Among the numerous friends whom the undertaking of the History of Kentucky has procured for me, I know of no one who has conferred such signal obligations upon me, as yourself. The papers of your illustrious brother, George Rogers Clark, so liberally placed by you in my hands, have shed most curious and interesting lights upon the affairs of the western country; and particularly of Kentucky. These could have been procured from no other source.
To whom then, can I so well dedicate this History, as to yourself, who have so faithfully preserved some of the most precious memorials of our history, and have so kindly contributed them for the public information? Were this not the case, who is so properly the representative of the pre-eminent founder of Kentucky, and the successful negotiator for its Virginia acknowledgement, as his only surviving brother?
After yourself, allow me to associate your ancient friend in arms, General William H. Harrison, as one to whom the author is next most deeply indebted, for interesting illustrations of the early military movements of your common commander, General Wayne, as well as for the elucidation of some of the obscure vicissitudes of Indian history.
Be pleased then, to accept the dedication of this work, as a testimonial of my high and unfeigned sense of the obligations conferred upon the great community of the west, much more than on my humble self, in your generous co-operation with my historical labors. In the interim I have the honor to remain