The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 13

This transcription preserves the original 17th‑century spelling and printing quirks, giving listeners a genuine sense of how early English explorers recorded their journeys. Marginal notes and footnotes are kept intact, offering a window into the scholarly habits of the era. The volume presents Sir George Peckham’s detailed account of recent discoveries and the debates surrounding contact with distant peoples.

Peckham argues that trade and the spread of Christianity are both lawful and necessary, framing his case in the language of natural law and the “Law of Nations.” He describes the practical and moral considerations of establishing peaceful relations, defending the right of Christians to travel, settle, and exchange goods with those he calls “Sauages.” The narrative captures the early mindset that combined commercial ambition with a missionary impulse, revealing the complexities of England’s first overseas ventures.