lators of whom history has
preserved an authentic account." The work is full of prophetic
knowledge, and especially with regard to the British colonies. Writing
while the debate with the mother country was still pending, Adam Smith
urged that they should be admitted to Parliamentary representation in
proportion to taxation, so that their representation would enlarge with
their growing resources; and here he predicts nothing less than the
transfer of empire.

"The distance of America from the seat of government, the natives of
that country might flatter themselves, with some appearance of reason
too, would not be of very long continuance. Such has hitherto been the
rapid progress of that country in wealth, population, and improvement,
that, in the course of little more than a century, perhaps, the produce
of America might exceed that of British taxation. _The seat of the
empire would then naturally remove itself to that part of the empire
which contributed most to the general defence and support of the
whole._"[38]

In these tranquil words of assured science this great author carries the
seat of government across the Atlantic.

GOVERNOR POWNALL.--1777, 1780, 1785.

Among the best friends of our country abroad during the trials of the
Revolution was Thomas Pownall, called by one biographer "a learned
antiquary and politician," and by another "an English statesman and
author." Latterly he has so far dropped out of sight, that there are few
who recognize in him either of these characters. He was born, 1722, and
died at Bath, 1805. During this long period he held several offices. As
early as 1745 he became secretary to the Commission for Trade and
Plantations. In 1753 he crossed the ocean. In 1755, as Commissioner for
Massachusetts Bay, he negotiated with New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania, in union with New England, the confederated expedition
against Crown Point. He was afterwards Governor of Massachusetts Bay,
New Jersey, and South Carolina, successively. Returning to England, he
was, in 1761, Comptroller-General of the army in Germany, with the
military rank of Colonel. He sat in three successive Parliaments until
1780, when he passed into private life. Hildreth gives a glimpse at his
personal character, when, admitting his frank manners and liberal
politics, he describes his "habits as rather freer than suited the New
England standard."[39]

Pownall stands forth conspicuous for his championship of our nation