Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/10

 PREFACE.

The performance, hath doubtlefs imperfections, humanum eft trrare. Some readers may think, there is too much of what re- Jates to myfelf, and of the adventures of fmall parties among the Indians and traders. But minute circumftances are often of great confequence, efpecially in difcovering the defcent and genius of a people defcribing their manners and cuftoms and 'giving proper information to rulers at a diftance. I thought it better to be efteemed prolix, than to omit any thing that might be ufeful on thefe points. Some repetitions, which occur, were neceflary The hiftory of the feveral Indian nations being fo much intermixed with each other, and their cuftoms fo nearly alike.

One great advantage my readers will here have ; I fat down tg draw the Indians on the fpot had them many years (landing be fore me, and lived with them as a friend and brother. My inten tions were pure when I wrote, truth hath been my ftandard, and I have no finifler or mercenary views in publiming. With inexpref- fible concern I read the feveral imperfect and fabulous accounts of the Indians, already given to the world Fiction and conjecture have no place in the following pages. The public may depend on the fidelity of the author, and that his defcriptions are genuine, though perhaps not fo polimed and romantic as other Indian hifto- ries and accounts, they may have feen.

My grand objects, were to give the Literati proper and good ma terials for tracing the origin of the American Indians and to in cite the higher powers zealoufly to promote the beft interefts of the Britifli colonies, and of the mother country. For whofe greatnefs and happinefs, I have the moft ardent deiires.

The whole of the work is refpectully fubmitted to the candor and judgment of the impartial Public.

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