GENERAL PREFACE. THE whole of this work was planned, and the part now published was printed, several years ago, with the hope of being able to supply what is believed to be a serious deficiency in our literature; and of promoting the thorough reform in the Home administration of our Colonial affairs which is essential to the public interest and honour. The enterprises of the British people, both individually and collectively, beyond the seas, have from the earliest times, not only greatly affected the national character, but they have produced some influence upon mankind at large. Travel, for many objects, political, religious, commercial and intellectual; Migrations; Discovery; and Conquests, have been going on unceasingly among us for more than 1800 years; — nevertheless, numerous as are the records of our travels, our migrations, our voyages, our missions and our conquests, no work exists in which they have been fully examined. A judicious selection of these records will, therefore, have the attraction of novelty; and it may furnish materials for a correct estimate of our policy beyond sea, in its various branches. Applied steadily, this new intelligence must lead to great changes in that policy, and turn to the general |