IN publishing the volume announced in the title page, the Author's Executors desire to explain its nature. Throughout a long life the pursuits of Mr. Rush were devoted almost exclusively to public affairs. The official despatches which record his negotiations and other duties, performed abroad whilst Minister Plenipotentiary to England in early life, for upwards of seven years; and subsequently to France, for a shorter though memorable term, at a more advanced period; his reports to Congress while Secretary of the Treasury; and his opinions while Attorney-General of the United States; which latter post he held during the war of 1812, and until the close of the Administration of President Madison; are on the archives of the Government, as part of our public history in those spheres, while he held the above situations.
Mr. Rush's pen was used upon many important public questions, otherwise than officially, before, during, and after the War of 1812; and after returning from his foreign employments. The pieces he wrote appeared largely in the journals of the day, sometimes on calls upon him from his own State, and from other and distant parts of the Union, and sometimes voluntarily. Many of these political papers, as they appeared from time to time, when great home or foreign questions absorbed the public mind, attracted the thoughtful portion of his countrymen; and it might not be thought inappro