PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



THE discovery of a new Hemisphere by CHRISTOPHER. 

 COLUMBUS, and the progress of the Spaniards in the 

 conquest of it, have been deservedly the theme of a long se- 

 ries of Histories in the several languages of Europe ; and the 

 subject has been recently resumed and illustrated by a celebrated 

 Writer among ourselves. It is not therefore my intention to 

 tread again in so beaten a track, by the recital of occurrences 

 of which few can be ignorant, if the noblest exertions of the 

 human mind, producing events the most singular and import- 

 ant in the history of the world, are circumstances deserving 

 admiration and inquiry. 



My attempt, which I feel to be sufficiently arduous, is, 



To present the reader with an historical account of the ori- 

 gin and progress of the settlements made by our own nation in 

 the West Indian islands; 



To explain their constitutional establishments, internal go- 

 vernments, and the political system maintained by Great Bri- 

 tain towards them ; 



To describe the manners and dispositions of the present in- 

 habitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local 

 causes ; comprehending in this part of my book an account of 

 the African slave trade; some observations on the negro cha- 

 racter and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery esty 

 blished in our colonies; 



VoL I. 



