Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/22

xiv the publication of that collection of facts which he has so successfully commenced, and intelligent individuals of other states could be induced to follow the example set them by Mr. Belknap, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Minot, and Mr. Trumbull, a fund of information would then be collected from which a correct and valuable history of the now United States might readily be compiled. Until one or both of these events occur, such a history is not to be expected. The author is by no means insensible of the insufficiency of that which is now presented to the public, but the Life of General Washington required some previous general knowledge of American affairs, and he thought it more advisable to accompany that work with even the imperfect sketch of our history which he has been enabled to draw, than to give it publicity unconnected with any narrative whatever of preceding events.

In executing the determination produced by this opinion, he soon perceived that though human nature is always the same, and consequently man will in every situation furnish useful lessons to the discerning politician; yet few would be willing to employ much time in searching for them through the minute details of the sufferings of an infant people, spreading themselves through a