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many other notable and famous countreis, because I

meane not to be tedious, I leaue to your own considera-

tion.

Whereby also the excellent temperature of the ayre

there at all seasons, much warmer then in England, and

neuer so violently hot, as sometimes is vnder & between

the Tropikes, or nere them; cannot bee vnknowne vnto you

without farther relation.

For the holsomnesse thereof I neede to say but thus

much: that for all the want of prouision, as first of English

victuall; excepting for twentie daies, wee liued only by

drinking water and by the victual of the countrey, of which

some sorts were very straunge unto us, and might haue

bene thought to haue altered our temperatures in such fort

as to haue brought vs into some greeuous and dangerous

diseases: secondly the want of English meanes, for the tak-

ing of beastes, fish, and foule, which by the helpe only of

the inhabitants and their meanes, coulde not bee so sud-

denly and easily prouided for vs, nor in so great numbers

& quantities, nor of the choise as otherwise might haue

bene to out better satisfaction and contentment. Some

want also wee had of clothes. Furthermore, in all our

trauailes which were most speciall and often in the time of

winter, our lodging was in the open aire vpon the grounde.

And yet I say for all this, there were but foure of our whole,

company (being one hundred and eight) that died all the

yeere and that but at the latter ende thereof and vpon

none of the aforesaide causes. For all foure specially three

were feeble, weake, and sickly persons before euer they

came thither, and those that knewe them much marueyled

that they liued so long beeing in that case, or had aduen-

tured to trauaile. Seeing therefore the ayre there is so tem-

perate and holsome, the soyle to fertile and yeelding such

commodities as I haue before mentioned, the voyage also

thither to and fro beeing sufficiently experimented, to bee

perfourmed thrise a yeere with ease and at any season

thereof: And the dealing of Sir Water Raleigh so liberall in

large giuing and graunting lande there, as is alreadie

knowen, with many helpes and furtherances els: (The least

that hee hath graunted hath beene fiue hundred acres to a

man onely for the aduenture of his person): I hope there

remaine no cause wherby the action should be misliked.

If that those which shall thither trauaile to inhabite

and plant bee but reasonably prouided for the first yere as

those are which were transported the last, and beeing

there doe vse but that diligence and care as is requisite,

and as they may with ease: There is no doubt but for the

time following they may haue victuals that is excellent

good and plentie enough; some more English fortes of cat-

taile also hereafter, as some haue bene before, and are

there yet remaining, may and shall bee God willing thither

transported: So likewise our kinde of fruites, rootes, and

hearbes may bee there planted and sowed, as some haue

been alreadie, and prove wel. And in short time also they

may raise of those sortes of commodities which I haue spo-

ken of as shall both enrich themselves, as also others that

shall deale with them.

And this is all the fruites of our labours, that I haue

thought necessary to aduertise you of at this present:

what els concerneth the nature and manners of the

inhabitants of Virginia: The number with the particulari-

ties of the voyages thither made; and of the actions of

such that haue bene by Sir Water Raleigh Therein and

there imployed, many worthy to bee remembered: as of

the first discouerers of the Countrey: of our Generall for

the time Sir Richard Greinsuile; and after his departure,

of our Gouernour there Master Rase Lane; with diuers

other directed and imployed vnder theyr gouernement:

Of the Captaynes and Masters of the voyages made since

for transportation; of the Gouernour and assistants of

those alredie transported, as of many persons, accidents,

and thinges els, I haue ready in a discourse by itself in

manner of a Chronicle according to the course of times,

and when time shall bee thought convenient shall be also

published.

Thus referring my relation to your fauourable con-

structions, expecting good successe of the action, from him

which is to be acknowledged the authour and gouernour

not only of this but of all things els, I take my leaue of you,

this moneth of February. 1588.

FINIS.

See also

ARTHUR M

BARLOWE

, “

EXPLORATION OF VIRGI

NIA

,” 1584.

Source:

Thomas Hariot. “Briefe and True Report of the New Found

Land of Virginia.” Virginia State Archives. Facts On File.

American History Online. URL: www.factsonfile.com.

Bartholomew Gosnold to His Father

(Letters from Jamestown), 1602

Letter from an explorer who became an early inhabitant of the

Jamestown colony and member of the colony’s governing

council. Bartholomew Gosnold writes on his return to England

that he reached “the latitude of 41 degrees,” which indicates

that he was in the New York/New England area. Gosnold was

a noted navigator who explored much of the New England

coast and was the first European to sight Martha’s Vineyard.

________________________

_______________________

My duty remembered, &c. Sir, I was in good hope that my

occasions would have allowed me so much liberty, as to

32 ERA 1: Three Worlds Meet

have come unto you before this time; otherwise I would

have written more at large concerning the country from

whence we lately came, than I did: but not well remem-

bering what I have already written (though I am assured

that there is nothing set down disagreeing with the truth,)

I thought it fittest not to go about to add anything in writ-

ing, but rather to leave the report of the rest till I come

myself; which now I hope shall be shortly, and so soon as

with conveniency I may. In the mean time, notwithstand-

ing whereas you seem not to be satisfied by that which I

have already written, concerning some especial matters; I

have here briefly (and as well as I can) added these few

lines for your further satisfaction: and first, as touching

that place where we were most resident, it is the latitude

of 41 degrees, and one third part; which albeit it be so

much to the southward, yet it is more cold than those parts

of Europe, which are situated under the same parallel: but

one thing is worth the noting, that notwithstanding the

place is not so much subject to cold as England is, yet did

we find the spring to be later there, than it is with us here,

by almost a month: this whether it happened accidentally

this last spring to be so, or whether it be so of course, I am

not very certain; the latter seems most likely, whereof also

there may be given some sufficient reason, which now I

omit; as for the acorns we saw gathered on heaps, they

were of the last year, but doubtless their summer contin-

ues longer than ours.

