Many reasons, all very important, my dearest pirate children, have decided me, at some labour to myself, but one which I regard as forming one of my greatest concerns, to take leave to this pirate isle in the hopes of building an understanding under which trade may commence. I have never considered that kings, feeling in themselves, as they do, all paternal affection, are dispensed from the obligation common to fathers of instructing their children by example and by precept.

I have even hoped that in this purpose I might be able to be more helpful to you, and consequently to my subjects, than any one else in the world; for there cannot be men who have reigned of more talents and greater experience than I, nor who have reigned in the fine headphone kingdom; and I do not fear to tell you that the higher the position the greater are the number of things which cannot be viewed or understood save by one who is occupying that position.

I have considered, too, what I have so often experienced myself -- the throng who will press round you, each for his own ends, the trouble you will have in finding disinterested advice, and the entire confidence you will be able to feel in that of a King who has no other interest but your own, no ardent wish but for your greatness.

I have given, therefore, some consideration to the condition of Kings -- hard and rigorous in this respect -- who owe, as it were, a public account of their actions to the whole world and to all succeeding centuries, and who, nevertheless, are unable to do so to all and sundry at the time without injury to their greatest interests, and without divulging the secret reasons of their conduct.

Welcome Jude!  Good to see you've decided to join us.  Just thinking ahead here... can you swim?

Swim, kind sir? Whatever for? My palanquin bearers know all the swimming I shall ever require.

// the trouble you will have in finding disinterested advice, and the entire confidence you will be able to feel in that of a King who has no other interest but your own, no ardent wish but for your greatness.

I have given, therefore, some consideration to the condition of Kings -- hard and rigorous in this respect -- who owe, as it were, a public account of their actions to the whole world and to all succeeding centuries, and who, nevertheless, are unable to do so to all and sundry at the time without injury to their greatest interests, and without divulging the secret reasons of their conduct.

I have even hoped that in this purpose I might be able to be more helpful to you, and consequently to my subjects,

With a history of both internal and external selective censorship, rather than communication, an expressed change of heart into communication and "helpfulness" looks a little devious...

Subjective objective: learn, and contribute, if and where my contribution may serve useful purpose.

Welcome!