THE PREFACE.

This Work being perhaps one of the most singular productions ever offered to the Public, I think it right to give the Reader a short sketch of what he is going to peruse.—I have endeavoured to arrange matters in some degree like a large garden, where one meets with the sweet-smelling flower and the thorn, the gold-bespangled fly and loathsome reptile, the richest glowing plumage and the darkest shades; the whole so variegated as to afford, I hope, both information and amusement, without racking or depressing the spirits, and damping the mind; not indeed in the modern pomp and brilliancy of style, but in a simple tale, where TRUTH is the chief ornament.

Here, in the different characters of a Commander—a Rebel Negro—a Planter, and a Slave—not only tyranny are exposed—but benevolence and humanity are unveiled to the naked eye. Here the Warrior—the Historian—the Merchant—and the Lover of Natural Philosophy, will meet with some gratification; while, for having introduced my private adventures, I must make some apology—but none for those of the lovely Slave, who makes not the least interesting figure in these pages—as female virtue in distress, especially when accompanied with youth and beauty, must ever claim protection.

Upon the whole, perhaps, some allowance may be made, when the Reader considers he is perusing no romance composed of fiction, but a real history, totally unembellished with the marvellous;—the production of an Officer, whose pen and pencil have alone been employed—and ON THE SPOT, a circumstance but very seldom met with.

As to the shocking cruelties that here are so frequently exposed, let it suffice to say, that to deter others from similar inhuman practices, and teach them virtue, was my sole and only motive; while, on the other hand, it must be observed that Liberty, nay even too much lenity, when suddenly granted to illiterate and unprincipled men, must be to all parties dangerous, if not pernicious. Witness the Owca and Sarameca Negroes in Surinam—the Maroons of Jamaica, the Carribs of St. Vincent, &c.

While the Colony of Surinam however is reeking and dyed with the blood of the African negroes, truth compels me to observe, that the Dutch there are not the only guilty; but that to most other nations, and particularly the Jews, is owing this almost constant and diabolical barbarity.

Reader, peruse the pages annexed with impartiality and with temper—sort the flowers from the weeds—divide the gold skilfully from the dross—and perhaps you may not regret the hours you have thus dedicated. A few orthographical errors and inaccuracies have been discovered, particularly in the First Volume, from my having unavoidably been prevented from superintending its progress while in the press: But in a short Errata, and particularly in the Index, to which I refer the curious, will be found properly spelt the names of men and things.—Let it however not be understood, that I ever laid claim to excellence in writing or drawing; but if the plain and MANLY TRUTH, so often spoken of, and so seldom found, are of any avail—I presume to hope, that these Volumes are not entirely unworthy the attention of a British Public.