’Tis much to be wondred that we should to this Day want a good History of most of our West-Indian Plantations.  Ligon has done well for the Barbadoes, and somewhat has been done for the Summer Islands, Virginia, &c.  But how far are all these short even of the knowledge of these and other Places of the West-Indies, which may be obtain’d from divers knowing Planters now Residing in London?  And how easie were it to obtain what is Defective from some Ingenious Persons now Resident upon the Places, if some way were found to gratifie them for their Performances?  However till such be found, ’tis to be hoped that the kind Acceptance only the Publick shall give to this present Work, may excite several other Ingenuous, and knowing Men to follow this Generous Example of Captain Knox who though he could bring away nothing almost upon his Back or in his Purse, did yet Transport the whole Kingdom of Cande Uda in his Head, and by Writing and Publishing this his Knowledge, has freely given it to his Countrey, and to You Reader in, particular.

’Twas not I confess without the earnest Solicitations and Endeavours of my self, and some others of his Friends obtain’d from him, but this uneasiness of parting with it was not for want of Generosity and Freedom enough in Communicating whatever he knew or had observed, but from that usual Prejudice of Modesty, and too mean an Opinion of his own Knowledge and Abilities of doing any thing should be worthy the view of the Publick.  And had he found leisure to Compose it, he could have filled a much greater Volume with useful and pertinent, as well as unusual and strange Observations.  He could have inrich’t it with a more particular Description of many of their curious Plants, Fruits, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Minerals, Stones; and told you many more of the Medicinal and other uses of them in Trades and Manufactures.  He could have given you a compleat Dictionary of their Language, understanding and speaking it as well as his Mother Tongue.  But his Occasions would not permit him to do more at present.  Yet the Civil Usage this his First-born meets with among his Countreymen, may ’tis hoped oblige him to gratifie them with further Discoveries and Observations in his future Travels.

To conclude, He has in this History given you a tast of his Observations.  In which most Readers, though of very differing Gusts, may find somewhat very pleasant to their Pallat.  The Statesman, Divine, Physitian, Lawyet, Merchant, Mechanick, Husbandman, may select something for their Entertainment.  The Philosopher and Historian much more.  I believe at least all that love Truth will be pleas’d; for from that little Conversation I had with him I conceive him to be no ways prejudiced of byassed by Interest, affection, or hatred, fear or hopes, or the vain-glory of telling Strange Things, so as to make him swarve from the truth of Matter of Fact:  And for his opportunity of being informed, any one may satisfie himself when