OF THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, PHILADELPHIA: Printed for C. and A. Conrad and Co., Samuel F. Bradford, Byrch and FRY AND KAMMERER, PRINTERS. ........ 1807. TO HIS GRACE JOHN, DUKE OF BEDFORD. MY LORD, IF the name of your Grace had been rendered illustrious solely by those distinguished Patriots from whom you derived it, my pride could not fail of being eminently gratified by being permitted to dedicate to you the following pages: but other, and infinitely more impressive and honourable emotions are awakened, when I reflect, that in the present descendant of the House of Russell are displayed that patriotic ferthat lofty spirit of political independence, and that ardent zeal in the great cause of humanity, which distinguished so many of its branches in the annals of this great country. Indeed, my Lord, it is a felicity to be able to attest, from experience, and now to record, the pretensions of your Grace to the gratitude of your country and the love of mankind. vor, To the wisdom of your administration was committed a great and important, but a much neglected portion of the United Empire. You became the ruler of a country long oppressed, wickedly calumniated, and still bleeding from many a wound. Soon after the elevation of your Grace to this august situation, public symptoms appeared which called for sagacity and |