§6 The LIFE bi 



it were, buried, through the indolence and je*~ 

 loufy oF the Spaniards and their tniniftry. 



The here annexed catalogue of North Ame- 

 rican plants, the advantages which accrue by 

 their knowledge to trade and commerce, the 

 daily new accefiions to the Flora of this exten- 

 five continent, procured by the activity of "this 

 great, learned and commercial nation are an in- 

 conteflible proof of the advantages which might 

 be reapec. f? South America were in t% i-ands 

 of a nation porleiied of the fame fpirk of indut 

 try, and free inquiry, which are the two great 

 fupports of national wealth and liberty : they 

 prove at the fame time the providential care over 

 this wealthy and free nation, in that ipirit of in- 

 dolence and jealoufy, with which the Spaniards 

 are" ftiil infatuated, and probably will be fo for 

 fome time, in fpite of the great and expenfive 

 efforts made from time to time by their govern- 

 ment, in order to promote induftry and learning, 

 and to put their commerce on a better bafis. 

 The premature death of Loefing, though very 

 hurtful to fcience in general, may however be 

 considered as a further proof of this affertion : 

 he died in the prime of his youth, with a ftrong 

 conftitution, fupported liberally in a fcience in 

 which he was an enthufiaft, before he could go 

 on the intended great expedition, before he 



could 



