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candid expect it, when they confider that he has trodden, comparatively, an unbeaten path--that he has had to collect a vast variety of materials-that thefe have been widely fcattered-and that he could derive but little affiftance from books already published. Four years have been employed in this work, during which period, the Author has vifited the several states in the Union, and maintained an extenfive correfpondence with men of Science; and in every inftance has endeavoured to derive his information from the most authentic fources: he has alfo fubmitted his manufcripts to the infpection of Gentlemen in the ftatcs which they particularly defcribed, for their correction. It is poffible, notwithstanding, and indeed very probable, that inaccuracies may have crept in; but he hopes there are none of any great importance, and that fuch as may be obferved, will not be made the fubject of fevere cenfure, but aferibed to fome pardonable caufe. He flatters himself, however, that the work now offered to the public, will be found to be as accurate, complete, and impartial, as the prefent ftate of American Geography and Hiftory could furnish. After all, like the nation of which it treats, it is but an infant, and as fuch folicits the foftering care of the country it defcribes; it will grow and improve as the nation advances towards maturity, and the Author will gratefully acknowledge every friendly communication which will tend to make it perfect.

In the profecution of the work, he has aimed at utility rather than originality, and of course, when he has met with publications fuited to his purpose, he has made a free use of them; and he thinks it proper here to obferve, that, to avoid unneceffary trouble, he has frequently ufed the words as well as the ideas of the writers, although the reader has not been particularly apprized of it.

For the Author diftinctly to acknowledge the obligations he is under to many citizens of these ftates, as well as to fome foreigners of diftinction, refidents among us, would fwell this preface to an improper length; he cannot forbear, however, to exprefs his peculiar obligation to to EBENEZER HAZARD, ESQ. Poft-Mafter-General of the United States, for permiffion of free access to his very large and valuable Collection of papers, from which he has derived much of his hiftorical information. This collection has been made with unwearied care and minute exactnefs; and the papers, which are of unquestionable authenticity, are the best, and moft complete depofitum of facts relating to the hiftory of America from its first settlement, that is to be found in the United States. The Author's acknowledgements are likewise especially due to Captain THOMAS HUTCHINS, Geographer-General of the United States, for his particular friendship and affiftance.

It is to be regretted, that fo few Maps could be introduced into the work; but the Author hopes to be enabled to encrease the number in future Editions. The Map of the Southern States, was compiled from original and authentic documents, by Mr. JOSEPH PURCELL, of Charleston, South Carolina, a Gentleman fully equal to the undertaking, and is the most accurate yet published refpecting that country, on fo fmall a fcale. The Map of the Northern States was compiled principally by the Engraver, from the beft Maps that could be procured; it was chiefly defigned to give the reader an idea of the relative fituation, and comparative extent of the several states and countries comprehended within its limits.

Indian names of rivers, &c. are spelled as they are pronounced, for the fake of expunging fuperfluous letters, and preventing perfons unacquainted with the names from miftaking their true pronunciation.

The meridian which paffes through Philadelphia is fixed, in this work, as the firft, because of the fize, the beauty, the improvements, and the central fituation of that city.

The Abridgment of Europe, Afia, and Africa, is added with a view to accommodate Schools and private Families. Every citizen ought to be thoroughly acquainted

acquainted with the geography of his own country,
and to have fome idea, at least, of the other parts
of the world; but as many of them cannot afford
the time and expence necessary to acquire a com-
plete knowledge of the feveral parts of the Globe,
this book offers them fuch information as their fitu-
ation in life may require; and while it is calculated
early to imprefs the minds of Youth with an idea
of the fuperior importance of their own country,
as well as to attach them to its interefts, it furnishes
a fimplified account of other countries, calculated
to their capacities, and will ferve as an introduction
to their future improvement in Geography.

CONTENTS.

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