Natalie's Joint

JOURNEY TO PENNSYLVANIA

When Gottlieb Mittelberger wrote this article his intent was to make Pennsylvania seem like Utopia. He starts off talking about the religious freedom and how "...in Pennsylvania not only is everyone allowed to believe what he wishes; he is also at liberty to express these beliefs publicly and freely." He also mentions all of the religions that currently occupy Pennsylvania but says how the "Evangelicals and the Reformed constitute the majority." He goes on to say how Pennsylvania is so free that even the people's property is exempt from "interference or taxation".

Mittelberger then talks about how you don't need to specifically know a trade to "constitute into a guild". He says how most people only have to look something over a couple times "before being able to imitate it perfectly". He says that people born in America are "easily taught, clever, and skillful".

He mentions how Pennsylvania is also a healthy province. There's good soil, air, water, a lot of mountains and a lot of flat land. He adds how the land is very fertile and how "all kinds of grains flourish".

One of the last things he adds is how lots of churches have been built. Normally getting to church would take up to hours but "everyone, men and women, ride to church on horseback, even though they could walk to distance in half and hour".

Mittelberger wrote this in an attempt to attract people to Pennsylvania. Personally I think he did a great job of bringing out all the good characteristics of Pennsylvania. Clearly one of the main aspects that would draw people to Pennsylvania was the idea of religious freedom and he made sure he spoke a lot on that. This was a big deal to people back then so of course he was going to talk about it, and even better he mentioned it first.

I think what he tried to do was make Pennsylvania seem unique and different that way it would appeal to a large majority of people. I feel like people will read this and be a little suspicious of some things, but for the most part Mittelberger isn't lying so they won't be that disappointed when coming to America.