And I am so sensible of the disadvantages under which it must yet lie, as a translation, that I wish I had written upon the subject, without any reference at all to the original copy.
It will perhaps be asked, from what authority I have collected those facts, which relate to the colonial slavery.

I reply, that I have had the means of the very best of information on the subject; having the pleasure of being acquainted with many, both in the naval and military departments, as well as with several others, who have been long acquainted with _America_ and the _West-Indian_ islands.

The facts therefore which I have related, are compiled from the disinterested accounts of these gentlemen, all of whom, I have the happiness to say, have coincided, in the minutest manner, in their descriptions.

It mud be remarked too, that they were compiled, not from what these gentlemen heard, while they were resident in those parts, but from what they actually _saw_.

Nor has a single instance been taken from any book whatever upon the subject, except that which is mentioned in the 235th page; and this book was published in _France_, in the year 1777, by _authority_.
I have now the pleasure to say, that the accounts of these disinterested gentlemen, whom I consulted on the occasion, are confirmed by all the books which I have ever perused upon slavery, except those which have been written by _merchants, planters, &c_.