In his account of the early settlement in Virginia, George Percy provided a detailed account of his journey to Jamestown and his experience there as a settler, including a discussion of weather patterns, Native Americans, and disease. Jamestown, chosen for its supposed ideal setting -- inland from the open ocean (and therefore away from marauding Spanish privateers), uninhabited by Native Americans, and alongside a navigable river -- failed tragically. Some historians have argued that because approximately half of the early settlers in Jamestown were "gentlemen," they were highly unprepared for the rigors of living in the wilderness of Virginia. This account chronicles one man's encounters in Jamestown and provides a detailed discussion of both his experiences and those of the people around him. This document gives particular insight into the psychological consequences of these experiences. As you read this document, consider what effect such a description would have on potential immigrants. Compare and contrast this document with documents designed to encourage immigration.

Investigate the source using the zoom and navigational tools in the Flash player and then answer the questions below.

1			Discuss who you think Percy's intended audience was. Was there an indirect audience?
2			Discuss the ways in which this document might be used by later settlers in other colonization attempts. Having read Percy's letter, how might you prepare for such an excursion if you were a colonist planning to settle in Virginia?
3			What does this document suggest about the colonial experience? What were some mistakes Percy noted? How could this information be beneficial or harmful to those in Europe encouraging colonization?