University of Virginia Library

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
And Right Worthy Adventurers,
to all Plantations and Discoveries,
their friends and well-willers,
especially of Virginia and New England.

Right Honorable,

I confesse it were more proper for me to be doing what I say,
then writing what I know: but that it is not my fault, there is many
a hundreth can testifie, if they please to remember what paines I have
taken both particularly and generally to make this worke knowne,
and procure meanes to put it in practise. What calumniations,
doubts, or other mispritions hath opposed my endevours, I had
rather forget then remember, but still to expresse my forwardnesse,

to the consideration of your favourable constructions I present this
short discourse of the proceedings and present estate of New England:
if you please to peruse it, and make use of it, I am richly
rewarded, though || they be but the collections and observations of a
plaine souldier, yet if you please to grace them with your countenance
and good acceptance, I shall therein thinke my selfe happie,
and hope that those labours may in time returne you such fruites as
hereafter may perswade you to pardon this boldnesse, and accept
them to be your honest servants.

Yours to command,

Jo. Smith.