con- 

 fidention the whole of the Fourteenth Report of 

 i the 



