THE PRECEDING NARRATIVE, 207 
probably boundlefs extent, an article that commands, in all the 
markets of the civilized world, a conftant and unlimited fale. 
Such are the important objects of mercantile purfuit, which 
the various intelligence obtained by the firft efforts of the Affo- 
ciation, enables them to point out and recommend to their 
Country: and while the contemplation of national interefts, 
and of the ftill more extended interefts of philofophy, direfts 
their efforts and animates their hopes, they cannot be indifferent 
to the reflection, that in the purfuit of thefe advantages, and by 
means as peaceable as the purpofes are juft, the conveniencies 
of civil life, the benefits of the mechanic and manufacturing 
arts, the attainments of fcience, the energies of the cultivated 
mind, and the elevation of the human charader, may in fome 
degree be imparted to nations hitherto coniigned to hopelefs 
barbarifm and uniform contempt* 