We cannot gather, by anything we could observe in the

people, or by any trial we had thereof ourselves, but that it

is as healthful a climate as any can be. The inhabitants

there, as I wrote before, being of tall stature, comely pro-

portion, strong, active, and some of good years, and as it

should seem very healthful, are sufficient proof of the

healthfulness of the place. First, for ourselves (thanks be to

God) we had not a man sick two days together in all our

voyage; whereas others that went out with us, or about that

time on other voyages (especially such as went upon

reprisal,) were most of them infected with sickness,

whereof they lost some of their men, and brought home a

many sick, returning notwithstanding long before us. But

Verrazano, and others (as I take it, you may read in the

Book of Discoveries,) do more particularly entreat of the

age of the people in that coast. The sassafras which we

brought we had upon the islands; where though we had lit-

tle disturbance, and reasonable plenty; yet for that the

greatest part of our people were employed about the fit-

ting of our house, and such like affairs, and a few (and

those but easy laborers) undertook this work, the rather

because we were informed before our going forth, that a

ton was sufficient to cloy England, and further, for that we

had resolved upon our return, and taken view of our vict-

ual, we judged it then needful to use expedition; which

afterward we had more certain proof of; for when we came

to an anchor before Portsmouth, which was some four days

after we made the land, we had not one cake of bread, nor

any drink, but a little vinegar left: for these and other rea-

sons, we returned no otherwise laden than you have heard.

And thus much I hope shall suffice till I can myself come

to give you further notice, which though it be not so soon

as I could have wished, yet I hope it shall be in convenient

time.

In the mean time, craving your pardon, for which the

urgent occasions of my stay will plead, I humbly take my

leave.

7th September, 1602

Your dutiful son,

Barth. Gosnold.

Source:

J. Franklin Jameson. Narratives of Early Virginia. New York:

Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1907.

European Exploration 33

Ferdinand and Isabella, The Edict of the

Expulsion from Spain, 1492

This edict, issued at Granada, Spain, on March 30, 1492,

describes the ghettoization and expulsion of Jews from Spain.

Jews who did not leave were subject to the Inquisition, in

which heretics (non-Catholics) were tortured and burned to

death. Muslims, who previously had been driven from all of

Iberia but Granada, were also expelled or subjected to the

Inquisition. Jewish and Muslim cultures had thrived together

before Spain was united under Ferdinand and Isabella in

1469. Jews called Maranos openly converted while secretly

practicing Jewish rituals and chose to remain after 1492. Some

of these families immigrated to South America during the 17th

century but the Inquisition followed them. Others eventually

settled in the relatively more tolerant northeastern colonies

of New York and Rhode Island. Many Maranos moved from

South America into what is now Mexico and the southwestern

United States. In recent years, a number of American descen-

dants of Maranos, who practiced both Catholicism and certain

Jewish rituals, have returned to Judaism.

________________________

_______________________

Whereas, having been informed that in these our king-

doms, there were some bad Christians who judaised and

apostatized from our holy Catholic faith, the chief cause of

which was the communication of Jews with Christians;

. . . in the year 1480, We ordered the . . . Jews in all the

cities, towns, and places in our kingdoms and dominions,

to separate into Jewries and places apart, where they

should live and reside, hoping by their separation alone to

remedy the evil. Furthermore, We have . . . . given orders

that inquisition should be made in our . . . . kingdoms, . . .

and . . . many guilty persons have been discovered . . . And

as we are informed by the inquisitors, and many other reli-

gious, ecclesiastical, and secular persons, that great injury

. . . does result . . . from the participation, society, and com-

munication they . . . hold with Jews, who it appears always

endeavor in every way they can to subvert our holy

Catholic faith, and to make faithful Christians withdraw

and separate themselves from them, and attract and per-

vert them to their injurious opinions and belief, instructing

them in the ceremonies and observances of their religion,

holding meetings where they read and teach them what

they are to believe and observe according to their religion;

seeking to circumcise them and their children; giving them

books from which they may read their prayers; and

explaining to them the fasts they are to observe; assem-

bling with them to read and to teach them the histories of

their law, notifying to them the festivals previous to their

occurring, and instructing them what they are to do and

observe thereon; giving and carrying to them from their

houses unleavened bread, and meat slaughtered with cer-

emonies; instructing them what they are to refrain from,

. . . in food as in other matters, for the due observance of

their religion, and persuading them all they can to profess

and keep the law of Moses:

* * *

. . . We knew the certain remedy for all these injuries and

inconveniences was to separate the . . . Jews from all com-

munication with Christians, and banish them from all our

kingdoms, yet We were desirous to content ourselves by

ordering them to quit all the cities, towns, and places of

Andalusia, where it appears, they had done the greatest

mischief, considering that would suffice, and that those of

other cities, towns and places would cease to do and com-

mit the same.

But We are informed that neither that, nor the execu-

tion of some of the Jews, who have been guilty of . . .

crimes and offenses against Our holy Catholic faith, has

been sufficient for a complete remedy to obviate and

arrest so great an opprobrium and offense to the Catholic

faith and religion.

And as it . . . appears, that the . . . Jews, wherever they

live and congregate, daily increase in continuing their

wicked and injurious purposes; . . . We command this our

edict to be issued, whereby We command all Jews and

Jewesses, of whatever age they may be, that live, reside,

and dwell in our said kingdoms and dominions, . . . that by

the end of the month of July next, of the present year 1492,

they depart from all Our said kingdoms and dominions,

with their sons, daughters, man-servants, maid-servants,

and Jewish attendants, both great and small, of whatever

age they may be; and they shall not presume to return to,

nor reside therein, or in any part of them, either as resi-

dents, travelers, or in any other manner whatever, under

pain that if they do not perform and execute the same . . .

they incur the penalty of death, and confiscation of all their

property to our treasury . . .

