xiv 



yREFACE, 



rouse, Langsdorff, and others who visited this place 

 at different times. To give these descriptions in 

 every instance, would swell this article to a bulk 

 beyond that of the work it is intended to vindicate. 

 The author is therefore, of necessity, compelled to 

 content himself, except on extraordinary occasions, 

 with referring the reader to the books themselves ; 

 trusting they will acquit him of the folly of appeal- 

 ing to authorities that do not corroborate his state- 

 ments. 



The only apology that can possibly be made for 

 this unguarded assertion of the Reviewer, that in 

 point of fact, the author never saw the coast of 

 Brazil, is that of sheer ignorance. He certainly 

 could not have known in what part of the world 

 the island of St. Catherine is situated ; that it is in 

 some parts of it not more than four hundred yards 

 from the coast of Brazil ; and that the Essex was 

 anchored between it and the continent. With re- 

 gard to the crime of having enjoyed the hospitality 

 of the people, and afterwards speaking disrespect- 

 fully of them, the author has no other excuse 

 to offer, than that he spoke the truth, and that 

 others have done so before him. Lord Anson and 

 captain Cook, it will be seen by those who have 

 read the Review of this Journal, are on all occa- 

 sions held up to Capt. Porter, as examples of 

 courtesy, humanity, and heroism — such as he may 

 admire, but cannot possibly imitate. They are, by 

 the authority of the Reviewer, placed at the sum- 

 mit of excellence in their kind ; and, of course, 

 whoever falls into their track, though ever so little, 

 is entitled to no ordinary degree of credit. 



Lord Anson, on his voyage round the world, 

 touched at St. Catherine's, where he enjoyed the 

 hospitality which Captain Porter is accused of 

 having abused. Let us see what he says. 



