<P> Further, he had never visited Bermuda, which had been separated from Virginia to be managed by the Somers Isles Company (formed in 1615 by the shareholders of the Virginia Company). His information on Bermuda may have come from the then Governor, Nathaniel Butler, who probably provided the drawing which was the basis of the engraving printed in the Historie, a map, and illustrations of important sites in that </P> <P> All 17th - century American writings were essentially in the manner of British writings, and both the content and form of the literature of this first century in America were markedly English . John Smith is credited with initiating American literature, and wrote in the tradition of geographic literature and written to explain colonizing opportunities to Englishmen . His numerous publications also offered practical advice on seamanship and colonization, and his literary achievements were probably more important to England's imperial aspirations than his travel ones . </P> <P> The Generall Historie was first printed by I.D and I.H. for Michael Sparkes in 1624 . Other editions followed in 1625, 1626, 1627, 1629, 1631, and 1632 . </P>

The general history of virginia john smith sparknotes