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Show viii P R E F A C E. rendered facred, and which the Multitude would have been taught to contend for, as if their all was at Stake : Scarce a Propofal could I recommend for introducing a free, generous, and impartial Syftem of national Commerce, but it had fuch Numbers of popular Errors to combat with, as would have excited loud Clamours, and fierce Op- P R E F A C E. ix THE third Tract is, A Letter from a Merchant in Landon to his Nephew in flmerica. This was firf't printed in the Year 1766, towards the Clofe of the Debate about the Stamp Act; and the Character which it afl'umes, is not altogether fié‘titioUS :---For an elderly Gentleman, long verfed in the Nari/z- pofition; and, therefore, as the Herd of Amerz'crm Mock-Patriots are ever on the Watch to feize on all Opportunities ofinflaming the Populace by lvlifreprefelitatioris, and falfe Trade, and perfectly ac- quainted with all the Wiles there prac~ tifed both during Peace, and in Time of War, and who had Relations fettled Alarms; and as the People are too apt in to {wallow every idle Tale of this Sort, I determined to give no Occafion to thofe who continually feek Occafion. In fhort, as I perceived I could not fer've my Prince, by aliberal and unreftrained Difcuflion of the Points relative to thefe Matters, I deemed it the better Part to decline the Undertaking, rather than do any Thing under the Sanction of his Pa~ tronage, which might difierve him in the Eyes of others: For thefe Reafons Ilaid the Scheme afide; and if ever I fhould refume, and complete it, the Work {hall appear withoutany Patronage, Pro-i teé‘tion, orD edication whatever. that Part of the World, defired me to write on this Subject, and to give the Treatife that Turn of Expref- fion, and Air of Authority, which would not be unbecoming an old Man to his dependent Relation. He furnifhed me with fome} curious Materials, and remarkable Anecdotes, concerning the Smuggling Trade which the Americans carried on with the Frem/z and Spaniard: during the Heat of the War, even to the .fupplying them with Ships, and naval, and military Stores, for deflroying the Trade and Shipping of the Mother« Country, and even in Defiance of Mr. b Se- |