TO MAKE PLAINE THE TRVE PROCEEdings of the Historie for 1609. we must follow the examinations of Doctor Simons, and two learned Orations published by the Companie; with the relation of the Right Honourable the Lord De laWare.
What happened in the first gouernment after the alteration in the time of Captaine George Piercie their Gouernour.
The planting Point Comfort.
1609.
THE day before Captaine Smith returned for England with the ships, Captaine Dauis arriued in a small Pinace, with some sixteene proper men more: To these were added a company from Iames towne, vnder the command of Captaine Iohn Sickelmore alias Ratliffe, to inhabit Point Comfort. Captaine Martin and Captaine West, hauing lost their boats and neere halfe their men among the Saluages, were returned to Iames towne; for the Saluages no sooner vnderstood Smith
was gone, but they all reuolted, and did spoile and murther all they
incountered. Now wee were all constrained to liue onely on that Smith
had onely for his owne Companie, for the rest had consumed their
proportions, and now they had twentie Presidents with all their
appurtenances: Master Piercie our new President, was so sicke hee could neither goe nor stand. But ere all was consumed, Captaine West and Captaine Sickelmore, each with a small ship and thirtie or fortie men well appointed, sought abroad to trade. Sickelmore vpon the confidence of Powhatan, with about thirtie others as carelesse as himselfe, were all slaine, onely Ieffrey Shortridge escaped, and Pokahontas the Kings daughter saued a boy called Henry Spilman, that liued many yeeres after, by her meanes, amongst the Patawomekes. Powhatan still as he found meanes, cut off their Boats, denied them trade, so that Captaine West set saile for England. Now we all found the losse of Captaine Smith,
yea his greatest maligners could now curse his losse: as for corne,
prouision and contribution from the Saluages, we had nothing but
mortall wounds, with clubs and arrowes; as for our Hogs, Hens, Goats,
Sheepe, Horse, or what liued, our commanders, officers & Saluages
daily consumed them, some small proportions sometimes we tasted, till
all was deuoured; then swords, armes, pieces, or any thing, wee traded
with the Saluages, whose cruell fingers were so oft imbrewed in our
blouds, that what by their crueltie, our Gouernours indiscretion, and
the losse of our ships, of fiue hundred within six moneths after
Captaine Smiths departure, there remained
not past sixtie men, women and children, most miserable and poore
creatures; and those were preserued for the most part, by roots,
herbes, acornes, walnuts, berries, now and then a little fish: they
that had startch in these extremities, made no small vse of it; yea,
euen the very skinnes of our horses. Nay, so great was our famine, that
a Saluage we slew, and buried, the poorer sort tooke him vp againe and
eat him, and so did diuers
one another boyled and stewed
with roots and herbs: And one amongst the rest did kill his wife,
powdered her, and had eaten part of her before it was knowne, for which
hee was executed, as hee well deserued; now whether shee was better
roasted, boyled or carbonado'd, I know not, but of such a dish as
powdered wife I neuer heard of. This was that time, which still to this
day we called the staruing time; it were too vile to say, and scarce to
be beleeued, what we endured: but the occasion was our owne, for want
of prouidence, industrie and gouernment, and not the barrennesse and
defect of the Countrie, as is generally supposed; for till then in
three yeeres, for the numbers were landed vs, we had neuer from England
prouision sufficient for six moneths, though it seemed by the bils of
loading sufficient was sent vs, such a glutton is the Sea, and such
good fellowes the Mariners; we as little tasted of the great proportion
sent vs, as they of our want and miseries, yet notwithstanding they
euer ouer-swayed and ruled the businesse, though we endured all that is
said, and chiefly liued on what this good Countrie naturally afforded;
yet had wee beene euen in Paradice it selfe with these Gouernours, it
would not haue beene much better with vs; yet there was amongst vs, who
had they had the gouernment as Captaine Smith
appointed, but that they could not maintaine it, would surely haue kept
vs from those extremities of miseries. This in ten daies more, would
haue supplanted vs all with death.
The arriuall of Sir Thomas Gates.
But God that would not this Countrie should be vnplanted, sent Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Sommers with one hundred and fiftie people most happily preserued by the Bermudas
to preserue vs: strange it is to say how miraculously they were
preserued in a leaking ship, as at large you may reade in the insuing
Historie of those Ilands.
The gouernment resigned to Sir Thomas Gates, 1610.
1610.
Iames towne abandoned.
WHen these two Noble
Knights did see our miseries, being but strangers in that Countrie, and
could vnderstand no more of the cause, but by coniecture of our
clamours and complaints, of accusing and excusing one another: They
embarked vs with themselues, with the best meanes they could, and
abandoning Iames towne, set saile for England,
whereby you may see the euent of the gouernment of the former
Commanders left to themselues; although they had liued there many
yeeres as formerly hath beene spoken (who hindred now their
proceedings, Captaine Smith being gone.)
At noone they fell to the Ile of Hogs, and the next morning to Mulbery point, at what time they descried the Long-boat of the Lord laWare,
for God would not haue it so abandoned. For this honourable Lord, then
Gouernour of the Countrie, met them with three ships exceedingly well
furnished with all necessaries fitting, who againe returned them to the
abandoned Iames towne. Out of the obseruations of William Simmons Doctor of Diuinitie.
The gouernment deuolued to the Lord la Ware.
The arriuall of the Lord la Ware.
HIs Lordship arriued the ninth of Iune 1610. accompanied with Sir Ferdinando Waynman, Captaine Houlcroft, Captaine Lawson,
and diuers other Gentlemen of sort; the tenth he came vp with his
fleet, went on shore, heard a Sermon, read his Commission, and entred
into consultation for the good of the Colonie, in which secret counsell
we will a little leaue them, that we may duly obserue the reuealed
counsell of God. Hee that shall but turne vp his eie, and behold the
spangled canopie of heauen, or shall but cast downe his eie, and
consider the embroydered carpet of the earth, and withall shall marke
how the heauens heare the earth, and the earth the Corne and Oile, and
they relieue the necessities of man, that man will acknowledge Gods
infinite
prouidence: But hee that shall
further obserue, how God inclineth all casuall euents to worke the
necessary helpe of his Saints, must needs adore the Lords infinite
goodnesse; neuer had any people more iust cause, to cast themselues at
the very foot-stoole of God, and to reuerence his mercie, than this
distressed Colonie; for if God had not sent Sir Thomas Gates from the Bermudas,
within foure daies they had almost beene famished; if God had not
directed the heart of that noble Knight to saue the Fort from fiering
at their shipping, for many were very importunate to haue burnt it,
they had beene destitute of a present harbour and succour; if they had
abandoned the Fort any longer time, and had not so soone returned,
questionlesse the Indians would haue destroied the Fort, which had
beene the meanes of our safeties amongst them and a terror. If they had
set saile sooner, and had lanched into the vast Ocean, who would haue
promised they should haue incountered the Fleet of the Lord la Ware, especially when they made for New found land, as they intended, a course contrarie to our Nauie approaching. If the Lord la Ware
had not brought with him a yeeres prouision, what comfort would those
poore soules haue receiued, to haue beene relanded to a second
distruction? This was the arme of the Lord of Hosts, who would haue his
people passe the red Sea and Wildernesse, and then to possesse the land
of Canaan: It was diuinely spoken of Heathen Socrates,
If God for man be carefull, why should man bee ouer-distrustfull? for
he hath so tempered the contrary qualities of the Elements,
That neither cold things want heat, nor moist things dry,
Nor sad things spirits, to quicken them thereby,
Yet make they musicall content of contrarietie,
Which conquer'd, knits them in such links together,
They doe produce euen all this whatsoeuer.
Sir George Sommers returne to the Bermudas.
The Lord Gouernour,
after mature deliberation, deliuered some few words to the Companie,
laying iust blame vpon them, for their haughtie vanities and sluggish
idlenesse, earnestly intreating them to amend those desperate follies,
lest hee should be compelled to draw the sword of Iustice, and to cut
off such delinquents, which he had rather draw, to the shedding of his
vitall bloud, to protect them from iniuries; heartning them with
relation of that store hee had brought with him, constituting officers
of all conditions, to rule ouer them, allotting euery man his
particular place, to watch vigilantly, and worke painfully: This
Oration and direction being receiued with a generall applause, you
might shortly behold the idle and restie diseases of a diuided
multitude, by the vnitie and authoritie of this gouernment to be
substantially cured. Those that knew not the way to goodnesse before,
but cherished singularitie and faction, can now chalke out the path of
all respectiue dutie and seruice: euery man endeuoureth to outstrip
other in diligence: the French preparing to plant the Vines, the English
labouring in the Woods and grounds; euery man knoweth his charge, and
dischargeth the same with alacritie. Neither let any man be
discouraged, by the relation of their daily labour (as though the sap
of their bodies should bee spent for other mens profit) the setled
times of working, to effect all themselues, or as the Aduenturers need
desire, required no more paines than from six of the clocke in the
morning, vntill ten, and from two in the afternoone, till foure, at
both which times they are prouided of spirituall and corporall reliefe.
First, they enter into the Church, and make their praiers vnto God,
next they returne
to their houses and receiue their proportion of food. Nor should it bee
conceiued that this businesse excludeth Gentlemen, whose breeding neuer
knew what a daies labour meant, for though they cannot digge, vse the
Spade, nor practice the Axe, yet may the staied spirits of any
condition, finde how to imploy the force of knowledge, the exercise of
counsell, the operation and power of their best breeding and qualities.
The houses which are built, are as warme and defensiue against wind and
weather, as if they were tiled
and slated, being couered aboue with strong boards, and some matted
round with Indian mats. Our forces are now such as are able to tame the
furie and trecherie of the Saluages: Our Forts assure the Inhabitants,
and frustrate all assaylants. And to leaue no discouragement in the
heart of any, who personally shall enter into this great action, I will
communicate a double comfort; first, Sir George Sommers, that worthy Admirall hath vndertaken a dangerous aduenture for the good of the Colonie.
Vpon the 15. of Iune, accompanied with Captaine Samuel Argall, hee returned in two Pinaces vnto the Bermudas,
promising (if by any meanes God will open a way to that Iland of Rocks)
that he would soone returne with six moneths prouision of flesh; with
much crosse weather at last hee there safely arriued, but Captaine Argall was forced backe againe to Iames towne, whom the Lord De la Ware not long after sent to the Riuer of Patawomeke, to trade for Corne; where finding an English boy, one Henry Spilman, a young Gentleman well descended, by those people preserued from the furie of Powhatan,
by his acquaintance had such good vsage of those kinde Saluages, that
they fraughted his ship with Corne, wherewith he returned to Iames towne.
The building Fort Henry and Fort Charles.
The other comfort is, that the Lord la Ware hath built two new Forts, the one called Fort Henry, the other Fort Charles, in honour of our most noble Prince, and his hopefull brother, vpon a pleasant plaine, and neare a little Riuilet they call Southampton
Riuer; they stand in a wholsome aire, hauing plentie of Springs of
sweet water, they command a great circuit of ground, containing Wood,
Pasture and Marsh, with apt places for Vines, Corne and Gardens; in
which Forts it is resolued, that all those that come out of England,
shall be at their first landing quartered, that the wearisomnesse of
the Sea, may bee refreshed in this pleasing part of the Countrie, and
Sir Thomas Gates hee sent for England. But to correct some iniuries of the Paspahegs, he sent Captaine Pearcie, Master Stacy,
and fiftie or three score shot, where the Saluages flying, they burnt
their houses, tooke the Queene and her children prisoners, whom not
long after they slew.
The fertilitie of
the soile, the temperature of the climate, the forme of gouernment, the
condition of our people, their daily inuocating of the Name of God
being thus expressed; why should the successe, by the rules of mortall
iudgement, bee disparaged? why should not the rich haruest of our hopes
be seasonably expected? I dare say, that the resolution of Cæsar in France, the designes of Alexander, the discoueries of Hernando Cortes in the West, and of Emanuel King of Portugal in the East, were not encouraged vpon so firme grounds of state and possibilitie.
But his Lordship
being at the sales, the Saluages assaulted his troopes and slew three
or foure of his men. Not long after, his Honour growing very sicke, he
returned for England the 28. of March; in the ship were about fiue and fiftie men, but ere we arriued at Fyall, fortie of vs were neare sicke to death, of the Scuruie, Callenture, and other diseases: the Gouernour being an English-man,
kindly vsed vs, but small reliefe we could get, but Oranges, of which
we had plenty, whereby within eight daies wee recouered, and all were
well and strong by that they came into England. Written by William Box.
The Counsell of Virginia
finding the smalnesse of that returne which they hoped should haue
defrayed the charge of a new supply, entred into a deep consultation,
whether it were fit to enter into a new Contribution, or in time to
send for them home, and giue ouer the action, and therefore they
adiured Sir Thomas Gates to deale plainly
with them, who with a solemne and a sacred oath replyed, That all
things before reported were true, and that all men know that wee stand
at the deuotion of politicke Princes and States, who for their proper
vtilitie, deuise all courses to grind our Merchants, and by all
pretences to confiscate their goods, and to draw from vs all manner of
gaine by their in quisitiue inuentions, when in Virginia, a few yeeres labour by planting and husbandry, will furnish all
our defects with honour and securitie.
Out of a Declaration published by the Counsell, 1610.
The gouernment left againe to Captaine George Piercie, and the returne of the Lord la Ware, with his Relation to the Councell.
1611.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
The Relation of the Lord la Ware.
MY Lords, now by accident returned from my charge at Virginia,
contrary either to my owne desire, or other mens expectations, who
spare not to censure me, in point of dutie, and to discourse and
question the reason, though they apprehend not the true cause of my
returne, I am forced out of a willingnesse to satisfie euery man, to
deliuer vnto your Lordships and the rest of this assemblie, in what
state I haue liued euer since my arriuall to the Colonie, what hath
beene the iust cause of my sudden departure, and on what tearmes I haue
left the same, the rather because I perceiue, that since my comming
into England, such a coldnesse and
irresolution is bred in many of the Aduenturers, that some of them
seeke to withdraw their payments, by which the action must be
supported, making this my returne colour of their needlesse
backwardnesse and vniust protraction: which that you may the better
vnderstand, I was welcomed to Iames towne
by a violent ague; being cured of it, within three weekes after I began
to be distempered with other grieuous sicknesses which successiuely and
seuerally assailed me, for besides a relapse into the former disease,
which with much more violence held me more than a moneth, and brought
me to greater weaknesse; the flux surprised mee, and kept me many
daies, then the crampe assaulted my weake body with strong paines, and
after, the gout; all those drew me to that weaknesse, being vnable to
stirre, brought vpon me the scuruie, which though in others it be a
sicknesse of slothfulnesse, yet was it in me an effect of weaknesse,
which neuer left me, till I was ready to leaue the world.
In these extremities
I resolued to consult with my friends, who finding nature spent in me,
and my body almost consumed, my paines likewise daily increasing, gaue
me aduice to preferre a hopefull recouerie, before an assured ruine,
which must necessarily haue ensued, had I liued but twentie daies
longer in Virginia, wanting at that
instant both food and Physicke, fit to remedie such extraordinary
diseases; wherefore I shipped my selfe with Doctor Bohun and Captaine Argall, for Meuis in the West Indies,
but being crossed with Southerly winds, I was forced to shape my course
for the Westerne Iles, where I found helpe for my health, and my
sicknesse asswaged, by the meanes of fresh dyet, especially Oranges and
Limons, and vndoubted remedie for that disease: then I intended to haue
returned backe againe to Virginia, but I was aduised not to hazard my selfe, before I had perfectly recouered my strength: so I came for England;
in which accident, I doubt not but men of iudgement will imagine, there
would more preiudice haue happened by my death there, than I hope can
doe by my returne.