34 ERA 1: Three Worlds Meet

The Legal and Religious Basis for

European Settlement in the New World

And We command and forbid any person or persons of

Our . . . kingdoms, of whatsoever rank, station, or condi-

tion they may be . . . to receive, shelter, protect, or defend

any Jew or Jewess, after . . . the end of July, . . . hencefor-

ward for ever and ever, under pain of losing all their

property, vassals, castles, and other possessions; and fur-

thermore forfeit to Our treasury any sums they have, or

receive from Us.

And that the . . . Jews and Jewesses may be the better

able to dispose of themselves, their property, and estates,

We hereby take and receive them under Our security, pro-

tection, and royal safeguard; and insure to them and their

properties, that . . . until . . . the end of the . . . month of

July, they may travel in safety, and may enter, sell, barter,

and alienate all their moveable and immovable property,

and freely dispose thereof at their pleasure. And that dur-

ing the said time, no harm, injury, or wrong whatever shall

be done to their persons or properties . . .

We likewise grant permission and authority to the said

Jews and Jewesses, to export their wealth and property, by

sea or land, from our said kingdoms and dominions, pro-

vided they do not take away gold, silver, money, or other

articles prohibited by the laws of our kingdoms, but in

merchandise and goods that are not prohibited.

And We command all the justices of our kingdoms,

that they cause the whole of the above herein contained to

be observed and fulfilled, and that they do not act contrary

hereto; and that they afford all necessary favor, under pain

of being deprived of office, and the confiscation of all their

property to our exchequer.

Source:

“The Edict of the Expulsion from Spain.” Gates to Jewish Her-

itage. Available on-line. URL: www.jewishgates.com/file.

asp?File_ID=7.

Papal Bull Inter Caetera of 1493

Treaty concluded by Pope Alexander VI on May 4, 1493, that

drew an imaginary line 100 leagues west of the Cape Verde

Islands in order to decide the future of Columbus’s discover-

ies in terms of territorial claims. There was much dispute

involving the lands discovered by Columbus between Spain

and Portugal. King John II of Portugal believed these discov-

eries were made in the region south and west of Guinea, thus

presenting a problem concerning Portuguese control over

Guinea. The Papal Bull Inter Caetera made the final decision

that Portugal would have claim to all rights and possessions

that it already held east of the imaginary line drawn by

Alexander VI, while Spain would have the right to trade, col-

onize, and explore anywhere west of this line. An amendment

of the bull was created in September 1493, giving Spain the

right to the “eastern regions and to India.” Nine months later,

in the Treaty of Tordesillas, Spain agreed to move the line west

of the Cape Verde Islands, giving Portugal a claim to what is

now Brazil.

