University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

So much has been written of late years, touching
the discovery of America, that it would not be at
all surprising should there exist a disposition in a
certain class of readers to deny the accuracy of
all the statements in this work. Some may refer
to history, with a view to prove that there never
were such persons as our hero and heroine, and fancy
that by establishing these facts, they completely destroy
the authenticity of the whole book. In answer
to this anticipated objection, we will state, that after
carefully perusing several of the Spanish writers,
from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of
Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature,
and after having read both Irving and Prescott
from beginning to end, we do not find a syllable in
either of them, that we understand to be conclusive
evidence, or indeed to be any evidence at all, on the
portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed.
Until some solid affirmative proof, therefore, can be
produced against us, we shall hold our case to be
made out, and rest our claims to be believed on the
authority of our own statements. Nor do we think

there is any thing either unreasonable or unusual in
this course, as perhaps the greater portion of that
which is daily and hourly offered to the credence
of the American public, rests on the same species
of testimony,—with the trifling difference that we state
truths, with a profession of fiction, while the great
moral caterers of the age state fiction with the profession
of truth. If any advantage can be fairly
obtained over us, in consequence of this trifling discrepancy,
we must submit.

There is one point, notwithstanding, concerning
which it may be well to be frank at once. The
narrative of the “Voyage to Cathay,” has been written
with the journal of the Admiral before us; or,
rather with all of that journal, that has been given
to the world through the agency of a very incompetent
and meagre editor. Nothing is plainer than
the general fact that this person did not always understand
his author, and in one particular circumstance
he has written so obscurely, as not a little to
embarrass even a novelist, whose functions naturally
include an entire familiarity with the thoughts, emotions,
characters, and, occasionally, with the unknown
fates of the subjects of his pen. The nautical day
formerly commenced at meridian, and with all our
native ingenuity and high professional prerogatives
we have not been able to discover whether the editor
of the journal has adopted that mode of counting
time, or whether he has condescended to use the

more vulgar and irrational practice of landsmen.
It is our opinion, however, that in the spirit of
impartiality which becomes an historian, he has
adopted both. This little peculiarity might possibly
embarrass a superficial critic; but accurate critics
being so very common, we feel no concern on this
head, well knowing that they will be much more apt
to wink at these minor inconsistencies, than to pass
over an error of the press, or a comma with a broken
tail. As we wish to live on good terms with
this useful class of our fellow-creatures, we have
directed the printers to mis-spell some eight or ten
words for their convenience, and to save them from
head-aches, have honestly stated this principal difficulty
ourselves.

Should the publicity which is now given to the
consequences of commencing a day in the middle,
have the effect to induce the government to order
that it shall, in future, with all American seamen,
commence at one of its ends, something will be gained
in the way of simplicity, and the writing of novels
will, in-so-much, be rendered easier and more agreeable.

As respects the minor characters of this work,
very little need be said. Every one knows that Columbus
had seamen in his vessels, and that he brought
some of the natives of the islands he had discovered,
back with him to Spain. The reader is now made
much more intimately acquainted with certain of

these individuals, we will venture to say, that he can
be possibly by the perusal of any work previously
written. As for the subordinate incidents connected
with the more familiar events of the age, it is hoped
they will be found so completely to fill up this branch
of the subject, as to render future investigations unnecessary.