preface. 
The Method in which thefe Voyages and Travels are now digefted, is fo natural and eafy, that 
it is impoffible it fhould be either miftaken or forgot. In the firft Place, we give an Account, in 
Order of Time, of the molt remarkable Voyages that have been made round the Globe ; which 
afford us an Opportunity of inferring a great Variety of ufeful and curious Obfervations. We 
then enter into a diftind Recital of the Voyages made by feveral European Nations, for difcovering 
and fettling the Commerce of the Eaft and Weft Indies, without which the fubfequent Accounts 
could not be eafily or clearly underftood. We purlue next the common Divilion of the Globe ; 
and, beginning with the Voyages that have been made to Spit zb er gen and Groenland, go on to a 
Recital of what has been obferved by Travellers of the greateft Note, in all the Northern Parts of 
Europe , and fo through the Middle, Southern, and Eaftern Countries, to the Frontiers of Afia. 
This leads us to give an Account of that Part of the World, and of all the Voyages made to its 
Maritime Coafts, as well as the Travels of fuch as have had an Opportunity to pafs through its 
Inland Provinces. The like Care we take with refped to Africa, and therein confider at large the 
Trade upon its feveral Coafts, and the Manner in which it was formerly, and is at prefent, branched 
out amongft feveral European Nations. Laft of all, we purfue the fame Method in adjufting the 
Voyages to and Travels throughout America , fo as to give the Reader full Satisfaction as to the 
firft Difcovery, original Settlement, paft and prefent Condition, Commerce and Importance of 
all the Spanift, Englifto , French, Fortuguefe, Hutch and ’Danifh Colonies in that Country, to- 
gether with all that can be known with Certainty as to the Indian Nations, which Inhabit thofe 
Parts of it that are hitherto unfubdued. 
It will appear from hence, that the Defign of this Undertaking is much more perfect in its 
kind than the Scheme of any Colledion of Voyages hitherto offered to the Publick ; for whereas 
They relate only to a few Countries, and are not difpofed according to any regular Method, 
Ours will comprehend all, and in an Order which gives them a perfed Connedion. If we had 
followed Chronology wholly, it would have intirely changed our Plan, and, inftead of a Col- 
ledion, it would have been a Chronicle of Voyages and Travels. If, on the other hand, we 
had paid no regard to Time, this would have created great Confufion, and rendered the Whole 
perplexed and unintelligible. But as Things now ftand, all thefe Difficulties are avoided. We 
treat firft of the Circum-Navigators, for this plain Reafon, that as the Whole is greater than its 
Parts, fo, among Travellers, thofe are certainly to be placed in the firft Clafs, who have made 
the Inveftigation of the whole Globe their Aim, rather than the Difcovery of particular Parts 5 
and upon the fame Principles we place the Difcoverers of the Eaft and Weft Indies next to the 
Circum-Navigators 5 becaufe their Purpofe was next in Point of Importance. Thefe general 
Heads being fixed, all the component Parts follow in Order of Time, fo that after pending a whole 
Chapter, the Reader is poffeffed of the intire Hiftory of that Point, fees when it was firft ftarted. 
How, by Whom, and at what Time profecuted, and in what Situation it ftands at prefent. 
I have now given the Reader all the Helps in my Power, towards the perfed underftanding 
what is intended in the following Work ; and from the Hope of his candid Reception of my 
Labours, I borrow that Degree of Confidence which is neceffary to profecute fo arduous an 
Undertaking; and, provided I enjoy This, I fhall think all my Care and Pains extremely well 
beftowed; fince, to further ufeful Knowledge, is certainly a laudable Ambition, 
