This Copy contains an Inday &

Sonse other additions, which are not

in the Copy presented by Gov. Winthrop

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839,

BY JOSEPH B. FELT,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

SIR,

HON. THOMAS L. WINTHROP, LL. D.

The ensuing production is an enlargement of two Lectures delivered at the request of the Massachusetts Historical Society, over which you continue so very acceptably to preside. Hoping that it may furnish some data to aid in the correction of doubtful speculations, and in the establishment of safe principles- as to the pecuniary relations of the community-the writer has ventured to lay it before the public eye. Nor has this step been taken unadvisedly. Gentlemen acquainted with the contents of the manuscript, have desired that it might be published. While influenced by their wish, the author well knows, that it has long been your taste and pleasure to encourage such works, and to advance the interests of literature and science. For this-as well as for the repeated marks of your kindness to him— he is happy to dedicate the succeeding pages to you, as a slight memento of his respect and esteem for yourself.

BOSTON, July, 1839.

JOSEPH B. FELT.