TO THE 
KING. 
Sire, 
A s your Majesty’s reign has been peculiarly 
distinguished by the progress of Maritime Dis¬ 
covery, the author of a work closely connected 
with this interesting object, is naturally led to 
solicit the patronage of a Sovereign, whose 
name is inseparably associated with the most 
arduous and splendid enterprises of modern 
times. 
This volume has no other claim on your 
Majesty’s protection, than as a contribution to 
Geographical Science,—a subject of inquiry, 
which, under your Majesty’s sanction and fa¬ 
vour, especially as it regards the more inacces¬ 
sible parts of the Globe, has become almost ex¬ 
clusively British. It forms the first particidar 
