iv : PRE ACE;

iH my life have by no means qualified me, made me hefitate in committing
my papers to the Prefs; being much better calculated to perform the
voyages, arduous as they might be, than to write an account of them.

However, they are now offered to the Public with the fubmiffion that

becomes me.

I was led, at an early period of life, by commercial views, to the
country North-Welt of Lake Superior, in North America, and being
endowed by Nature with an inquifitive mind and enterprifing {pirit ;
pofleffing -alfo a conftitution and frame of body equal to the moft
arduous undertakings, and being familiar with toilfome exertions in the
profecution of mercantile purfuits, I not only contemplated the practi-
cability of penetrating acrofs the continent.of America, but was con-

fident in the qualifications, as I was animated by the defire, to undertake

the perilous enterprize.

The general utility of fuch a difcovery, has been univerfally ac-
knowledged; while the wifhes of my particular friends and commercial

affociates, that I fhould proceed in the purfuit of it, contributed to

quicken the execution of this favourite projet of my own ambition:
i and as the completion of it extends the boundaries of geographic
{cience, and adds new countries to the realms of Britifh commerce,
B the danger I have encountered, and the toils I have fuffered, have found

—— their recompence; nor will the many tedious and weary days, or the

aE +

gloomy and inclement nights which I have paffed, have been paffed

in vain.

. The