100. Kine and 200. Swine sent to Virginia.
For the Colony I left it to the charge of Captaine George Piercie, a Gentleman of honour and resolution, vntill the comming of Sir Thomas Dale, whose Commission was likewise to bee determined vpon the arriuall of Sir Thomas Gates,
according to the order your Lordships appointed: the number I left were
about two hundred, the most in health, and prouided of at least ten
moneths victuall, and the Countrie people tractable and friendly. What
other defects they had, I found by Sir Thomas Gates at the Cowes; his Fleet was sufficiently furnished with supplies, but when it shall please God that Sir Thomas Dale. and Sir Thomas Gates shall arriue in Virginia
with the extraordinarie supply of 100. Kine, and 200. Swine, besides
store of other prouision, for the maintenance of the Colonie, there
will appeare that successe in the action, as shall giue no man cause of
distrust, that hath already aduentured, but incourage euery good minde
to further so good a worke, as will redound both to the glory of God,
to the credit of our
nation, and the comfort of all those that haue beene instruments in the furthering of it.
Out of the Lord la Wares discourse, published by Authoritie, 1611.
The gouernment surrendred to Sir Thomas Dale, who arriued in Virginia the tenth of May, 1611. out of Master Hamors Booke.
1611.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer. The arriuall of Sir Thomas Dale.
BEfore the Lord la Ware arriued in England, the Councell and Companie had dispatched away Sir Thomas Dale
with three ships, men and cattell, and all other prouisions necessarie
for a yeere; all which arriued well the tenth of May 1611. where he
found them growing againe to their former estate of penurie, being so
improuident as not to put Corne in the ground for their bread, but
trusted to the store, then furnished but with three moneths prouision;
his first care therefore was to imploy all hands about setting of
Corne, at the two Forts at Kecoughtan, Henry and Charles, whereby, the season then not fully past, though about the end of May, wee had an indifferent crop of good Corne.
His preparation to build a new towne.
This businesse taken
order for, and the care and trust of it committed to his
vnder-Officers, to Iames towne he
hastened, where most of the companie were at their daily and vsuall
works, bowling in the streets; these hee imployed about necessarie
workes, as felling of Timber, repayring their houses ready to fall on
their heads, and prouiding pales, posts and railes, to impale his
purposed new towne, which by reason of his ignorance, being but newly
arriued, hee had not resolued where to seat; therefore to better his
knowledge, with one hundred men he spent some time in viewing the Riuer
of Nausamund, in despight of the Indians
then our enemies; then our owne Riuer to the Fales, where vpon a high
land, inuironed with the maine Riuer, some twelue miles from the Fales,
by Arsahattock, he resolued to plant his new towne.
Diuers mutinie suppressed.
It was no small
trouble to reduce his people so timely to good order, being of so ill a
condition, as may well witnesse his seueritie and strict imprinted
booke of Articles, then needfull with all extremitie to be executed;
now much mitigated; so as if his Lawes had not beene so strictly
executed, I see not how the vtter subuersion of the Colonie should haue
beene preuented, witnesse Webbes and Prices designe the first yeere, since that of Abbots, and others, more dangerous than the former. Here I entreat your patience for an Apologie, though not a pardon. This Ieffrey Abbots, how euer this Author censures him, and the Gouernour executes him, I know he had long serued both in Ireland and Netherlands, here hee was a Sargeant of my Companie, and I neuer saw in Virginia
a more sufficient Souldier, lesse turbulent, a better wit, more hardy
or industrious, nor any more forward to cut off them that sought to
abandon the Countrie, or wrong the Colonie; how ingratefully those
deserts might bee rewarded, enuied or neglected, or his farre inferiors
preferred to ouer-top him, I know not, but such occasions might moue a
Saint, much more a man, to an vnaduised passionate impatience, but how
euer, it seemes he hath beene punished for his offences, that was neuer
rewarded for his deserts. And euen this Summer Cole and Kitchins plot with three more, bending their course to Ocanahowan, fiue daies iourney from vs, where they report are Spaniards inhabiting. These were cut off by the Saluages, hired by vs to hunt them home to receiue their deserts: So as Sir Thomas Dale
hath not beene so tyrannous nor seuere by the halfe, as there was
occasion, and iust cause for it, and though the manner was not vsuall,
wee were rather to haue regard to those, whom we would haue terrified
and made fearefull to commit the like offences, than to the offenders
iustly condemned, for amongst them so hardned in euill, the feare of a
cruell, painfull and vnusuall death more restraines them, than death it
selfe. Thus much I haue proceeded of his endeuours, vntill the comming
of Sir Thomas Gates, in preparing himselfe to proceed as he intended.
Now in England againe to second this noble Knight, the Counsell and Companie with all possible expedition prepared for Sir Thomas Gates
six tall ships, with three hundred men, and one hundred Kine and other
Cattell, with munition and all other manner of prouision that could be
thought needfull; and about the first or second of August, 1611,
arriued safely at Iames towne.
The gouernment returned againe to Sir Thomas Gates, 1611.
The second arriuall of Sir Thomas Gates.
THese worthy Knights being met, after their welcoming salutations, Sir Thomas Dale acquainted him what he had done, and what he intended, which designe Sir Thomas Gates
well approuing, furnished him with three hundred and fiftie men, such
as himselfe made choice of. In the beginning of September, 1611. hee
set saile, and arriued where hee intended to build his new towne:
within ten or twelue daies he had inuironed it with a pale, and in
honour of our noble Prince Henry, called it Henrico.
The next worke he did, was building at each corner of the Towne, a high
commanding Watchhouse, a Church, and Store-houses; which finished, hee
began to thinke vpon conuenient houses for himselfe and men, which with
all possible speed hee could he effected, to the great content of his
companie, and all the Colonie.
The building of Henrico.
This towne is
situated vpon a necke of a plaine rising land, three parts inuironed
with the maine Riuer, the necke of land well impaled, makes it like an
Ile; it hath three streets of well framed houses, a handsome Church,
and the foundation of a better laid, to bee built of Bricke, besides
Store-houses, Watch-houses, and such like: Vpon the verge of the Riuer
there are fiue houses, wherein liue the honester sort of people, as
Farmers in England, and they keepe
continuall centinell for the townes securitie. About two miles from the
towne, into the Maine, is another pale, neere two miles in length, from
Riuer to Riuer, guarded with seuerall Commanders, with a good quantitie
of Corne-ground impailed, sufficiently secured to maintaine more than I
suppose will come this three yeeres.
On the other side of
the Riuer, for the securitie of the towne, is intended to be impaled
for the securitie of our Hogs, about two miles and a halfe, by the name
of Hope in Faith, and Coxendale, secured by fiue of our manner of Forts, which are but Palisadoes, called Charitie Fort, Mount Malado, a guest house for sicke people, a high seat and wholsome aire, Elisabeth Fort, and Fort Patience: And here hath Master Whitaker chosen his Parsonage, impaled a faire framed Parsonage, and one hundred acres called Rocke hall, but these are not halfe finished.
The building the Bermudas.
About Christmas
following, in this same yeere 1611. in regard of the iniurie done vs by
them of Apamatuck, Sir Thomas Dale, without the losse of any, except some few Saluages, tooke it and their Corne, being but fiue miles by land from Henrico, and considering how commodious it might be for vs, resolued to possesse and plant it, and at the instant called it the new Bermudas,
whereunto hee hath laid out and annexed to the belonging freedome and
corporation for euer, many miles of Champian and Woodland ground in
seuerall hundreds, as the vpper and nether hundreds, Rochdale hundred, West Sherly hundred, and Digs
his hundred. In the nether hundred he first began to plant, for there
is the most Corne-ground, and with a pale of two miles, cut ouer from
Riuer to Riuer, whereby we haue secured eight English
miles in compasse; vpon which circuit, within halfe a mile of each
other, are many faire houses already built, besides particular mens
houses neere to the number of fiftie. Rochdale,
by a crosse pale welnigh foure miles long, is also planted with houses
along the pale, in which hundred our Hogs and Cattell haue twentie
miles circuit to graze in securely. The building of the Citie is
referred till our haruest be in, which he intends to make a retreat
against any forraigne enemie.
About fiftie miles from these is Iames towne, vpon a fertill peninsula, which although
fomerly scandaled for an vnhealthfull aire, wee finde it as healthfull
as any other part of the Countrie; it hath two rowes of houses of
framed timber, and some of them two stories, and a garret higher, three
large Store-houses ioined together in length, and hee hath newly
strongly impaled the towne. This Ile, and much ground about it, is much
inhabited: To Kecoughtan
we accounted it fortie miles, where they liue well with halfe that
allowance the rest haue from the store, because of the extraordinarie
quantitie of Fish, Fowle and Deere; as you may reade at large in the
Discoueries of Captaine Smith. And thus I haue truly related vnto you the present estate of that small part of Virginia wee frequent and possesse.
1612.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer. Captaine Argals arriuall.
How Pocahontas was taken prisoner.
Since there was a
ship fraughted with prouision, and fortie men; and another since then
with the like number and prouision, to stay twelue moneths in the
Countrie, with Captaine Argall, which was sent not long after. After hee had secreated and refreshed his Companie, hee was sent to the Riuer Patawomeake,
to trade for Corne, the Saluages about vs hauing small quarter, but
friends and foes as they found aduantage and opportunitie: But to
conclude our peace, thus it happened. Captaine Argall, hauing entred into a great acquaintance with Iapazaws, an old friend of Captaine Smiths, and so to all our Nation, euer since hee discouered the Countrie: hard by him there was Pocahontas, whom Captaine Smiths Relations intituleth the Numparell of Virginia, and though she had beene many times a preseruer of him and the whole Colonie, yet till this accident shee was neuer seene at Iames towne since his departure, being at Patawomeke, as it seemes, thinking her selfe vnknowne, was easily by her friend lapazaws perswaded to goe abroad with him and his wife to see the ship, for Captaine Argall
had promised him a Copper Kettle to bring her but to him, promising no
way to hurt her, but keepe her till they could conclude a peace with
her father; the Saluage for this Copper Kettle would haue done any
thing, it seemed by the Relation; for though she had seene and beene in
many ships, yet hee caused his wife to faine how desirous she was to
see one, and that hee offered to beat her for her importunitie, till
she wept. But at last he told her, if Pocahontas would goe with her, hee was content: and thus they betraied the poore innocent Pocahontas aboord, where they were all kindly feasted in the Cabbin. Iapazaws treading oft on the Captaines foot, to remember he had done his part, the Captaine when he saw his time, perswaded Pocahontas to the Gun-roome, faining to haue some conference with Iapazaws,
which was onely that she should not perceiue hee was any way guiltie of
her captiuitie: so sending for her againe, hee told her before her
friends, she must goe with him, and compound peace betwixt her Countrie
and vs, before she euer should see Powhatan, whereat the old Iew and his wife began to howle and crie as fast as Pocahontas, that vpon the Captaines faire perswasions, by degrees pacifying herselfe, and Iapazaws and his wife, with the Kettle and other toies, went merrily on shore, and shee to Iames towne. A messenger forthwith was sent to her father, that his daughter Pocahontas he loued so dearely, he must ransome with our men, swords, peeces, tooles, &c. hee trecherously had stolne.
Seuen English returned from Powhatan prisoners.
This vnwelcome newes much troubled Powhatan,
because hee loued both his daughter and our commodities well, yet it
was three moneths after ere hee returned vs any answer: then by the
perswasion of the Councell, he returned seuen of our men, with each of
them an vnseruiceable Musket, and sent vs word, that when wee would
deliuer his daughter, hee would make vs satisfaction for all iniuries
done vs, and giue vs fiue hundred bushels of Corne, and for euer be
friends with vs. That he sent, we receiued in part of payment, and
returned him this answer: That his daughter should be well vsed, but we
could not beleeue the rest of our armes were either lost or stolne from
him, and therefore till hee sent them, we would keepe his daughter.
Sir Thomas Dale his voyage to Pamavnke.
This answer, it seemed, much displeased him, for we heard no more from him a
long time after, when with Captaine Argals ship, and some other vessels belonging to the Colonie, Sir Thomas Dale,
with a hundred and fiftie men well appointed, went vp into his owne
Ríuer, to his chiefe habitation, with his daughter; with many scornfull
brauado's they affronted vs, proudly demanding why wee came thither;
our reply was, Wee had brought his daughter, and to receiue the ransome
for her that was promised, or to haue it perforce. They nothing
dismayed thereat, told vs, We were welcome if wee came to fight, for
they were prouided for vs, but aduised vs, if wee loued our liues to
retire; else they would vse vs as they had done Captaine Ratcliffe:
We told them, wee would presently haue a better answer; but we were no
sooner within shot of the shore than they let flie their Arrowes among
vs in the ship.
A man shot in the forehead.
Being thus iustly
prouoked, wee presently manned our Boats, went on shore, burned all
their houses, and spoiled all they had we could finde; and so the next
day proceeded higher vp the Riuer, where they demanded why wee burnt
their houses, and wee, why they shot at vs: They replyed, it was some
stragling Saluage, with many other excuses, they intended no hurt, but
were our friends: We told them, wee came not to hurt them, but visit
them as friends also. Vpon this we concluded a peace, and forth with
they dispatched messengers to Powhatan,
whose answer, they told vs, wee must expect foure and twentie houres
ere the messengers could returne: Then they told vs, our men were runne
away for feare we would hang them, yet Powhatans
men were runne after them; as for our Swords and Peeces, they should be
brought vs the next day, which was only but to delay time; for the next
day they came not. Then we went higher, to a house of Powhatans, called Matchot,
where we saw about foure hundred men well appointed; here they dared vs
to come on shore, which wee did; no shew of feare they made at all, nor
offered to resist our landing, but walking boldly vp and downe amongst
vs, demanded to conferre with our Captaine, of his comming in that
manner, and to haue truce till they could but once more send to their
King to know his pleasure, which if it were not agreeable to their
expectation, then they would fight with vs, and defend their owne as
they could, which was but onely to deferre the time, to carrie a way
their prouision; yet wee promised them truce till the next day at
noone, and then if they would fight with vs, they should know when we
would begin by our Drums and Trumpets.
Two of Powhatans sonnes come to see Pocahontas.
Vpon this promise, two of Powhatans
sonnes came vnto vs to see their sister, at whose sight, seeing her
well, though they heard to the contrarie, they much reioiced, promising
they would perswade her father to redeeme her, and for euer be friends
with vs. And vpon this, the two brethren went aboord with vs, and we
sent Master Iohn Rolfe and Master Sparkes to Powhatan, to acquaint him with the businesse; kindly they were entertained, but not admitted the presence of Powhatan, but they spoke with Opechaucanough, his brother and successor; hee promised to doe the best he could to Powhatan, all might be well. So it being Aprill, and time to prepare our ground and set our Corne, we returned to Iames Towne, promising the forbearance of their performing their promise, till the next haruest.
The mariage of Pocahontas to Master Iohn Rolfe.
1613.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
Long before this, Master Iohn Rolfe, an honest Gentleman, and of good behauiour, had beene in loue with Pocahontas, and she with him, which thing at that instant I made knowne to Sir Thomas Dale by a letter from him, where in hee intreated his aduice, and she acquainted her brother with it, which resolution Sir Thomas Dale well approued: the brute of this mariage came soone to the knowledge of Powhatan, a thing acceptable to him, as appeared by his sudden consent, for within ten daies he sent Opachisco,
an old Vncle of hers, and two of his sons, to see the manner of the
mariage, and to doe in that behalfe what they were requested, for the
confirmation there of, as his deputie; which was accordingly done about
the first of Aprill: And euer since wee haue had friendly trade and
commerce, as well with Powhatan himselfe, as all his subiects.