________________________

_______________________

Alexander, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the

illustrious sovereigns, our very dear son in Christ, Ferdi-

nand, king, and our very dear daughter in Christ, Isabella,

queen of Castile, Leon, Aragon, Sicily, and Granada,

health and apostolic benediction. Among other works well

pleasing to the Divine Majesty and cherished of our heart,

this assuredly ranks highest, that in our times especially the

Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and be

everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls

be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and

brought to the faith itself. Wherefore inasmuch as by the

favor of divine clemency, we, though of insufficient merits,

have been called to this Holy See of Peter, recognizing that

as true Catholic kings and princes, such as we have known

you always to be, and as your illustrious deeds already

known to almost the whole world declare, you not only

eagerly desire but with every effort, zeal, and diligence,

without regard to hardships, expenses, dangers, with the

shedding even of your blood, are laboring to that end; rec-

ognizing also that you have long since dedicated to this

purpose your whole soul and all your endeavors—as wit-

nessed in these times with so much glory to the Divine

Name in your recovery of the kingdom of Granada from

the yoke of the Saracens—we therefore are rightly led, and

hold it as our duty, to grant you even of our own accord and

in your favor those things whereby with effort each day

more hearty you may be enabled for the honor of God

himself and the spread of the Christian rule to carry for-

ward your holy and praiseworthy purpose so pleasing to

immortal God. We have indeed learned that you, who for

a long time had intended to seek out and discover certain

islands and mainlands remote and unknown and not hith-

erto discovered by others, to the end that you might bring

to the worship of our Redeemer and the profession of the

Catholic faith their residents and inhabitants, having been

up to the present time greatly engaged in the siege and

recovery of the kingdom itself of Granada were unable to

accomplish this holy and praiseworthy purpose; but the

said kingdom having at length been regained, as was pleas-

ing to the Lord, you, with the wish to fulfill your desire,

chose our beloved son, Christopher Columbus, a man

assuredly worthy and of the highest recommendations and

fitted for so great an undertaking, whom you furnished

with ships and men equipped for like designs, not without

the greatest hardships, dangers, and expenses, to make

diligent quest for these remote and unknown mainlands

and islands through the sea, where hitherto no one had

The Legal and Religious Basis for European Settlement in the New World 35

sailed; and they at length, with divine aid and with the

utmost diligence sailing in the ocean sea, discovered cer-

tain very remote islands and even mainlands that hitherto

had not been discovered by others; wherein dwell very

many peoples living in peace, and, as reported, going

unclothed, and not eating flesh. Moreover, as your afore-

said envoys are of opinion, these very peoples living in the

said islands and countries believe in one God, the Creator

in heaven, and seem sufficiently disposed to embrace the

Catholic faith and be trained in good morals. And it is

hoped that, were they instructed, the name of the Savior,

our Lord Jesus Christ, would easily be introduced into the

said countries and islands. Also, on one of the chief of

these aforesaid islands the said Christopher has already

caused to be put together and built a fortress fairly

equipped, wherein he has stationed as garrison certain

Christians, companions of his, who are to make search for

other remote and unknown islands and mainlands. In the

islands and countries already discovered are found gold,

spices, and very many other precious things of divers kinds

and qualities. Wherefore, as becomes Catholic kings and

princes, after earnest consideration of all matters, espe-

cially of the rise and spread of the Catholic faith, as was the

fashion of your ancestors, kings of renowned memory, you

have purposed with the favor of divine clemency to bring

under your sway the said mainlands and islands with their

residents and inhabitants and to bring them to the Catholic

faith. Hence, heartily commending in the Lord this your

holy and praiseworthy purpose, and desirous that it be duly

accomplished, and that the name of our Savior be carried

into those regions, we exhort you very earnestly in the

Lord and by your reception of holy baptism, whereby you

are bound to our apostolic commands, and by the bowels

of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, enjoin strictly, that

inasmuch as with eager zeal for the true faith you design to

equip and dispatch this expedition, you purpose also, as is

your duty, to lead the peoples dwelling in those islands and

countries to embrace the Christian religion; nor at any

time let dangers or hardships deter you therefrom, with

the stout hope and trust in your hearts that Almighty God

will further your undertakings. And, in order that you may

enter upon so great an undertaking with greater readiness

and heartiness endowed with the benefit of our apostolic

favor, we, of our own accord, not at your instance nor the

request of anyone else in your regard, but of our own sole

largess and certain knowledge and out of the fullness of

our apostolic power, by the authority of Almighty God con-

ferred upon us in blessed Peter and of the vicarship of

Jesus Christ, which we hold on earth, do by tenor of these

presents, should any of said islands have been found by

your envoys and captains, give, grant, and assign to you and

your heirs and successors, kings of Castile and Leon, for-

ever, together with all their dominions, cities, camps,

places, and villages, and all rights, jurisdictions, and appur-

tenances, all islands and mainlands found and to be found,

discovered and to be discovered towards the west and

south, by drawing and establishing a line from the Arctic

pole, namely the north, to the Antarctic pole, namely the

south, no matter whether the said mainlands and islands

are found and to be found in the direction of India or

towards any other quarter, the said line to be distant one

hundred leagues towards the west and south from any of

the islands commonly known as the Azores and Cape

Verde. With this proviso however that none of the islands

and mainlands, found and to be found, discovered and to

be discovered, beyond that said line towards the west and

south, be in the actual possession of any Christian king or

prince up to the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ just past

from which the present year one thousand four hundred

and ninety-three begins. And we make, appoint, and

depute you and your said heirs and successors lords of

them with full and free power, authority, and jurisdiction

of every kind; with this proviso however, that by this our

gift, grant, and assignment no right acquired by any Chris-

tian prince, who may be in actual possession of said islands

and mainlands prior to the said birthday of our Lord Jesus

Christ, is hereby to be understood to be withdrawn or

taken away. Moreover we command you in virtue of holy

obedience that, employing all due diligence in the

premises, as you also promise—nor do we doubt your

compliance therein in accordance with your loyalty and

royal greatness of spirit—you should appoint to the afore-

said mainlands and islands worthy, God-fearing, learned,

skilled, and experienced men, in order to instruct the

aforesaid inhabitants and residents in the Catholic faith

and train them in good morals. Furthermore, under

penalty of excommunication late sententie to be incurred

ipso facto, should anyone thus contravene, we strictly for-

bid all persons of whatsoever rank, even imperial and

royal, or of whatsoever estate, degree, order, or condition,

to dare, without your special permit or that of your afore-

said heirs and successors, to go for the purpose of trade or

any other reason to the islands or mainlands, found and to

be found, discovered and to be discovered, towards the

west and south, by drawing and establishing a line from the

Arctic pole to the Antarctic pole, no matter whether the

mainlands and islands, found and to be found, lie in the

direction of India or toward any other quarter whatsoever,

the said line to be distant one hundred leagues towards the

west and south, as is aforesaid, from any of the islands

commonly known as the Azores and Cape Verde; apostolic

constitutions and ordinances and other decrees whatso-

ever to the contrary notwithstanding. We trust in Him

from whom empires and governments and all good things

proceed, that, should you, with the Lord’s guidance, pur-

sue this holy and praiseworthy undertaking, in a short

36 ERA 1: Three Worlds Meet

while your hardships and endeavors will attain the most

felicitous result, to the happiness and glory of all Christen-

dom. But inasmuch as it would be difficult to have these

present letters sent to all places where desirable, we wish,

and with similar accord and knowledge do decree, that to

copies of them, signed by the hand of a public notary com-

missioned therefor, and sealed with the seal of any ecclesi-

astical officer or ecclesiastical court, the same respect is to

be shown in court and outside as well as anywhere else as

would be given to these presents should they thus be

exhibited or shown. Let no one, therefore, infringe, or with

rash boldness contravene, this our recommendations,

exhortation, requisition, gift, grant, assignment, constitu-

tion, deputation, decree, mandate, prohibition, and will.

Should anyone presume to attempt this, be it known to

him that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of

the blessed apostles Peter and Paul. Given at Rome, at St.

Peter’s, in the year of the incarnation of our Lord one

thousand four hundred and ninety-three, the fourth of

May, and the first year of our pontificate.

Gratis by order of our most holy lord, the pope. June.

For the referendary, A. de Mucciarellis. For J. Bufolinus,

A. Santoseverino. L. Podocatharus.

Source:

Francis Garvin Davenport, ed. European Treaties Bearing on the

History of the United States and Its Dependencies to 1648,

Washington, D.C., 1917. pp. 71–78.

Henry VII, King of England,

“Letters Patent to John Cabot,” 1496

Patent secured by Italian explorer John Cabot (Giovanni

Caboto) from King Henry VII of England on March 5, 1496, to

look for a western route to the Spice Islands by plotting a

course north of Columbus’s. John Cabot and his sons, Lewis,

Sebastian, and Santius, were granted the right to sail to and

conquer—under the English flag—any new lands they could

find. Setting sail from Bristol on May 2, 1497, Cabot made a

landfall on the North American mainland along the Labrador

coast and paved the way for the founding of the English

colonies in America. He returned to Bristol on August 6, 1497.

