{Transcriber's Note: Archaic typography which displays the letter "s" in a
form that resembles the letter "f" has been transposed to the modern "s."
British, archaic and inconsistent spellings have been left as in the
original, as have capitalization and italicisation. A few obvious
typographical errors have been changed. Margin notes are indicated where
they occur in the text with {MN} and inserted in full at the end of the
paragraph to which they refer.}
* * * * *
THE TRUE
TRAVELS,
ADVENTURES,
AND
OBSERVATIONS,
OF
Captain JOHN SMITH,
INTO
EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, and AMERICA,
From Ann. Dom. 1593. to 1629.
* * * * *
* * * * *
To the Right Honourable
_WILLIAM_ Earl of _PEMBROKE,_
Lord Steward of His Majesty's most Honourable Houshold.
_ROBERT_ Earl of _LINDSEY,_
Great Chamberlain of _England,_
_HENRY_ Lord _HUNSDON,_
Viscount _ROCHFORD,_ Earl of _DOVER,_
_And all your Honourable Friends and Well-willers._
My Lords,
Sir _Robert Cotton,_ that most Learned Treasurer of Antiquity, having by
perusal of my General History, and others, found that I had likewise
undergone divers other as hard hazards in the other Parts of the World,
requested me to fix the whole Course of my Passages in a Book by it self,
whose noble Desire I could not but in part satisfie; the rather, because
they have acted my fatal Tragedies upon the Stage, and racked my Relations
at their Pleasure. To prevent therefore all future Misprisions, I have
compiled this true Discourse. Envy hath taxed me to have writ too much,
and done too little; but that such should know, how little I esteem them,
I have writ this, more for the satisfaction of my Friends, and all generous
and well disposed Readers. To speak only of my self were intolerable
Ingratitude; because, having had so many Co-Partners with me; I cannot
make a Monument for my self, and leave them unburied in the Fields, whose
Lives begot me the Title of a Soldier; for as they were Companions with me
in my Dangers, so shall they be partakers with me in this Tomb.
For my _Sea Grammar_ (caused to be Printed by my worthy Friend, Sir _Samuel
Saltenstall_) hath found such good Entertainment abroad, that I have been
importuned by many noble Persons, to let this also pass the Press. Many of
the most eminent Warriours, and others, what their Swords did, their Pens
writ: Though I be never so much their inferiour, yet I hold it no great
Errour, to follow good Examples; nor repine at them will do the like.
And now, _My most Honourable good Lords,_ I know not to whom I may better
Present it, than to your Lordships, whose Friendships, as I conceive, are
as much to each others, as my Duty is to you all; and because you are
acquainted both with my Endeavours, and Writings, I doubt not, but your
Honours will as well accept of this, as of the rest, and Patronize it
under the shadow of your most noble Virtues, which I am ever bound in all
Duty to Reverence, and under which I hope to have shelter, against all
Storms that dare threaten,
_Yours Honours to be Commanded,_
John Smith.
* * * * *
THE TRUE
TRAVELS,
ADVENTURES,
AND
OBSERVATIONS
OF
Captain _JOHN SMITH,_
* * * * *