Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
PRE- AND EARLY COLONIAL LITERATURE
inhabitants of Virginia: The number with the particularities of the voyages thither
made; and of the actions of such that haue bene by Sir Walter Raleigh therein
and there imployed, many worthy to bee remembered; as of the rst discouerers
of the Countrey: of our generall for the time Sir Richard Greinuile; and after his
departure, of our Gouernour there Master Rafe Lane; with diuers other directed
and imployed vnder theyr gouernement: Of the Captaynes and Masters of the
voyages made since for transporation; of the Gouernour and assistants of those
alredie transported, as of many persons, accidts, and thinges els, I haue ready in
a discourse by it selfe in maner of a Chronicle according to the course of times, and
when time shall bee thought conuenient shall be also published.
This referring my relation to your fauourable constructions, 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 Februarii, 1588.
FINIS.
1.6.2 Reading and Review Questions
1. How does Harriot determine the value of the land’s resources in Virginia?
Why?
2. What is his attitude towards the British and their place in Virginia? Why?
3. By what standards does Harriot evaluate the lifestyle of the Native
Americans he encounters? Their government?
4. Why does Harriot make a point of describing the warfare of the Native
Americans he encounters? How do you know?
5. What grounds the Native American’s virtues, ethics, and morality,
according to Harriot’s depiction of them? Why do you think?
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