2 _ STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



The original epistolary form has been dropped, and so much 

 of arrangement aimed at, as was necessary to prevent repeti- 

 tion ; ■ but the connection of the topics is not very methodical,, 

 and facts oftener occur in the order in which they were ac- 

 quired, than in which they might best have been grouped. 



Emolument is not the inducement for attempting this statis- 

 tical account: but a wish of displaying the importance of the 

 settlements now possessed by the British along the northern 

 coast of South America. They are undervalued; and were 

 abandoned at the peace of Amiens \vith a levity, which low- 

 ered the character of our statesmen for information. If this 

 endeavour to make the district more known should succeeJ, 

 the author's end is reached. It will be a sufficient gratihca- 

 tlon for him to have had it in his power to disclose a new field, 

 where British industry and perseverance are so likely to reap 

 an early reward, and so able to found an immeasurable 

 empire* 



Emigration ought to be classed among the merits of a 

 citizen. The little void an absentee leaves is presently filled. 

 By withdrawing from the competition for employment at 

 home, he favours an increase in the recompense of industry. 

 Whether he fails, and dies abroad ; or thrives, and returns 

 with a fortune ; he has helped to keep in motion the great 

 wheel of commercial circulation. He, who quits his country,. 



