was broadened, and the scope of his faculties enlarged by travel, reading and observation.
The accompanying volume does not contain any of Mr. Bradford's political essays or addresses, though they were numerous, and often, at times, of great moment in the tide of public events. The changes of political circumstances in our land are such, that what was a matter of stirring moment, appealing to men's emotions and passions and interests a half, a third, or even a quarter of a century ago, is now regarded as a thing of the past, to be consigned to the Tomb of the Capulets. Mr. Bradford always took a keen and lively interest in public affairs, and was ever ready to raise his voice and use his pen in defense of those principles of governmental action which he believed to be constitutional and wise. It would, however, hardly become a memorial volume like the present, to embody speeches or treatises on matters of political difference or contention, which may be regarded as transitory. In his younger manhood, Mr. Bradford spent some years in the then far western and newly admitted State of Michigan, where he served her people with distinction in the upper branch of the Legislature. His name is indelibly linked with much of the important legislation which gave form to the organism of that new community. While thus serving, he was the author of several acts of vital importance in the subsequent history of Michigan, among others, the act abolishing imprisonment for debt, which served as a model for similar acts in other States, and thus identified himself with a reformatory measure which has become the accepted policy of all the States of the American Union. The report with which he accompanied the presentation of this measure, as well as others of vital importance, to the Senate of Michigan, almost half a century before his death, is here reproduced.
These different productions of Mr. Bradford are submitted in the form of a memorial volume to exhibit his character, and to show that all the ends he aimed at were designed for the glory of God, the welfare of his country, and the improvement of mankind.