http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/newyorkmiller.pdf

I chose the account of the English reverend John Miller, writing a report to the Bishop of London about the New York colonies in 1695. Unlike other accounts which describe the newly settled America in a positive way, often commenting on the space and abundance of resources, Miller lodges several complaints on the negative aspects of the colonies, specifically regarding moral character.

"so soon as the bounty of God has furnished them with a plentiful crop, to turn what they can as soon as may be into money, & that money into drink. at the Same time when their family at home have nothing but rags to protect their bodies from the Winter’s cold"

In this, he alludes as is common for most reports to the abundance of agricultural produce, but he also gives an insight into how this didn't extend into other things, as even though there are crops, the family is dressed in rags. This shows that things weren't as good as they seemed on the surface and that hardships were being faced. Perhaps the inclination to buy drink that he noticed points further to hardships, with men spending money on alcohol in an effort to cover up the problems they were having. It also suggests that the colonies were not a  good place for families to be at that time, perhaps more suited to single men.

"Or Secondly if there be any Ministers they are Such as only call themselves so & are but pretended Ministers. Many or them have no orders at all [i.e., have not been ordained] but set up for themselves of their own head & Authority or if they have orders are Presbyterians, Independents &c"
Although this may have seemed like a negative thing to Miller, it in fact shows the new way of living that settlers were adopting. A lot of people moved to get away from strict religion and start their own, so the fact that many people had set up as ministers for themselves shows the diversity and news ways of thinking that was emerging in the colonies.

It should, however, also be considered that in his criticisms Miller may have been making things appear much worse than they were for his own reasons. As he was writing to a bishop, he may have been wanting to impress him with his 'Godliness' by noticing all these sins and wrongs. He may even have been angling to get himself appointed as a minister in America, wanting to  be there himself.

"natural Indians who here in the very heart of a Christian country practice their barbarous & devilish customs"
I think this sums up the nature of the settler's attitudes towards the Native Americans. The settlers immediately saw America as their own land, not even considering the ownership rights of the indigenous people. Miller refers to the colonies as "the very heart of a Christian country", showing the assumption of total ownership by the settlers. In this section, he is considering that the Native Americans should be converted to Christianity. This shows a worrying desire to 'tame' and 'control' the indigenous people, rather than working with them and accepting their differences.

"this is the method which I promised to lay down as proper for the Subduing & resettlement of Canada"
I found this interesting in relation to discussions we had about how contemporary Canadians worry about their individual culture being consumed by America. This letter shows how as far back as the 1690s, America (or rather, British immigrants to America), were seeking to populate Canada and make it more a part of America. Miller is talking about subduing the French in Canada, but it still shows the beginnings of a concern that is still relevant today.