New-Englands plantation: with the sea journal and other writings

"New-Englands Plantation" by Rev. Francis Higginson is a historical account, written in the early 17th century. This work provides an early printed description of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, focusing on both its natural resources and the experiences of its settlers. Higginson's writings aim to inform and attract further emigration from England, detailing the advantages and challenges of life in this burgeoning new world. The opening of "New-Englands Plantation" sets the stage by addressing the context of the colony around the year 1630. It begins with a transcription note and a historical introduction, which outlines Higginson’s background and purpose. The text then transitions into a detailed exploration of the New England landscape, discussing its soil, climate, flora, and fauna, as well as the political conditions and the Indigenous population. Higginson emphasizes both the bountiful resources available for settlers and the challenges they may face, establishing the colony as a land of opportunity tempered by the realities of nature and survival in a new environment.