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xxu 



P R E F A C 



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Of ores and minerals America produces varietYj as well as plen- 

 ty; iron, copper and lead are found in many places. Some famplca 

 ^f tin, antimony and bifmuth ores have been lately difcovered, and 

 other mineralsj the nature and properties of which are not fufllci-" 



ently afcertained. 



It would be worthy of every perfon, therefore, who wi flies to im« 

 prove his country, and advance its intereft, to try whether he can« 

 not find at home, or introduce from abroad, new fpecies of plants,* 

 trees, fruits, grain, 8zc, fuitabic to our own foil and climate, for the 

 fupport and ornament of life, and for articles of trade and commerce* 

 Each one according to his opportunities and ability, fhouM explore 

 the virtues of ournative plants, &c. and fearch out the treafures whiclx 

 nature has concealed in the bowels of the earths 



Such difcoveries will not only be a benefit to ourfelves, but they 

 will render us more ufeful to our mother country. They will give 

 full fcopc to our indufi:ry, without exciting her jealoufy, or interfere- 

 jng in the leafl: with her manufactories; they will enlarge and give 

 {lability to her commerce. For if by thefe means, the continental co 

 lonies can fupply her with the rarities of Chinay and her iflands can 

 furnifh the rich fpices of the EaJi-IndieSi her merchants will no longer 

 be obliged, in order to obtain thefe, to traverfe three quarters of the 

 globe, encounter the difiiculties of fo tedious a voyage, and, after 

 all, fubmit to the infolence, or exorbitant demands of foreigners. 



Already has Britain experienced the advantage oF her colonics 

 furnifliing thofe articles, with which flie ufed to be fupplied by for- 



Vt 



\ 

 ■T 





Tn the infancy of the colonies, and before they were 



Thefe 



A- 



eign nations. 



fettled, flie depended on Sweden and Rtiffta for naval fliores. 



nations, imagining that flie could not procure them clfcwhcre, and 

 refolving to increafe their gain, entered into a combination to raifc 

 the price : And had not her colonies furuiflied thefe articles, flie 

 muft have given up the empire of the fea, or fubmitted to their ar- 

 bitrary impofitions. 



But to accomplifli thefe dcGrabk ends, it is efteeraed neceflary, 

 and propofed, that men of learning and enquiry fhould turn their 

 thoughts and attention to thefe fubjc<Sts. The bulk of mankind fol- 

 low a beaten track. They feldom turn their thoughts to experiments, 

 and fcarcely ever adopt a new meafure, until they aix well alTured 

 of fuccefs and advantage from it, or are fct upon it by thofe, who 

 have weight and influence with them. 



That this Society may, as far in their power, contribute to the 

 carrying fuch a plan into execution, it is propofed to make it a pria- 



eipal part of their bufincfs to inquire, and try to find out, what our 



country 



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