The Chicahamanias desire friendship.
Besides this, by the meanes of Powhatan, we became in league with our next neighbours, the Chicahamanias, a lustie and a daring people, free of themselues. These people, so soone as they heard of our peace with Powhatan, sent two messengers with presents to Sir Thomas Dale, and offered him their seruice, excusing all former iniuries, hereafter they would euer be King Iames his subiects, and relinquish the name of Chickahamiania, to be called Tassautessus, as they call vs, and Sir Thomas Dale
there Gouernour, as the Kings Deputie; onely they desired to be
gouerned by their owne Lawes, which is eight of their Elders as his
substitutes. This offer he kindly accepted, and appointed the day hee
would come to visit them.
When the appointed day came, Sir Thomas Dale and Captaine Argall with fiftie men well appointed, went to Chickahamania,
where wee found the people expecting our comming, they vsed vs kindly,
and the next morning sate in counsell, to conclude their peace vpon
these conditions:
Articles of Peace
First, they should for euer bee called Englishmen, and bee true subiects to King Iames and his Deputies.
Secondly, neither to kill nor detaine any of our men, nor cattell, but bring them home.
Thirdly, to bee alwaies ready to furnish vs with three hundred men, against the Spaniards or any.
Fourthly, they shall not enter our townes, but send word they are new Englishmen.
Fiftly,
that euery fighting man, at the beginning of haruest, shall bring to
our store two bushels of Corne, for tribute, for which they shall
receiue so many Hatchets.
Lastly,
the eight chiefe men should see all this performed, or receiue the
punishment themselues: for their diligence they should haue a red coat,
a copper chaine, and King Iames his picture, and be accounted his Noblemen.
All this they
concluded with a generall assent, and a great shout to confirme it:
then one of the old men began an Oration, bending his speech first to
the old men, then to the young, and then to the women and children, to
make them vnderstand how strictly they were to obserue these
conditions, and we would defend them from the furie of Powhatan, or any enemie whatsoeuer, and furnish them with Copper, Beads, and Hatchets; but all this was rather for feare Powhatan
and we, being so linked together, would bring them againe to his
subiection; the which to preuent, they did rather chuse to be protected
by vs, than tormented by him, whom they held a Tyrant. And thus wee
returned againe to Iames towne.
The benefit of libertie in the planters.
William Spence the first Farmer in Virginia.
When our people were
fed out of the common store, and laboured iointly together, glad was he
could slip from his labour, or slumber ouer his taske he cared not how,
nay, the most honest among them would hardly take so much true paines
in a weeke, as now for themselues they will doe in a day, neither cared
they for the increase, presuming that howsoeuer the haruest prospered,
the generall store must maintaine them, so that wee reaped not so much
Corne from the labours of thirtie, as now three or foure doe prouide
for themselues. To preuent which, Sir Thomas Dale hath allotted euery man three Acres of cleare ground, in the nature of Farmes, except the Bermudas,
who are exempted, but for one moneths seruice in the yeere, which must
neither bee in seed-time, nor haruest; for which doing, no other dutie
they pay yeerely to the store, but two barrels and a halfe of Corne
(from all those Farmers, whereof the first was William Spence,
an honest, valiant, and an industrious man, and hath continued from
1607. to this present) from those is expected such a contribution to
the store, as wee shall neither want for our selues, nor to entertaine
our supplies; for the rest, they are to worke eleuen moneths for the
store, and hath one moneth onely allowed them to get prouision to keepe
them for twelue, except two bushels of Corne they haue out of the
store; if those can liue so, why should any feare staruing, and it were
much better to denie them passage, that would not ere they come, bee
content to ingage themselues to those conditions: for onely from the
slothfull and idle
drones, and none else, hath sprung the manifold imputations, Virginia
innocently hath vndergone; and therefore I would deter such from
comming here, that cannot well brooke labour, except they will vndergoe
much punishment and penurie, if they escape the skuruie: but for the
industrious, there is reward sufficient, and if any thinke there is
nothing but bread, I referre you to his relations that discouered the
Countrie first.
The gouernment left to Sir Thomas Dale vpon Sir Thomas Gates returne for England.
Captaine Argals voyage to Port Royall.
SIr Thomas Dale vnderstanding there was a plantation of Frenchmen in the north part of Virginia, about the degrees of 45. sent Captaine Argall to Port Royall and Sancta Crux, where finding the Frenchmen abroad dispersed in the Woods, surprized their Ship and Pinnace, which was but newly come from France, wherein was much good apparel, and other prouision, which he brought to Iames towne, but the men escaped, and liued among the Saluages of those Countries.
1614.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
It pleased Sir Thomas Dale, before my returne to England, because I would be able to speake somewhat of my owne knowledge, to giue mee leaue to visit Powhatan and his Court: being prouided, I had Thomas Saluage with mee, for my Interpreter, with him and two Saluages for guides, I went from the Bermuda in the morning, and came to Matchot the next night, where the King lay vpon the Riuer of Pamavnke;
his entertainment was strange to me, the boy he knew well, and told
him; My child, I gaue you leaue, being my boy, to goe see your friends,
and these foure yeeres I haue not seene you, nor heard of my owne man Namoutack I sent to England,
though many ships since haue beene returned thence: Hauing done with
him, hee began with mee, and demanded for the chaine of pearle he sent
his brother Sir Thomas Dale at his first
arriuall, which was a token betwixt them, when euer hee should send a
messenger from himselfe to him, he should weare that chaine about his
necke, since the peace was concluded, otherwaies he was to binde him
and send him home.
Master Hamars iourney to Powhatan.
It is true Sir Thomas Dale
had sent him such word, and gaue his Page order to giue it me, but he
forgot it, and till this present I neuer heard of it, yet I replyed I
did know there was such an order, but that was when vpon a sudden he
should haue occasion to send an Englishman without an Indian
Guide; but if his owne people should conduct his messenger, as two of
his did me who knew my message, it was sufficient; with which answer he
was contented, and so conducted vs to his house, where was a guard of
two hundred Bow-men, that alwaies attend his person. The first thing he
did, he offered me a pipe of Tobacco, then asked mee how his brother
Sir Thomas Dale did, and his daughter, and
vnknowne sonne, and how they liued, loued and liked; I told him his
brother was well, and his daughter so contented, she would not liue
againe with him; whereat he laughed, and demanded the cause of my
comming: I told him my message was priuate, and I was to deliuer it
onely to himselfe and Papaschicher, one of
my guides that was acquianted with it; instantly he commanded all out
of the house, but onely his two Queenes, that alwaies sit by him, and
bade me speake on.
His message to Powhatan.
I told him, by my Interpreter, Sir Thomas Dale
hath sent you two pieces of Copper, fiue strings of white and blue
Beads, fiue woodden Combes, ten Fishhookes, a paire of Kniues, and that
when you would send for it, hee would giue you a Grind-stone; all this
pleased him: but then I told him his brother Dale,
hearing of the fame of his youngest daughter, desiring in any case he
would send her by me vnto him, in testimonie of his loue, as well for
that he intended to marry her, as the desire her sister had to see her,
because being now one people, and hee desirous for euer to dwell in his
Countrie, he conceiued there could not be a truer assurance of peace
and friendship, than in such a naturall band of an vnited vnion.
I needed not
entreat his answer by his oft interrupting mee in my speech, and
presently with much grauitie he thus replyed.
Powhatans answer.
I gladly accept your
salute of loue and peace, which while I liue, I shall exactly keepe,
his pledges thereof I receiue with no lesse thanks, although they are
not so ample as formerly he had receiued; but for my daughter, I haue
sold her within this few daies to a great Werowance, for two bushels of
Rawrenoke, three daies iournie from me. I replyed, I knew his
greatnesse in restoring the Rawrenoke, might call her againe to
gratifie his brother, and the rather, because the was but twelue yeeres
old, assuring him, besides the band of peace, hee should haue for her,
three times the worth of the Rawrenoke, in Beads, Copper, Hatchets,
&c. His answer was, he loued his daughter as his life, and though
hee had many children, hee delighted in none so much as shee, whom if
he should not often behold, he could not possibly liue, which she
liuing with vs he could not do, hauing resolued vpon no termes to put
himselfe into our hands, or come amongst vs; therefore desired me to
vrge him no further, but returne his brother this answer: That I desire
no former assurance of his friendship, than the promise hee hath made,
from me he hath a pledge, one of my daughters, which so long as she
liues shall be sufficient, when she dies, he shall haue another: I hold
it not a brotherly part to desire to bereaue me of my two children at
once. Farther, tell him though he had no pledge at all, hee need not
distrust any iniurie from me or my people; there haue beene too many of
his men and mine slaine, and by my occasion there shall neuer be more,
(I which haue power to performe it, haue said it) although I should
haue iust cause, for I am now old, & would gladly end my daies in
peace; if you offer me iniurie, my countrie is large enough to goe from
you: Thus much I hope will satisfie my brother. Now because you are
wearie, and I sleepie, wee will thus end. So commanding vs victuall and
lodging, we rested that night, and the next morning he came to visit
vs, and kindly conducted vs to the best cheere hee had. William Parker.
William Parker recouered.
While I here remained, by chance came an Englishman, whom there had beene surprized three yeeres agoe at Fort Henry,
growne so like, both in complexion and habit like a Saluage, I knew him
not, but by his tongue: hee desired mee to procure his libertie, which
I intended, and so farre vrged Powhatan,
that he grew discontented, and told mee, You haue one of my daughters,
and I am content, but you cannot see one of your men with mee, but you
must haue him away, or breake friendship; if you must needs haue him,
you shall goe home without guides, and if any euill befall you, thanke
your selues: I told him I would, but if I returned not well, hee must
expect a reuenge, and his brother might haue iust cause to suspect him.
So in passion he left me till supper, and then gaue me such as hee had
with a cheerefull countenance: About midnight hee awaked vs, and
promised in the morning my returne with Parker;
but I must remember his brother to send him ten great pieces of Copper,
a Shauing-knife, a Frowe, a Grindstone, a Net, Fish-hookes, and such
toies; which lest I should forget, he caused me write in a table-booke
he had; how euer he got it, it was a faire one, I desired hee would
giue it me; he told me, no, it did him much good in shewing to
strangers, yet in the morning when we departed, hauing furnished vs
well with prouision, he gaue each of vs a Bucks skin as well dressed as
could be, and sent two more to his sonne and daughter: And so we
returned to Iames towne. Written by Master Ralph Hamor and Iohn Rolph.
From a letter of Sir Thomas Dale and Master Whitakers.
I haue read the substance of this relation, in a Letter written by Sir Thomas Dale, another by Master Whitaker, and a third by Master Iohn Rolfe;
how carefull they were to instruct her in Christianity, and how capable
and desirous shee was thereof, after she had beene some time thus
tutored, shee neuer had desire to goe to her father, nor could well
endure the society of her owne nation: the true affection she
constantly bare her husband was much, and the strange apparitions and
violent passions he endured for her loue, as he deeply protested, was
wonderfull,
and she openly renounced her
countries idolatry, confessed the faith of Christ, and was baptized,
but either the coldnesse of the aduenturers, or the bad vsage of that
was collected, or both, caused this worthy Knight to write thus. Oh why
should so many Princes and Noblemen ingage themselues, and thereby
intermedling herein, haue caused a number of soules transport
themselues, and be transported hither? Why should they, I say,
relinquish this so glorious an action: for if their ends be to build
God a Church, they ought to perseuere; if otherwise, yet their honour
ingageth them to be constant; howsoeuer they stand affected, here is
enough to content them. These are the things haue animated me to stay a
little season from them, I am bound in conscience to returne vnto;
leauing all contenting pleasures and mundall delights, to reside here
with much turmoile, which I will rather doe than Gods glory diminished,
my King and Country dishonoured, and these poore soules I haue in
charge reuiued, which would quickly happen if I should leaue them; so
few I haue with me fit to command or manage the businesse: Master Whitaker
their Preacher complaineth, and much museth, that so few of our English
Ministers, that were so hot against the surplisse and subscription come
hether, where neither is spoken of. Doe they not wilfully hide their
talents, or keepe themselues at home, for feare of losing a few
pleasures; be there not any among them of Moses
his minde, and of the Apostles, that forsooke all to follow Christ, but
I refer them to the Iudge of all hearts, and to the King that shall
reward euery one according to his talent. From Virginia, Iune 18. 1614.
The businesse being brought to this perfection, Captaine Argall returned for England, in the latter end of Iune, 1614. ariuing in England, and bringing this good tidings to the Councell and company by the assistances of Sir Thomas Gates, that also had returned from Virginia
but the March before; it was presently concluded, that to supply this
good successe with all expedition, the standing Lottery should be
drawne with all diligent conueniency, and that posterity may remember
vpon occasion to vse the like according to the declaration, I thinke it
not amisse to remember thus much.
The Contents of the declaration of the Lottery published by the Counsell.
1615. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
IT is apparent to
the world, by how many former Proclamations, we manifested our intents,
to haue drawn out the great standing Lottery long before this, which
not falling out as we desired, and others expected, whole monies are
aduentured therein, we thought good therefore for the auoiding all
vniust and sinister constructions, to resolue the doubts of all
indifferent minded, in three speciall points for their better
satisfaction.
But ere I goe any
farther, let vs remember there was a running Lottery, vsed a long time
in Saint Pauls Church-yard, where this stood, that brought into the Treasury good summes of mony dayly, though the Lot was but small.
Now for the points,
the first is, for as much as the Aduenturers came in so slackly for the
yeere past, without preiudice to the generality, in losing the blankes
and prises, we were forced to petition to the honourable Lords, who out
of their noble care to further this Plantation, haue recommended their
Letsenters to the Countries, Cities, and good townes in England, which we hope by ding in their voluntary Aduenturers, will sufficiently supply vs.
The second for
satisfaction to all honest well affected minds, is, that though this
expectation answer not our hopes, yet wee haue not failed in our
Christian care, the good of that Colony, to whom we haue lately sent
two sundry supplies, and were they but now supplied with more hands,
wee should soone resolue the diuision of the Country by Lot, and so
lessen the generall charge.
The third is our
constant resolution, that seeing our credits are so farre ingaged
to the honourable Lords and the
whole State, for the drawing this great Lottery, which we intend shall
be without delay, the 26, of Iune next, desiring all such as haue
vndertaken with bookes to solicit their friends, that they will not
with-hold their monies till the last moneth be expired, lest we be
vnwillingly forced to proportion a lesse value and number of our
Blankes and Prises which hereafter followeth.
