Text: 4to
1682 · London
by WILSON, Samuel (active 1682)
London: printed by G. Larkin for Francis Smith, at the Elephan [sic] and Castle in Cornhil, 1682. Text: 4to. (7 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches). 27 [1] pp. [Together with:] SPEED, John (c.1551-1629) A New Description of Carolina. [London:] Sold by Tho: Basset in Fleetstreet. and Ric: Chiswell in St. Paul's Churchyard, [1676]. Copper plate engraving by Francis Lamb. Backed with cloth. [Text:] Full mottled calf with French fillet, spine gilt-stamped and with green leather at the center, all edges gilt. [Map:] bound in three-quarter mottled calf over brown-cloth covered boards, spine gilt-stamped and with brown leather at the center, top edge gilt, with marbled endpapers; bound with additional blank leaves. Both housed within custom quarter morocco over brown cloth slipcase, spine gilt-stamped with raised bands.
Samuel Wilson's influential pamphlet provides a compelling narrative that not only reveals the alluring opportunities beckoning settlers to Carolina but also alludes to the painful realities of exploitation and enslavement that shaped the course of this influential colony and its lasting impact on American history. Accompanied by John Speed's map of the Carolinas that embodies the complex interplay of exploration, colonization and cartographical representation in the late 17th century.
In the early 1660s, the Province of Carolina emerged as a land of promise, nestled between the English colony of Virginia and the Spanish territory of Florida. Initially granted to eight political allies of King Charles II, known as the Lords Proprietors, the colony faced challenging early years marked by a lack of settlers and financial struggles. Despite the initial setbacks, the Lords Proprietors were determined to see Carolina flourish. In 1682, they orchestrated an ambitious promotional campaign to attract new settlers, seeking to address the colony's difficulties. At the heart of this campaign was the present influential pamphlet by Samuel Wilson. As the Secretary to the Lords Proprietors, Wilson felt a sense of duty to dispel the lack of knowledge about Carolina among prospective settlers. Examples of this pamphlet, including the present volume, are often accompanied by various maps of the period. Here, the pamphlet is accompanied by John Speed's "A New Description of Carolina," engraved by Francis Lamb for the 1676 edition of A Prospect of the most Famous Parts of the World. Based on the Lords Proprietors' Map, Speed's map reflects the political ambitions behind Charles II's land grant while also perpetuating geographical myths introduced by explorer John Lederer, including a vast interior lake and the so-called Arenosa Desert. Derived from John Ogilby's c.1673 map, it notably marks Charles Town on the Ashley River before its relocation in 1680. As both a product of exploration and colonial aspirations, Speed's map captures the evolving understanding of the Carolina region in the late 17th century and serves as both a document of territorial ambition and a reflection of the ever-evolving quest for geographical knowledge. Wilson's narrative painted Carolina as a land of opportunity, a place where even those facing economic challenges could improve their lives. He highlighted success stories of individuals who, through hard work and determination, had amassed wealth and were now living in abundance. In his text, Wilson celebrated the idea of personal advancement and prosperity, foreshadowing the ideals that would shape the nation in the centuries to come. The pamphlet also enticed potential emigrants with grand claims about Carolina's environment. Wilson praised the invigorating air of the colony, which, he believed, granted people improved health and vitality compared to England. As word spread about the prospects of life in Carolina, the campaign succeeded in attracting over 500 new settlers to the colony. While accounts like Wilson's might have embellished the benefits and downplayed the challenges, they played a crucial role in convincing people to embark on the journey of becoming colonists in the New World. Amidst the idyllic portrayal of opportunity, Wilson's pamphlet also held darker undertones that would significantly impact the colony's future. The economy of Carolina was largely based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cash crops such as rice, indigo, and tobacco. To meet the demand for labour, the colony heavily relied on the institution of slavery. Enslaved men and women played a pivotal role in Carolina's economic success. Wilson boasted of their ability to thrive in the colony's climate, requiring fewer clothes and, consequently, being a cost-effective investment for slaveholders. For those intrigued by Wilson's portrayal and seeking more information, the pamphlet provided practical advice. The cost of passage to Carolina was set at five pounds, and ships were available year-round. Additionally, interested parties could visit the Carolina Coffee House in London, where some of the Lords Proprietors or Wilson himself would be available every Tuesday at 11 o'clock to address questions and provide further encouragement.
