PREFACE. Regard for the welfare of the present and future citizens whether of the United States or of any other country or nation interested, and a sense of justice due to the Master-Patriots of Revolutionary time, have prompted this attempt to bring to the knowledge of the people generally, the best available evidences of the prevalent views and ruling principles in the incipient stages of the American Union and Government; through these evidences to investigate the true characters and agencies of the LEADING MEN in the vast plans and labors of that momentous period, and trace their influences on the people and on the people's great interests, through that and through succeeding periods to the present time. If enough has been already done in this direction, or if the improvement in knowledge and practice of the present age supersede the importance of those impressive lessons of experience, then the labor bestowed is vain, and the expense and labor of the reader will be also vain. But if the only authentic sources of such knowledge come now to the sight of but few, and to the understanding of a still less number, then, space, whether or not occasion, yet remains for something more than has been hitherto done, to facilitate its extension. And if heirs, who have passively received a rich inheritance, which they imperfectly know how to improve, enjoy, or even preserve, act unwisely in presumptuously rejecting or disregarding the examples, maxims, and counsels of their ancestors, by whose skill and persevering labor it was acquired and carefully husbanded for them, then may not be wholly useless an attempt to revive the principles of those PROVIDENT and FAR-SIGHTED FATHERS, — MEN, by whose comprehensive intellects the Union was planned; by whose matchless wisdom, unparalleled patience, and unequalled labors, its independence was gained; and by the energies of whose luminous minds, stored with the great lessons of their long and rugged experience, the Government was formed and put into motion. The following pages will, however, be profitless to such readers as now well understand, and can readily explain, all the changes, and the causes and authors of all the changes and influences, declared or alluded to in the following extracts extracts given in the language of THOSE BENEFACTORS, who claim, and who ever will claim, something more than ordinary attention and respect, from the present and from future generations. IN CONGRESS. June 17, 1775. Resolved unanimously, Whereas, the delegates of all the Colonies, from Nova Scotia to Georgia, in Congress assembled, have unanimously chosen George Washington, Esq., to be General and Commander-in-Chief of such forces as are, or shall be, raised for the maintainance and preservation of American liberty; this Congress doth now declare that they will maintain and assist him, and adhere to him, the said George Washington, with their lives and fortunes, in the same cause.' 'July 6. We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. * 'Our cause is just. Our union is perfect.' |