While the reader attends to these things, and at the same time considers that the author has entered on a new field, where, like the wilderness he describes, there were few beaten tracks, and no certain guides, he will form several excuses for the errors and imperfections of this history. Many long speeches, petitions, addresses, _&c._ he might no doubt have abridged; but as there were his principal vouchers, for his own sake, he chose to give them entire. Being obliged to travel over the same ground, in order to mark its progress in improvement at different periods, it was no easy matter to avoid repetitions. With respect to language, style and manner of arrangement, the author not being accustomed to write or correct for the press, must crave the indulgence of critics for the many imperfections of this kind which may have escaped his notice. Having endeavoured to render his performance as complete as his circumstances would admit, he hopes the public will treat him with lenity, although it may be far from answering their expectations. In short, if this part of the work shall be deemed useful, and meet with any share of public approbation, the author will be satisfied; and may be induced afterwards to review it, and take some pains to render it not only more accurate and correct, but also more complete, by adding some late events more interesting and important than any here related: but if it shall turn out otherwise, all must acknowledge that he has already bestowed sufficient pains upon a production deemed useless and unprofitable. Sensible therefore of its imperfections, and trusting to the public favour and indulgence, he sends it into the world with that modesty and diffidence becoming every young author on his first public appearance. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME CHAP. I. _Most men pleased with the history of their ancestors._ _A notion early entertained of territories in the west._ _A project of Columbus for attempting a discovery._ _The discovery of Columbus._ _The discovery of John Cabot._ _The discovery of Sebastian Cabot._ _The discovery of Americus Vespuccius._ _The discovery of Cabral._ _America inhabited._ _Various conjectures about the first population of America._ _The natural proprietors of the country._ _Religious divisions the primary cause of emigrations to the west._ _Coligni's settlement in Florida._ _Extirpated by Spaniards._ _A traffic in negroes._ _Reflections on it._ _Virginia settled._ _Its progress._ _Disturbances in England promote foreign settlements._ _New-England peopled by Puritans._ _Who turn persecutors._ _Divide into different governments._ _A colony planted in Maryland._ _General remarks on colonization._ CHAP II.