The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles Preface
by John Smith
A Preface of foure Poynts.
I. THis plaine History humbly sheweth the truth; that our most royall King Iames hath place and opportunitie to inlarge his ancient Dominions without wronging any; (which is a condition most agreeable to his most iust & pious resolutions,) and the Prince his Highness may
see where to plant new Colonies. The gaining Prouinces addeth to the
Kings Crown: but the reducing Heathen people to ciuilitie and true
Religion, bringeth honour to the King of Heauen. If his Princely
wisedome and powerfull hand, renowned through the world for admirable
government, please but to set these new Estates into order; their
composure will be singular: the counsell of divers is confused; the
generall Stocke is consumed; nothing but the touch of the Kings sacred
hand can erect a Monarchy.
II. Most noble Lords and worthy Gentlemen, it is your Honors that
haue imployed great paines and large expence in laying the foundation
of this State, wherein much hath beene buried vnder ground, yet some
thing hath sprung vp, and giuen you a taste of your adventures. Let no
difficulties alter your noble intentions. The action is an honour to
your Country and the issue may well reimburse you your summes expended.
Our practices haue hitherto beene but assayes, and are still to be
amended. Let your bountie supply the necessities of weake beginnings,
and your excellent iudgements rectifie the proceedings; the returne
cannot choose in the end but bring you good Commodities, and good
contentments, by your aduancing shipping and fishing so vsefull vnto
our Nation.
III. Yee
valiant and generous spirits, personall possessors of these new-found
Territories, banish from among you Cowardise, covetousnes, iealousies,
and idlenes, enemies to the raising your honours and fortunes; vertue,
industry, and amitie, will make you good and great, and your merits
liue to ensuing Ages. You that in contempt of necessities, hazard your
liues and estates, imploying your studies & labours in these faire
endevours, liue and prosper as I desire my soule should prosper.
IIII. For my
selfe let emulation and enuie cease, I ever intended my actions should
be vpright: now my care hath beene that my Relations should giue every
man they concerne, their due. But had I not discovered and liued in the
most of those parts, I could not possibly haue collected the
substantiall truth from such a number of variable Relations, that would
haue made a Volume at least of a thousand sheets. Though the beginning
may seeme harsh in regard of the Antiquities, breuitie, and names; a
pleasanter Discourse ensues. The stile of a Souldier is not eloquent,
but honest and iustifiable; so I desire all my friends and well-wishers
to excuse and accept it, and if any be so noble as to respect it, he
that brought New England to light, though long since brought in obscuritie, he is againe to be found a true servant to all good designes.
