The reader is not here to expect a large and useless detail of the transactions of late years, in that part of the world where, ever since my infancy, it has been my misfortune to have lived. Was it in my power, indeed, to set off with pompous diction, and embellish with artificial descriptions, what has so engrossed the attention of Europe, as well as the scenes of action for some years past, perhaps I might; but my poor pen being wholly unfit for such a task, and never otherwise employed than just for my own affairs and amusement, while I had the pleasure of living tranquil and undisturbed, I must beg leave to desist from such an attempt; and if such is expected from me, claim the indulgence of that pardon which is never refused to those incapacitated of performing what may be desired of them.

And as a plain, impartial, and succinct narrative of my own life, and various vicissitudes of fortune, is all that I now shall aim at, I shall herein confine myself to plain simple truth, and, in the dictates, resulting from an honest heart, give the reader no other entertainment than what shall be matter of fact; and of such things as have actually happened to me, or come to my own knowledge in the sphere of life in which it has been my lot to be placed. Not but I hope I may be allowed now and then, to carry on my narrative from the information I have received of such things as relate to my design, though they have not been done or transacted in my presence.

It being usual in narratives like this, to give a short account of the Author's birth, education, and juvenile exploits, the same being looked upon as necessary, or at least a satisfactory piece of information to the curious and inquisitive reader; I shall, without boasting of a family I am no way entitled to, or recounting adventures in my youth to which I was entirely a stranger, in a short manner gratify such curiosity; not expecting, as I said before, to be admired for that elegance of style, and profusion of words, so universally made use of in details and histories of those adventurers who have of late years obliged the world with their anecdotes and memoirs, and which have had scarce any other existence than in the brains of a bookseller's or printer's Garreteer; who, from fewer incidents, and less surprising matter, than will be found in this short narrative, have been, and are daily enabled to spin and work out their elaborate performances to three or four volumes. That I, like them, publish this for support, is true; but as I am too sensible, the major part of mankind will give much more to a bookseller, to be in the fashion, or satisfy their curiosity, in having or reading a new puffed up history or novel, than to a real object of distress, for an accurate and faithful account of a series of misfortunes, I have thought it more advisable to confine myself as to size and price, than by making a larger volume, miss that assistance and relief, of which I at present am in so great need.