To the Honorable
Thomas M’Kean, Esquire, L.L.D.
Chief Justice of the State of
Pennsylvania, &c. &c.
Sir,
In adreſſing this volume to you, the public will readily acknowledge the juſtice and propriety of the tribute; ſince a work of this nature is only to be eſteemed, like a mirror, for the truth and accuracy with which its object is reflected; and I do nothing more on the occaſion, than preſent you with your own portrait, in which all the praiſe I covet, or deſerve, is that of having preſerved ſome reſemblance of the original.
But, independent of this conſideration, the opportunity of making the preſent offering, yields a high gratification to my feelings and my pride. By the uniform curteſy and cordiality of your attentions, I have naturally been inſpired with ſentiments of eſteem and attach-
ment;