Welcomes.
|
Crownes. |
| TO him that first shall be drawne out with a blanke, |
100 |
| To the second, |
50 |
| To the third, |
25 |
| To him that euery day during the drawing of this Lottery, shall bee first drawne out with a blanke, |
10 |
Prizes.
|
Crownes. |
| 1 Great Prize of |
4500 |
| 2 Great Prizes, each of |
2000 |
| 4 Great Prizes, each of |
1000 |
| 6 Great Prizes, each of |
500 |
| 10 Prizes, each of |
300 |
| 20 Prizes, each of |
200 |
| 100 Prizes, each of |
100 |
| 200 Prizes, each of |
50 |
| 400 Prizes, each of |
10 |
| 1000 Prizes, each of |
10 |
| 1000 Prizes, each of |
8 |
| 1000 Prizes, each of |
6 |
| 4000 Prizes, each of |
4 |
| 1000 Prizes, each of |
3 |
| 1000 Prizes, each of |
2 |
Rewards.
|
Crownes |
| TO him that shall be last drawne out with a blanke, |
25 |
| To him that putteth in the greatest Lot, vnder one name, |
400 |
| To him that putteth in the second greatest number, |
300 |
| To him that putteth in the third greatest number, |
200 |
| To him that putteth in the fourth greatest number, |
100 |
| If diuers be of equall number, their rewards are to be diuided proportionally. |
Addition of new Rewards.
|
Crownes. |
| THe blanke that shall bee drawne out next before the great Prize shall haue |
25 |
| The blanke that shall be drawne out next after the said great Prize |
25 |
| The blancks that shall be drawne out immediately before the two next great Prizes, shall haue each of them |
20 |
| The seuerall blankes next after them, each shall haue |
20 |
| The seuerall blankes next before the foure great Prizes, each shall haue |
15 |
| The seuerall blankes next after them, each shall haue |
15 |
| The seuerall blankes next before the six great Prizes, each shall haue |
10 |
| The seuerall blankes next after them, each shall haue |
10 |
The prizes,
welcomes, and rewards, shall be payed in ready Mony, Plate, or other
goods reasonably rated; if any dislike of the plate or goods, he shall
haue mony, abating only the tenth part, except in small prizes of ten
Crownes or vnder.
The mony for the Aduenturers is to be paied to Sir Thomas Smith, Knight, and Treasurer for Virginia, or such Officers as he shall appoint in City or Country, vnder the common seale of the company for the receit thereof.
All prizes, welcomes
and rewards drawne where euer they dwell, shall of the Treasurer haue
present pay, and whosoeuer vnder one name or poesie payeth three pound
in ready money, shall receiue six shillings and eight pence, or a
siluer spoone of that value at his choice.
A Spanish Ship in Virginia.
About this time it chanced a Spanish ship, beat too and againe before point Comfort, and at last sent a shore their boat, as desirous of a Pilot. Captaine Iames Dauis
the gouernor, immediately gaue them one, but he was no sooner in the
boat, but away they went with him, leauing three of their companions
behind them; this sudden accident occasioned some distrust, and a
strict examination of those three thus left, yet with as good vsage as
our estate could afford them. They only confessed hauing lost their
Admirall, accident had forced them into those parts, and two of them
were Captaines, and in chiefe authority in the fleet: thus they liued
till one of them was found to be an Englishman, and had been the
Spaniards Pilot for England in 88 and
hauing here induced some male-contents, to beleeue his proiects, to run
away with a small barke, which was apprehended, some executed, and he
expecting but the Hangmans curtesie, directly confessed that two or
three Spanish ships was at Sea, purposely to discouer the estate of the
Colony, but their Commission was not to be opened till they arriued in
the Bay, so that of any thing more he was vtterly ignorant. One of the
Spaniards at last dyed, the other was sent for England, but this reprieued, till Sir Thomas Dale
hanged him at Sea in his voyage homeward; the English Pilot they
carried for Spaine, whom after a long time imprisonment, with much sute
was returned for England.
1616.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
Whilst those things were effecting, Sir Thomas Dale, hauing setled to his thinking all things in good order, made choice of one Master George Yearly, to be Deputy-Gouernour in his absence, and so returned for England, accompanied with Pocahontas the Kings Daughter, and Master Rolfe her husband, and arriued at Plimmoth the 12. of Iune, 1616.
The gouernment left to Captaine Yearly.
A digression.
NOw a little to
commentary vpon all these proceedings, let me leaue but this as a
caueat by the way; if the alteration of gouernment hath subuerted great
Empires, how dangerous is it then in the infancy of a commonweale? The
multiplicity of Gouernors is a great damage to any State, but
vncertaine daily changes are burdensome, because their entertainments
are chargeable, and many will make hay whilst the sunne doth shine, how
euer it shall fare with the generality.
This deare bought
Land with so much bloud and cost, hath onely made some few rich, and
all the rest losers. But it was intended at the first, the first
vndertakers should be first preferred and rewarded, and the first
aduenturers satisfied, and they of all the rest are the most neglected;
and those that neuer aduentured a groat, neuer see the Country, nor
euer did any seruice for it, imploied in their places, adorned with
their deserts, and inriched with their ruines; and when they are fed
fat, then in commeth others so leane as they were, who through their
omnipotency doe as much. Thus what one Officer doth, another vndoth,
only ayming at their owne ends, thinking all the world derides his
dignity, cannot fill his Coffers being in authority with any thing.
Euery man hath his minde free, but he can neuer be a true member to
that estate, that to enrich himselfe beggers
all the Countrie. Which bad
course, there are many yet in this noble plantation, whose true honour
and worth as much scornes it, as the others loues it; for the Nobilitie
and Gentrie, there is scarce any of them expects any thing but the
prosperitie of the action: and there are some Merchants and others, I
am confidently perswaded, doe take more care and paines, nay, and at
their continuall great charge, than they could be hired to for the loue
of money, so honestly regarding the generall good of this great worke,
they would hold it worse than sacrilege, to wrong it but a shilling, or
extort vpon the common souldier a penny. But to the purpose, and to
follow the Historie.
The gouernment of Captaine Yearley.
Twelue Saluages slaine, twelue prisoners taken, and peace concluded.
Eleuen men cast away.
A bad president.
Mr. George Yearly now inuested Deputie Gouernour by Sr. Thomas Dale,
applied himselfe for the most part in planting Tobacco, as the most
present commoditie they could deuise for a present gaine, so that euery
man betooke himselfe to the best place he could for the purpose: now
though Sir Thomas Dale had caused such an
abundance of corne to be planted, that euery man had sufficient, yet
the supplies were sent vs, came so vnfurnished, as quickly eased vs of
our superfluitie. To relieue their necessities, he sent to the Chickahamanias for the tribute Corne Sir Thomas Dale and Captaine Argall
had conditioned for with them: But such a bad answer they returned him,
that hee drew together one hundred of his best shot, with whom he went
to Chickahamania; the people in some places vsed him indifferently, but in most places with much scorne and contempt, telling him he was but Sir Thomas Dales
man, and they had payed his Master according to condition, but to giue
any to him they had no such order, neither would they obey him as they
had done his Master; after he had told them his authoritie, and that he
had the same power to enforce them that Dale had, they dared him to come on shore to fight, presuming more of his not daring, than their owne valours. Yearly seeing their insolencies, made no great difficultie to goe on shore at Ozinies, and they as little to incounter him: but marching from thence towards Mamanahunt, they put themselues in the same order they see vs, lead by their Captaine Kissanacomen, Gouernour of Ozinies, & so marched close along by vs, each as threatning other who should first begin. But that night we quartered against Mamanahunt, and they passed the Riuer. The next day we followed them; there are few places in Virginia
had then more plaine ground together, nor more plentie of Corne, which
although it was but newly gathered, yet they had hid it in the woods
where we could not finde it: a good time we spent thus in arguing the
cause, the Saluages without feare standing in troupes amongst vs,
seeming as if their countenances had beene sufficient to dant vs: what
other practises they had I know not; but to preuent the worst, our
Captaine caused vs all to make ready, and vpon the word, to let flie
among them, where he appointed: others also he commanded to seize on
them they could for prisoners; all which being done according to out
direction, the Captaine gaue the word, and wee presently discharged,
where twelue lay, some dead, the rest for life sprawling on the ground,
twelue more we tooke prisoners, two whereof were brothers, two of their
eight Elders, the one tooke by Sergeant Boothe, the other by Robert a Polonian;
Neere one hundred bushels of Corne we had for their ransomes, which was
promised the Souldiers for a reward, but it was not performed: now Opechankanough had agreed with our Captaine for the subiecting of those people, that neither hee nor Powhatan could euer bring to their obedience, and that he should make no peace with them without his aduice: in our returne by Ozinies with our prisoners wee met Opechankanough, who with much adoe, fained with what paines hee had procured their peace, the which to requite, they called him the King of Ozinies,
and brought him from all parts many presents of Beads, Copper, and such
trash as they had; here as at many other times wee were beholding to
Captaine Henry Spilman our Interpreter, a
Gentleman had liued long time in this Countrie, and sometimes a
prisoner among the Saluages, and done much good seruice, though but
badly rewarded. From hence we marcht towards Iames towne, we had three
Boats loaded with Corne and other luggage, the one of them being more willing to be at Iames
towne with the newes than the other, was ouerset, and eleuen men cast
away with the Boat, Corne and all their prouision; notwithstanding this
put all the rest of the Saluages in that feare, especially in regard of
the great league we had with Opechankanough,
that we followed our labours quietly, and in such securitie, that
diuers saluages of other Nations, daily frequented vs with what
prouisions they could get, and would guide our men on hunting, and oft
hunt for vs themselues. Captaine Yearly had a Saluage or two so well trained vp to their peeces, they were as expert as any of the English,
and one hee kept purposely to kill him fowle. There were diuers others
had Saluages in like manner for their men. Thus we liued together, as
if wee had beene one people, all the time Captaine Yearley staied with vs, but such grudges and discontents daily increased among ourselues, that vpon the arriuall of Captaine Argall, sent by the Councell and Companie to bee our Gouernour, Captaine Yearley returned for England in the yeere 1617. From the writings of Captaine Nathaniel Powell, William Cantrill, Sergeant Boothe, Edward Gurganey.
Pocahontas instructions.
During this time, the Lady Rebecca, alias Pocahontas, daughter to Powhatan, by the diligent care of Master Iohn Rolfe her husband and his friends, as taught to speake such English as might well bee vnderstood, well instructed in Christianitie, and was become very formall and ciuill after our English
manner; shee had also by him a childe which she loued most dearely, and
the Treasurer and Company tooke order both for the maintenance of her
and it, besides there were diuers persons of great ranke and qualitie
had beene very kinde to her; and before she arriued at London, Captaine
Smith to deserue her former courtesies,
made her qualities knowne to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie and
her Court, and writ a little booke to this effect to the Queene: An
abstract whereof followeth.
To the most high and vertuous Princesse Queene Anne of Great Brittanie.
Most admired Queene,
THe loue I beare my
God, my King and Countrie, hath so oft emboldened mee in the worst of
extreme dangers, that now honestie doth constraine mee presume thus
farre beyond my selfe, to present your Maiestie this short discourse:
if ingratitude be a deadly poyson to all honest vertues, I must bee
guiltie of that crime if I should omit any meanes to bee thankfull. So
it is,
A relation to Queene Anne, of Pocahontas.
That some ten yeeres agoe being in Virginia, and taken prisoner by the power of Powhatan their chiefe King, I receiued from this great Saluage exceeding great courtesie, especially from his sonne Nantaquaus the most manliest, comeliest, boldest spirit, I euer saw in a Saluage, and his sister Pocahontas,
the Kings most deare and wel-beloued daughter, being but a childe of
twelue or thirteene yeeres of age, whose compassionate pitifull heart,
of my desperate estate, gaue me much cause to respect her: I being the
first Christian this proud King and his grim attendants euer saw: and
thus inthralled in their barbarous power, I cannot say I felt the least
occasion of want that was in the power of those my mortall foes to
preuent, notwithstanding al their threats. After some six weeks fatting
amongst those Saluage Courtiers, at the minute of my execution, she
hazarded the beating out of her owne braines to saue mine, and not
onely that, but so preuailed with her father, that I was safely
conducted to Iames towne, where I found
about eight and thirtie miserable poore and sicke creatures, to keepe
possession of all those large territories of Virginia, such was the weaknesse of this poore Common-Wealth, as had the Saluages not fed vs, we directly had starued.
And this reliefe, most gracious Queene, was commonly brought vs by this
Lady Pocahontas,
notwithstanding all these passages when inconstant Fortune turned our
peace to warre, this tender Virgin would still not spare to dare to
visit vs, and by her our iarres haue beene oft appeased, and our wants
still supplyed; were it the policie of her father thus to imploy her,
or the ordinance of God thus to make her his instrument, or her
extraordinarie affection to our Nation, I know not: but of this I am
sure; when her father with the vtmost of his policie and power, sought
to surprize mee, hauing but eighteene with mee, the darke night could
not affright her from comming through the irkesome woods, and with
watered eies gaue me intelligence, with her best aduice to escape his
furie; which had hee knowne, hee had surely slaine her. Iames
towne with her wild traine she as freely frequented, as her fathers
habitation; and during the time of two or three yeeres, she next vnder
God, was still the instrument to preserue this Colonie from death,
famine and vtter confusion, which if in those times had once beene
dissolued, Virginia might haue line as it
was at our first arriuall to this day. Since then, this businesse
hauing beene turned and varied by many accidents from that I left it
at: it is most certaine, after a long and troublesome warre after my
departure, betwixt her father and our Colonie, all which time shee was
not heard of, about two yeeres after shee her selfe was taken prisoner,
being so detained neere two yeeres longer, the Colonie by that meanes
was relieued, peace concluded, and at last reiecting her barbarous
condition, was maried to an English Gentleman, with whom at this present she is in England; the first Christian euer of that Nation, the first Virginian euer spake English, or had a childe in mariage by an Englishman, a matter surely, if my meaning bee truly considered and well vnderstood, worthy a Princes vnderstanding.
Thus most gracious
Lady, I haue related to your Maiestie, what at your best leasure our
approued Histories will account you at large, and done in the time of
your Maiesties life, and howeuer this might bee presented you from a
more worthy pen, it cannot from a more honest heart, as yet I neuer
begged anything of the state, or any, and it is my want of abilitie and
her exceeding desert, your birth, meanes and authorittie, hir birth,
vertue, want and simplicitie, doth make mee thus bold, humbly to
beseech your Maiestie to take this knowledge of her, though it be from
one so vnworthy to be the reporter, as my selfe, her husbands estate
not being able to make her fit to attend your Maiestie: the most and
least I can doe, is to tell you this, because none so oft hath tried it
as my selfe, and the rather being of so great a spirit, how euer her
stature: if she should not be well receiued, seeing this Kingdome may
rightly haue a Kingdome by her meanes; her present loue to vs and
Christianitie, might turne to such scorne and furie, as to diuert all
this good to the worst of euill, where finding so great a Queene should
doe her some honour more than she can imagine, for being so kinde to
your seruants and subiects, would so rauish her with content, as
endeare her dearest bloud to effect that, your Maiestie and all the
Kings honest subiects most earnestly desire: And so I humbly kisse your
gracious hands.
Pocahontas meeting in England with Captaine Smith.
Being about this time preparing to set saile for New-England, I could nor stay to doe her that seruice I desired, and she well deserued; but hearing shee was at Branford
with diuers of my friends, I went to see her: After a modest
salutation, without any word, she turned about, obscured her face, as
not seeming well contented; and in that humour her husband, with diuers
others, we all left her two or three houres, repenting my selfe to haue
writ she could speake English. But not long after, she began to talke, and remembred mee well what courtesies shee had done: saying, You did promise Powhatan
what was yours should bee his, and he the like to you; you called him
father being in his land a stranger, and by the same reason so must I
doe you: which though I would haue excused, I durst not allow of that
title, because she was a Kings daughter; with a well set countenance
she said, Were you not afraid to come into my fathers Countrie, and
caused feare in him and all his people (but mee) and feare you here I
should call you father; I
tell you then I will, and you
shall call mee childe, and so I will bee for euer and euer your
Countrieman. They did tell vs alwaies you were dead, and I knew no
other till I came to Plimoth; you Powhatan did command Vttamatomakkin to seeke you, and know the truth, because your Countriemen will lie much.
Vttamacomack, obseruations of his vsage.
