Encountering the Natives: Hariot, Haklyut, White/de Bry Primary Source Narrative
Thomas Hariot, an English explorer and scientist, helped to plan the first English explorations to the new world by Sir Walter Raleigh, and accompanied additional voyages to Roanoke, the first North American colony. Hariot kept detailed notes of his observations of the natives, as did another English explorer and illustrator John White, who traveled to Roanoke as well and produced watercolor paintings to provide pictorial representations of Hariot's observations.
After returning to Europe, Hariot published his observations, A Brief and True report of the new found land of Virginia, in 1590, which provides details about the land and the native population. Because it was impossible to mass produce colored copies, John White's paintings were turned into black and white engravings by Theodore DeBry (a process you can read about here), and the engravings, as well as descriptions of the pictures, were published under the title, The true pictures and fashions of the people in that part of America now called Virginia. The White/de Bry publication originally appeared in Latin, but was translated to English by the famous author and colonial supporter Richard Haklyut.
Today, the Hariot and White/de Bry documents are most often found together, as they strive to tell a similar story about what colonist encountered--a story that contradicted what many in England heard about the ventures in the New World, particularly relating to native-colonist relations. (You can read more about Hariot and White's travels here.)
To compare John White’s original watercolors to Theodore de Bry’s engravings, visit the Virtual Jamestown site:
Questions for A brief and true report:
- On the first page, Hariot says in the second paragraph that he has, "seen and known more than the ordinary" and is writing to accomplish what?
He’s trying to show people how great of a place this is.
- On the fifth page, last full paragraph, Hariot explains how the natives viewed the colonists. How do they perceive the colonists and why?
They perceive us as people special to god because they had advancements like iron, better tools, etc.
- On page six, final paragraph, what is the conclusion Hariot reaches as to how the colonists should relate to the natives?
As owners. Slavery.
Questions for The true pictures and fashions:
To the gentle Reader
- What is the only thing granted to the ‘savages’ at creation?
The “Soul’s health”
- When was the country explored and who financed it?
???
II. The arrival of the Englishmen in Virginia
- What did the inhabitants do once they saw the Englishmen?
Screamed like animals.
- How did the natives interact with the Englishmen?
They were very friendly, inviting us into their town.
VII. A chief Lord of Roanoac
- Examine the picture and describe the men’s bodies. Compare and contrast their body structure to that of the women in picture IIII. One of the chief Ladies of Secota.
The men are a lot older than the women, ripped
- How do they use body language to let everyone know they are in charge?
Their body language showed that they wouldn’t talk much, guarding their land, as in disputing.
IX. An aged man in his winter garments
- Look at the village behind the man in the picture. How is it organized? Why?
It’s formation is in a circle. It would be like that probably because they were being attack by all angles.
- Read only the last line of the paragraph. How does that relate to the description of the aged man?
It says that England is worse than this area, and should not be related to it.
XII. The manner of making their boats
- Were Englishmen impressed with their boats? Why?
They are. They like how the natives are able to suffice in making boats with only fire, and shells.
XIII. Their manner of fishing in Virginia
- Why do the natives have a fire in their canoe?
To attract fish.
- DeBry hints at admiration and even jealousy. Why?
He likes the creativeness of the natives, and envy’s how they are elegant in fishing.
- For White/DeBry, and the Europeans he represents, is God the only way to be civilized? Why?
Yes, because it’s their belief system. It’;s the only thing they really trust and rely on.
- Why does White/DeBry include the final sentence in this section?
They state that they aren’t knowing of the true meaning of god, so Europeans, to them, are better than the natives.
XIX. The Towne of Pomeiooc
- Why aren’t the houses “very strong” or “preserved with great care?”
Because most of the houses don’t belong to the king.
- What are figures A, B, and C? What is the purpose of each figure?
A is for the one side of the temple, which is separated from the other houses.
B is for the side of the temple which is next to the king’s lodging.
C is for a great pond.
XX. The Towne of Secota
- List and explain what each area in the picture represents as described in the reading.
A is a building-like graveyard
B is a church
C is broad plots
D is a place where the natives finish their feasts and merry together
E is for gardens with tobacco
F is for a scaffold
G is for ripe corn
H is for the distance the natives used for sowing their corn
I is a pumpkin garden
K is where they make a fire for their feasts
L is the river
- In what ways does the town of Secota differ from the town of Pomeiooc in the picture before?
Secota is not round, and has a river, many crops, and place to live and work.
XXIII. The Marks of sundry of the Chief men of Virginia
- Why do the natives have marks? What happens if they are captured by another tribe?
1:To show who they belong to
2: which chief they are ruled by
3:who they are married to
4: which chief in which area
A: Roanoac
B: Wingino
C, D: Secotam
E, F, G: Pomeiooc, Aquascogoc
They were either enslaved, or sold back to their tribe, or traded for other tribe members