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The article discusses the history and significance of the English colony of Jamestown, Virginia. According to the author, the English colonial domination of North America was not inevitable and may not have been achieved had Jamestown been abandoned. It is suggested that their experiences at Jamestown taught English settlers and authorities the importance of stable political and social institutions and the cultivation of lucrative commodities. Details related to a previous settlement on Roanoke Island and to English settlers' relationships with Indian peoples are presented. Other topics include slavery, representative government, and tobacco plantations.