PRE kA CE:

On prefenting this Volume to my Country, it is not neceflary to enter
into a particular account of thofe voyages whofe journals form the prin-
cipal part of it, as they will be found, I truft, to explain themfelves.
It appears, however, to be a duty, which the Public have a right to
expett from me, to ftate the reafons which have influenced me in
delaying the publication of them.

It has been afferted, that a mifunderftanding between a perfon high
in office and myfelf, was the caufe of this procraftination. It has alfo
been propagated, that it was occafioned by that precaution which the
policy of commerce will fometimes fuggeft; but they are both equally
devoid of foundation. The one is an idle tale; and there could be no
folid reafon for concealing the circumftances of difcoveries, whofe
arrangements and profecution were fo honourable to my affociates and
myfelf, at whofe expence they were undertaken. The delay a€tually
arofe from the very a¢tive and bufy mode of life in which I was engaged
{ince the voyages have been completed; and when, at length, the op-
portunity, arrived, the apprehenfion of prefenting myfelf to the Public
in the charaéter of an Author, for which the courfe and occupations of

A2 my

2.