PPREVE ACCES: vil

fears of others to control and fubdue. To day I had to affuage the
rifing difcontents, and on the morrow to cheer the fainting {pirits, of
the people who accompanied me. The toil of our navigation was in-
ceffant, and oftentimes extreme; and in our progrefs over land we
had no protection from the feverity of the elements, and poflefled no
accommodations or conveniences but fuch as could be contained in
the burden on our fhoulders, which aggravated the toils of our march,

and added to the wearifomenefs of our way.

Though the events which compofe my journals may have hittle in
themfelves to ftrike the imagination of thofe who love to be aftonifhed,
or to gratify the curiofity of fuch as are enamoured of romantic adven-
tures; neverthelefs, when it is confidered that I explored thofe waters
which had never before borne any other veflel than the canoe of the
favage; and traverfed thofe deferts where an European had. never before
prefented himfelf to the eye of its fwarthy natives; when to thefe
confiderations are added the important objects which were purfued,
with the dangers that were encountered, and the difficulties that
were furmounted to attain them, this work will, I flatter myfelf, be
found to excite an intereft, and conciliate regard, in the minds of

thofe who perufe it.

The general map which illuftrates this volume, is reduced by Mr.
Arrowfmith from his three-fheet map of North-America, with the lateft
difcoveries, which he is about to republifh. His profeffional abilites are
well known, and no encomium of mine will advance the general and
merited opinion of them,

Before