________________________

_______________________

Sebastian, and Santius for the discouerie of new and

unknowen lands.

Henry, by the grace of God, king of England and

France, and lord of Ireland, to all to whom these presents

shall come, Greeting.

Be it knowen that we haue giuen and granted, and by

these presents do giue and grant for vs and our heires, to

our welbeloued Iohn Cabot citizen of Venice, to Lewis,

Sebastian, and Santius, sonnes of the sayd Iohn, and to the

heires of them, and euery of them, and their deputies, full

and free authority, leaue, and power to saile to all parts,

countreys, and seas of the East, of the West, and of the

North, vnder our banners and ensignes, with fiue ships of

what burthen or quantity soeuer they be, and as many

mariners or men as they will haue with them in the sayd

ships, vpon their owne proper costs and charges, to seeke

out, dicouer, and finde whatsoeuer isles, countreys, regions

or prouinces of the heathen and infidels whatsoeuer they

be, and in what part of the world soeuer they be, which

before this time haue bene vnknowen to all Christians: we

haue granted to them, and also to euery of them, the heires

of them, and euery of them, and their deputies, and haue

giuen them license to set vp our banners and ensignes in

euery village, towne, castle, isle, or maine land of them

newly found. And that the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes,

or their heires and assignes may subdue, occupy and pos-

sesse all such townes, cities, castles and isles of them

found, which they can subdue, occupy and possesse, as our

vassals, and lieutenants, getting vnto vs the rule, title, and

jurisdiction of the same villages, townes, castles, & firme

Land so found. Yet so that the aforesayd Iohn, and his

sonnes and heires, and their deputies, be holden and

bounden of all the fruits, profits, gaines, and commodities

growing of such nauigation, for euery their voyage, as often

as they shall arriue at our port of Bristoll (at which port

they shall be bound and holden onely to arriue) all manner

of necessary costs and charges by them made, being

deducted, to pay vnto vs in wares or money the fift part of

the capitall gaine so gotten. We giuing and granting vnto

them and to their heires and deputies, that they shall be

free from all paying of customes of all and singular such

merchandize as they shall be free from all paying of cus-

tomes of all and singular they shall bring with them from

those places so newlie found.

And moreouer, we haue given and granted to them,

their heires and deputies, that all the firme lands, isles, vil-

lages, townes, castles and places whatsoeuer they be that

they shall chance to finde, may not of any other of our sub-

jects be frequented or visited without the licence of the

foresayd Iohn and his sonnes, and their deputies, vnder

payne of forfeiture as well of their ships as of all and sin-

gular goods of all them that shall presume to saile to those

places so found. Willing, and most straightly commanding

all and singular our subjects as well on land as on sea,

appointed officers, to giue good assistance to the aforesaid

Iohn, and his sonnes and deputies, and that as well in arm-

ing and furnishing their ships or vessels, as is prouision of

quietnesse, and in buying of victuals for their money, and

all other things by them to be prouided necessary for the

sayd nauigation, they do giue them all their helpe and fau-

The Legal and Religious Basis for European Settlement in the New World 37

our. In witnesse whereof we have caused to be made these

our lettres patents. Witnesse our selfe at Westminister, the

fift day of March, in the eleuenth yeere of our reigne.—

Source:

Henry Steele Commager, ed. Documents of American History.

New York: F.S. Crofts & Co., 1934.

Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh, 1584

Patent received by Sir Walter Raleigh from Queen Elizabeth I

on March 25, 1584, for the right to establish a colony in the

New World. Six months after his half brother Sir Humphrey

Gilbert was killed during his second attempt at establishing a

colony in America, Raleigh received this charter (almost iden-

tical to Gilbert’s) from the queen; he responded by sending out

several expeditions and by establishing the ill-fated colony on

Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina. He was later

charged with treason, imprisoned in the Tower of London, and

ultimately executed after falling out of favor following Eliza-

beth’s death in 1603.

________________________

_______________________

Charter in Favor of Sir Walter Ralegh, Knight,

For the Discovery and Planting of New Lands

in America

Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, France

and Ireland Queene, defender of the faith, &c. To all peo-

ple to whom these presents shal come, greeting. Know ye

that of our especial grace, certaine science, & meere

motion, we haue giuen and graunted, and by these pre-

sents for vs, our heires and successors doe giue and graunt

to our trusty and welbeloued seruant Walter Ralegh

Esquire, and to his heires and assignes for euer, free lib-

erty & licence from time to time, and at all times for euer

hereafter, to discouer, search, finde out, and view such

remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countreis, and ter-

ritories, not actually possessed of any Christian prince,

nor inhabited by Christian people, as to him, his heires

and assignes, and to euery or any of them shall seeme

good, and the same to haue, holde, occupy & enjoy to

him, his heires and assignes for euer, with all prerogatiues,

commodities, iurisdictions, royalties, priuiledges, fran-

chises and preeminences, thereto or thereabouts both by

sea and land, whatsoeuer we by our letters patents may

grant, and as we or any of our noble progenitors haue

heretofore granted to any person or persons, bodies poli-

tique or corporate: and the saide Walter Ralegh, his heires

and assignes, and all such as from time to time, by license

of us, our heires and successors, shal goe or trauaile

thither to inhabite or remaine, there to build and fortifie,

at the discretion of the said Walter Ralegh, his heires &

assignes, the statutes or act of Parliament made against

fugitiues, or against such as shall depart, remaine or con-

tinue out of our Realme of England without license, or

any statute, act, law, or any ordinance whatsoeuer to the

contrary in any wife notwithstanding.

