Hi Vincent, I think Dampier's account sounds really interesting, and it's great that you've managed to situate it in a larger Dutch-French conflict of values in Great Britain. You mentioned at the beginning that Dampier also served under the French flag, and I'd be interested in seeing how that fits in with your larger thesis. Do you see him as being more of a product of the older pro-French policies? Or was his alliance with France indicative of the sort of mercantilist pragmatism that William was advocating in his pro-Dutch policies?
Hi- You certainly open up a lot of questions here, which is great because it leaves the stage open for a lot of narrowing and re-focusing in your first draft. At the beginning of your prospectus, it seemed this would be your thesis: "... I will want to consider the political environment of the late 17th century as the conditions for the possibility of the production of the text. Furthermore, certain facts about Dampier's relationship and interaction with the British state will be necessary to take into account for a full and meaningful picture of his voyages. Finally, I will try (with my limited knowledge/time) to consider Dampier's accounts as belonging to a certain genre of writing-- the British travel account." But later, it seemed to change to "Or, in what ways can primary sources demonstrate a relationship between Dampier's life and English state history?" You have a lot of questions and preliminary answers, and I'm sure that with a couple of weeks pouring over Dampier you'll be able to re-format your thesis into something more concrete. I think at this point you should focus on analyzing the primary source, then returning to your multiple of questions to answer and amass them into a main focus.
It's really interesting to me how the concept of law was understood at the time period and how this affected the relationship between Dampier and the state. Also, I wonder if the Whig ideal of liberty had any influence on the debate about law on the seas? I don't know if that's very helpful. In light of other readings for this class (such as the idea of naming and possession), I also think your idea of the power of information is extremely interesting. I think you are right in that exploring more sources, primary or secondary, that reveal Dampier's specific instructions (or in any way help elucidate his function/relationship with the state) would really help tighten up your argument. Really interesting topic!
Hi Vincent, The contrast you suggest between Drake and Dampier - that Drake's reasons for travel reflected a more dog-eat-dog world in which advancing English interests meant proclaiming England's glory and succeeding in battle whereas Dampier's reasons were mainly based in collecting information that would benefit England domestically - is really interesting (sorry for that long account!). Asking what role the Glorious Revolution played in Dampier's attitude/mission sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure if this seems right to me, but maybe it connects to ideas Cameron was presenting in her paper when she was contrasting the degree to which Americans listened to their leading revolutionaries and the degree to which Russians listened to Catherine the Great when both populations were told to get smallpox inoculations? Maybe it's the case that the Glorious Revolution had an effect on how the English felt about the central source of power in their country and, accordingly, the degree to which journeys were about adding to their country's glory through military successes? But only maybe... :-)
I like how you said that you were going to consider the political context of England in the late 17th century as well as Dampier's own writings to provide you with more background knowledge. It is important to consider how life around him affects his personal point of view. However, as you pointed out, if you are trying to explore Dampier's relation with the state, you really do need to find "official communication between Dampier and the English state". Finding the instructions or guidelines for Dampier as he explore New Holland would be important. Also, I wonder what impact the three Anglo-Dutch wars had on British psyche? What about the "Amboyna massacre" where the Dutch slaughtered the British settlers forcing them out in 1623? Did this influence James II's foreign policy at all?
I am just curious if you have looked in other secondary sources on Dampiers travels. They might give you some insight on the relation between government and Dampier, or connect to more sources that indicate that. Furthermore it might lead you to find a unique perspective in relating Dampier to 17th century politics in England. I really like your overall idea though!
I found it interesting that Dampier could have switched sides so many times. I guess it's up to you to figure out whether this was out of personal conviction or political maneuvering. Also, when he performed his services for the Royal Society, was this an early form of patriotism or just an act of self-interest (getting something in return)?
Hi Vincent,
ReplyDeleteI think Dampier's account sounds really interesting, and it's great that you've managed to situate it in a larger Dutch-French conflict of values in Great Britain. You mentioned at the beginning that Dampier also served under the French flag, and I'd be interested in seeing how that fits in with your larger thesis. Do you see him as being more of a product of the older pro-French policies? Or was his alliance with France indicative of the sort of mercantilist pragmatism that William was advocating in his pro-Dutch policies?
Hi-
ReplyDeleteYou certainly open up a lot of questions here, which is great because it leaves the stage open for a lot of narrowing and re-focusing in your first draft. At the beginning of your prospectus, it seemed this would be your thesis: "... I will want to consider the political environment of the late 17th century as the conditions for the possibility of the production of the text. Furthermore, certain facts about Dampier's relationship and interaction with the British state will be necessary to take into account for a full and meaningful picture of his voyages. Finally, I will try (with my limited knowledge/time) to consider Dampier's accounts as belonging to a certain genre of writing-- the British travel account." But later, it seemed to change to "Or, in what ways can primary sources demonstrate a relationship between Dampier's life and English state history?" You have a lot of questions and preliminary answers, and I'm sure that with a couple of weeks pouring over Dampier you'll be able to re-format your thesis into something more concrete. I think at this point you should focus on analyzing the primary source, then returning to your multiple of questions to answer and amass them into a main focus.
Hi Vincent,
ReplyDeleteIt's really interesting to me how the concept of law was understood at the time period and how this affected the relationship between Dampier and the state. Also, I wonder if the Whig ideal of liberty had any influence on the debate about law on the seas? I don't know if that's very helpful. In light of other readings for this class (such as the idea of naming and possession), I also think your idea of the power of information is extremely interesting. I think you are right in that exploring more sources, primary or secondary, that reveal Dampier's specific instructions (or in any way help elucidate his function/relationship with the state) would really help tighten up your argument. Really interesting topic!
Hi Vincent,
ReplyDeleteThe contrast you suggest between Drake and Dampier - that Drake's reasons for travel reflected a more dog-eat-dog world in which advancing English interests meant proclaiming England's glory and succeeding in battle whereas Dampier's reasons were mainly based in collecting information that would benefit England domestically - is really interesting (sorry for that long account!). Asking what role the Glorious Revolution played in Dampier's attitude/mission sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure if this seems right to me, but maybe it connects to ideas Cameron was presenting in her paper when she was contrasting the degree to which Americans listened to their leading revolutionaries and the degree to which Russians listened to Catherine the Great when both populations were told to get smallpox inoculations? Maybe it's the case that the Glorious Revolution had an effect on how the English felt about the central source of power in their country and, accordingly, the degree to which journeys were about adding to their country's glory through military successes? But only maybe... :-)
Hi Vincent,
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that you were going to consider the political context of England in the late 17th century as well as Dampier's own writings to provide you with more background knowledge. It is important to consider how life around him affects his personal point of view.
However, as you pointed out, if you are trying to explore Dampier's relation with the state, you really do need to find "official communication between Dampier and the English state". Finding the instructions or guidelines for Dampier as he explore New Holland would be important. Also, I wonder what impact the three Anglo-Dutch wars had on British psyche? What about the "Amboyna massacre" where the Dutch slaughtered the British settlers forcing them out in 1623? Did this influence James II's foreign policy at all?
I am just curious if you have looked in other secondary sources on Dampiers travels. They might give you some insight on the relation between government and Dampier, or connect to more sources that indicate that. Furthermore it might lead you to find a unique perspective in relating Dampier to 17th century politics in England. I really like your overall idea though!
ReplyDeleteMackenzie
I found it interesting that Dampier could have switched sides so many times. I guess it's up to you to figure out whether this was out of personal conviction or political maneuvering. Also, when he performed his services for the Royal Society, was this an early form of patriotism or just an act of self-interest (getting something in return)?
ReplyDelete