INTRODUCTION.<i

they are addreffed, and: to prevent that vindica- tion from being overlooked by the readers of thefe effays. Had it not been for the unfavoura- ble impreflion that the conduét reprehended in the fecond of thefe letters, would have made upon the public mind, in the apprehenfion of the author and his friends, refpecting his character, this laft letter would never have been either written or publifhed: but as the evident imputation of the want of moral rectitude was public, nothing but a public vindication could be in any degree competent: for the author will never fuffer any fuch imputation to remain unrefuted, in as far as a candid ftatement of faéts can do fo, by whom-

foever it may be made.

To Sr JOHN SINCLATR, Bart.

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

LETTER FIRST.

Cotfield, near Edinburgh, SIR,

30th Fune, 1795+

I use the freedom to trouble you at prefent on the fubje€t of draining adopted by Mr, Erx1nc- | TON, not with a view to detraét from the merits b 4

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