ΤΟ IF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES. SIR, F gratitude for kindness uniformly shown me, did not point out Your ROYAL HIGHNESS, as the Perfon to whom I ought to infcribe any little effort of my industry; the anxious zeal, which conftantly animates Your ROYAL HIGHNESS's breaft, for the welfare of a People amongst whom, fortunately for the British Empire, You You hold a ftation fo illuftrious and pre-eminent, would naturally fuggeft Your ROYAL HIGHNESS, as the Perfon under whofe protection a Work ought to be placed, the object of which is to elucidate the elementary principles of a science, on which the Happiness as well as the Wealth of mankind depends. I am, with the highest fenfe of duty, and moft profound feeling of refpect, SIR, Your ROYAL HIGHNESS'S Much obliged, And most humble Servant, LAUDERDALE. IT T was the intention of the Author to have printed, along with this, a second volume, on the Legislation of Commerce and Finance, and on the Effects of Commercial Treaties. But as his ideas on thefe fubjects form only inferences from the general principles here stated, many of which, he is aware, are not only new, but even repugnant to received opinions, he has thought it more prudent to paufe, and delay the execution of the remaining part of his plan, till he difcovers how far the opinions he has advanced in the present publication fhall ftand the teft of public criticifm. The Author's fole object is the investigation of truth; and if he indulges himself in further fpeculations on this important fubject, he will be as ready, on being convinced of his error, to retract any opinions he has delivered, as he will be obftinate in defending them, if affailed by prejudice. |