PREFACE. Soon after the death of JOHN LEDYARD, the subject of the following Memoir, some progress was made in collecting materials for an account of his life, by Dr. Isaac Ledyard, then of New York. The biographer's task was never begun, however, and the project was abandoned; but the papers procured for the purpose have been preserved by the family of Dr. Ledyard, and have furnished the facts for much the larger portion of the present narrative. Researches have also been made in other quarters, and important original letters obtained. Particular acknowledgment is due to Mr. Henry Seymour, of Hartford, Connecticut, for the aid he has rendered in this respect. All the papers that have been used are entitled to the credit of unquestionable authenticity. Wherever it could be done, without deviating too much from a regular and proportionate train of events, the traveller has been allowed to speak for himself. His manner of thinking, as well as of acting, was so peculiar, A that a true picture of his mind and genius, his motives and feelings, could with difficulty be exhibited in any other way with so much distinctness, as through the medium of his own language. Free and full selections from his letters and journals are interspersed. His incessant activity, want of leisure, and few opportunities of practising composition as an art, afford an apology for the imperfections of his style, which the candid reader will regard in the favourable light it deserves. His diction is never polished, and his words are not always well chosen; but his ideas are often original, copious, well combined, and forcibly expressed. In executing this work, the only aim has been to bring together a series of facts, which should do justice to the fame and character of a man, who possessed qualities and performed deeds, that rendered him remarkable, and are worthy of being remembered. If the author has been successful in this attempt, he is rewarded for the labour it has cost him. CONTENTS. Birth and parentage. Early education.-Begins the study of the law. Enters Dartmouth College with a view to qualify himself to be a missionary among the Indians.-State of the Indian missions at that time. His fondness for theatrical exhibitions while at College.- Travels among the Indians of the Six Nations.-His return to Col- lege, and adventure in visiting a mountain.-Constructs a canoe at Dartmouth College with his own hands, and descends the Connec- ticut river in it alone to Hartford.-Dangers of the passage. His singular appearance when he met his friends.-His enterprise com- Page His singular letters to President Wheelock.-Commences the study of theology. His embarrassments on this occasion.-Visits several clergymen on Long Island, and pursues his studies there for a short time. Proposes teaching a school.-Returns to Connecticut, and meets with disappointment in his hopes of being settled as a clergy- man. Abandons his purpose of studying divinity.-Sails from New London on a voyage to Gibraltar.-Enlists there as a soldier in the regular service. Released at the solicitation of the captain of the vessel in which he sailed.-Returns home by way of the Barbary Coast and the West Indies.-Resolves to visit England, and seek for his wealthy family connexions in that country.-Sails from New York to Plymouth.-Travels thence to London in extreme poverty. -Realizes none of his expectations.-Enlists in the naval service.- Gains an acquaintance with Captain Cook, and embarks with him on his last voyage round the world, in the capacity of corporal of marines. 26 |