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neither its extent nor figure should have been ascertained. But the cause has probably been, that sovereign Princes have seldom any other motive for attempting the discovery of new countries than to conquer them, that the advantages of conquering countries which must first be discovered are remote and uncertain, and that ambition has always found objects nearer home.

It is the diftinguishing characteristic of Your Majefty to act from more liberal motives; and having the best fleet, and the bravest as well as most able navigators in Europe, Your Majesty has, not with a view to the acquifition of treasure, or the extent of dominion, but the improvement of commerce and the increase and diffusion of knowlege, undertaken what has fo long been neglected; and under Your Majesty's aufpices, in little more than feven years, difcoveries have been made far greater than thofe of all the navigators in the world

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collectively, from the expedition of Columbus. to the present time.

To have been appointed to record them, and permitted to inscribe the Narrative to Your Majefty, is an honour, the fenfe of which will always be retained with the warmest gratitude, by

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