This Saluage, one of Powhatans
Councell, being amongst them held an vnderstanding fellow; the King
purposely sent him, as they say, to number the people here, and informe
him well what wee were and our state. Arriuing at Plimoth,
according to his directions, he got a long sticke, whereon by notches
hee did thinke to haue kept the number of all the men hee could see,
but he was quickly wearie of that taske: Comming to London,
where by chance I met him, hauing renewed our acquaintance, where many
were desirous to heare and see his behauiour, hee rold me Powhatan
did bid him to finde me out, to shew him our God, the King, Queene, and
Prince, I so much had told them of: Concerning God, I told him the best
I could, the King I heard he had seene, and the rest hee should see
when he would; he denied euer to haue seene the King, till by
circumstances he was satissied he had: Then he replyed very sadly, You
gaue Powhatan a white Dog, which Powhatan fed as himselfe, but your King gaue me nothing, and I am better than your white Dog.
Pocahontas her entertainment with the Queene.
The small time I staid in London,
diuers Courtiers and others, my acquaintances, hath gone with mee to
see her, that generally concluded, they did thinke God had a great hand
in her conuersion, and they haue seene many English
Ladies worse fauoured, proportioned and behauioured, and as since I
haue heard, it pleased both the King and Queenes Maiestie honourably to
esteeme her; accompanied with that honourable Lady the Lady De la Ware,
and that honourable Lord her husband, and diuers other persons of good
qualities, both publikely at the maskes and otherwise, to her great
satisfaction and content, which doubtlesse she would haue deserued, had
she liued to arriue in Virginia.
The gouernment deuolued to Captaine Samuel Argall, 1617.
1617.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
The death of Pocahontas.
1000. bushels of Corne from the Saluages.
THe Trcasurer, Councell and Companie, hauing well furnished Captaine Samuel Argall, the Lady Pocahontas alias Rebecca, with her husband and others, in the good ship called the George, it pleased God at Grauesend
to take this young Lady to his mercie, where shee made not more sorrow
for her vnexpected death, than ioy to the beholders, to heare and see
her make so religious and godly an end. Her little childe Thomas Rolfe therefore was left at Plimoth with Sir Lewis Stukly, that desired the keeping of it. Captaine Hamar his vice-Admirall was gone before, but hee found him at Plimoth. In March they set saile 1617. and in May he arriued at Iames towne, where hee was kindly entertained by Captaine Yearley and his Companie in a martiall order, whose right hand file was led by an Indian. In Iames
towne he found but fiue or six houses, the Church downe, the Palizado's
broken, the Bridge in pieces, the Well of fresh water spoiled; the
Store-house they vsed for the Church, the market-place, and streets,
and all other spare places planted with Tobacco, the Saluages as
frequent in their houses as themselues, whereby they were become expert
in our armes, and had a great many in their custodie and possession,
the Colonie dispersed all about, planting Tobacco. Captaine Argall
not liking those proceedings, altered them agreeable to his owne minde,
taking the best order he could for repairing those defects which did
exceedingly trouble vs; we were constrained euery yeere to build and
repaire our old Cottages, which were alwaies a decaying in all places
of the Countrie, yea, the very Courts of Guard built by Sir Thomas Dale,
was ready to fall, and the Palizado's not sufficient to keepe out Hogs.
Their number of people were about 400. but not past 200. fit for
husbandry and tillage: we found there in all one hundred twentie eight
cattell, and fourescore and eight Goats, besides innumerable numbers of
Swine, and good
plentie of Corne in some
places, yet the next yeere the Captaine sent out a Frigat and a
Pinnace, that brought vs neere six hundred bushels more, which did
greatly relieue the whole Colonie: For from the tenants wee seldome had
aboue foure hundred bushels of rent Corne to the store, and there was
not remaining of the Companies companie, past foure and fiftie men,
women and Children.
1618.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
This yeere hauing
planted our fields, came a great drought, and such a cruell storme of
haile, which did such spoile both to the Corne and Tobacco, that wee
reaped but small profit, the Magazine that came in the George,
being fiue moneths in her passage, proued very badly conditioned, but
ere she arriued, we had gathered and made vp our Tobacco, the best at
three shillings the pound, the rest at eighteene pence.
The death of the Lord la Ware.
They are relieued in New-England.
To supply vs, the
Councell and Company with all possible care and diligence, furnished a
good ship of some two hundred and fiftie tunne, with two hundred people
and the Lord la Ware. They set saile in Aprill, and tooke their course by the westerne Iles, where the Gouernour of the Ile of Saint Michael receiued the Lord la Ware,
and honourably feasted him, with all the content hee could giue him.
Going from thence, they were long troubled with contrary winds, in
which time many of them fell very sicke, thirtie died, one of which
number was that most honourable Lord Gouernour the Lord laWare,
whose most noble and generous disposition, is well knowne to his great
cost, had beene most forward in this businesse for his Countries good:
Yet this tender state of Virginia was not
growne to that maturitie, to maintaine such state and pleasure as was
fit for such a personage, with so braue and great attendance: for some
small number of aduentrous Gentlemen to make discoueries, and lie in
Garrison, ready vpon any occasion to keepe in feare the inconstant
Saluages, nothing were more requisite, but to haue more to wait &
play than worke, or more commanders and officers than industrious
labourers was not so necessarie: for in Virginia,
a plaine Souldier that can vse a Pick-axe and spade, is better than
fiue Knights, although they were Knights that could breake a Lance; for
men of great place, not inured to those incounters; when they finde
things not sutable, grow many times so discontented, they forget
themselues, & oft become so carelesse, that a discontented
melancholy brings them to much sorrow, and to others much miserie. At
last they stood in for the coast of New-England,
where they met a small Frenchman, rich of Beuers and other Furres.
Though wee had here but small knowledge of the coast nor countrie, yet
they tooke such an abundance of Fish and Fowle, and so well refreshed
themselues there with wood and water, as by the helpe of God thereby,
hauing beene at Sea sixteene weekes, got to Virginia,
who without this reliefe had beene in great danger to perish. The
French-men made them such a feast, with such an abundance of varietie
of Fish, Fowle and Fruits, as they all admired, and little expected
that wild wildernesse could affoord such wonderfull abundance of
plentie. In this ship came about two hundred men, but very little
prouision, and the ship called the Treasurer came in againe not long after with fortie passengers; the Lord la Wares ship lying in Virginia
three moneths, wee victualled her with threescore bushels of Corne, and
eight Hogsheads of flesh, besides other victuall she spent whilest they
tarried there: this ship brought vs aduice that great multitudes were a
preparing in England to bee sent, and
relied much vpon that victuall they should finde here: whereupon our
Captaine called a Councell, and writ to the Councell here in England
the estate of the Colonie, and what a great miserie would insue, if
they sent not prouision as well as people; and what they did suffer for
want of skilfull husbandmen, and meanes to set their Ploughs on worke,
hauing as good ground as any man can desire, and about fortie Bulls and
Oxen, but they wanted men to bring them to labour, and Irons for the
Ploughs, and harnesse for the Cattell. Some thirtie or fortie acres wee
had sowne with one Plough, but it stood so long on the ground before it
was reaped, it was most shaken, and the rest spoiled with the
Carrell and Rats in the Barne, but no better Corne could bee for the quantitie.
Richard Killingbeck and foure other murdered by the Saluages.
Their Church and Store-house.
Farfax, three children and two boyes also murdered.
Richard Killingbeck being with the Captaine at Kekoughtan, desired leaue to returne to his wife at Charles hundred, hee went to Iames towne by water, there he got foure more to goe with him by land, but it proued that he intended to goe trade with the Indies of Chickahamania,
where making shew of the great quantitie of trucke they had, which the
Saluages perceiuing, partly for their trucke, partly for reuenge of
some friends they pretended should haue beene slaine by Captaine Yearley, one of them with an English peece shot Killingbeck
dead, the other Saluages assaulted the rest and slew them, stripped
them, and tooke what they had: But fearing this murther would come to
light, and might cause them to suffer for it, would now proceed to the
perfection of villanie; for presently they robbed their Machacomocko
house of the towne, stole all the Indian treasure thereout, and fled into the woods, as other Indians related. On Sunday following, one Farfax
that dwelt a mile from the towne, going to Church, left his wife and
three small children safe at home, as he thought, and a young youth:
she supposing praier to be done, left the children, and went to meet
her husband; presently after came three or foure of those fugitiue
Saluages, entred the house, and slew a boy and three children, and also
another youth that stole out of the Church in praier time, meeting
them, was likewise murdered. Of this disaster the Captaine sent to Opechankanough
for satisfaction, but he excused the matter, as altogether ignorant of
it, at the same time the Saluages that were robbed were complaining to Opechankanough, and much feared the English would bee reuenged on them, so that Opechankanough sent to Captaine Argall,
to assure him the peace should neuer be broken by him, desiring that he
would not reuenge the iniurie of those fugitiues vpon the innocent
people of that towne, which towne he should haue, and sent him a basket
of earth, as possession giuen of it, and promised, so soone as possibly
they could catch these robbers, to send him their heads for
satisfaction, but he neuer performed it. Samuel Argall, Iohn Rolfe.
A relation from Master Iohn Rolfe, Iune 15. 1618.
Powhatans death.
Haile-stones eight inches about.
1619. Sir Edwin Sands Treasurer. Master Iohn Farer Deputie.
COncerning the state
of our new Common-wealth, it is somewhat bettered, for we haue
sufficient to content our selues, though not in such abundance as is
vainly reported in England. Powhatan died this last Aprill, yet the Indians continue in peace. Itopatin his second brother succeeds him, and both hee and Opechankanough
haue confirmed our former league. On the eleuenth of May, about ten of
the clocke in the night, happened a most fearefull tempest, but it
continued not past halfe an houre, which powred downe hailestones eight
or nine inches about, that none durst goe out of their doores, and
though it tore the barke and leaues of the trees, yet wee finde not
they hurt either man or beast; it fell onely about Iames
towne, for but a mile to the East, and twentie to the West there was no
haile at all. Thus in peace euery man followed his building and
planting without any accidents worthy of note. Some priuate differences
happened betwixt Captaine Bruster and Captaine Argall, and Captaine Argall and the Companie here in England;
but of them I am not fully informed, neither are they here for any vse,
and therefore vnfit to be remembred. In December one Captaine Stallings, an old planter in those parts, being imployed by them of the West countrie for a fishing voyage, in New-England, fell foule of a Frenchman whom hee tooke, leauing his owne ship to returne for England,
himselfe with a small companie remained in the French barke, some small
time after vpon the coast, and thence returned to winter in Virginia.
The gouernment surrendred to Sir George Yearley.
Waraskoyack planted.
FOr to begin with
the yeere of our Lord, 1619 there arriued a little Pinnace priuatly
from England about Easter for Captaine Argall, who taking order for his affaires, within foure or fiue daies returned in her, and left for his Deputy, Captaine Nathaniel Powell. On the eighteenth of Aprill, which was but ten or twelue daies after, arriued Sir George Yearley, by whom we vnderstood Sir Edwin Sands was chosen Treasurer, and Master Iohn Farrer
his Deputy, and what great supplies was a preparing to be sent vs,
which did rauish vs so much with ioy and content, we thought our selues
now fully satisfied, for our long toile and labours, and as happy men
as any in the world. Notwithstanding, such an accident hapned Captaine Stallings, the next day his ship was cast away, and he not long after slaine in a priuate quarrell. Sir George Yearly to beginne his gouernment, added to be of his councell, Captaine Francis West, Captaine Nathaniel Powell Master Iohn Pory, Master Iohn Rolfe, and Master William Wickam, and Master Samuel Macocke,
and propounded to haue a generall assembly with all expedition. Vpon
the twelfth of this Moneth, came in a Pinnace of Captaine Bargraues, and on the seuenteenth Captaine Lownes, and one Master Euans, who intended to plant themselues at Waraskoyack, but now Ophechankanough will not come at vs, that causes vs suspect his former promises.
A barrell they account foure bushels.
In May came in the Margaret of Bristoll,
with foure and thirty men, all well and in health, and also many deuout
gifts, and we were much troubled in examining some scandalous letters
sent into England, to disgrace this
Country with barrennesse, to discourage the aduenturers, and so bring
it and vs to ruine and confusion; notwithstanding, we finde by them of
best experience, an industrious man not other waies imploied, may well
tend foure akers of Corne, and 1000. plants of Tobacco, and where they
say an aker will yeeld but three or foure barrels, we haue ordinarily
foure or fiue, but of new ground six, seuen, and eight, and a barrell
of Pease and Beanes, which we esteeme as good as two of Corne, which is
after thirty or forty bushels an aker, so that one man may prouide
Corne for fiue, and apparell for two by the profit of his Tobacco; they
say also English Wheat will yeeld but sixteene bushels an aker, and we
haue reaped thirty: besides to manure the Land, no place hath more
white and blew Marble than here, had we but Carpenters to build and
make Carts and Ploughs, and skilfull men that know how to vse them, and
traine vp our cattell to draw them, which though we indeuour to effect,
yet our want of experience brings but little to perfection but planting
Tobaco, and yet of that many are so couetous to haue much, they make
little good; besides there are so many sofisticating Tobaco-mungers in England, were it neuer so bad, they would sell it for Verinas, and the trash that remaineth should be Virginia, such deuilish bad mindes we know some of our owne Country-men doe beare, not onely to the businesse, but also to our mother England her selfe; could they or durst they as freely defame her.
Their time of Parlament.
Foure corporations named.
Captaine Wards exploit.
The 25. of Iune came in the Triall
with Corne and Cattell all in safety, which tooke from vs cleerely all
feare of famine; then our gouernour and councell caused Burgesses to be
chosen in all places, and met at a generall Assembly, where all matters
were debated thought expedient for the good of the Colony, and Captaine
Ward was sent to Monahigan in new England, to fish in May, and returned the latter end of May, but to small purpose, for they wanted Salt: the George also was sent to New-found-land
with the Cape Merchant, there she bought fish, that defraied her
charges, and made a good voyage in seuen weekes. About the last of
August came in a dutch man of warre that sold vs twenty Negars, and Iapazous King of Patawomeck came to Iames
towne, to desire two ships to come trade in his Riuer, for a more
plentifull yeere of Corne had not beene in a long time, yet very
contagious, and by the trechery of one Poule, in a manner turned heathen, wee
were very iealous the Saluages would surprize vs. The Gouernours haue
bounded foure Corporations; which is the Companies, the Vniuersity, the
Gouernours and Gleabeland: Ensigne Wil. Spencer, & Thomas Barret
a Sergeant, with some others of the ancient Planters being set free, we
are the first farmers that went forth, and haue chosen places to their
content, so that now knowing their owne land, they striue who should
exceed in building and planting. The fourth of Nouember the Bona noua came in with all her people lusty and well; not long after one Master Dirmer sent out by some of Plimoth for New-England, arriued in a Barke of fiue tunnes, and returned the next Spring; notwithstanding the ill rumours of the vnwholsomnesse of Iames towne, the new commers that were planted at old Paspaheghe, little more then a mile from it, had their healths better then any in the Country. In December Captaine Ward returned from Patawomeck, the people there dealt falsly with him, so that hee tooke 800. bushels of Corne from them perforce. Captaine Woddiffe of Bristol
came in not long after, with all his people lusty and in health, and we
had two particular Gouernors sent vs, vnder the titles of Deputies to
the Company, the one to haue charge of the Colledge Lands, the other of
the Companies: Now you are to vnderstand, that because there haue beene
many complaints against the Gouernors, Captaines, and Officers in Virginia, for buying and selling men and boies, or to bee set ouer from one to another for a yeerely rent, was held in England
a thing most intolerable, or that the tenants or lawfull seruants
should be put from their places, or abridged their Couenants, was so
odious, that the very report thereof brought a great scandall to the
generall action. The Councell in England
did send many good and worthy instructions for the amending those
abuses, and appointed a hundred men should at the Companies charge be
allotted and prouided to serue and attend the Gouernour during the time
of his gouernment, which number he was to make good at his departure,
and leaue to his Successor in like manner, fifty to the
Deputy-Gouernour of the College land, and fifty to the Deputy of the
Companies land, fifty to the Treasurer, to the Secretary fiue and
twenty, and more to the Marshall and Cape merchant; which they are also
to leaue to their successors, and likewise to euery particular Officer
such a competency, as he might liue well in his Office, without
oppressing any vnder their charge, which good law I pray God it be well
obserued, and then we may truly say in Virginia, we are the most happy people in the world. By me Iohn Rolfe.
