experiment, no less new in its design, than difficult in its execution.

As this publication enters the world with the name of the author,
candour will, he trusts, induce its readers to believe, that no
consideration could weigh with him in an endeavour to mislead them.
Facts are related simply as they happened, and when opinions are
hazarded, they are such as, he hopes, patient inquiry, and deliberate
decision, will be found to have authorised. For the most part he has
spoken from actual observation; and in those places where the relations
of others have been unavoidably adopted. He has been careful to search
for the truth, and repress that spirit of exaggeration which is almost
ever the effect of novelty on ignorance.

The nautical part of the work is comprized in as few pages as possible.
By the professional part of my readers this will be deemed judicious;
and the rest will not, I believe, be dissatisfied at its brevity. I beg
leave, however, to say of the astronomical calculations, that they
may be depended on with the greatest degree of security, as they were
communicated by an officer, who was furnished with instruments, and
commissioned by the Board of Longitude, to make observations during the
voyage, and in the southern hemisphere.

An unpractised writer is generally anxious to bespeak public attention,
and to solicit public indulgence. Except on professional subjects,
military men are, perhaps, too fearful of critical censure. For the
present narrative no other apology is attempted, than the intentions of
its author, who has endeavoured not only to satisfy present curiosity,
but to point out to future adventurers, the favourable, as well as
adverse circumstances which will attend their settling here. The candid,
it is hoped, will overlook the inaccuracies of this imperfect sketch,