ted, will not be deficient in their charac teratic generofity, when the circumstances of the publication are confidered; for little did the Author fufpect, when he made the notes from which this is compiled, that want of "fupport should ever compel him to fubmit his remarks to the criticism of the world. The stile and form of the compilation, with refpect to words and expreffions, will likewife perhaps require to be commented on: but the fame liberal, fpirit of the candid reader will frame an excufe in his mind at any part exposed to the shafts of criticism; and kindly omit his remarks, when he shall learn that the work is brought forward by A STUDENT, HISTORY, &c. &c. : READERS of Travels like travellers are rarely fatisfied, till they know fome particulars of thofe with whom they are about to embark, in purfuit of advantage or pleasure without this knowledge, fome diffatisfaction, or doubt, will frequently take place in their minds. In this view therefore it is that I think proper to introduce a few particulars concerning myself, which, on any other occafion, would neither be fufficiently important or interesting to merit relation: but as the greater part of young men are directed through life more by accident than choice, and many of their fortunes and misfortunes to be placed rather at the door of chance than predisposition; fo, it will be useful on this occafion, to mark the course which led me to the Voyage and Travels which I am about to relate, in order that the reader may carry the remembrance of my circumstances and fituation in life, and the part I acted in fome tranfactions which I have to describe; that I am not an adventurer of pleasure nor of choice, but one who tarted from the humble walks of private life in fearch of a competence, and launched into the ocean of the world with no other pilot than neceffity, or other chart than that of a youthful knowledge of the world, deftitute of every stock but that of industry and an active difpofition. My Father's family, although not popular point of property, were refpected for their industry and probity, in the town of Kingfbury, Washington County, ftate of New York, where I was born in 1772. Arrived at the age of eighteen, bred up with a difpofition to an active life in common with my countrymen, I was encouraged to com mence a mercantile purfuit at the Town of Alsburgh, in the ftate of Vermont; where having refided, and witneffed the wildly rude and romantic beauties, that furrounded Lake Champlain, at the end of fourteen months I found my hopes of fuccefs in business disappointed, and that I muft neceffarily feek fome new purfuit. Hearing it frequently faid that a young man of a moderate education and industrious habits, with a good recommendation, would be fure of an eligible and conftant employment in the fouthern ftates, after advising with my friends and making the neceffary preparations, I determined to proceed for Charleston, South Carolina. I fet out for Boston on horse-back, where I arrived without any very interefting adventure, and foon obtained a paffage by fea for Charleston, where I arrived in 20 days after leaving Boston Harbour, heartily fick of my firft fea voyage as I called it. |