And we do likewise by these presents, or our especial

grace, meere motion, and certaine knowledge, for us, our

heires and successors, giue and graunt full authoritie, lib-

ertie and power to the said Walter Ralegh, his heires and

assignes, and euery of them, that he and they, and euery or

any of them shall and may at all and euery time and times

hereafter, haue, take, and leade in the sayde voyage, and

trauaile thitherward, or to inhabite there with him or

them, and euery or any of them, such and so many of our

subjects as shall willingly accompany him or them, and

euery or any of them: and to whom also we doe by these

presents, giue full libertie and authoritie in that behalfe,

and also to haue, take and employ, and use sufficient ship-

ping and furniture for the transportations, and Nauigations

in that behalfe, so that none of the same persons or any of

them be such as hereafter shall be restrained by us, our

heires or successors.

And further that the said Walter Ralegh his heires and

assignes, and euery of them, shall haue, holde, occupie and

enjoy to him, his heires and assignes, and euery of them for

euer, all the soyle of all such landes, territories, and Coun-

treis, so to be discouered and possessed as aforesaid, and

of all such Cities, Castles, Townes, Villages, and places in

the same, with the right, royalties, franchises, and iurisdic-

tions, as well marine as other within the sayd landes, or

Countreis, or the seas thereunto adioyning, to be had, or

used, with full power to dispose thereof, and of euery part

in fee simple or otherwise, according to the order of the

lawes of England, as neere as the same conueniently may

be, at his, and their will and pleasure, to any persons then

being, or that shall remaine within the allegiance of us, our

heires and successors: reseruing alwayes to us, our heires

and successors, for all seruices, dueties, and demaunds,

the fift part of all the oare of golde and siluer, that from

time to time, and at all times after such discouerie, subdu-

ing and possessing, shall be there gotten and obteined: All

which lands, Countreis, and territories shall for euer be

holden of the said Walter Ralegh, his heires and assignes,

of us, our heires and successors, by homage, and by the

sayd payment of the said fift part, reserued onely for all

seruices. And moreouer, we do by these presents, for us,

our heires and successors, giue and grant licence to the

said Walter Ralegh, his heires, and assignes, and euery of

them, that he, and they, and euery or any of them, shall

and may from time to time, and at all times for euer here-

after, for his and their defence, encounter and expulse,

repell and resist aswell by sea as by lande, and by all other

wayes whatsoeuer, all and euery such person and persons

38 ERA 1: Three Worlds Meet

whatsoeuer, as without especiall liking and licence of the

sayd Walter Ralegh, and of his heires and assignes, shall

attempt to inhabite within the sayde Countreys, or any of

them, or within the space of two hundreth leagues neere

to the place or places within such Countreys as aforesayde

(if they shall not bee before planted or inhabited within

the limits as aforesayd with the subiects of any Christian

Prince being in amitie with us) where the sayd Walter

Ralegh, his heires, or assignes, or any of them, or his, or

their, or any of their associats or company, shall within sixe

yeeres (next ensuing) make their dwellings or abidings, or

that shall enterprise or attempt at any time hereafter

unlawfully to annoy, eyther by Sea or Lande the sayde Wal-

ter Ralegh, his heires or assignes, or any of them, or his or

their, or any of his or their companies: giuing and graunt-

ing by these presents further power and authoritie to the

sayd Walter Ralegh, his heires and assignes, and euery of

them from time to time, and at all times for euer hereafter,

to take and surprise by all maner of meanes whatsoeuer, all

and euery those person or persons, with their Shippes,

Vessels, and other goods and furniture, which without

the licence of the sayde Walter Ralegh, or his heires, or

assignes, as aforesayd, shalbe found traffiquing into any

Harbour, or Harbours, Creeke, or Creekes, within the lim-

its aforesayd, (the subiects of our Realmes and Dominions,

and all other persons in amitie with us, trading to the New-

found lands for fishing as heretofore they haue commonly

vsed, or being driuen by force of a tempest, or shipwracke

onely excepted:) and those persons, and euery of them,

with their shippes, vessels, goods, and furniture to deteine

and possesse as of good and lawfull prize, according to the

discretion of him the sayd Walter Ralegh, his heires, and

assignes, and euery, or any of them. And for uniting in

more perfect league and amitie, of such Countryes, landes,

and territories so to be possessed and inhabited as afore-

sayd with our Realmes of England and Ireland, and the

better incouragement of men to these enterprises: we doe

by these presents, graunt and declare that all such Coun-

tries, so hereafter to be possessed and inhabited as is afore-

sayd, from thencefoorth shall be of the allegiance of us,

our heires and successours. And wee doe graunt to the

sayd Walter Ralegh, his heires, and assignes, and to all, and

euery of them, and to all, and euery other person and per-

sons, being of our allegiance, whose names shall be noted

or entred in some of our Courts of recorde within our

Realme of England, that with the assent of the sayd Wal-

ter Ralegh, his heires or assignes, shall in his iourneis for

discouerie, or in the iourneis for conquest hereafter

trauaile to such lands, countreis and territories, as afore-

sayd, and to their, and to euery of their heires, that they,

and euery or any of them, being eyther borne within our

sayde Realmes of England or Irelande, or in any other

place within our allegiance, and which hereafter shall be

inhabiting within any the Lands, Countryes, and Territo-

ries, with such licence (as aforesayd) shall and may haue all

the priuiledges of free Denizens, and persons natiue of

England, and within our allegiance in such like ample

maner and forme, as if they were borne and personally res-

ident within our said Realme of England, any law, cus-

tome, or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

And forasmuch as upon the finding out, discouering,

or inhabiting of such remote lands, countries, and territo-

ries as aforesaid, it shalbe necessary for the safety of all

men, that shall aduenture themselues in those iourneyes or

voyages, to determine to liue together in Christian peace,

