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 be tempted to follow my example, and render an eential ervice to his country, by pererving the principles on which the future judgments of our Courts are founded;—a matter, that, in every point of view, whether we conider the preent political ituation of the Union, the improvements in the judicial ytem under the Contitution propoed for this State, the advancement of agriculture, or the extenion of commerce, mut daily become more intereting and important to the liberty, peace, and property of every citizen.

The work now ubmitted to public crutiny, mut, at leat, erve to facilitate the labors of the tudent, by appriing him of thoe points of law which have already been dicued and decided: Nor will it be without its ue in furnihing ome hints for regulating the conduct of Referees, to whom, according to the preent practice, a very great hare of the adminiration of jutice is entruted. But, I confes, that my hopes will not be completely gratified, unles these Reports, likewie, tend to hew, the pure and uniform ytem of juriprudence that prevails in ; of which, however, the bet evidence is her flourihing condition at home, and her repectable character abroad.

If the reception of this volume jutifies me, it is poible that I hould hereafter be induced to undertake the publication of another; for which ufficient materials are already in my poeion. But I have o much occaion to bepeak candor for what I have done, that hall not be urprized, if it is deemed dangerous and impolitic, thus to extend the view of the Public to what I may do.

S.

1t May, 1790.