These remarks are not intended as any disparagement to the private characters or virtues of those statesmen whose talent was great and well cultivated, but to establish the position which it is the object of this work to show that Justice has not been fairly and impartially administered when the requirement was in opposition to the Royal wish or the administration. Within these volumes will also be found urgent remonstrances against the indignities offered to the people of Ireland, whose forebearance has been great, and whose sorrows are without a parallel, and who merit the same regard as England and Scotland.--Much is omited relative to the private conduct of persons who occupy _high stations_, but should it be needful, it shall be published, and all the correspondence connected therewith. It is true much honor will not be derived from such explanations, but they are forthcoming if requisite. The generality of readers will not criticise severely upon _the diction_ of these prefatory remarks; they will rather have their attention turned to the truths submitted to them, and the end in view,--_that end_ is for the advancement of the best interests of Society--to unite more closely each member in the bonds of friendship and amity, and to expose the _hidden causes_ which for so long a period have been barriers to concord, unity, and happiness "MAY GOD DEFEND THE RIGHT." SECRET HISTORY, _&c. &c._ The secret history of the Court of England, during the last two reigns, will afford the reflecting mind abundant matter for regret and abhorrence. It has, however, been so much the fashion for historians to speak of kings and their ministers in all the fulsome terms of flattery, that the inquirer frequently finds it a matter of great difficulty to arrive at truth. But, fearless of consequences, we will speak of facts as they _really occurred_, and only hope our readers will accompany us in the recital with feelings, unwarped by party prejudice, and with a determination to judge the actions of kings, lords, and commons, not as beings of a _superior order_, but as _men_. Minds thus constituted will have little difficulty in tracing the origin of our present evils, or of perceiving "How many that _command_ should be COMMANDED!" We commence with the year 1761,