and ciuill quietnesse eche with other, whereby euery one

may with more pleasure and profit enioy that whereunto

they shall atteine with great paine and perill, wee for us,

our heires and successors, are likewise pleased and con-

tented, and by these presents doe giue & grant to the said

Walter Ralegh, his heires and assignes for euer, that he and

they, and euery or any of them, shall and may from time to

time for euer hereafter, within the said mentioned remote

lands and countries, in the way by the seas thither, and

from thence, haue full and meere power and authoritie to

correct, punish, pardon, gouerne, and rule by their and

euery or any of their good discretions and policies, as well

in causes capitall, or criminall, as ciuil, both marine and

other, all such our subiects, as shal from time to time

aduenture themselues in the said iourneis or voyages, or

that shall at any time hereafter inhabite any such lands,

countreis, or territories as aforesayd, or that shall abide

within 200. leagues of any of the sayde place or places,

where the sayde Walter Ralegh, his heires or assignes, or

any of them, or any of his or their associats or companies,

shall inhabite within 6. yeeres next ensuing the date

hereof, according to such statutes, lawes and ordinances as

shall be by him the sayd Walter Ralegh, his heires and

assignes, and euery or any of them deuised, or established,

for the better gouernment of the said people as aforesaid.

So alwayes as the said statutes, lawes, and ordinances may

be, as nere as conueniently may bee, agreeable to the

forme of the lawes, statutes, gouernment, or pollicie of

England, and also so as they be not against the true Chris-

tian faith, nowe professed in the Church of England, nor

in any wife to withdrawe any of the subiects or people of

those lands or places from the alleagance of us, our heires

and successours, as their immediate Soueraigne under

God.

And further, we doe by these presents for us, our

heires and successors, giue and grant ful power and

authoritie to our trustie and welbeloued Counsailour Sir

William Cecill knight, Lorde Burghley, or high Treasourer

of England, and to the Lorde Treasourer of England for

us, our heires and successors, for the time being, and to

the priuie Counsaile of us, our heires and successors, or

The Legal and Religious Basis for European Settlement in the New World 39

any foure or more of them for the time being, that he, they,

or any foure or more of them, shall and may from time to

time, and at all times hereafter, under his or their handes

or Seales by vertue of these presents, authorise and license

the sayd Walter Ralegh, his heires and assignes, and euery

or any of them by him, & by themselues, or by their, or any

of their sufficient Atturnies, Deputies, Officers, Ministers,

Factors, and seruants, to imbarke & transport out of our

Realme of England and Ireland, and the Dominions

thereof, all or any of his or their goods, and all or any the

goods of his and their associats and companies, and euery

or any of them, with such other necessaries and commodi-

ties of any our Realmes, as to the sayde Lorde Treasurer,

or foure or more of the priuie Counsaile, of us our heires

and successors for the time being (as aforesaid) shalbe

from time to time by his or their wisedomes, or discretions

thought meete and conuenient, for the better reliefe and

supportation of him the sayde Walter Ralegh, his heires,

and assignes, and euery or any of them, and of his or their

or any of their associats and companies, any act, statute,

law, or any thing to the contrary in any wife notwithstand-

ing.

Prouided alwayes, and our wil and pleasure is, and we

do hereby declare to all Christian kings, princes, and

states, that if the sayde Walter Ralegh, his heires or as-

signes, or any of them, or any other by their licence or

appointment, shall at any time or times hereafter robbe or

spoile by sea or by land, or doe any act of vniust or vnlaw-

full hostilitie, to any of the subiects of us, our heires or suc-

cessors, or to any of the subiects of any the kings, princes,

rulers, Gouernours, or estates, being then in perfect

league and amitie with us, our heires and successors, and

that upon such iniurie, or upon iust complaint of any such

Prince, Ruler, Gouernour or estate, or their subiects, wee,

our heires and successors, shall make open Proclamation

within any the portes of our Realme of England, that the

saide Walter Ralegh, his heires and assignes, and adher-

ents or any to whom these our Letters patents may

extende, shall within the termes to bee limited, by such

Proclamation, make full restitution, and satisfaction of all

such iniuries, done: so as both we and the said Princes, or

other so complaining, may hold us and themselues fully

contended: And that if the said Walter Ralegh, his heires

an assignes, shall not make or cause to be made satisfaction

accordingly within such time so to be limited, that then it

shal be lawful to us, our heires and successors, to put the

sayde Walter Ralegh, his heires and assignes, and adher-

ents, and all the inhabitants of the saide places to be dis-

couered (as is aforesaid) or any of them out of our

allegeance and protection, and that from and after such

time of putting out of protection of the sayde Walter

Ralegh, his heires, assignes and adherents, and others so to

be put out, and the said places within their habitation, pos-

session and rule, shall be out of our allegeance and protec-

tion, and free for all Princes and others to pursue with hos-

tilitie, as being not our subiects, nor by us any way to be

auouched, maintained, or defended, not to be holden as

any of ours, nor to our protection, or dominion, or al-

legeance any way belonging: for that expresse mention of

the cleere yeerely value of the certaintie of the premisses,

or any part thereof, or of any other gift, or grant by us, or

any our progenitors, or predecessors to the said Walter

Ralegh, before this time made in these presents bee not

expressed, or any other grant, ordinance, prouision,

proclamation, or restraint to the contrary thereof, before

this time, giuen, ordained, or prouided, or any other thing,

cause, or matter whatsoeuer, in any wife notwithstanding.

In witnesse whereof, wee haue caused these our letters to

be made Patents. Witnesse our selues, at Westminster the

fiue and twentie day of March, in the fixe and twentith

yeere of our Raigns.

Source:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries. Docu-

menting the American South. URL: hhtp.docsouth.unc.edu/

nc/barlowe/barlowe.html. Accessed October 2003.

