3 
&3U 
THE PLEASURES AND DUTIES OF 
WEALTH. 
- 1, Ever since Cupidity became a human 
passion, the desire of acquiring Wealth has more 
or less prevailed among all Nations and Indi- 
viduals ; often becoming their banes when the 
proper uses of Wealth have been forgotten. 
2, Ever since Property was introduced as a 
reward of Industry , the wish to obtain, increase 
and secure its accumulation by Individuals, fa- 
milies, corporations, tribes or Nations, has be- 
come paramount to all others; and this passion 
has often been gratified by very improper means, 
Injustice , Oppression , Strife and even Blood- 
shed . . . thro’ Cunning, Force, War or Bad 
Laws : whether this desirable property was 
Land, Chattels, Estates, Money or Services. 
3, In the greedy pursuit after Wealth and 
Property, the human sinful Vices of Cupidity 
and Avarice , have been unfolded and gratified ; 
nay indulged and encouraged by Social Laws, 
in spite of the precepts of Morality, Honesty 
and Religion , Instead of Wealth being the re- 
ward of Industry, Sobriety and Prudence, it is 
oftener the consequence of Extortion, Monopo- 
lies, Speculation, Inheritance or even Despoil- 
ing . . . disguised under the terms of fair trade, 
good luck, legal rights, & c. 
4, This had been perceived by the best Le- 
gislators, Moralists and Founders of Religions : 
they endeavored to restrain the abuses and evils 
introduced by Cupidity, and the allied passions 
of Ambition , Avarice , Lust, Coveting, . , 
but often in vain, the sinful propensities of man- 
kind nearly overcoming all the nominal re- 
