“It is not only capable to defend it self against any invasion, ... But if occasion be, to offend the most potent of its neighbors.[ The Present State of Jamaica with the Life of the Great Columbus the First Discoverer : To Which Is Added an Exact Account of Sir Hen. Morgan’s Voyage To, and Famous Siege and Taking of Panama from the Spaniards. Early English Books, 1641-1700 / 574:21. (London : Printed by Fr. Clark for Tho. Malthus ..., 1683., 1683) P????
]” This is a description of the island of Jamaica as seen by an anonymous account. Why would a source at this time fail to describe an enemy that had already invaded the island prior to the English occupation of the island? These occupants were known as Maroons, and by the time of the writing of the document no doubt existed in the remote areas of the island of Jamaica. Was the author ashamed by their existence? Did he simply overlook them as a threat? Or did he believe that they would easily be conquered and did not wish to concern Britain with their existence? …show more content…
However, these stories of runaways have a much deeper and older origin. Throughout the years of New World slavery, slaves have often looked to escape from their work conditions and their masters. These runaways would sometimes form communities on the outer edges of their imperial overlords power. Some of the more widely known examples of these include the Quilombolas of Brazil, runaway slaves in the Great Dismal Swamp of the United States, as well as the Maroons of
]” This is a description of the island of Jamaica as seen by an anonymous account. Why would a source at this time fail to describe an enemy that had already invaded the island prior to the English occupation of the island? These occupants were known as Maroons, and by the time of the writing of the document no doubt existed in the remote areas of the island of Jamaica. Was the author ashamed by their existence? Did he simply overlook them as a threat? Or did he believe that they would easily be conquered and did not wish to concern Britain with their existence? …show more content…
However, these stories of runaways have a much deeper and older origin. Throughout the years of New World slavery, slaves have often looked to escape from their work conditions and their masters. These runaways would sometimes form communities on the outer edges of their imperial overlords power. Some of the more widely known examples of these include the Quilombolas of Brazil, runaway slaves in the Great Dismal Swamp of the United States, as well as the Maroons of