The number of Ships and men.
There went this
yeere by the Companies records, 11. ships, and 1216. persons to be thus
disposed on: Tenants for the Gouernors land fourescore, besides fifty
sent the former spring; for the Companies land a hundred and thirty,
for the College a hundred, for the Glebe land fifty, young women to
make wiues ninety, seruants for publike seruice fifty, and fifty more
whose labours were to bring vp thirty of the infidels children, the
rest were sent to priuate Plantations.
Gifts giuen.
But few performe them.
Two persons vnknowne
haue giuen faire Plate and Ornaments for two Communion Tables, the one
at the College, the other at the Church of Mistris Mary Robinson,
who towards the foundation gaue two hundred pound. And another vnknowne
person sent to the Treasurer fiue hundred and fifty pounds, for the
bringing vp of the faluage children in Christianity. Master Nicholas Farrar
deceased, hath by his Will giuen three hundred pounds to the College,
to be paid when there shall be ten young Saluages placed in it, in the
meane time foure and twenty pound yeerely to bee distributed vnto three
discreet and godly young men in the Colony, to bring vp three wilde
young infidels in some good course of life, also there were granted
eleuen Pattents, vpon condition to transport people and cattle to
increase the Plantations.
A desperat Sea-fight betwixt two Spanish men of warre, and a small English ship, at the Ile of Dominica going to Virginia, by Captaine Anthony Chester.
1620. The Earle of Southampton Treasurer, and M. Iohn Ferrar Deputy.
A French-man cast away at Guardalupo.
The Spaniards begin.
The Vice-Admirall shot betweene wind and water.
HAuing taken our iourney towards Virginia in the beginning of February, a ship called the Margaret and Iohn,
of one hundred and sixty tuns, eight Iron Peeces and a Falcon, with
eightie Passengers besides Sailers; After many tempests and foule
weather, about the foureteenth of March we were in thirteene degrees
and an halfe of Northerly latitude, where we descried a ship at hull;
it being but a faire gale of wind, we edged towards her to see what she
was, but she presently set saile, and ran vs quickly out of sight: This
made vs keepe our course for Mettalina, and the next day passing Dominica, we came to an anchor at Guardalupo,
to take in fresh water. Six French-men there cast away sixteene moneths
agoe came aboord vs; they told vs a Spanish man of Warre but seuen
daies before was seeking his consort, and this was she we descried at
hull. At Meuis we intended to refresh our
selues, hauing beene eleuen weeks pestered in this vnwholsome ship; but
there we found two tall ships with the Hollanders
colours, but necessitie forcing vs on shore, we anchored faire by them,
and in friendly manner sent to hale them: but seeing they were Spaniards,
retiring to our ship, they sent such a volley of shot after vs, that
shot the Boat, split the Oares, and some thorow the clothes, yet not a
man hurt; and then followed with their great Ordance, that many times
ouer-racked out ship, which being so cumbred with the Passengers
prouisions, our Ordance was not well fitted, nor any thing as it should
haue beene. But perceiuing what they were, we fitted our selues the
best we could to preuent a mischiefe, seeing them warp themselues to
windward, we thought it not good to be boorded on both sides at an
anchor, we intended to set saile, but that the Vice-Admirall battered
so hard our star-boord side, that we fell to our businesse, and
answered their vnkindnesse with such faire shot from a Demiculuering,
that shot her betweene wind and water, where by she was glad to leaue
vs and her Admirall together. Comming faire by our quarter, he tooke in
his Holland flag, and put forth his Spanish colours, and so haled vs.
The manner of their fight.
We quietly and
quickly answered him, both what wee were, and whither bound, relating
the effect of our Commission, and the cause of out comming thither for
water, and not to annoy any of the King of Spaines Subjects, nor any. She commanded vs amaine for the King of Spaine,
we replied with inlarging the particulars what friends both the Kings
our Masters were, and as we would doe no wrong, we would take none.
They commanded vs aboord to shew our Commission, which we refused, but
if they would send their Boat to vs willingly they should see it. But
for answer they made two great shot at vs, with a volley of small shot,
which caused vs to leaue the decks; then with many ill words they laid
vs aboord, which caused vs to raise our maine saile, and giue the word
to our small shot which lay close and ready, that paid them in such
sort, they quickly retired. The fight continued halfe an houre, as if
we had been inuironed with fire and smoke, vntill they discouered the
waste of our ship naked, where they brauely boorded vs loose for loose,
hasting with pikes and swords to enter, but it pleased God so to direct
our Captaine, and encourage our men with valour, that our pikes being
formerly placed vnder our halfe deck, and certaine shot lying close for
that purpose vnder the Port holes, encountred them so rudely, that
their fury was not onely rebated, but their hastinesse intercepred, and
their whole company beaten backe, many of our men were hurt, but I am
sure they had two for one.
The Captaine slaine.
In the end they were violently repulsed, vntill they were reinforced to charge
againe by their commands, who standing vpon their honors, thought it a
great indignity to be so affronted, which caused a second charge, and
that answered with a second beating backe: whereat the Captaine grew
inraged, and constrained them to come on againe afresh, which they did
so effectually, that questionlesse it had wrought an alteration, if the
God that tosseth Monarchies, and reareth Mountaines, had not taught vs
to tosse our Pikes with prosperous euents, and powred out a volley of
small shot amongst them; whereby that valiant Commander was slaine, and
many of his Souldiers dropped downe likewise on the top of the hatches.
This we saw with our eies, and reioyced with it at our hearts, so that
we might perceiue good successe comming on, our Captaine presently
tooke aduantage of their discomfiture, though with much comiseration of
that resolute Captaine, and not onely plied them againe with our
Ordnance, but had more shot vnder the Pikes, which was bestowed to good
purpose, and amazed our enemies with the suddennesse.
A worthy exploit of Lucas.
The euent of the fight.
Amongst the rest, one Lucas,
our Carpenters Mate, must not be forgotten, who perceiuing a way how to
annoy them; As they were thus puzled and in a confusion, drew out a
Minion vnder the halfe decke, and there bent it vpon them in such a
manner, that when it was fired, the cases of stones and peeces of Iron
fell vpon them so thick, as cleared the decke, and slew many, and in
short time we saw few assailants, but such as crept from place to place
couertly from the fury of our shot, which now was thicker than theirs:
for although as far as we may comend our enemies, they had done
something worthy of commendations; yet either wanting men, or being
ouertaken with the vnlooked for valour of our men, they now began to
shrinke, and giue vs leaue to be wanton with our aduantage. Yet we
could onely vse but foure peece of Ordnances, but they serued the turne
as well as all the rest: for she was shot so oft betweene wind and
water, we saw they were willing to leaue vs, but by reason she was fast
in the latch of our cable, which in haste of weighing our anchor hung
aloofe, she could not cleare her selfe as she wrought to doe, till one
cut the Cable with an axe, and was slaine by freeing vs. Hauing beene
aboord vs two houres and an halfe, seeing her selfe cleere, all the
shot wee had plaied on both sides, which lasted till we were out of
shot, then we discouered the Vice-Admirall comming to her assistance,
who began a farre off to ply vs with their Ordnances, and put vs in
minde we had another worke in hand. Whereupon we separated the dead and
hurt bodies, and manned the ship with the rest, and were so well
incouraged wee waifed them amaine. The Admirall
stood aloofe off, and the other would not come within Falcon shot,
where she lay battering vs till shee receiued another paiment from a
Demiculuering, which made her beare with the shore for smooth water to
mend her leakes. The next morning they both came vp againe with vs, as
if they had determined to deuour vs at once, but it seemed it was but a
brauado, though they forsooke not our quarter for a time within Musket
shot; yet all the night onely they kept vs company, but made not a
shot. During which time we had leasure to prouide vs better than
before: but God bethanked they made onely but a shew of another
assault, ere suddenly the Vice-admirall fell a starne, and the other
lay shaking in the wind, and so they both left vs. The fight continued
six houres, and was the more vnwelcome, because we were so ill
prouided, and had no intent to fight, nor giue occasion to disturbe
them. As for the losse of men, if Religion had not taught vs what by
the prouidence of God is brought to passe, yet daily experience might
informe vs, of the dangers of wars, and perils at sea, by stormes
tempests, shipwracks, encounters with Pirats, meeting with enemies,
crosse winds, long voiages, vnknowne shores, barbarous Nations, and an
hundred inconueniences, of which humane pollicies are not capable, nor
mens coniectures apprehensiue. We lost Doctor Bohun, a worthy valiant Gentleman, (a long time brought vp amongst the most learned Surgeons, and Physitions in Netherlands, and this his second iourney to Virginia:) and seuen slaine out right, two died shortly of their wounds; sixteene was shot, whose limbs
God be thanked was recouered without maime, and now setled in Virginia:
how many they lost we know not, but we saw a great many lie on the
decks, and their skuppers runne with bloud, they were about three
hundred tunnes apeece, each sixteene or twentie Brasse peeces. Captaine
Chester, who in this fight had behaued
himselfe like a most vigilant, resolute, and a couragious souldier, as
also our honest and valiant master, did still so comfort and incourage
vs by all the meanes they could, at last to all our great contents we
arriued in Virginia, and from thence returned safely to England.
The Names of the Aduenturers for Virginia, Alphabetically set downe, according to a printed Booke, set out by the Treasurer and Councell in this present yeere, 1620.
A
- SIr William Aliffe.
- Sir Roger Aston.
- Sir Anthony Ashley.
- Sir Iohn Akland.
- Sir Anthonie Aucher.
- Sir Robert Askwith.
- Doctor Francis Anthony.
- Charles Anthony.
- Edward Allen.
- Edmund Allen Esquire.
- Iohn Allen.
- Thomas Allen.
- William Atkinson, Esquire.
- Richard Ashcroft.
- Nicholas Andrews.
- Iohn Andrews the elder.
- Iohn Andrews the younger.
- Iames Ascough.
- Giles Allington.
- Morris Abbot.
- Ambrose Asten.
- Iames Askew.
- Anthony Abdey.
- Iohn Arundell, Esquire.
B
- Edward, Earle of Bedford
- Iames, Lord Bishop of Bathe and Wells.
- Sir Francis Barrington.
- Sir Morice Barkley.
- Sir Iohn Benet.
- Sir Thomas Beamont.
- Sir Amias Bamfield.
- Sir Iohn Bourcher.
- Sir Edmund Bowyer.
- Sir Thomas Bludder.
- Sir George Bolles.
- Sir Iohn Bingley.
- Sir Thomas Button.
- Sir Henry Beddingfield.
- Companie of Barbers-Surgeons.
- Companie of Bakers.
- Richard Banister.
- Iohn Bancks.
- Miles Bancks.
- Thomas Barber.
- William Bonham.
- Iames Bryerley.
- William Barners.
- Anthony Barners, Esquire.
- William Brewster.
- Richard Brooke.
- Hugh Brooker, Esquire.
- Ambrose Brewsey.
- Iohn Brooke.
- Matthew Bromridge.
- Christopher Brooke, Esquire.
- Martin Bond.
- Gabriel Beadle.
- Iohn Beadle.
- Dauid Borne.
- Edward Barnes.
- Iohn Badger.
- Edmund Branduell.
- Robert Bowyer, Esquire.
- Bobert Bateman.
- Thomas Britton.
- Nicholas Benson.
- Edward Bishop.
- Peter Burgoney.
- Thomas Burgoney.
- Robert Burgoney.
- Christopher Baron.
- Peter Benson.
- John Baker.
- John Bustoridge.
- Francis Burley.
- William Browne.
- Robert Barker.
- Samuel Burnham.
- Edward Barkley.
- William Bennet.
- Captaine Edward Brewster.
- Thomas Brocket.
- John Bullock.
- George Bache.
- Thomas Bayly.
- William Barkley.
- George Butler.
- Timothie Bathurst.
- George Burton.
- Thomas Bret.
- Captaine John Brough.
- Thomas Baker.
- John Blunt.
- Thomas Bayly.
- Richard and Edward Blunt.
- Mineon Burrell.
- Richard Blackmore.
- William Beck.
- Beniamin Brand.
- John Busbridge.
- William Burrell.
- William Barret.
- Francis Baldwin.
- Edward Barber.
- Humphrey Basse.
- Robert Bell.
- Matthew Bromrick.
- John Beaumont.
- George Barkley.
- Peter Bartle.
- Thomas Bretton.
- John Blount.
- Arthur Bromfeld Esquire.
- William Berblock.
- Charles Beck.
C
- George, Lord Archhishop of Canterburie.
- William Lord Cranborne, now Earle of Salisburie.
- William, Lord Compton, now Earle of North-hampton.
- William Lord Cauendish, now Earle of Deuonshire.
- Richard, Earle of Clanricard.
- Sir William Cauendish now Lord Cauendish.
- Gray, Lord Chandos.
- Sir Henry Cary.
- Sir George Caluert.
- Sir Lionell Cranfield.
- Sir Edward Cecill.
- Sir Robert Cotten.
- Sir Oliuer Cromwell.
- Sir Anthony Cope.
- Sir Walter Cope.
- Sir Edward Carr.
- Sir Thomas Conisbie.
- Sir George Cary.
- Sir Edward Conwey.
- Sir Walter Chute.
- Sir Edward Culpeper.
- Sir Henry Cary, Captaine.
- Sir William Crauen.
- Sir Walter Couert.
- Sir George Coppin.
- Sir George Chute.
- Sir Thomas Couentry.
- Sir John Cutts.
- Lady Cary.
- Company of Cloth-workers.
- Citie of Chichester.
- Robert Chamberlaine.
- Richard Chamberlaine.
- Francis Couill.
- William Coyse, Esquire.
- Abraham Chamberlaine.
- Thomas Carpenter.
- Anthony Crew.
- Richard Cox.
- William Crosley.
- James Chatfeild.
- Richard Caswell.
- John Cornelis.
- Randall Carter.
- Executers of Randall Carter.
- William Canning.
- Edward Carue, Esquire.
- Thomas Cannon, Esquire.
- Richard Champion.
- Rawley Crashaw.
- Henry Collins.
- Henry Cromwell.
- John Cooper.
- Richard Cooper.
- John Casson.
- Thomas Colthurst.
- Allen Cotten.
- Edward Cage.
- Abraham Carthwright.
- Robert Coppin.
- Thomas Conock.
- John Clapham.
- Thomas Church.
- William Carpenter.
- Laurence Campe.
- James Cambell.
- Christopher Cletheroe.
- Matthew Cooper.
- George Chamber.
- Captaine John Cooke.
- Captaine Thomas Conwey, Esquire.
- Edward Culpeper, Esquire.
- Master William Crashaw.
- Abraham Colmer.
- John Culpeper.
- Edmund Colbey.
- Richard Cooper.
- Robert Creswell.
- John Cage, Esquire.
- Matthew Caue.
- William Crowe.
- Abraham Carpenter.
- John Crowe.
- Thomas Cardell.
