A Few Months past, I little expected to appear in Print (especially on such Occasion) but the frequent Enquiries of many curious Persons (as also the Design of others, to publish the Account without us) seem to lay me under an absolute Necessity, least others less acquainted, prejudice the Truth with an imperfect Relation. Therefore, finding myself oblig'd to expose this small Treatise to publick View and Censure, I perswade my self, that what's here recorded will be entirely credited, by all candid, ingenious Spirits; for whose kind Opinion I am really sollicitous.

I presume any Person acquainted with my Brother will readily believe the Truth hereof: And for the Satisfaction of others, I would hope need only offer, that both his Character and my own may be easily gain'd by Enquiry. Likewise several of his Fellow Sufferers being now in Town, their Attestations might be procur'd, if saw a real Necessity.

I have in the whole endeavoer'd a plain smooth, unaffected stile; suitable to the Occasion, carefully avoiding unnecessary Enlargements, and relating only Matters of Fact.

I must acknowledge to have (in composing from my Brother's Copy) omitted many lesser Circumstances, least shou'd swell this Narrative beyond it's first Design, and thereby exceed the Bounds of common Purchase.

It's almost needless to intimate what Approbation the Copy has receiv'd, from many Persons of the most curious and discerning Judgments who have done me the Favour to view it, urging its Publication, and (at least) flattering me with an Expectation of a general Acceptance, considering it both as Novel and Real.

I cannot but also take Encouragement from the Value and Esteem it met with when appearing under much greater Disadvantages, as to Particulars and Dress in New England, North Britain, &c. So that adventure it into the World, to receive its Applause or Censures, according to its Demerrits or the Fancy of the Reader.

The Account I have receiv'd of those worthy New England Gentlemen's Kindness to the poor Men in their Extremities, affected me in the most near and sensible manner, and which to omitt making honourable mention of, wou'd be the highest Ingratitude (an evil I hope, foreign to my Temper.)

How generous, Christian-like, and worthy of Immitation, have these Gentlemen behav'd themselves, to such Objects of Commiseration who must otherwise (in all Probability) have been render'd unable to serve their Families (methinks I am glad such a noble compasionate humane Temper is still found amongst Men) and how happy wou'd it be for us, did this kind and Publick Spirit more prevail among us, as on the contrary, how much to be lamented is that barbarous and savage Custom of murdering fellow Creatures (shipwrackt on our Coasts) in Order to plunder and rifle them with the greater Ease: A Crime so brutish and agravated (and yet so frequently practic'd as to be the common Disgrace of a Christian Nation.)

I might offer Abundance more Thoughts (pertinent enough) on these and other subjects in this Preface, but I am fearfull lest I shou'd make the Porch too large for the House; therefore conclude, subscribing my self (candid Reader) thine in all Friendly Offices,

Jasper Dean.

Horsly-Down, August the 2d. 1711.