to THE ENGLISH NATION.

Convinced that it is necessary opinion should precede improvement, I dedicate to you, for your attentive perusal, the following pages. Conjuring you to remember, that of all the blessings of freedom which you enjoy, not one has been granted to you, by any God-like goodness of men in the possession of power. They have given them up to you from their necessities, or resigned them from their fears. The patriotism or disappointment of individuals has, through the medium of the press, influenced Edition: current; Page: [vi] your opinions, and in our country your opinion is all powerful.

From you, therefore, and you only, from the gradual progress of your opinions displayed through your representatives, can sailors expect any redress, or can laws be enacted having, for their bases, confidence in you, by which you will be taught to think well of yourselves?

It is an old saying, the voice of the people is the voice of God—it is likely to be the voice of truth; where many men are employed thinking on the same subject, if it is within their reach, as all moral subjects are, and this is one, it is not probable all should err.—To the truth and goodness of the following opinions, my heart and reason strongly assent. It remains with you to decide on them. If they are false or bad, if I have thought better of you than you deserve, you will for ever consign them to Edition: current; Page: [vii]oblivion. If they are true, or you think them good, I hope you will cherish them as the peculiar offspring of liberty of thought.

That you and I may long enjoy this blessing, and the sailors participate in it, as the first step to their becoming rational beings, is the strenuous wish and ardent prayer of your admirer,

THE AUTHOR.

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