e intended to answer, so that they
contained no small part of the correspondence between these officers,
for some time previous to our arrival on the coast. We took, besides,
many letters, sent from persons entrusted by the Spanish government,
to their friends and correspondents, which were frequently filled with
narrations of public business, and sometimes contained undisguised
animadversions on the views and conduct of their superiors. From these
materials those accounts of the Spanish affairs ore drawn, which may
appear, at first sight, the most exceptionable. In particular, the
history of the various casualties which befel Pizarro's squadron is,
for the most part, composed from intercepted letters; though, indeed,
the relation of the insurrection of Orellana and his followers is
founded on rather a less disputable authority; for it was taken from
the mouths of an English gentleman then on board Pizarro, who often
conversed with Pizarro; and it was, upon enquiry, confirmed in its
principal circumstances by others who were in the ship at the same
time: so that the fact, however extraordinary, is, I conceive, not to
be contested.

And, on this occasion, I cannot but mention, that, though I have
endeavoured with my utmost care to adhere strictly to truth, in every
article of the ensuing narration, yet I am apprehensive that, in so
complicated a work, some oversights must have been committed, by the
inattention to which, at all times, all mankind are liable. However, I
am conscious, as yet, of none but literal and insignificant mistakes;
and if there are others more considerable, which have escaped me, I
flatter myself they are not of moment enough to affect any material
transaction; and therefore I hope they may justly claim the reader's
indulgence.

After this general account of the ensuing work, it might be expected
perhaps, that I should proceed to the work itself; but I cannot finish
this introduction without adding a few reflections on a matter very
nearly connected with the present subject, and, as I conceive, neither
destitute of utility nor unworthy the attention of the public: I
mean the animating my countrymen, both in their public and private
stations, to the encouragement of all kinds of geographical and
nautical observations, and of every species of mechanical and
commercial information. It is by a settled attachment to these
seemingly minute particulars, that our ambitious neighbours have
established so