importance. Only in some very few instances, I have used a softer term for a severer.

In the History of our own Times, we may freely use our own expressions: but in all Accounts of Events before; every Writer must take from Others, whether he mentions his originals or not. And though it be more laborious, yet it seems not only more ingenuous to cite them; but also carries more authority, and gives the inquisitive reader greater satisfaction. But those who have no regard to those authorities may in the reading omit them; unless where they think the passage of too great moment.

And here I must observe, that Mr. Morton's History, from the beginning of the Plymouth People to the end of 1646, being chiefly Governor Bradford's manuscript abbreviated: from thence it comes to pass, that in many articles and paragraphs which I cite from Governor Bradford, both Mr. Morton and I happen to use the same words and sentences. Not that I deduce them from Mr. Morton; but because they are the original words and sentences in Governor Bradford.

Some may think me rather too critical; others, that I relate some circumstances too minute; and others, that I need not have interrupted the reading, with so many notes in the margin.

As for the first, I think a Writer of Facts cannot be too critical. It is Exactness I aim at; and

would not have the least mistake, if possible, pass to the world. If I have unhappily fallen into any, it is through inadvertency only; and I shall be obliged to those who will be so kind as to send me their corrections.

As to the second, those things which are too minute with some, are not so with others. Those minute things are observed with pleasure by the people who live in the places where they were transacted; which are inconsiderable to those who never saw them. And there is none who attentively reads a History, either ancient or modern; but, in a great many cases, wishes the writer had mentioned some minuter circumstances, that were then commonly known, and thought too needless or small to be noted. Besides, smaller matters are of greater moment among a smaller people, and more affect them; which are less important and affecting as the people grow more numerous. And I have therefore thought it a proper rule in History to mention smaller things in the Infancy of these Plantations; which I shall gradually omit, as they grow a greater people.

But as to the third, I wish I had placed many of the notes in the body of the page; and propose to do so in the rest of the work.

As for impartiality, I know it is usual for the writers of History to assert it, some in their

prefaces, others in the front of their works; some in the strongest terms, who have been notoriously guilty of the contrary: and I am apt to think that many are partial who are insensible of it.

For myself, I own I am on the side of pure Christianity, as also of Civil and Religious Liberty; and this for the low as well as high, for the laity as well as the clergy. I am for leaving every one to the freedom of worshipping according to the light of his conscience; and for extending charity to every one who receives the Gospel as the rule of his faith and life. I am on the side of meekness, patience, gentleness, and innocence. And I hope my inclination to these great principles will not bias me to a mis-recital of Facts; but rather to state them, as I really find them, for the public benefit.

Nor will the nature or design of this Work, which is rather a Register or Collection of Matters, as described by others, so much admit of partiality as a proper History; where the Writer allows himself the freedom of using his own expressions.

In citing Fuller, for the births, ages, and choracters of persons; I sometimes mean his "Abel redivivus," but otherwise his "Church History of England."

And whereas I observe some mistakes in Mr. Hubbard's "History of New England," the Reader may consider; that as we have only a

copy of that valuable work, the substance whereof I propose to give the public: some of those mistakes may be owing to the transcriber only; and some that learned and ingenious Author fell into, for want of Governor Bradford's "History," and some other materials; which I happened to be favoured with.

In short, I cite my Vouchers to every Passage; and I have done my utmost, first to find out the Truth; and then to relate it, in the clearest order. I have laboured after accuracy, and yet I dare not say that I am without mistake; nor do I desire the Reader to conceal any he may possibly find. But on the contrary, I offer this work to the public view; that it may be perused with the most critical eye, that every error may be discovered, and the correction published in the following volume; which I hope will not be long composing: having passed through the much greater difficulties in this First, and abstracted many of my materials towards the Second.

AN

A Chronological History of
New England.

1492. Friday, August 3.' Columbus sails from Palos, in Spain; calls at the Canaries. Thursday, September 6, sails thence westward; September 14, first observes the Variation of the Compass. At ten in the evening between October 11 and 12, he descries a light. At two, next morning, Roderick Triana first discovers land, being Guanahani, one of the islands of the New World, called Lucayos; where Columbus goes ashore, and calls it San Salvador, being about 25° N. Lat. Saturday, October 27, discovers Cuba. December 6, arrives at Bohio, which he call Hispaniola; where he builds a fort, and leaves thirty-eight men, or thirty-nine.

Harris, and the Atlas Geographus mistake, in saying August 2.

2 Galvanus says, "They discover land on October 10" and perhaps Herera might mistake from the seamen's method; who set down at noon October 11 all the events of the twenty-four hours preceeding, and give them the date of October 11.

C