PREFACE TO RE-PUBLICATION. 



In offering to tlie public a re-publication of 

 Lawson's History of North Carolina, the under- 

 signed will briefly state tlic reasons tliat led to 

 the undertaking. But two copies of the original 

 edition (one in the State Library, presented by 

 President Madison, and one at the University,) 

 are now to be found within the State ; and possi- 

 bl}', a century hence, or in less time, they will 

 have been destroyed. Hence the necessity of a re- 

 print — and the undersigned flatter themselves 

 that they will receive the thanks of posterity at 

 least, if by their instrumentality, the pages of 

 Lawson shall be perpetuated in all their original- 

 ity and sprightliness. Subsequent historians have 

 copied more or less from our author — thus endors- 

 ing his claim to be considered a faithful chroni- 

 cler of his time, and showing the importance of 

 preserving entire whatever tends to elucidate the 

 history of our good old State — the pride and boast 

 of us all. Influenced by these considerations, 

 and prompted by the solicitations of many friends, 



