John Smith,in the autumn of 1609, returned to England from Virginia, to answer charges against his administration, and thereafter he had no official connection with that colony. Two years later he was sent to New England by some London merchants who had engaged in a trading and fishing venture. While his companions were occupied with the business of securing a return cargo, Smith made an exploring trip along the coast. His observations, supplemented by charts and information secured from other navigators, enabled him to prepare the first published map which gives an accurate contour of the coast. In 1615 Smith made two unsuccessful attempts to revisit New England, and in 1617 he again planned to take part in an expedition which never left port. His “Description of New-England,” printed in 1616, was followed in 1620 by his “New-Englands Trials,” which contains a brief summary of the voyages and attempts at colonization northward of Virginia.
John Smith,in the autumn of 1609, returned to England from Virginia, to answer charges against his administration, and thereafter he had no official connection with that colony. Two years later he was sent to New England by some London merchants who had engaged in a trading and fishing venture. While his companions were occupied with the business of securing a return cargo, Smith made an exploring trip along the coast. His observations, supplemented by charts and information secured from other navigators, enabled him to prepare the first published map which gives an accurate contour of the coast. In 1615 Smith made two unsuccessful attempts to revisit New England, and in 1617 he again planned to take part in an expedition which never left port. His “Description of New-England,” printed in 1616, was followed in 1620 by his “New-Englands Trials,” which contains a brief summary of the voyages and attempts at colonization northward of Virginia.