Richard Hakluyt: Discourse Of The Western Planting

1. Hofstadter 18-21 Richard Hakluyt “Discourse of the Western Planting” The passage depicts the arguments that Richard Hakluyt makes to convince the Queen of England to support Sir Walter Raleigh's and Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s colonization efforts. Through the passage, Hakluyt brings up the religion, economy, and power. He stresses that the colonies can be used as tools to convert Indians to Christianity, which has now been reformed due to the Protestant Reformation. Hakluyt also states that colonies can be rich just as the rest of the world because they won't have to travel very far or pay taxes. He also mentions that those who are unemployed in England can find work in the New World. Hakluyt also proposes the idea of using tolls to increase …show more content…
2. Hofstadter 22-27 “Instructions for the Virginia Colony” After the first two failed attempts at settlement in the new world, England decided to use joint stock companies to fuel successful colonization. The first joint stock company to be entering the new world was The Virginia Company. They were given very specific instructions on how and where to successfully colonize the new land. The first bullet of these instructions was to find and follow a river that flowed deep into the new land. It also states that if the river divides into two parts, they should choose the part that flows more North West (as there is still hope that they will find the Northwest Passage). It then states that when the colonists decide upon what river to settle that they make sure it is very fertile and wholesome. The instructions continue by stating if there are encounters with any enemies (Native Americans), that they should use their muskets to fight them off. It also states that the colonizers should not neglect any natives that settle near them, as they might become an addition to militia later on. Later it is instructed that the settlers should not offend the