valuable file of papers, The Maryland Gazette, acknowledgments are here tendered to Jonas Green, Esquire, the descendant of the first venerated and venerable printer of Maryland.
Many defects will doubtless be apparent in the style of this work, but when it is remembered that no claim to skill in literary composition is made (and fortunately but little or none was required in this undertaking) the generous and the learned will overlook all such deficiencies as may meet the eye of the critic, and do justice to the intention and object of this collection.
Being in possession of some original letters from general Washington and a few other distinguished men of his day, which it is believed have not hitherto been published, they are placed in an Appendix to this volume, and perhaps will form the most interesting part of it.
Fearful that the importance of the facts that are detailed, may be overlooked, from the want of skill in setting them forth, this volume is now given to the public for what it is worth; even a small tribute to the history of his native State, will, he trusts, be acceptable to his fellow-citizens.