My Lord,
I am ambitious of giving dignity to this Work by inscribing it to your Lordship; and I conceive that it has a natural claim to your protection. It regards those laws and that constitution which, at a most critical period, you were called to defend; and of which the important purposes are the security and the happiness of a free people.
In this illustrious rank which divides your cares between prerogative and liberty, and in which you support the lustre of the Crown, while you guard the independence of the subject; the greatest occasions are afforded to distinguish the generosity of public virtue, and to employ a capacity enlarged alike by reflection and experience.
But it does not become me to say with what honour to yourself, and with what advantages to the nation, you sustain the arduous charge of government. To posterity, which will not be suspected of flattery, it must be left to celebrate the merits of an Administration, too vigorous to yield under difficulties, and of which the glory has increased with danger.
I am, with the greatest respect,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s
Most obedient,
And most humble servant,
GILBERT STUART.