Transcript for the Piece Audio version of The 'Discovery' of North America

(Native Music Bed in)

Host: When early European settlers first arrived and planted their crosses on the beaches of North America, they weren't just thanking God for a safe voyage across the sea. They were claiming the land based on a long established international legal principle called the "Doctrine of Discovery." It provided that by law and divine intention European Christian countries gained power and legal rights over non-Christian natives immediately upon their "discovery" by Europeans. Thomas Jefferson used Discovery principles in the Lewis & Clark expedition with the goal of securing America's claim to the Pacific Northwest. I'm Sarah McConnell and this is With Good Reason.

Later on today’s show, there is a new online encyclopedia about all things Virginia.

Clip: Matthew Gibson

But first, When the British planted a cross and their flag on territory previously unclaimed by European nations, they were invoking the Doctrine of Discovery that dates as far back as the time of the Crusades. Robert Miller is a Shawnee Indian, a law professor and the author of a new book about the Doctrine of Discovery called: "Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny." Robert Miller is my first guest today along with Karenne Wood, who is a Monican Indian and the director of the Virginia Indian Heritage Program.

Interview: Robert Miller and Karenne Wood

Karenne Wood is the director of the Virginia Indian Heritage program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Robert Miller is the author of "Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny."

Music: Red Road Ensemble

Coming up next, Encyclopedia Virginia.

The digital revolution has made those 23-volume sets of encyclopedias relics of another age. Online encyclopedias have the ability to be searchable, contain hyperlinks and stream media. Encyclopedia Virginia is a new authoritative online resource that explores the people, places, and history of the Commonwealth. Matthew Gibson is managing editor of Encyclopedia Virginia and John Kneebone is a professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University and a section editor at the encyclopedia. They say the Encyclopedia Virginia is a platform for discovering and learning about all things Virginia.

Interview: Matt Gibson and John Kneebone

John Kneebone is a professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University. Matthew Gibson is managing editor of Encyclopedia Virginia.

[Music: Bruce Hornsby]

We leave you with a new recording by one of the Virginia musicians who will soon be an entry in the on line encyclopedia of Virginia, Bruce Hornsby. This is his version of the Lovin Spoonful’s 1966 hit "Darling Be Home Soon" taken from the just released CD "The Village: a celebration of the music of Greenwhich Village."

You’re listening to With Good Reason. Elliot Majerczyk and Jesse Dukes are our associate producers. Andrew Wyndham is our executive producer. Nancy King creates our feature capsules. Jeannie Palin handles listener services and Lydia Wilson is our publicity coordinator. We had help this week from Steve Clark of WCVE. With Good Reason is produced by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. For a free copy of this show on CD, call 877-451-5098. I'm Sarah McConnell, Thanks for listening.