or when necessity should require

it, command obedience from our

enemies.

It is to your labours that we are also indebted for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, a detestable traffic which was as repulsive to common feeling, as it was subversive of the laws of nature and of heaven; and from the general tenor of your proceedings was also to be discerned the most scrupulous attention to the existing burthens imposed on the community at large, by a due caution in regard to every measure

relating to the taxation of the sub

ject. Such proceedings were alone sufficient to entitle you to the

designation of The Talents; but we must not stop here, since it was from you we had to expect the overthrow of that detestable pha

lanx, the petty attorneys of this law-ridden country, who would

have experienced from your united talents the most decisive check by the intended re-organization of the debtor and creditor laws, whereby both parties would have been benefited by lopping off in a great measure those enormous expendi

tures which are required in all legal procedures, and which con

sequently would have been appro

priated to the use of the creditor,

instead of being expended for the

benefit of a set of monsters rather This would have been

than men.

true philanthropy, a lasting national benefit, not only deserving the blessings of the living, but must have experienced the heart-felt plaudits of millions yet unborn.

Such are a few of the points on which I have grounded my affirmation, that you were entitled to

the appellation of The Talents, and for these reasons, I do maintain

that my dedication is unpolluted by Flattery, having its superstructure reared on the unshaken basis

of everlasting truth.

Therefore,

gentlemen, with every sentiment

of respectful esteem, I beg leave to subscribe myself,

your conftant admirer,

though unknown,

FLAGELLUM.

PREFACE.

IN the exordium to All the Talents' its author commences by very gravely assuring the reader that his effusions are the unbiassed dictates of his own opinions, he being instigated by no motives whatsoever either of party, private resentment or personal interest; a string of very pretty affirmations I must allow, which look extremely well upon paper, but would be rendered much

more effective, did they possess that little requisite denominated Truth; however