THE SPIRIT OF DESPOTIS M. Vicesimus Knox DiviTIAS COMITATUR LUXUS; et LUXUS exit in Tr. ERASMUS Ex regum immoderatâ libidine unjusta bella temerè plesume BYCHĄNAT.. LONDON: PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1795. TRENTON: RE-PRINTED BY WILSON ES BLACKWELL. THE heart is deceitful above all things; who can know it? As far as I know my own, it feels an anxious desire to serve my fellow-creatures, during the sbort period of my continuance among them, by stopping the effusion of buman blood, by diminishing or softening the miseries wbich man creates for bimself, by promoting peace and by' endeavoring to secure and extend 'civil liberty. I attribute war, and most of the artificial evils of life, to the Spirit of Despotism, a rank poisonbus weed, which grows and flourishes even in the soil of liberty, when over-run with corruption. I bave attempted to eradicate it, that the salutary and pleasant plants may bave room 10, strike root and expand their foliage. There is one circumstance whică induces une te think that, in this instance, my part dues not deceive me. I am certain, that in attemptírig to promote tbe general bappiness of man, vithout serving any party, or paying court to any indi. vidual, I am not studying my own interest. On ibe contrary, I am well aware that my very sub. ject must give offence to those who are possessed of power and patronage. I bave no personal enmities, and therefore am truly concerned that I could not treat the Spirit of Despotism, without advancing opinions ibat must displease the nomi. nal great. I certainly sacrifice all view of personal advantage to what appears to me the public |