In 1587 the English scientist Thomas Harriot composed a small book that was widely read throughout Europe. Written in the flowing style of the day, A Briefe and True Report of the Newe Found Lands of Virginia is today considered an unparalleled eyewitness account of coastal North Carolina and Virginia. However, Harriot's intention in publishing this book was not simply to describe the parts of North America he had visited. One of his main goals was to interest other Englishmen in colonizing the New World. His book and others like it were instrumental in helping to spread the word about the New World. They helped many individuals to decide to take the monumental step of signing up for a voyage to the New World.

Taking the First Step Takes Money

Many of the first European settlers were gentlemen. These young men—from England, Spain...