- Richard Connock, Esquire.
- William Compton.
- William Chester.
- Thomas Couel.
- Richard Carmarden, Esquire.
- William and Paul Canning.
- Henry Cromwell, Esquire.
- Simon Codrington.
- Clement Chichley.
- James Cullemore.
- William Cantrell.
D
- Richard Earle of Dorset.
- Edward Lord Denny.
- Sir John Digbie, now Lord Digbie.
- Sir John Doderidge.
- Sir Drew Drewry the elder.
- Sir Thomas Dennis.
- Sir Robert Drewry.
- Sir John Dauers.
- Sir Dudley Digs.
- Sir Marmaduke Dorrel.
- Sir Thomas Dale.
- Sir Thomas Denton.
- Companie of Drapers.
- Thomas Bond, Esquire.
- David Bent, Esquire.
- Comanie of Dyers.
- Towne of Douer.
- Master Richard Deane, Alderman.
- Henry Dawkes.
- Edward Dichfield.
- William Dunne.
- John Dauis.
- Marthew Dequester.
- Philip Durdent.
- Abraham Dawes.
- John Dike.
- Thomas Draper.
- Lancelot Dauis.
- Rowley Dawsey.
- William Dobson Esquire.
- Anthony Dyot, Esquire.
- Auery Dranfield.
- Roger Dye.
- John Downes.
- John Drake.
- John Delbridge.
- Beniamin Decroe.
- Thomas Dyke.
- Ieffery Duppa.
- Daniel Darnelly.
- Sara Draper.
- Clement and Henry Dawkney.
E
- Thomas, Earle of Exeter.
- Sir Thomas Euerfield.
- Sir Francis Egiock.
- Sir Robert Edolph.
- John Eldred, Esquire.
- William Euans.
- Richard Euans.
- Hugh Euans.
- Raph Ewens, Esquire.
- John Elkin.
- John Elkin.
- Robert Euelin.
- Nicholas Exton.
- John Exton.
- George Etheridge.
F
- Sir Moyle Finch.
- Sir Henry Fanshaw.
- Sir Thomas Freake.
- Sir Peter Fretchuile.
- Sir William Fleetwood.
- Sir Henry Fane.
- Company of Fishmongers.
- Iohn Fletcher.
- Iohn Farmer.
- Martin Freeman, Esquire.
- Ralph Freeman.
- William and Ralph Freeman.
- Michael Fetiplace.
- VVilliam Fettiplace.
- Thomas Forrest.
- Edward Fleetwood, Esquire.
- William Felgate.
- William Field.
- Nicholas Ferrar.
- Iohn Farrar.
- Giles Francis.
- Edward Fawcet.
- Richard Farrington.
- Iohn Francklin.
- Richard Frith.
- Iohn Ferne.
- George Farmer.
- Thomas Francis.
- Iohn Fenner.
- Nicholas Fuller, Esquire.
- Thomas Foxall.
- William Fleet.
- Peter Franck, Esquire.
- Richard Fishborne.
- VVilliam Faldoe.
- Iohn Fletcher, and Company.
- VVilliam Ferrars.
G
- Lady Elizabeth Gray.
- Sir Iohn Gray.
- Sir VVilliam Godolfine.
- Sir Thomas Gates.
- Sir VVilliam Gee.
- Sir Richard Grobham.
- Sir VVilliam Garaway.
- Sir Francis Goodwin.
- Sir George Goring.
- Sir Thomas Grantham.
- Company of Grocers.
- Company of Goldsmiths.
- Company of Girdlers.
- Iohn Geering.
- Iohn Gardiner.
- Richard Gardiner.
- Iohn Gilbert.
- Thomas Graue.
- Iohn Gray.
- Nicholas Griece.
- Richard Goddard.
- Thomas Gipps.
- Peter Gates.
- Thomas Gibbs Esquire.
- Laurence Greene.
- William Greenwell.
- Robert Garset.
- Robert Gore.
- Thomas Gouge.
- Francis Glanuile, Esquire.
G
- Henry, Earle of Huntington.
- Lord Theophilus Haward, L. Walden.
- Sir Iohn Harrington, L. Harington.
- Sir Iohn Hollis, now Lord Hautein.
- Sir Thomas Holecroft.
- Sir William Harris.
- Sir Thomas Harefleet.
- Sir George Haiward.
- Sir VVarwicke Heale.
- Sir Baptist Hicks.
- Sir Iohn Hanham.
- Sir Thomas Horwell.
- Sir Thomas Hewit.
- Sir VVilliam Herrick.
- Sir Eustace Hart.
- Sir Pory Huntley.
- Sir Arthur Harris.
- Sir Edward Heron.
- Sir Perseuall Hart.
- Sir Ferdinando Heiborne.
- Sir Lawrence Hide.
- Master Hugh Hamersley, Alderman.
- Master Richard Heron, Alderman.
- Richard Humble, Esquire.
- Master Richard Hackleuit.
- Edward Harrison.
- George Holeman.
- Robert Hill.
- Griffin Hinton.
- Iohn Hawkins.
- VVilliam Hancocke.
- Iohn Harper.
- George Hawger.
- Iohn Holt.
- Iohn Huntley.
- Ieremy Heiden.
- Ralph Hamer.
- Ralph Hamer, Iunior.
- Iohn Hodgeson.
- Iohn Hanford.
- Thomas Harris.
- Richard Howell.
- Thomas Henshaw.
- Leonard Harwood
- Tristram Hill.
- Francis Haselridge.
- Tobias Hinson.
- Peter Heightley.
- George Hawkenson.
- Thomas Hackshaw.
- Charles Hawkens.
- Iohn Hodgus.
- William Holland.
- Robert Hartley.
- Gregory Herst.
- Thomas Hodgis.
- William Hodgis.
- Roger Harris.
- Iohn Harris.
- M. Iohn Haiward.
- Iames Haiward.
- Nicholas Hide, Esquire.
- Iohn Hare, Esquire.
- William Hackwell, Esquire.
- Gressam Hoogan.
- Humsrey Hanford.
- William Haselden.
- Nicholas Hooker.
- Doctor Anthony Hunton.
- Iohn Hodsale.
- George Hooker.
- Anthony Hinton.
- Iohn Hogsell.
- Thomas Hampton.
- William Hicks.
- William Holiland.
- Ralph Harison.
- Harman Harison.
I
- Sir Thomas Iermyn.
- Sir Robert Iohnson.
- Sir Arthur Ingram.
- Sir Francis Iones.
- Company of Ironmongers.
- Company of Inholders.
- Company of Imbroyderers.
- Bailiffes of Ipswich.
- Henry Iackson.
- Richard Ironside.
- M. Robert Iohnson Alderman.
- Thomas Iones.
- William Iobson.
- Thomas Iohnson.
- Thomas Iadwine.
- Iohn Iosua.
- George Isam.
- Philip Iacobson.
- Peter Iacobson.
- Thomas Iuxson Senior.
- Iames Iewell.
- Gabriel Iaques.
- Walter Iobson.
- Edward Iames.
- Zachary Iones, Esquire.
- Anthony Irbye, Esquire.
- William I-anson.
- Humfrey Iobson.
K
- Sir Valentine Knightley.
- Sir Robert Kittegrew.
- Sir Charles Kelke.
- Sir Iohn Kaile.
- Richard Kirrill.
- Iohn Kirrill.
- Raph King.
- Henry Kent.
- Towne of Kingflynne.
- Iohn Kettleby, Esquire.
- Walter Kirkham, Esquire.
L
- Henry Earle of Lincolne.
- Robert, L. Lisle, now Earle of Leicester.
- Thomas, Lord Laware.
- Sir Francis Leigh.
- Sir Richard Lowlace.
- Sir William Litton.
- Sir Iohn Lewson.
- Sir William Lower.
- Sir Samuel Leonard.
- Sir Samson Leonard.
- Company of Lethersellers.
- Thomas Laughton.
- William Lewson.
- Peter Latham.
- Peter Van Lore.
- Henry Leigh.
- Thomas Leuar.
- Christofer Landman.
- Morris Lewellin.
- Edward Lewis.
- Edward Lewkin.
- Peter Lodge.
- Thomas Layer.
- Thomas Lawson.
- Francis Lodge.
- Iohn Langley.
- Dauid Loide.
- Iohn Leuitt.
- Thomas Fox and Luke Lodge.
- Captaine Richard Linley.
- Arnold Lulls.
- William Lawrence.
- Iohn Landman.
- Nicholas Lichfield.
- Nicholas Leate.
- Gedeon de Laune.
M
- Philip Earle of Montgomerie.
- Doctor George Mountaine, now Lord Bishop of Lincolne.
- William Lord Mounteagle, now Lord Morley.
- Sir Thomas Mansell.
- Sir Thomas Mildmay.
- Sir William Maynard.
- Sir Humfrey May.
- Sir Peter Manhood.
- Sir Iohn Merrick.
- Sir George More.
- Sir Robert Mansell.
- Sir Arthur Mannering.
- Sir Dauid Murrey.
- Sir Edward Michelborn.
- Sir Thomas Middleton.
- Sir Robert Miller.
- Sir Caualiero Maicott.
- Doctor Iames Meddus.
- Richard Martin, Esquire.
- Company of Mercers.
- Company of Merchant Taylors.
- Otho Mowdite.
- Captaine Iohn Martin.
- Arthur Mouse.
- Adrian More.
- Thomas Mountford.
- Thomas Morris.
- Ralph Moorton.
- Francis Mapes.
- Richard Maplesden.
- Iames Monger.
- Peter Monsell.
- Robert Middleton.
- Thomas Maile.
- Iohn Martin.
- Iosias Maude.
- Richard Morton.
- George Mason.
- Thomas Maddock.
- Richard Moore.
- Nicholas Moone.
- Alfonsus van Medkerk.
- Captaine Henry Meoles.
- Philip Mutes.
- Thomas Mayall.
- Humfrey Marret.
- Iaruis Mundz.
- Robert Mildmay.
- William Millet.
- Richard Morer.
- Iohn Miller.
- Thomas Martin.
- Iohn Middleton.
- Francis Middleton.
N
- Dudly, Lord North.
- Francis, Lord Norris.
- Sir Henry Neuill of Barkshire.
- Thomas Nicols.
- Christopher Nicols.
- VVilliam Nicols.
- George Newce.
- Ioseph Newberow.
- Christopher Newgate.
- Thomas Norincott.
- Ionathan Nuttall.
- Thomas Norton.
O
- William Oxenbridge, Esquire.
- Robert Offley.
- Francis Oliuer.
P
- VVilliam, Earle of Pembroke.
- VVilliam, Lord Paget.
- Iohn, Lord Petre.
- George Percy, Esquire.
- Sir Christofer Parkins.
- Sir Amias Preston.
- Sir Nicholas Parker.
- Sir VVilliam Poole.
- Sir Stephen Powell.
- Sir Henry Peyton.
- Sir Iames Perrot.
- Sir Iohn Pettus.
- Sir Robert Payne.
- VVilliam Payne.
- Iohn Payne.
- Edward Parkins.
- Edward Parkins his widow.
- Aden Perkins.
- Thomas Perkin.
- Richard Partridge.
- William Palmer.
- Miles Palmer.
- Robert Parkhurst.
- Richard Perciuall, Esquire.
- Richard Poyntell.
- George Pretty.
- George Pit.
- Allen Percy.
- Abraham Peirce.
- Edmund Peirce.
- Phenice Pet.
- Thomas Philips.
- Henry Philpot.
- Master George Procter.
- Robert Penington.
- Peter Peate.
- Iohn Prat.
- William Powell.
- Edmund Peashall.
- Captaine William Proude.
- Henry Price.
- Nicholas Pewriffe.
- Thomas Pelham.
- Richard Piggot.
- Iohn Pawlet, Esquire.
- Robert Pory.
- Richard Paulson.
R
- Sir Robert Rich, now Earle of Warwicke.
- Sir Thomas Row.
- Sir Henry Rainsford.
- Sir William Romney.
- Sir Iohn Ratcliffe.
- Sir Steuen Ridlesdon.
- Sir William Russell.
- Master Edward Rotheram, Alderman.
- Robert Rich.
- Tedder Roberts.
- Henry Robinson.
- Iohn Russell.
- Richard Rogers.
- Arthur Robinson.
- Robert Robinson.
- Millicent Ramsden.
- Iohn Robinson.
- George Robins.
- Nichalas Rainton.
- Henry Rolffe.
- Iohn Reignolds.
- Elias Roberts.
- Henry Reignolds, Esquire.
- William Roscarrocke, Esquire.
- Humfrey Raymell.
- Richard Robins.
S
- Henry, Earle of Southampton.
- Thomas Earle of Suffolke.
- Edward Semer, Earle of Hartford.
- Robert, Earle of Salisbury.
- Mary, Countesse of Shrewsbury.
- Edmund, Lord Sheffeld.
- Robert, Lord Spencer.
- Iohn, Lord Stanhope.
- Sir Iohn Saint-Iohn.
- Sir Thomas Smith.
- Sir Iohn Samms.
- Sir Iohn Smith.
- Sir Edwin Sandys.
- Sir Samuel Sandys.
- Sir Steuen Some.
- Sir Raph Shelton.
- Sir Thomas Stewkley.
- Sir William Saint-Iohn.
- Sir William Smith.
- Sir Richard Smith.
- Sir Martin Stuteuill.
- Sir Nicolas Salter.
- Doctor Matthew Sutcliffe of Exeter.
- Captaine Iohn Smith.
- Thomas Sandys, Esquire.
- Henry Sandys, Esquire.
- George Sandys, Esquire.
- Company of Skinners.
- Company of Salters.
- Company of Stationers.
- Iohn Stokley.
- Richard Staper.
- Robert Singleton.
- Thomas Shipton.
- Cleophas Smith.
- Richard Strongtharm.
- Hildebrand Spruson.
- Matthew Scriuener.
- Othowell Smith.
- George Scot.
- Hewet Stapers.
- Iames Swift.
- Richard Stratford.
- Edmund Smith.
- Robert Smith.
- Mathias Springham.
- Richard Smith.
- Edward Smith.
- Ionathan Smith.
- Humfrey Smith.
- Iohn Smith.
- George Swinhow.
- Ioseph Some.
- William Sheckley.
- John Southick.
- Henry Shelley.
- Walter Shelley.
- Richard Snarsborow.
- George Stone.
- Hugh Shepley.
- William Strachey.
- Vrion Spencer.
- Iohn Scarpe.
- Thomas Scott.
- William Sharpe.
- Steuen Sparrow.
- Thomas Stokes.
- Richard Shepard.
- Henry Spranger.
- William Stonnard.
- Steuen Sad.
- John Stockley.
- Thomas Steuens.
- Matthew Shepard.
- Thomas Sherwell.
- William Seabright, Esquire.
- Nicholas Sherwell.
- Augustine Steward.
- Thomas Stile.
- Abraham Speckhard.
- Edmund Scot.
- Francis Smalman.
- Gregory Sprint, Esquire.
- Thomas Stacey.
- William Sandbatch.
- Augustine Stuard, Esquire.
T
- Sir William Twisden.
- Sir William Throckmorton.
- Sir Nicholas Tufton.
- Sir Iohn Treuer.
- Sir Thomas Tracy.
- George Thorpe, Esquire.
- Doctor William Turner.
- The Trinity house.
- Richard Turner.
- Iohn Tauerner.
- Daniel Tucker.
- Charles Towler.
- William Tayler.
- Leonard Townson.
- Richard Tomlins.
- Francis Tate, Esquire.
- Andrew Troughten.
- George Tucker.
- Henry Timberlake.
- William Tucker.
- Lewis Tite.
