the King and his Government. The third concerning the Inhabitants,
and their Religion and Customs, and the last concerning our Surprize,
Detainment and Escape; In all which I take leave to Declare, That I
have writ nothing but either what I am assured of by my own personal
Knowledge to be true, and wherein I have born a great and a sad share,
or what I have received from the Inhabitants themselves of such things
as are commonly known to be true among them. The Book, being thus
perfected, it required no long Meditation unto whom to present it, it
could be to none but your selves (my Honoured Masters) by whose Wisdom
and Success the East-Indian Parts of the World are now near as well
known, as the Countries next adjacent to us. So that by your means,
not only the Wealth, but the Knowledge of those Indies is brought home
to us. Unto your Favour and Patronage therefore (Right Worshipful)
I humbly presume to recommend these Papers and the Author of them,
who rejoyceth at this opportunity to acknowledge the Favours you
have already conferred on him, and to profess that next unto God,
on you depend his Future Hopes and Expectations; being

Right Worshipful,

Your most obliged and most humble and devoted Servant to be Commanded,

Robert Knox.

Lond. 18th. March, 1680/81.