First Charter of Virginia, April 10, 1606

Charter provided to incorporate two companies, the London

Company and the Plymouth Company, by King James I on

April 10, 1606. These two companies were given the rights to

produce a colony on any land then known as Virginia or any

other territories belonging to England in the New World. The

London Company was the first to settle in America, founding

the colony of Jamestown in Virginia on May 14, 1607. The

First Charter of Virginia gave these settlers the right to claim all

lands, as well as 100 miles into the mainland, as English terri-

tory. Each new colony was ordained to have a council con-

taining 13 men, while a separate council of 13 men would

also be provided by King James in England for management

and support. The charter declared all children born in these

new colonies citizens of England.

________________________

_______________________

James, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland,

France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. Whereas

our loving and well-disposed Subjects, Sir Thomas Gates,

and Sir George Somers, Knights, Richard Hackluit, Clerk,

Prebendary of Westminster, and Edward-Maria Wing-

field, Thomas Hanham, and Ralegh Gilbert, Esqrs.

William Parker, and George Popham, Gentlemen, and

divers others of our loving Subjects, have been humble

Suitors unto us, that We would vouchsafe unto them our

Licence, to make Habitation, Plantation, and to deduce a

40 ERA 1: Three Worlds Meet

colony of sundry of our People into that part of America

commonly called Virginia, and other parts and Territories

in America, either appertaining unto us, or which are not

now actually possessed by any Christian Prince or People,

situate, lying, and being all along the Sea Coasts, between

four and thirty Degrees of Northerly Latitude from the

Equinoctial Line, and five and forty Degrees of the same

Latitude, and in the main Land between the same four

and thirty and five and forty Degrees, and the Islands

thereunto adjacent, or within one hundred Miles of the

Coast thereof;

And to that End, and for the more speedy Accom-

plishment of their said intended Plantation and Habitation

there, are desirous to divide themselves into two several

Colonies and Companies; the one consisting of certain

Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Adventurers,

of our City of London and elsewhere, which are, and from

time to time shall be, joined unto them, which do desire to

begin their Plantation and Habitation in some fit and con-

venient Place, between four and thirty and one and forty

Degrees of the said Latitude, alongst the Coasts of Vir-

ginia, and the Coasts America aforesaid: And the other

consisting of sundry Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and

other Adventurers, of our Cities of Bristol and Exeter, and

of our Town of Plimouth, and of other Places, which do

join themselves unto that Colony, which do desire to begin

their Plantation and Habitation in some fit and convenient

Place, between eight and thirty Degrees and five and forty

Degrees of the said Latitude, all alongst the said Coasts of

Virginia and America, as that Coast lyeth:

We, greatly commending, and graciously accepting of,

their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work,

which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter

tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of

Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness

and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Wor-

ship of God, and may in time bring the Infidels and Sav-

ages, living in those parts, to human Civility, and to a

settled and quiet Government: Do, by these our Letters

Patents, graciously accept of, and agree to, their humble

and well-intended Desires;

And do therefore, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors,

grant and agree, that the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George

Somers, Richard Hackluit, and Edward-Maria Wingfield,

Adventurers of and for our City of London, and all such

others, as are, or shall be, joined unto them of that Colony,

shall be called the first Colony; And they shall and may

begin their said first Plantation and Habitation, at any

Place upon the said Coast of Virginia or America, where

they shall think fit and convenient, between the said four

and thirty and one and forty Degrees of the said Latitude;

And that they shall have all the Lands, Woods, Soil,

Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals,

Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and Heredita-

ments, whatsoever, from the said first Seat of their Planta-

tion and Habitation by the Space of fifty Miles of English

Statute Measure, all along the said Coast of Virginia and

America, towards the West and Southwest, as the Coast

lyeth, with all the Islands within one hundred Miles

directly over against the same Sea Coast; And also all the

Lands, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Min-

erals, Woods, Waters, Marshes, Fishings, Commodities,

and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said Place of

their first Plantation and Habitation for the space of fifty

like English Miles, all alongst the said Coasts of Virginia

and America, towards the East and Northeast, or towards

the North, as the Coast lyeth, together with all the Islands

within one hundred Miles, directly over against the said

Sea Coast; And also all the Lands, Woods, Soil, Grounds,

Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters,

Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever,

from the same fifty Miles every way on the Sea Coast,

directly into the main Land by the Space of one hundred

like English Miles; And shall and may inhabit and remain

there; and shall and may also build and fortify within any

the same, for their better Safeguard and Defense, accord-

ing to their best Discretion, and the Discretion of the

Council of that Colony; And that no other of our Subjects

shall be permitted, or suffered, to plant or inhabit behind,

or on the Backside of them, towards the main Land, with-

out the Express License or Consent of the Council of that

Colony, thereunto in Writing first had and obtained.

And we do likewise, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors,

by these Presents, Grant and agree, that the said Thomas

Hanham, and Ralegh Gilbert, William Parker, and George

Popham, and all others of the Town of Plimouth in the

County of Devon, or elsewhere, which are, or shall be,

joined unto them of that Colony, shall be called the second

Colony; And that they shall and may begin their said Plan-

tation and Seat of their first Abode and Habitation, at any

Place upon the said Coast of Virginia and America, where

they shall think fit and convenient, between eight and

thirty Degrees of the said Latitude, and five and forty

Degrees of the same Latitude; And that they shall have all

the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines,

Minerals, Woods, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodi-

ties, and Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the first Seat of

their Plantation and Habitation by the Space of fifty like

English Miles, as is aforesaid, all alongst the said Coasts of

Virginia and America, towards the West and Southwest, or

towards the South, as the Coast lyeth, and all the Islands

within one hundred Miles, directly over against the said

Sea Coast; And also all the Lands, Soils, Grounds, Havens,

Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Woods, Marshes, Waters,

Fishings, Commodities, and Hereditaments, whatsoever,

from the said Place of their first Plantation and Habitation

The Legal and Religious Basis for European Settlement in the New World 41