The Forty Years that Created America by Edward M. Lamont

Author:Edward M. Lamont [Lamont, Edward M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2014-04-24T04:00:00+00:00

John Smith’s map of New England was contained in his book, A Description of New-England, published in 1616. The map includes the only known portrait of John Smith.

Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Smith’s map identified various geographic locations by their Indian names, and he invited Prince Charles to change the “Barbarous names” to English names of his choosing so “posterity may say Prince Charles was their Godfather.” The prince was happy to comply, and, because the book and map had been printed earlier, Smith added a list of the old and new names. In bold letters the map bore Smith’s new name for the region, New England, and on the map and title page Smith is identified as Admiral of New England, a title that must have met the approval of Prince Charles.

Smith provided his estimate of the value of commodities that businessmen could obtain from the region, ensuring a good profit on their investment. To the investors he said, “I confesse it were more proper for mee to be doing what I say, then writing what I knowe.” Although the man of action may have felt unsure of his talent as a writer, his concern never constrained him from writing throughout his life at some length of his exploits and discoveries, nor would it this time. The council members and investors deserved to receive a full account from him of his expeditions and discoveries, he stated, especially in view of the false rumors that had circulated. Although his report emphasized the great fisheries off the New England coast, Smith pointed out that fishing would certainly not hinder the pursuit of other profitable enterprises.

A Description also contained eight poems written by friends, including a cousin and soldiers who had served under Smith in Transylvania and Virginia. The poems praised Smith’s valor and accomplishments, which held such promising prospects for England. The expression of admiration for Smith by the soldiers was especially meaningful, for they had observed firsthand his leadership in battle under enemy attack. They also viewed their commanding officer as a true and honorable gentleman: “I never knew a Warryer yet but thee, from wine, Tobacco, debts, dice, oaths so free.” The verses of the three Jamestown soldiers confirmed Smith’s account of several fights with Powhatan’s warriors and ended with these final lines:

And for this paines of thine wee praise thee rather

That future Times may know who was the father

Of this rare Worke which may bring

Praise to God, and Profit to thy King.

In the opening passages of his book Smith briefly identified the east coast regions of North America and the countries that claimed them, starting in the north with New France and moving south through New England and Virginia to Spanish-held Florida and the West Indies. He complimented all the English explorers who had gone to America before him: “Posterity may be bettered by the fruits of their labours.” We can understand why he made no mention of Samuel de Champlain, who

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