VI PREFACE. 



to their friends and relations in France; which is 

 industriously spread about that kingdom, to their 

 advantage. For their monarch being a very good 

 judge of men's deserts, does not often let money 

 or interest make men of parts give place to others 

 of less worth. 



This breeds an honorable emulation amongst 

 them, to outdo one another, even in fatigues and 

 dangers ; whereby they gain a good correspon- 

 dence with the Indians, and acquaint themselves 

 with their speech and customs ; and so make con- 

 siderable discoveries in a short time. Witness 

 their journals trom Canada to the Mississippi, and 

 its several branches, where they have effected 

 great matters in a few years. 



Having spent most of my time, during my eight 

 years abode in Carolina, in travelling, I not only 

 surveyed the sea-coast, and those parts which are 

 already inhabited by the Christians, but likewise 

 viewed a spacious tract of land lying betwixt the 

 inhabitants and the ledges of mountains, from, 

 whence our noblest rivers have their rise, running 

 towards the ocean, where they water as pleasant a 

 country as any in Europe ; the discovery of which 

 being never yet made public. I have in the fol- 

 lowing sheets, given you a faithful account there- 

 of; wherein I have laid down everything with im- 

 partiality, and truth, which is indeed, the duty of 

 every author, and preferable to a smooth style, ac- 

 companied with falsities and hyperboles. Great 

 part of this pleasant and healthful country is in- 



