Quotes from Smith’s Writings

Colonial Justification

How much hath Virginia the prerogative of all those flourishing kingdoms [of Europe] for the benefit of our land, whenas within one hundred miles all those [commodities of theirs] are to be had. (The Generall Historie, p. 2-29)

So freely hath God and his Majesty bestowed those blessings on them that will attempt to obtain them as here every man may be master and owner of his own labor and land or the greatest part in a small time. (A Description of New England, p. 13)

This plain history humbly showeth the truth that our most royal King James hath place and opportunity to enlarge his ancient dominions without wronging any … The gaining provinces addeth to the king’s crown, but the reducing heathen people to civility and true religion bringeth honor to the King of Heaven. (The Generall Historie, Preface)

For though Columbus found certain isles,  it was 1498 ere he saw the continent, which was a year after Cabot. (The Generall Historie, 1, page 1)

Rome—what made her such a monarchess but only the adventures of her youth not in riots at home but in dangers abroad, and the justice and judgment out of their experiences when they grew aged. (The Generall Historie, p. 5-217; A Description of New England, p. 32)

And what hath ever been the work of the greatest princes of the earth but planting of countries and civilizing barbarous and inhumane nations to civility and humanity, whose eternal actions fills our histories. (The Generall Historie, p. 5-227; A Description of New England, p. 60)

It is a wonder to me to see such miracles of mischiefs in men, how greedily they pursue to dispossess the planters of the name of Christ Jesus yet say they are Christians when so much of the world is unpossessed … when so much lieth vast or only possessed by a few poor savages that more serve the devil for fear than God for love. (True Travels, p. 57-8)

Many good religious, devout men have made it a great question as a matter of conscience by what warrant they might go to possess those countries which are none of theirs but the poor savages’. Which poor curiosity will answer itself, for God did make the world to be inhabited … as the people increased they dispersed themselves into such countries as they found most convenient. And here in [America] is more land than all the people in Christendom can manure, and yet more to spare than all the natives of those countries can use and culturate. And shall we here keep such a coil for land and at such great rents and rates when there is so much of the world uninhabited? (Advertisements, p. 10)

God hath provided this country [Massachusetts] for our nation, destroying the natives by plague, it not touching one Englishman. (Advertisements, p. 9)

Had the seed of Abraham, our savior Christ Jesus and his apostles, exposed themselves to no more dangers to plant the Gospel we so much profess than we [have to colonize], even we ourselves had at this present been as savages.) (Advertisements, p. 10/11, A Description of New England, p. 60)

[The Spanish and Portuguese] will testify to our idleness and ingratitude to all posterity, and neglect of our duty and religion we owe our God, our king, and country, and want of charity to those poor savages whose countries we challenge, use, and possess will testify to our idleness [if England does not establish colonies in America] (Advertisements, p. 11)