To extend the approbation of the good and wise, I always Considered as the most delicious reward, my main purpose Was to necessitate it by the circulation of my work under the shield of his protection, and to silence the railings of the deluding and deluded opposers to the genuine principles of the americain independence.

though not presumptuous enough as to believe that my doctrine applyed to every emergencies could be universally adopted, being neither a legislator, nor believing that a legislator could be rightfully impowered to dictate laws without the sanction of a free people; I believed, nevertheless, that, to make its Way through the minds of americains, my work wanted to be circulated amongst the most unlearned and the less conversant with the elements of politics. to attain so desired an aim, being by my own circumstances unfit to defray the expenses for its publication, I have tryed the usual way admitted in the union, the subscription; but undermined by the proceedings of those opposed to the learning of the people, easilier led astray while involved in the clouds of ignorancy; like the hursards destroying the supplies of an enemy to compell him to surrender at discretion by famine, the detractors of the doctrine of the american independence remove, withdraw and obliterate as much as in their power all documents offered to the people. to obviate to such a trick, I have recurred to the help of some acquaintances, agreeing to answer the expences by securing them the publication; but by the unremitting endeavours of the opposers, my proceedings were defeated, and I am yet reduced to recur to the long, doubtful way of subscriptions protracting and may be rendering abortive a project I was led to consider of such a magnitude, conducive to the present and future happiness of the union.

Thus such a desired, and undeserved patronage as this of your excellency; the most lenient and delicious balm I was gratified with since fifteen years I am labouring under the dreadful pressure of the events destructive of all my property and hope at st. Domingue, will leave me with no other choice but to more and more lament upon my disconcerted project to stimulate the desire of acquirement of Knowledge, the emergency of the torpor, and the preservation of a government botomed on the basis of liberty, equality, rights of man, the best calculated for the prosperity of the union and the individual happiness if restored to its formerly intended formation, of which it is so fast and so far deviating that the rapidity of the events will may be preclude any expectation of stoping it in the brink of ruin.

I have the honor to be the most unbounded respect of your excellency The most humble and obedient servant