PREFACE. IN N fulfilling the engagement which I had come under to the Public with refpect to the Hiftory of America, it was my intention not to have published any part of the work until the whole was completed. The present state of the British Colonies has induced me to alter that resolution. While they are engaged in civil war with Great Britain, inquiries and speculations concerning their ancient forms of policy and laws, which exift no longer, cannot be interefting. The attention and expectation of mankind are now turned towards their future condition. In whatever manner this unhappy conteft may terminate, a new order of things muft arife in North America, and its affairs will affume another afpect. I wait, with the folicitude of a good citizen, until the ferment fubfide, and regular government be re-established, VOL. I. a and and then I fhall return to this part of my work, in which I had made fome progrefs. That, together with the hiftory of Portuguese America, and of the fettlements made by the several nations of Europe in the West India islands, will complete my plan. THE three volumes which I now publish, contain an account of the discovery of the New World, and of the progrefs of the Spanish arms and colonies there. This is not only the moft fplendid portion of the American ftory, but fo much detached, as, by itself, to form a perfect whole, remarkable for the unity of the subject. As the principles and maxims of the Spaniards in planting colonies, which have been adopted in fome measure by every nation, are unfolded in this part of my work; it will ferve as a proper introduction to the history of all the European establishments in America, and convey fuch information concerning this important article of policy, as may be deemed no lefs interesting than curious. IN IN defcribing the atchievements and inftitutions of the Spaniards in the New World, I have departed, in many inftances, from the accounts of preceding historians, and have often related facts which feem to have been unknown to them. It is a duty I owe the Public to mention the fources from which I have derived fuch intelligence as justifies me either in placing transactions in a new light, or in forming any new opi nion with respect to their causes and effects. This duty I perform with greater fatisfaction, as it will afford an opportunity of expreffing my gratitude to those benefactors who have honoured me with their countenance and aid in my refearches. As it was from Spain that I had to expect the most important information, with regard to this part of my work, I confidered it as a very fortunate circumftance for me, when Lord Grantham, to whom I had the honour of being personally known, and with whofe liberality of fentiment, and difpofition to oblige, I was well acquainted, was appointed ambassador 1 to the court of Madrid. Upon applying to him, I met with fuch a reception as fatisfied me that his endeavours would be employed in the moft proper manner, in order to obtain the gratification of my wishes; and I am perfectly sensible, that what progress I have made in my inquiries among the Spaniards, ought to be afcribed chiefly to their knowing how much his Lordship interested himself in my fuccefs. BUT did I owe nothing more to Lord Grantham, than the advantages. which I have derived from his attention in engaging Mr. Waddilove, the chaplain of his embaffy, to take the conduct of my literary inquiries in Spain, the obligations I lie under to him would be very great. During five years, that gentleman has carried on researches for my behoof, with fuch activity, perfeverance, and knowledge of the fubject, to which his attention was turned, as have filled me with no lefs aftonishment than fatisfaction. He procured for me the greater part of the Spanish books, which I have confulted; and as many of them were |