I) E D 1 C A T I O N. 
Reception for my Book, by thofe who mu ft be allowed to be the bell and 
moft proper Judges. Such, Gentlemen, are truly and flncerely my Inducements 
to this Application, which I have the greater Reafon to flatter myfelf, will not 
be unfuccefsful, becaufe I am confident you will meet with nothing that is dic- 
tated by any other than a publick Spirit in the Volume which I prefent. 
We are taught, that the Separation and Difperflon of Mankind over the Earth 
was owing to the juft Difpieafure of their Creator upon their attempting to lay 
the Foundations of an univerfal Monarchy, which muft have been deftrudive of 
their own Happinefs. But Reafon and Experience Chew, that we owe that Con- 
nection, which, at prefent, reigns between Countries far remote from each 
other, and that kind Intercourfe fubfifting between different and diftant Nati- 
ons, to a Spirit of Commerce. Trade, by the Divine Favour, has effeded 
what Ambition vainly endeavoured ; and the Defire of carrying on mutual 
Traffick has overcome that Evil, which produced the Separation of Mankind ; 
I mean the Confufion of Tongues. The Deflre of reciprocally communicating the 
Fruits of various Soils and different Climates, is that Principle of Unity, which, 
agreeable to the Will of GOD, makes all the Inhabitants of the feveral Regions 
of the Globe, appear in thefe later Ages, what, in the earlieft Times they were, 
but one People, and of one Language. Such are the wonderful, fuch the happy 
Effeds of Commerce, confidered in this general Light, and as conducive to the 
common Benefit of the human Species. 
In particular Countries, Plantation was the Effed of Neceflity ; Men were forced 
to till the Ground, that they might eat, and to invent the Arts relating to Vefture 
and Building, that they might fecure themfelves againft the Inclemency of the 
Weather. In this they aded but as other Animals do, and by a kind of natural 
Inftind ; But when Neceflities were thus attained, they had Time to exercife the 
Faculties of their Minds, and to look abroad for greater Conveniencies. This pro- 
duced Trade, which is peculiar to our Species, and the primary Charaderiftick of 
rational Beings ; by the Help of Trade, Conveniencies multiplied apace, and Men 
appeared in their proper Sphere, not as bare Inhabitants of the terraqueous Globe, 
but as the Sovereigns of Earth arid Sea. Sovereigns not in Right of fuperior Force, 
for Strength would never have given them Dominion over other Creatures ; 
but from fuperior Wifdorn, which appeared in nothing more than in the Invention 
of Shipping, as might be demonftrated at large, if the Self-Evidence of the Fad did 
not fupereede the Neceflity of any Demonftration. 
In Proportion as the. Art of Navigation grew and was improved, the Commodities 
that were derived from it encreafed; the Labour of Mankind, was greatly diminifbed, 
and their Delights augmented ; whatever was wanted in one Country, was eafily,fafely, 
and in the Quantities that were requifite, brought from another. Knowledge and 
iifeful Arts were continually improved, great Difcoveries daily made, and thofe 
Works' eafiiy and fully accompliflied in fucceeding Times, of which the former had 
j A [paired. 
