Chapter II: Preface

_The best part of the following Sheets were writ several Years ago, more particularly the Account of my being taken by Pirates, in the Year 1719: And being now induced to publish the History of the Conquest of the Kingdom of_ Dahomè, _I have added the other, which is as remarkable in its kind_.

_I am sensible that Objections may be made to the Account I have given of the_ Dahomes, _by such of my Readers as are not acquainted, either by Travelling or Reading, with the Manners and Customs of several barbarous brutish Nations, that have been and are still on the Globe_.

_As to human Sacrifices, they are no new thing in the World; for it is recorded of the_ Mexicans _in particular, that they annually sacrificed to their Gods, a great number of their Enemies taken in War_.

_Mens eating of their own Species, seems to be the most incredible and shocking; but this is practised by others at present_ (_besides the_ Dahomes) _on the Coast of_ Guinea; _especially by a People called_ Acquas, _on the River of old_ Callabar, _and amongst the_ Camarones _adjoining, where I have formerly been, and of which there are some Witnesses now in_ London: _Captain_ Arthur Lone _and others, having seen the same as well as my self_.

_As to the Story in general of the King of_ Dahomè, _there are some Gentlemen now in Town, that know a great part of it; namely_, Jeremiah Tinker _Esq_; _Governor_ Wilson, _and others, who have formerly resided at_ Whidaw, _for the Royal_ African Company: _Besides several that have been there in the Service of private Merchants: As also_ Charles Dunbar _Esq; of_ Antegoa, _who bought the_ Negroe-Woman _of me there, whose Story is so remarkable, on account of her being thrown as a Sacrifice into the Sea, and her wonderful Preservation afterwards, the Truth of which she has often confirmed_.

_As to the Relation of my being taken by Pirates, there are several in and about Town, that suffered by them, at the same time and place with my self. And Mr._ James Bleau, _who was then my Surgeon, lives now at_ Woodford, _in good Repute and Esteem with the Gentlemen of that Village and Neighbourhood_.

_I shall say nothing with relation to the short Account I have given of the manner how the_ Negroes _become Slaves, and of the Management of them when on Shipboard, it being designed at first only for a Friend’s Satisfaction, who had objected against the lawfulness of that Trade_.

_As I love Freedom my self, so I readily leave the Reader to judge and believe as he pleases, concerning what is here related: My principal motive for publishing these Sheets, being the Persuasion of some Friends, who had perused them in Manuscript, and thought they might prove acceptable to the Publick._