INTRODUCTION. 



I DO not subscribe to the common opinion that " no one reads an 

 introduction." At any rate, I am satisfied that no one reads a 

 book with the same advantage who does not begin with the in- 

 troduction. From this source the reader may usually gather an 

 idea of the author's general plan, and the motives which induced 

 him to submit his production to the world : points of no little im- 

 portance to the right understanding and proper appreciation of his 

 work. 



There is no pride of authorship to be gratified in the publication 

 of this volume. For the years I have devoted to a cause of mag- 

 nitude and public utility, at home as well as in scenes of wild ad- 

 venture abroad, I have never sought, nor is it possible I could re- 

 ceive, a higher reward than that of having my labours fairly judg- 

 ed by my countrymen. The tardy action of two secretaries the 

 one imbecile, and both vindictive in fitting out an expedition au- 

 thorized by repeated acts of Congress, went far to weary and dis- 

 gust the public mind ; but the folly and malice of those intrusted 

 with its organization detract nothing from the importance of the 

 enterprise itself. To promote the cause of human knowledge is 

 the duty of civilized man ; all are bound to contribute to its ad- 

 vancement, while none can claim an exclusive monopoly of the 

 treasures unfolded in its progress. When the intelligence of the 

 munificent action of Congress reached England, the Geographical 

 Society of London was in session, and, on the circumstance being 

 announced from the chair, it was received with the most enthu- 

 siastic applause. Stimulated by the noble liberality of our nation- 

 al Legislature, the governments of England and France using, in 

 part, the very information contained in this volume have fitted out 

 similar expeditions. The Lion, the Lily, and the Stripes and 

 Stars have floated on the same breeze, under the same constella- 

 tions ; the ships bearing the two latter ensigns having made the 

 Southern Continent on the same day. 



On the 3d of April, 1836, 1 delivered, in the Hall of Represent- 



