SOAPTONE Indians Should be Conquered and Exterminated

SOAPTONE Journals of Columbus

Source  

Who wrote the document?  

Edward Waterhouse

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

Edward Waterhouse was the secretary to the Virginia Company, the joint stock company that funded Jamestown, he was trying to come up with an excuse as to why the colony was making no money.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is
missing?  

The Natives.

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

No, because he, Edward, was bias. He was greedy and looking for riches therefore he exaggerated the severity of what he found, and withheld the cruelties of the English towards the Natives.  

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

1622

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

It was 15 years after the founding of Jamestown.

What other historical events were going on during this time? 

Chief Powhatan died.

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

This author is writing to his investors. 

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

Public speech

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content
(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?  

The publicness of this speech makes you realize that the author is trying to persuade his audience that the Native are horrible people; this shows his bias. 

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

The document was written to assure The Virginia Company's investors that the Natives have been the reason for no profit and that once they are taken out money will soon begin to flow into their pockets. 

What is the document saying?

The document is asking for patience from the investors. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The attitude of the speaker is condemning towards the Natives.