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S the original Defign of Dedications was either gratefully to ac- 
knowledge Affiftance, or modeftly to defire Prote&ion, fo both 
thefe Motives, Gentlemen, concur in leading me to this Addrefs. 
If there be any Thing in the following Sheets, that is either New 
or Entertaining, Ufeful or Inftrudive, which, from the general Ap- 
probation the Work has met with, I have Reafon to hope there is, I mu ft: 
confefs it, in a great meafure, due to the kind Communications I have received 
from Perfons concerned in Trade ; and as the main Point I have had in View, 
has been the fetting the Hiftory and Advantages of Commerce in a true Light, 
I prefume that I could not have infcribed this Performance to more proper Pa- 
trons, I have endeavoured likewife to avoid the Faults for which mod: modem 
Dedications are cenfured, which are a mean Attention to Intereft, or the Vanity 
of placing great Names and high Titles in the Front of Books. It is true, I 
addrefs niyfelf to the richefl: Body of Men in this, or perhaps any other Nation, 
but without any farther Expectation than meriting their Favour and Acceptance, 
I have alfo chofen the greatefl: and mod: confiderable Body of Men undig- 
nified with Titles ; but with no other Ambition, than that of procuring a good 
Numb... LXVIIt a ' Re ^ 
