viii 
PREFACE. 
out partiality and v.'-itiiout prejudice. On those subjects, therefore, more 
will not be expected in the present work than what the time afforded the 
means of acquiring. 
So little is known to Europeans of the kingdom of Cqchinchina, that 
every piece of authentic information respecting it may be considered as 
valuable. The historical sketch of the affairs of this country for the last 
thirty years, the rapid progress made by the extraordinary talents and, 
exertions of the present King in the recovery of the" ancient domains of 
that country out of the hands of usurpers, the treaty concluded between 
him and Louis XVI. of France, and the causes which annulled that treaty, 
will be found important in a national and poHtical point of view. The 
substance of this sketch is taken from a manuscript memoir drawn up by 
Captain Barissy, a French naval officer who, having several years com- 
manded a frigate in the service of the King of Cochinchina and being an 
able and intelligent man, had the means and the opportunity of collecting 
accurate information. That the English East India Company know so 
very Httle of a country of such extent and importance as Cochinchina is, 
thougli situated nearly in the direct track of their China fleets, and sup- 
plying many valuable articles for the China market, is not a little sur- 
prising. It is to be feared, however, that the growing influence of the 
French, already too powerful in that country, will only draw their serious 
attention towards it when it is too late to take advantage of those favour- 
able circumstances which have long presented themselves. Were the 
enemy to renew this treaty and employ actively against us the force that 
was intended for the purpose, just when the French revolution put an end 
to ail the plans of the old government, it is exceedingly doubtful whether 
the East India Company could any longer be able to maintain their valuable 
commerce with China. 
The Journey into the Interior of Southern Africa, inserted as a sup- 
plementary article at the end of the Voyage, was undertaken by the order 
and at the expense of the Cape Government, for the purpose of discover-. 
