The Inhabitants of California in their respective Dresses.

Title

The Inhabitants of California in their respective Dresses.

Description

Decorative representaion of California natives, fishing and hunting. From Harris's, Navigantium atque itinerantium bibliotheca or, a Complete Collection of Voyages and Travel.

ca. 1744

Artist

Harris (1667-1719)

HARRIS, JOHN, D.D. (1667?–1719), scientific writer, divine, and topographer. At an early age his studies had taken a scientific turn, and in 1696 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. About 1698 he began to read free public lectures on mathematics at the Marine Coffee House in Birchin Lane. These lectures had been instituted ‘for the public good’ by Mr. Cox (afterwards Sir Charles), M.P. Harris was still engaged in delivering those lectures in 1702 and 1704; and in the former year he also taught all kinds of mathematics at his house in Amen Corner, ‘where any person might be either boarded or taught by the month.’ In 1706, and perhaps earlier, he was a member of the council of the Royal Society. He is supposed also to have been for a short time a vice-president of the society. He was employed by the London booksellers to compile a ‘Collection of Voyages and Travels,’ which was afterwards improved by Dr. John Campbell. The President, Council and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge,commonly known as the Royal Society, is a learned society. Founded on 28 November 1660, it was granted a royal charter by King Charles II as "The Royal Society".It is the oldest national scientific institution in the world.The society is the United Kingdom's and Commonwealth of Nations' Academy of Sciences and fulfils a number of roles: promoting science and its benefits, recognising excellence in science, supporting outstanding science, providing scientific advice for policy, fostering international and global co-operation, education and public engagement. The society is governed by its Council, which is chaired by the Society's President, according to a set of statutes and standing orders. The members of Council and the President are elected from and by its Fellows, the basic members of the society, who are themselves elected by existing Fellows.

Historical Description

The discovery of America means the first sighting of the American continent by seafarers. Before Columbus' arrival in 1492, North America may have had more inhabitants than Europe at that time. In 1497 the Genoese John Cabot (actually: Giovanni Caboto) became the first European since the Vikings to set foot on North American soil. However, permanent branches were not established for the time being. St. Augustine in Florida, founded in 1565 by the Spanish, is considered the first city on mainland North America, and is also the oldest city in the USA.Four states stood out in the European conquest of North America, each of which made it easier to take possession: England was under pressure to emigrate, also based on religion, and was thus able to represent the largest group in terms of numbers. France had special skills in dealing with the indigenous peoples, which later led to the only mixed ethnic group, the Métis, and the Netherlands had the financial means to establish colonies in North America. Spain had enormous military potential due to the combat experience. In 1604 the King of England Jacob I divided his North American colonies as follows: The area from the 1st to the 41st degree of latitude is said to be populated by the Virginia Company of London, the area from the 41st to the 45th degree the Plymouth Company. 1607 is considered the year of foundation of the first permanent colony of English settlers on the east coast of America. There was a collision between three cultures: Native Americans, white settlers and slaves from Africa. This year the first settlers from England landed in Jamestown, followed in 1620 by the (better known) pilgrims with the Mayflower in what is now the US state of Massachusetts. These could find shelter directly in the abandoned Indian settlements. The coastal Indians were now ready to cooperate and had Plymouth established the English gateway to North America.