( 5 ) 



Yetnotwithftanding thefe difficulties, 

 I have refolved to profecute my under- 

 taking, not only in compliance with 

 your defires, to which I mall ever pay 

 the mod affectionate attention, but from 

 considering, that though this country, 

 has been difcovered for more than two 

 centuries and an half, and has, at dif- 

 ferent periods, iince its difcovery, been 

 inhabited by the fubjects of many Euro- 

 pean Powers, yet it ftill continues almoft 

 wholly unknown in 'Europe", nodefcrip- 

 tion of it worthy of notice having ever 

 been published ; and indeed, if we re- 

 folve to wait until the fubjecl is affumed 

 by a capacity adequate to its extent and 

 importance, we mall probably continue 

 in our prefent ignorance a much longer 

 term; .as few, who vifit thefe countries, 

 are qualified for the undertaking, and 

 all are more attentive to the acqui- 

 B 3 , fition 



