THE HISTORY OF AMERICA. By WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D. D. PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, HISTORIO- MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF VOL. I. A NEW EDITION. BASIL: Printed for J. J. TOURNEISEN; and J. L. LEGRAND. MDCCX C. PREFACE. 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 prefent ftate of the British Colonies has induced me to alter that refolution. While they are engaged in civil war with Great Britain, inquiries and fpeculations concerning. their ancient forms of policy and laws, which exift no longer, cannot be interesting. The attention and expectation of mankind are now turned towards their future condition. In whatever manner this unhappy contest may termi nate, a new order of things muft arife in NorthAmerica, 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, and then I shall return to this part of my work, in which I had made fome progrefs. That, together with the history of Portuguese America, and of the settlements made by the feveral nations of Europe in the Weft-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 progress of the Spanish arms and colonies there. This is not only the most fplendid portion of the American story, but fo much detached, as, by itself, to form a perfect whole, remarkable for the unity of the fubject. 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 hiftory of all the European establishments in America, and convey fuch information concerning this important article of policy, as may be deemed no less interesting than curious. In defcribing the achievements 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 juftifies me either in placing transactions in a new light, or in forming any new opinion with refpect to their causes and effects. This duty I perform with greater fatisfaction, as it will afford an opportunity of expreffing my gratitude to thofe benefactors, who have honored me with their countenance and aid in my researches. 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 circumstance for me, when Lord Grantham, to whom I had the honor of being perfonally known, and with whofe liberality of fentiment, and difpofition to oblige, I was well acquainted, was appointed ambaffador 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 most proper manner, in order to obtain the gratification of my wishes; and I am perfectly fenfible, 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 a; |