It is 1614. John Smith of Jamestown fame is now looking for a new gig, and he sets his gimlet eye on the northeast coast of North America. He travels the coast in a small boat, and by 1616 has produced a tract called “A Description of New England” with an accompanying map. He gives New England its name, and makes the case for the English settlement of the region. He would not get his gig, but his writing and fund-raising campaign would change the course of history.

Along the way we notice that Smith has something quite important to say about Francis Drake. And we enthusiastically recommend Jacob Mchangama’s new book, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.

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References for this episode

Walter W. Woodward, “Captain John Smith and the Campaign for New England: A Study in Early Modern Identity and Promotion,” The New England Quarterly, March 2008.

A Description Of New England Or The Observations And Discoveries Of Captain John Smith

Melissa Darby, Thunder Go North: The Hunt for Sir Francis Drake’s Fair & Good Bay

The Wizard of Oz (Melting)