Discovering America Podcast

To celebrate the 250th year of our great country I have decided to read a speech given by Ronald Reagan on March 8th 1983 labeled the "Evil Empire Speech" and addressed to the National Evangelicals at Miller Center for Public Affairs of Virginia. This speech was given forty –three years ago. Its pretty heavy and having said that there is a documentary about the Reagan years which I highly suggest...

This next series covers the exploits of Rene Robert Cavelier or better known as Sieur de La Salle. A man with great ambition and fortitude willing to risk and endure so much to improve the holdings for France and of course to increase his own fortune. His explorations included the surrounding areas of the Great Lakes region, setting out from the established French town of Montreal. He wanted to un...

A letter was written by Henri Joutel to the publisher who in turn added Joutel's thoughts to his book as an introduction. He described the travels and exploits of Monsieur de la Salle, Indians in the great unknown and what la Salle and others experienced.

I tell of the travels of Jolliet and Marquette's travel to learn more about the mysteries of the great river, the Mississippi. Along their travels they met with many Indian tribes and shared food and religion.  But that wasn't all, no; Marquette had a personal mission…

This episode covers mostly the French events and individuals that were risking it all to find what lay beyond the territory already known to the west. You have the explorers / fur traders trying to find the quickest routes to market and to meet Indian tribes willing to supply the desired furs. But this is only one part, there are the different religious groups trying to spread their word of God to...

The adventures of James Needham and Gabriel Arthur in 1673 and 1674, for one, did not end so well. The other experienced what few ever did, following along with a native tribe through many parts of the settled and unsettled wilderness of early America.

A commission was given by Abraham Wood to Thomas Batts and Robert Fallam to explore the mountainous areas to the west. A short trek compared to others but still added knowledge and visited Indian villages along the way.

Setting off from Virginia territory to learn of what lay to the west, three expeditions in the same year, most of the episode is taken from his own words.  Enjoy.

An expedition setting off from Fort Henry in Virginia with Edward Bland, Abraham Wood, Sackford Brewster, Elias Pennant and an Appamattuck guide, Pyancha to explore lands to the southwest of Virginia.

Who is Abraham Wood? In this episode we describe his life accomplishments making his way up the ladder from indentured servant to a major land owner, military and governmental leader in early Virginia. There are many factors that he engaged in to promote the wilderness to the west. Those adventures will follow in other podcasts.

A request by a listener to go into detail about Jean Nicolet's wife, Gisis Kwen Anishnabek Bahmahmaadjimowin and their daughter Euphrosine Madeleine Nicolet, here is their story. (see episode 87 for a refresher)

I read a proclamation handed down from George Washington in October of 1789 to dedicate the day of November 26th to give thanks for the nation that had been created.

For my part in celebrating the Fourth of July, I am going to read to you a speech given by Patrick Henry to the Continental Congress on March 23, 1776 about the reasons to continue the fight against England's tyranny. Please enjoy.

Taking you through the years after 1711 until William Penn's family take over the Pennsylvania  proprietary.

Popple who was secretary to the plantation office in 1688, wrote to Penn on varies topics and about the attacks that were being made against him. Penn responded as one would expect with principle and laid out a defense and proof on allegations of character and religious persuasion.

Pep talk, more of a scolding, William Penn was disappointed on the behavior of the colonists and the financial burden was taking its toll. Here is a letter to give them a sort of wake up call. Do your part and enjoy the freedom you have to make a life for yourself.

Recounting Pennsylvania during the years 1702 through 1710 pertaining to meetings between the different Governors and the House and the assembly, there were individuals on both sides of the isle trying to set up an acceptable government with guidelines from England and William Penn, a definite learning curve. And the cost to the William Penn's estate was not growing as planned.

This episode is a continuation of the historical encounters and events of William Penn residing either in England or Philadelphia, trying to set up and maintain the territory of Pennsylvania and the lower counties between 1684 and 1701.

Individuals were starting a new life across the ocean and with that were able to purchase land. This land also had some strings attached. The crown had amount that was due for lands sold to the Proprietors, such as William Penn. The new comers had to purchase and pay a yearly fee upon what land was obtained, they experienced the old feudal system of "Quit-Rent." This episode covers this system in...

I read the United States Constitution in Celebration of July 4th 2023.

I read an excerpt of William Penn's frame of government for Pennsylvania.

It was time to let people know just what they had invested in, you know, keep them happy, so the monies would continue to flow to his venture. Penn offered to the first 100 investors an additional 5000 acres. Whoa what a deal. Is there a road to the property? Most likely not, so starts the hard work of making your own estate. Although, something you probably couldn't accomplish in your mother coun...

A treatise written by Andrew Sowle in 1684 describing the why a person should make their way to the land of Pennsylvania.

This is a letter written in 1681 by William Penn to the Indians to express his intentions of peace and prosperity between the colonists and the Indians.

William Penn with patient in hand from Charles II begins to set up his form of government for Pennsylvania and the lower counties. Are the boundaries really set, yea riiiight that will come later? People pour into this land with opportunity abound, for those willing to work hard. Who sails to see this land, WP himself?