PREFACE. TH HE Year of which we treat, prefented the most aweful appearance of public affairs, which this country had perhaps beheld for many ages. All ancient fyftems of policy, relative to any fcheme of equality or balance of power, feemed forgotten in Europe. Friends and allies were no more with respect to us. On the contrary, whether it proceeded from our fault, or whether it was merely our misfortune, mankind feemed to wait, with an aspect which at best bespoke indifference, for the event of that ruin which was expected to burst upon us. It has happened fortunately, that the expected evil and danger, were lefs dreadful in the encounter, than in the diftant appearance. The great combination of the Houfe of Bourbon with the American Colonies, was far from producing all thofe effects which were undoubtedly expected. If our own fucceffes were not great, and rather negative than direct in their nature, our loffes, however confiderable, were ftill lefs than might have been apprehended. |