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SIR,
HAving been employed on a Voyage into the South-Seas, under the Command of Capt. Dampier, in the Year 1703, and having
both in that Expedition, and in my Return by the Eastern|part of the South-Sea, and through the Indian-Ocean, re|marked not only faithfully, but with all the Accuracy I could, whatever I conceived might be serviceable, or instructive to such as should hereafter sail into those Parts, I hope you will pardon my Presuption in laying my said Observations before you.
I humbly take the Liberty to represent to you, that I have launched forth into no Descrip|tions, or particular Accounts of Things, which the Course of my Voyage gave me not sufficient Opportunity to be
fully and perfectedly instructed in, and I spared no Pains in the setting them down, toge|ther with Draughts of such Places as I had time or conve|nience of taking; and in all this I have not through any de|sign of contradicting others, or in hopes thereby to recommend my own Performance, either opposed or slighted any good and true Observations which have already been made by those who have heretofore visited any of the same Places. This I presume to mention, with a particular regard to the most material of Captain Dampier's own Observations, formerly published, which I found by
Experience to be true: But I hope I may, without breach of Modesty, declare that I have remarked several things both new and useful, which the un|common Course we steared, and the unusual Accidents we met with, gave me particular Opportunities to enquire into.
Sir, I am not pretending to a meritorious Claim of your Protection, but am encourag'd to hope for it from your known Candour and Goodness: And it is very natural to flatter our selves, that Persons of your Judgment and Experience in Maritime Affairs, will look with a more favourable Eye,
even on our meanest Endea|vours, than those can be ex|pected to do, who know but little of those Matters, and are apt to prefer superficial Ac|counts, which are frequently very erroneous, before the most useful, though less diverting. However it be, if I can be so happy as to receive any coun|tenance from your distinguish|ing Judgment, or at least your Pardon for this my Boldness, I shall not fear that any Opini|on or Prejudice of less discern|ing Persons, can discredit the Truth, or Usefulness of my Observations.
I am sensible, Sir, how lit|tle I ought to encroach upon
your Time, which is so usefully and so diligently employed: And therefore I humbly beg leave to conclude with subscri|bing my self,
Your HONOURS most Dutiful, most Obedient, and most Humble Servant, William Funnell.