Site MapHelpFeedbackPrimary Sources
Primary Sources
(See related pages)



1

John Smith is one of the most famous names associated with the English colonization of America, and his writings did much to introduce Europeans to America and to promote English colonization efforts. The document that follows is from his General Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles . . . (1624), a chronicle of English exploration that drew heavily on the earlier work of Richard Hakluyt. This account of a meeting in 1584 between English explorers and Indians, although seen through the eyes of the English, tells us much about Indian life before the transformation of the tribes was complete. While reading it, consider the culture and possessions of the Indians and the English attitude toward what the Indians obviously valued. Also pay particular attention to what the English noticed about the Indians, and speculate on why these things were important to them.

John Smith






To learn more about the book this website supports, please visit its Information Center.
(c)2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.


American HistoryOnline Learning Center

Home > Chapter 1 > Primary Sources