Sabin 104685; ESTC R14637; Church 677; Cumming Southeast 70; European Americana 682/201; Howes W535 ("c"); JCB II:111; Streeter sale 1110; Vail 216; Wing W2932. [Speed map:] Burden 457; Cumming 77. (Inventory #: 42043)
Samuel Wilson's influential pamphlet provides a compelling narrative that not only reveals the alluring opportunities beckoning settlers to Carolina but also alludes to the painful realities of exploitation and enslavement that shaped the course of this influential colony and its lasting impact on American history. Accompanied by John Speed's map of the Carolinas that embodies the complex interplay of exploration, colonization and cartographical representation in the late 17th century.
In the early 1660s, the Province of Carolina emerged as a land of promise, nestled between the English colony of Virginia and the Spanish territory of Florida. Initially granted to eight political allies of King Charles II, known as the Lords Proprietors, the colony faced challenging early years marked by a lack of settlers and financial struggles. Despite the initial setbacks, the Lords Proprietors were determined to see Carolina flourish. In 1682, they orchestrated an ambitious promotional campaign to attract new settlers, seeking to address the colony's difficulties. At the heart of this campaign was the present influential pamphlet by Samuel Wilson. As the Secretary to the Lords Proprietors, Wilson felt a sense of duty to dispel the lack of knowledge about Carolina among prospective settlers. Examples of this pamphlet, including the present volume, are often accompanied by various maps of the period. Here, the pamphlet is accompanied by John Speed's "A New Description of Carolina," engraved by Francis Lamb for the 1676 edition of A Prospect of the most Famous Parts of the World. Based on the Lords Proprietors' Map, Speed's map reflects the political ambitions behind Charles II's land grant while also perpetuating geographical myths introduced by explorer John Lederer, including a vast interior lake and the so-called Arenosa Desert. Derived from John Ogilby's c.1673 map, it notably marks Charles Town on the Ashley River before its relocation in 1680. As both a product of exploration and colonial aspirations, Speed's map captures the evolving understanding of the Carolina region in the late 17th century and serves as both a document of territorial ambition and a reflection of the ever-evolving quest for geographical knowledge. Wilson's narrative painted Carolina as a land of opportunity, a place where even those facing economic challenges could improve their lives. He highlighted success stories of individuals who, through hard work and determination, had amassed wealth and were now living in abundance. In his text, Wilson celebrated the idea of personal advancement and prosperity, foreshadowing the ideals that would shape the nation in the centuries to come. The pamphlet also enticed potential emigrants with grand claims about Carolina's environment. Wilson praised the invigorating air of the colony, which, he believed, granted people improved health and vitality compared to England. As word spread about the prospects of life in Carolina, the campaign succeeded in attracting over 500 new settlers to the colony. While accounts like Wilson's might have embellished the benefits and downplayed the challenges, they played a crucial role in convincing people to embark on the journey of becoming colonists in the New World. Amidst the idyllic portrayal of opportunity, Wilson's pamphlet also held darker undertones that would significantly impact the colony's future. The economy of Carolina was largely based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cash crops such as rice, indigo, and tobacco. To meet the demand for labour, the colony heavily relied on the institution of slavery. Enslaved men and women played a pivotal role in Carolina's economic success. Wilson boasted of their ability to thrive in the colony's climate, requiring fewer clothes and, consequently, being a cost-effective investment for slaveholders. For those intrigued by Wilson's portrayal and seeking more information, the pamphlet provided practical advice. The cost of passage to Carolina was set at five pounds, and ships were available year-round. Additionally, interested parties could visit the Carolina Coffee House in London, where some of the Lords Proprietors or Wilson himself would be available every Tuesday at 11 o'clock to address questions and provide further encouragement.
Sabin 104685; ESTC R14637; Church 677; Cumming Southeast 70; European Americana 682/201; Howes W535 ("c"); JCB II:111; Streeter sale 1110; Vail 216; Wing W2932. [Speed map:] Burden 457; Cumming 77. (Inventory #: 42043)
(212) 744-3505
