[Enclosed with Thomas Pownall to BF, July 5, 1782] Queeries respecting the grounds of Emigration and Settlement in America

Without enumerating, or entering into the force of the Reason which may activate People to Emigrate from Europe to America; either those which are repellant expecting the State of the old Country, or those which are attractive respecting the New, It is a Fact that Numbers of People are speculating upon that View.

Whether Those in the oldworld who, looking more to the happiness and welfare of Mankind in general, than to the local and incanscribed interest of any Country in particular, still become favourers of this Measure; Or Those who from National and Patriate sentiments towards their peculiar Country, shall become Opposers of it; may most prevail in the opinions and acts of their peculiar Governments; Is of little moment in those general courses of human Events. Things will have their Courses and when once the Current takes its course Numbers of People will emigrate: nor will be within the Effect of Law or even of arbitrary Government to prevent them.

All therefore that I have in View in making the Inquiries contained in this Paper, is, to obtain such information founded in the knowledge of experienced and honest Men as may enable me so to state to my Countrymen the real facts of the Good and the Bad which must arise to those who seek New settlements, that They may not go blindfold and unprepared to measure of such consequence to their Welbeing or Ruin; to a measure which rightly understood and rightly prepared for may be sure ground of happiness and Welfare, but not understood and not prepared for