XXIV PREFACE TO THE 



have sometimes been content to adopt, without alteration, 

 what was thus furnished to my hands. Thus extracts and pas- 

 sages from former writers occupy some of my pages ; and not 

 having always been careful to note the authorities to which 1 

 resorted, I find it now too late to ascertain the full extent of 

 my obligations of this kind. They may be traced most fre- 

 quently, I believe, in the first and last parts of my work: In 

 the first, because, when I began my task, I had less confi- 

 dence in my own resources than I found aftenvarcls, when 

 practice had rendered writing familiar to me ; and in the last, 

 because, when my labours grew near to a conclusion, I be- 

 came weary, and was glad to get assistance wheresoever it 

 offered. 



From living rather than from written information, how- 

 ever, have I generally sought assistance, when my own re- 

 sources have proved efficient ; and it is my good fortune to 

 boast an acquaintance with men, to whom, for local and 

 commercial knowledge, our statesmen and senators might re- 

 sort, with credit to themselves and advantage to die public. 



On this occasion, neither the gratitude which I owe for fa- 



o 



vours bestowed, nor the pride which I feel from the honour 

 of his friendship, will allow me to conceal the name of Ed- 

 ward Long, Esquire, the author of the Jamaica History, to 

 whom I am first and principally indebted; and who with the 

 liberality which always accompanies true genius, has been as 

 careful to correct my errors, and as assiduous to supply my de- 

 fects, as if nis own well-earned reputation had depended on 

 the issue. 



For great part of the materials which compose the History 

 of Grenada, I am under obligations to Thomas Campbell, 

 Esq. formerly speaker of the assembly of that island, who, 

 through means of a friend, furnished such answers to queries 

 that I sent him, as encourage me to present that portion of 

 my work to the public with a confidence which I dare not as- 

 sume in my account of some other ofthe islands. Yet, even 

 with regard to most of these, I have no cause to complain 



