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Show P R E F A C E. , X there was {carcely a Step I could take, but would bring to Light fome glaring Abliirdity, which length of Time had rendered facred, and which the Multitude would have been taught to contend for, as iftheir All was at Stake: Scarce a Propolal could I make for introducing a free, ge- nerous, and impartial Syftem of national Commerce, but it had fuch Numbers of popular Errors to combat, as would have ,xcited loud Clamours, and fierce Oppofition: and, therefore, as the Herd of IVIock-Patriots are ever on the Watch to feize on all Opportunities of inflaming the Populace by Mifreprefentations, and falfe Alarms; and as the People. are too apt to {wal‘iow every idle Tale of this Sort, I determined to give no Occafionto thofe who continually feek Occafion. In fhort, as I perceived Icou'ld not ferve my Prince, P R E F A C E. Xi I laid the Scheme afide; and if ever I fhould refume, and complete it, the Work {hall appear without any Patronage, Pro- teétion, or Dedication whatever. THE third Trac‘t is, A Letter from a Merchant in Lam/072 to his Nephew in America. This was firit printed in the Year 1766, towards the Clofe of the Debate about the Stamp Aét; and the Cha- raéter which it afliimes, is not altogether fictitiousz-For an elderly Gentleman, long verfed in the Nari/z-flmericmz Trade, and perfec‘tly acquainted with all the Wiles there praétifed both dur- ing Peace, and in Time of War, and who had Relations fettled in that Part of the World, defired me to write on this Subject, and to give the Treatife Thing under the Sanction of his Pa- that Turn of Expreflion, and Air of Authority, which would not be unbecoming an old Man to his dependent Re- lation. He furnifhed me with fome cu- rious Materials, and remarkable Anecdotes, concerning the Smuggling Trade tronage, which might difi‘erve him in which by a liberal and unrei‘rrained 'Difcufiion of the Points relative to thefe Matters, I deemed it the better Part to decline the Undertaking, rather than do any the Eyes of others; For thefe Reafons I the flmrzrcznr carried on with the |