Author:   Don Antonio de Qtermin Date:1680 Annotation: Letter of the governor and captain-general, Don Antonio de Otermin, from New Mexico, in which he gives him a full account of what has happened to him since the day the Indians surrounded…

Date:1660 Annotation: The Navigation Acts were laws designed to support English shipbuilding and restrict trade competition from England’s commercial adversaries, especially the Dutch. The acts eventually contributed to growing colonial resentment with the imposition of additional duties on sugar, tobacco, and…

Date:1649 Annotation: Maryland statute concerning religion. Document: Forasmuch as in a well governed and Christian Common Weath matters concerning Religion and the honor of God ought in the first place to bee taken, into serious consideracion and endeavoured to bee settled, Be…

Author:  John Winthrop Date:1630 Annotation: City upon a hill is the phrase often used to refer to John Winthrop’s famous speech, “A Model of Christian Charity.” It was given aboard the Arbella not long before reaching New England. Winthrop referred to…

Date:1620 Annotation: Agreement among passengers aboard the Mayflower. Document: IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King,…

Date:1606 Annotation: In these instructions to the colonists who would settle Jamestown, the authors provide directives about the best places to establish a fort, exploring the land, ways to fortify the settlement, and recommendations for interacting with the Indians. Document: As we…

Author:   John White Date:1590 Annotation: John White returns to Roanoke Island to discover the colonists missing. Document: The 15 of August towards Euening we came to an anker at Hatorask, in 36 degr. and one third, in fiue fadom water, three…

Author:   Richard Hakluyt Date:1584 Annotation: Description of the advantages of New World colonization. Document: A particuler discourse concerninge the greate necessitie and manifolde comodyties that are like to growe to this Realme of Englande by the Westerne discoveries lately attempted, Written…

Author:   Edward Haies Date:1583 Annotation: This narrative describes the last voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert told by Edward Haies who was also a part of this expedition. Edward Haies was the commander of the only ship of three to reach…

Author:   Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca Date:1542 Annotation: Cabeza de Vaca, who lived from about 1490 to around 1557, was the first European to explore North America and leave a written record. His reports that great wealth lay north of…

Author:   Francisco Vázquez de Coronado Date:1540 Annotation: This report was given by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado. It entails the journey of his expedition after April 22, 1540 from Culiacan and his experiences through the rest of the country. Document: ON THE…

Date:1494 Annotation: This letter to the King and Queen of Spain was written around 1494 by Columbus. He gives his recommendations about how Spain should proceed, including his suggestion for colonization. Document: Most High and Mighty Sovereigns,   In obedience to your…