PREFACE. 



The general map which illustrates this volume, is 

 reduced by Mr. Arrowsmith from his three-sheet 

 map of North-America, with the latest discoveries, 

 which he is about to republish. His professional 

 abilities are well known, and no encomium of mine 

 will advance the general and merited opinion of him. 



Before I conclude, I must beg leave to inform 

 my readers, that they are not to expect the charms 

 of embellished narrative, or animated description; 

 the approbation due to simplicity and to truth, is 

 all I presume to claim ; and I am not without the 

 hope, that this claim will be allowed me. I have 

 described whatever I saw with the impressions of 

 the moment which presented it to me. The suc- 

 cessive circumstances of my progress are related 

 without exaggeration or display. I have seldom 

 allowed myself to wander into conjecture ; and 

 whenever conjecture has been indulged, it will be 

 found, I trust, to be accompanied with the temper 

 of a man who is not disposed to think too highly of 

 himself : and if at any time I have delivered myself 

 with confidence, it will appear, I hope, to be on 

 those subjects which, from the habits and experience 

 of my life, will justify an unreserved communica- 

 tion of my opinions. I am not a candidate for li- 

 terary fame : at the same time I cannot but indulge 

 the hope, that this volume, with all its imperfec- 

 tions, will not be thought unworthy the attention 

 of the scientific geographer; and that, by unfolding 

 countries hitherto unexplored, and which, I pre- 

 sume, may now be considered as a part of the British 

 dominions, it will be received as a faithful tribute 

 to the prosperity of my country. 



ALEXANDER MACKENZIE. 



London, November SO, 1801. 



B 



