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sent compilation is equally well adapted; to the former it will afford a kind of directory to names, and an index to events, whenever it may be requisite to refer to them on the spur of the moment; and to the latter it will furnish all the information they have either leisure to peruse, or desire to obtain.

The intent and object of this work being to collect together and commemorate the naval, achievements of the British empire in every quarter of the globe, and record the names of its principal heroes, to exhibit a brief outline of the services of each individual, and to point out the times and scenes of their most distinguished exploits, it is presumed there can be no impropriety henceforward in denominating it "THE NAVAL GAZETTEER, BIOGRAPHER, AND CHRONOLOGIST ;" and under this appellation the publishers usher it into the world, earnestly hoping it will obtain that portion of favour which an indulgent and impartial public always liberally bestow on the exertions of those whose labours may deserve it.

But in a work requiring such unbounded information, and embracing so extended a field of research, some inaccuracies must inevitably exist, and some omissions occur; for these, wherever they may be discovered, the editor begs leave to apologize, at the same time assuring the reader that every care and pains have been sedulously taken to avoid the former,

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and that nothing but the impossibility of obtaining access to individual biography has occasioned the latter. In order to remedy such defects hereafter, the proprietors will feel grateful for the kind information of any correspondent who will take the trouble to point out whatever errors he may detect, or favour them with the names and particular services of any naval officers that may unintentionally have been omitted; such communication, free of expence, will be thankfully received, and diligently attended to, so far as may be consistent with the limited plan of this abridged work.

It now remains for the editor to offer his acknowledgments for the assistance he has derived from the able works of Messrs. James, Campbell, Marshall, and Gould. From the Naval History of Mr. James, the Naval Chronicle of Mr. Gould, and the London Gazettes, he has selected the several accounts of actions, captures, &c.; and to Mr. Marshall's Naval Biography, Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, and Gould's Naval Chronicle, he is principally indebted for the biographical sketches: the various articles taken from these respectable sources have been abridged with the greatest care, and with the strictest attention to accuracy.

The editor, in his humble, but laborious province, being limited in the compilation of his materials, can

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only hope to present his narration of facts with fidelity, conciseness, and simplicity, while he has endeavoured to exhibit all the glorious and splendid victories of the late wars, that have signalized those illustrious chiefs who have fought, bled, and died, in their country's cause. Thus composed, he trusts the present work will be a faithful record of naval transactions, a cenotaph to the manes of warriors now no more, a tribute of homage to the present survivors, and a stimulus to the emulation of our rising youth, when they are called upon to vindicate the independence of their country, and enroll their names in proud preeminence among the Howes, the DUNCANS, the JERVISES, and the NELSONS, in the temple of immortal Fame.

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