PREFACE. 
I PRESENf an History of the Island which gave me birth, to the 
Country that affords me protection. I shall only mention the Revolution 
in France, in order to observe, that the class of its people to which I 
belong, has had a full share of its miseries. I foresaw them all; and, 
being invited hither by the elder branch of my family in Scotland, I chose 
for my abode, the country which possessed a constitution, that I had 
openly proposed, while such propositions could be made, in my own. 
I have endeavoured to alleviate my misfortunes, by literary pur¬ 
suits ; and having long formed the design of composing an History of 
the Isles of France and Bourbon, from the original materials which I 
inherited from my father, who had resided in the former of them 
during a period of tvventy years, I have at length accomplished my 
purpose. 
It may be said by some, that it is an indiscretion in me, to unfold the 
circumstances of these colonies, which have been, and, in some respects, 
still are, subject to the French Government; but it is not necessary, 
that this objection should be made to me, for I had long since made 
it to myself; and such a reflection had already delayed the publication 
of my work. I had flattered myself with the hope, that a general 
peace, founded on the enlarged principles of public justice, would place 
every one in his former situation : but being at length persuaded, that 
a termination of the present calamities is distant, or at least uncertain, 
I no longer delayed my work, which, being purely historical, may be 
considered as belonging to all governments, and every age. 
