TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD AUCKLAND, THIS VOLUME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY IS, WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF ESTEEM AND RESPECT, INSCRIBED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED HUMBLE SERVANT, THE EDITOR. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD AUCKLAND, THIS VOLUME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY IS, WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF ESTEEM AND RESPECT, INSCRIBED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED HUMBLE SERVANT, THE EDITOR. ADVERTISEMENT. IN the history of the world there is no event more curious and important than the discovery of America, which, with its surrounding seas, forms a complete hemisphere to our planet, of which the antients certainly knew no more than 180 degrees. To the glory of an event of such magnitude, and followed by such important consequences to the interests of commerce, many nations have laid claim. The limits of a small volume will not allow us to enter into the various disquisitions which have been written on the subject, in defence of the contending parties. We have followed our own historian, and given the honour of the discovery to Christopher Colurabus. And notwithstanding all that was said before the publication of Dr. Robertson's History, by Gomara and others, or since by M. Otto*, with a view of snatching the laurel from the Gencese, we are persuaded that the evidence in behalf of Columbus's claims are clear and satisfactory. We have likewise followed the same authority in endeavouring to account for the manner by which America was originally peopled †. Of the various * See a letter from M. Otto to Dr. Franklin, with a memoir on the discovery of America. American Philosophi cal Transactions. Vol. II. quarto. 1736. Sce chap. iii. |