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, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of…

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 doubt not but you will have especial care to observe the ordinances set down by…

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 leagues from the shore. At our first comming to anker on this shore we saw…

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 In the yere 1584 by Richarde Hackluyt of Oxforde at the requeste and direction of…

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 the destination from Newfoundland with Gilbert. Document: Report of the Voyage Part I A report of…

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 Mexico led the Spanish to explore Arizona and New Mexico. Cabeza de Vaca was a…

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 22d of the month of April last, I set out from the province of Culiacan…

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 Highnesses’ commands, and with submission to superior judgment, I will say whatever occurs to me…

Annotation: This document is from Columbus’ journal telling of his voyage of 1492. The meaning of this voyage is highly challenged. One viewpoint is that this voyage showed tremendous strength of early modern Europe–which was on the verge of becoming a world power. Another viewpoint is that this voyage led to the virtual extermination of many…