Thomas Morton's New English Canaan: A Perspective on Indian Discourse in Early New England (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Number Date Thomas Morton's New English Canaan: A Perspective on Indian Discourse in Early New England Thomas Morton’s document “New English Canaan” consist of three volumes including satire, natural history, and history which was published in the Netherlands in 1937 CE. He was a colonist in New England and a lawyer. Morton write this to support a lawsuit that was against its colony and Massachusetts. This book shows his vision for the colonization of New England in a different way. In his work, he says that the charter of Massachusetts Bay Colony would be revoked because in obtaining this charter Puritans have misrepresented themselves according to this they don’t have the right to colonize this region. The purpose of the book is to present Morton's vision of a different future for the colonization of New England, in which the land and resources were shared equitably between the colonists and the Indians, and where the Puritans' methods and treatment of the Indians were challenged. For historians who are studying earlier encounters between Indian or Native Americans and English in New England Morton’s book is their main source. This book is divided into three volumes. In the first volume, he discusses the beliefs, history, and practices of Indians, in his second volume he discusses wildlife, land, minerals, stones, and fauna of New England and in the third volume of this book he discusses the history of the colonists and Puritans in New England. Thomas Morton's "New English Canaan" presents a unique vision of colonization in early New England, challenging the methods and beliefs of the Puritans and Separatists through its advocacy for equitable land-sharing and mutual respect between settlers and Indians. "Indian" is a term that was used by early European explorers and colonizers when they first arrived in the Americas to describe the indigenous peoples they encountered. However, the term is considered insensitive and outdated today, as it is a misnomer and does not accurately reflect the diverse cultures and societies of the many different native peoples who have lived in the Americas for thousands of years. "Native American" is considered a more respectful and accurate term, as it recognizes the sovereignty of these peoples and their deep connection to the land and their ancestral cultures. Additionally, "Native American" is also inclusive of Alaska Natives and indigenous peoples of Canada and Mexico. The historical context of early colonization in New England can be traced back to the late 16th century when England began to establish colonies in North America. The early English colonies were primarily established for economic reasons, such as the search for new trade routes, resources, and markets. The first colony was established in 1584 by Sir Walter Raleigh in present-day North Carolina. The document fits within the broader knowledge of early English colonization in North America. The first English colony in America was established in 1587 by Sir Walter Raleigh in Roanoke, Virginia, but it failed shortly thereafter. However, the first successful colony was established in 1607 CE by the London Company in Jamestown, Virginia. The colony was established for the purpose of finding gold and other valuable resources, as well as converting the native population to Christianity. However, the colony struggled to survive and it was not until the arrival of tobacco as a cash crop that it began to thrive. In 1620 CE, a group of Separatists, known as the Pilgrims, established the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. The Pilgrims as a religious group want to pure Christianity and used to believe that the Church of England has been corrupted. They had initially set sail for Virginia but due to a navigational error, they landed further north in present-day Massachusetts. They established a treaty with the local Wampanoag tribe which helped them to survive their first year in the New World. They sought to establish a "city upon a hill" where they could practice their religion freely and establish a model society for others to follow. The Massachusetts Bay Colony quickly grew in population and became the dominant colony in New England. The colony was governed by a group of wealthy and powerful merchants who held a royal charter from the English crown. These merchants, known as the "Boston Brahmins," controlled the colony's economy and politics and sought to expand their territory and resources at the expense of the native population. This was the reason for conflicts and fights with other tribes. In New England, the end of native resistance was a main example of these conflicts in form of the Pequot War which was fought in 1637 CE. Thomas Morton had a reputation for representing cases of lower-class clients successfully. Sir Ferdinando Gorges who hold a patent for the colonization of part of Massachusetts and present-day Maine hired Morton for North American colonization handling legally. Merrymount colony which was successful financially and was established by Morton attracted both natives and colonists. Morton envision a future where colonists and natives were engaged in equitable trade and shared the same resources. Morton’s work shows social issues of that time, such as the right of colonization of the region, misrepresentation in Massachusetts Bay Colony’s charter obtaining for Puritans, and poor treatment of the local population. Morton argues that Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony had no right to colonize because the region is legally under Gorge’s patent due to this the charter should be revoked. He exposed the poor treatment of the local population by Separatists and Puritans and claimed that his land belongs to Indians, and invitation of more and more colonists to acquire more and more land. The historical "big picture" that one must grasp in order to understand the document is the struggle for power and control between the English colonists and the native population, as well as the differing beliefs and motivations of the colonists. Morton's argument is that the Puritans were not acting in the best interest of the native population or the colony as a whole and that his approach at Merrymount was a more equitable and successful model. He is critical of the Puritans' treatment of the native population, their rigid religious beliefs, ...