- Robert Thornton.
V
- Sir Horatio Vere.
- Sir Walter Vaughan.
- Henry Vincent.
- Richard Venne.
- Christopher Vertue.
- Iohn Vassell.
- Arthur Venne.
W
- Henry Bishop of VVorcester.
- Francis West, Esquire.
- Sir Ralph Winwood.
- Sir Iohn Wentworth.
- Sir William Waad.
- Sir Robert Worth.
- Sir Perciual Willoby.
- Sir Charles Wilmott.
- Sir Iohn Wats.
- Sir Hugh Worrell.
- Sir Edward Waterhouse.
- Sir Thomas Wilsford.
- Sir Richard Williamson.
- Sir Iohn Wolstenholm.
- Sir Thomas Walsingham.
- Sir Thomas Watson.
- Sir Thomas Wilson.
- Sir Iohn Weld.
- Mistris Kath. West, now Lady Conway.
- Iohn Wroth, Esquire.
- Captaine Maria Winckfield, Esquire.
- Thomas Webb.
- Rice Webb.
- Edward Webb.
- Sands Webb.
- Felix Wilson.
- Thomas White.
- Richard Wiffen.
- William Williamson.
- Humfrey Westwood.
- Hugh Willeston.
- Thomas Wheatley.
- William Wattey.
- William Webster.
- Iames White.
- Edmund Winne.
- Iohn West.
- Iohn Wright.
- Edward Wooller.
- Thomas Walker.
- Iohn Wooller.
- Iohn Westrow.
- Edward Welch.
- Nathaniel Waad.
- Richard Widowes.
- Dauid Waterhouse, Esquire.
- Captaine Owen Winne.
- Randall Wetwood.
- George Wilmer, Esquire.
- Edward Wilkes.
- Leonard White.
- Andrew Willmer.
- Clement Willmer.
- George Walker.
- William Welbie.
- Francis Whistler.
- Thomas Wells.
- Captaine Thomas Winne.
- Iohn Whittingham.
- Thomas Wheeler.
- William Willet.
- Deuereux Woogam.
- Iohn Walker.
- Thomas Wood.
- Iohn Willet.
- Nicholas Wheeler.
- Thomas Wale.
- William Wilston.
- Iohn Waller.
- William Ward.
- William Willeston.
- Iohn Water.
- Thomas Warr, Esquire.
- Dauid Wiffen.
- Garret Weston.
Y
- Sir George Yeardley, new Gouernour of Virginia.
- William Yong.
- Simon Yeomans.
Z
- Edward, Lord Zouch.
- Iohn Zouch, Esquire.
THat most
generous and most honourable Lord, the Earle of Southhampton, being
pleased to take vpon him the title of Treasurer, and Master Iohn Farrar
his Deputy, with such instructions as were necessary, and admonitions
to all Officers to take heede of extortion, ingrosing commodities,
forestalling of markets, especially to haue a vigilant care, the
familiarity of the Saluages liuing amongst them made them not way to
betray or surprize them, for the building of Guest-houses to relieue
the weake in, and that they did wonder in all this time they had made
no discoueries, nor knew no more then the very place whereon they did
inhabit, nor yet could euer see any returne for all this continuall
charge and trouble, therefore they sent to be added to the Councell
seuen Gentlemen, namely Mr. Thorp, Captaine Nuce, Mr. Tracy, Captaine Middleton, Captaine Blount, Mr. Iohn Pountas, and Mr. Harwood, with men, munition, and all things thought fitting, but they write from Virginia,
many of the Ships were so pestred with diseased people, & thronged
together in their passage, there was much sicknesse and a great
mortality, wherefore they desired rather a few able sufficient men well
prouided, then great multitudes, and because there were few accidents
of note, but priuate aduertisements by letters, we will conclude this
yeere, and proceed to the next. Collected out of the Councels letters for Virginia.
1621. The Earle of South-hampton Treasurer. Master Iohn Farrar Deputy.
The election of Sir Francis Wyat Gouernour for Virginia.
Notes worthy obseruation.
The instructions and aduertisements for this yeere were both from England and Virginia, much like the last: only whereas before they had euer a suspicion of Opechankanough,
and all the rest of the Saluages, they had an eye ouer him more then
any, but now they all write so confidently of their assured peace with
the Saluages, there is now no more feare nor danger either of their
power or trechery, so that euery man planteth himselfe where he
pleaseth, and followeth his businesse securely. But the time of Sir George Tearley being neere expired, the Councel here
made choise of a worthy young Gentleman Sir Francis Wyat
to succeed him, whom they forthwith furnished and prouided, as they had
done his Predecessors, with all the necessary instructions all these
times had acquainted them for the conuersion of the Saluages, the
suppressing of planting Tobacco, and planting of Corne, not depending
continually to be supplied by the Saluages, but in case of necessity to
trade with them, whom long ere this, it hath beene promised and
expected should haue beene fed and relieued by the English, not the
English by them; and carefully to redresse all the complaints of the
needlesse mortality of their people, and by all diligence seeke to send
something home to satisfie the Aduenturers, that all this time had only
liued vpon hopes, grew so weary and discouraged, that it must now be
substance that must maintaine their proceedings, & not letters,
excuses and promises; seeing they could get so much and such great
estates for themselues, as to spend after the rate of 100. pounds,
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. nay some 2000, or 3000. pounds yearely, that were
not worth so many pence when they went to Virginia,
can scarce containe themselues either in diet, apparell, gaming, and
all manner of such superfluity, within a lesse compasse than our
curious, costly, and consuming Gallants here in England,
which cannot possibly be there supported, but either by oppressing the
Comminalty there, or deceiuing the generality here (or both.) Extracted out of the Councels Letters for Virginia.
A degression.
From Virginia,
by the relations of the Chieftains there, & many I haue conferred
with, that came from thence hither, I haue much admired to heare of the
incredible pleasure, profit and plenty this Plantation doth abound in,
and yet could neuer heare of any returne but Tobacco, but it hath oft
amazed me to vnderstand how strangely the Saluages hath beene taught
the vse of our armes, and imploied in hunting and fowling with our
fowling peeces, and our men rooting in the ground about Tobacco like
Swine; besides that, the Saluages that doe little but continually
exercise their bow and arrowes, should dwell and lie so familiarly
amongst our men that practised little but the Spade, being so farre
asunder, and in such small parties dispersed, and neither Fort,
exercise of armes vsed, Ordnances mounted, Courts of guard, nor any
preparation nor prouision to preuent a forraine enemy, much more the
Saluages howsoeuer; for the Saluages vncertaine conformity I doe not
wonder, but for their constancy and conuersion, I am and euer haue
beene of the opinion of Master Ionas Stockam a Minister in Virginia,
who euen at this time, when all things were so prosperous, and the
Saluages at the point of conuersion, against all their Gouernours and
Councels opinions, writ to the Councell and Company in England to this effect.
May 28.
Master Stockams relation.
WE that haue left
our natiue country to soiourne in a strange land, some idle spectators,
who either cowardly dare not, or couetously will not aduenture either
their purses or persons in so commendable a worke; others supporting Atlas of this ilmost vnsupportable burdens as your selues, without whose assistance this Virginia
Firmament (in which some) and I hope in short time will shine many more
glorious Starres, though there be many Italiannated and Spaniolized
Englishmen enuies our prosperities, and by all their ignominious
scandals they can deuise seekes to dishearten what they can, those that
are willing to further this glorious enterprize, to such I wish
according to the decree of Darius, that
whosoeuer is an enemy to our peace, and seeketh either by getting
monipolicall patens, or by forging vniust tales to hinder our welfare,
that his house were pulled downe, and a paire of gallowes made of the
wood, and he hanged on them in the place.
As for those lasie
seruants, who had rather stand all day idle, than worke, though but an
houre in this Vineyard, and spend their substance riotously, than cast
the superfluity of their wealth into your Treasury, I leaue them as
they are to the eternall Iudge of the world. But you right worthy, that
hath aduentured so freely, I
will not examine, if it were
for the glory of God, or your desire of gaine, which it may be you
expect should flow vnto you with a full tide, for the conuersion of the
Saluages: I wonder you vse not the meanes, I confesse you say well to
haue them conuerted by faire meanes, but they scorne to ackowledge it,
as for the gifts bestowed on them they deuoure them, and so they would
the giuers if they could, and though many haue endeuoured by all the
meanes they could by kindnesse to conuert them, they finde nothing from
them but derision and ridiculous answers. We haue sent boies amongst
them to learne their Language, but they returne worse than they went;
but I am no States-man, nor loue I to meddle with any thing but my
Bookes, but I can finde no probability by this course to draw them to
goodnesse; I and am perswaded if Mars and Minerua
goe hand in hand, they will effect more good in an houre, then those
verball Mercurians in their liues, and till their Priests and Ancients
haue their throats cut, there is no hope to bring them to conuersion.
The gouernment of Sir Francis Wyar.
The arriuall of Sir Francis Wyat.
ABout October arriued Sir Francis Wyat, with Master George Sands, appointed Treasurer, Master Dauison Secretary, Doctor Pot the Physician, and Master Cloyburne
the Surgian, but much prouision was very badly conditioned, nay the
Hogs would not eat that Corne they brought, which was a great cause of
their sicknesse and mortality, and whatsoeuer is said against the Virginia
Corne, they finde it doth better nourish than any prouision is sent
thither; the Sailers still they complaine are much to blame for
imbesling the prouisions sent to priuate men, killing of Swine, and
disorderly trucking; for which some order would be taken.
Master Gookins Plantation.
In them nine Ships that went with Sir Francis Wyat not one Passenger died, at his arriuall he sent Master Thorpe to Opechancanough,
whom hee found much satisfied with his comming, to confirme their
leagues as he had done his Predecessors, and so contented his people
should coinhabit amongst them, and hee found more motions of Religion
in him than could be imagined: euery man betaking himselfe to his
quarter, it was ordered, that for euery head they should plant but
1000. Plants of Tobacco, and vpon each plant nine leaues, which will be
about 100. weight, the Corne being appointed but at two shillings &
six pence the bushell, required such labour, it caused most men neglect
it, and depend vpon trade; where were it rated at ten shillings the
bushell, euery man would indeuour to haue plenty to sell to the new
commers, or any that wanted, and seldome any is transported from England,
but it standeth in as much, besides the hazard and other necessaries,
the Ships might transport of that burden. The 22. of Nouember arriued
Master Gookin out of Ireland,
with fifty men of his owne, and thirty Passengers, exceedingly well
furnished with all sorts of prouision and cattle, and planted himselfe
at Nupors-newes: the Cotten trees in a
yeere grew so thicke as ones arme, and so high as a man: here any thing
that is planted doth prosper so well as in no place better. For the
mortality of the people accuse not the place, for of the old Planters
and the families scarce one of twenty miscarries, onely the want of
necessaries are the occasions of those diseases. And so wee will
conclude this yeere with the shipping and numbers sent. Out of the Councels Letters from Virginia.
The number of Ships and men
This yeere was sent
one and twenty saile of Ships that imployed more than 400. sailers and
1300. men, women and children of diuers faculties, with foure-score
cattle; the Tiger fell in the Turkes
hands, yet safely escaped, and by the returne of their letters from
thence, the company is assured there can bee no fitter places of Mines,
Wood and Water for Iron than there; and the French men affirme no
Country is more proper for Vines, Oliues, Sike, Rice and Salt, &c.
of which the next yeere they promise a good quantity.
GIFTS.
Gifts giuen.
Patents granted.
THe Gentlemen and Mariners that came in the Royall Iames from the East- Indies,
gaue towards the building of a free Schoole 70 pound, eight shillings,
and six pence; and an vnknowne person to further it, sent thirtie
pounds; and another in like manner fiue & twentie pounds; another
refusing to be made knowne, gaue fortie shillings yeerely for a Sermon
before the Virginia companie: also another that would not be knowne, sent for the College at Henrico, many excellent good religious bookes, worth ten pound, & a most curious Map of al that coast of America, Master Thomas Bargaue
their Preacher there deceased, gaue a Librarie valued at one hundred
Markes: and the Inhabitants hath made a contribution of one thousand
and fiue hundred pounds, to build a house for the entertaining of
strangers. This yeere also there was much suing for Patents for
Plantations, who promised to transport such great multitudes of people:
there was much disputing concerning those diuisions, as though the
whole land had beene too little for them: six and twentie obtained
their desires, but as yet not past six hath sent thither a man;
notwithstanding many of them would haue more, and are not well
contented; whom I would intreat, and all other wranglers, to peruse
this saying of honest Claudius.
See'st not the world of Natures worke, the fairest well, I wot,
How it, it selfe together ties, as in a true-loues knot.
Nor seest how th'Elements ayre combin'd, maintaine one constant plea,
How midst of heauen contents the Sunne, and shore containes the sea;
And how the aire both compasseth, and carrieth still earths frame,
Yet neither pressing burdens it, nor parting leaues the same.
The obseruations of Master Iohn Pory Secretarie of Virginia, in his trauels.
My iourney to the Easterne shore.
A good place to make salt in
HAuing but ten men
meanly prouided to plant the Secretaries land on the Easterne shore
neere Acomack, Captaine Wilcocks plantation, the better to secure and assist each other. Sir George Tearley intending to visit Smiths Iles, fell so sicke that he could not, so that he sent me with Estinien Moll a French-man, to finde a conuenient place to make salt in. Not long after Namenacus the King of Pawtuxunt, came to vs to seeke for Thomas Saluage
our Interpreter. Thus insinuating himselfe, he led vs into a thicket,
where all sitting downe, he shewed vs his naked brest; asking if we saw
any deformitie vpon it, we told him, No; No more, said hee, is the
inside, but as sincere and pure; therefore come freely to my Countrie
and welcome: which wee promised wee would within six weekes after.
Hauing taken a muster of the companies tenants, I went to Smiths Iles, where was our Salt-house: not farre off wee found a more conuenient place, and so returned to Iames towne.
The King of Pawtxunts entertainment.
Being furnished the second time, wee arriued at Aquo hanock, and conferred with Kiptopeke their King. Passing Russels Ile and Onaucoke, we arriued at Pawtuxunt: the discription of those places, you may reade in Captaine Smiths discoueries, therefore needlesse to bee writ againe. But here arriuing at Attoughcomoco the habitation of Namenacus and Wamanato,
his brother, long wee staied not ere they came aboord vs with a brasse
Kettle, as bright without as within, ful of boyled Oisters. Strict
order was giuen none should offend vs, so that the next day I went with
the two Kings a hunting, to discouer what I could in their confines. Wamanato
brought mee first to his house, where hee shewed mee his wife and
children, and many Corne-fields; and being two miles within the woods a
hunting, as the younger conducted me forth, so the elder brought me
home, and
vsed me as kindly as he could,
after their manner. The next day he presented me twelue Beuer skinnes
and a Canow, which I requited with such things to his content, that he
promised to keepe them whilst hee liued, and burie them with him being
dead. Hee much wondered at our Bible, but much more to heare it was the
Law of our God, and the first Chapter of Genesis expounded of Adam and Eue, and simple mariage; to which he replyed, hee was like Adam
in one thing, for he neuer had but one wife at once: but he, as all the
rest, seemed more willing of other discourses they better vnderstood.
The next day the two Kings with their people, came aboord vs, but
brought nothing according to promise; so that Ensigne Saluage challenged Namenacus the breach of three promises, viz. not in giuing him a Boy, nor Corne, though they had plentie, nor Moutapass a fugitiue, called Robert Marcum, that had liued 5 yeeres amongst those northerly nations, which hee cunningly answered by excuses. Womanato
it seemes, was guiltlesse of this falshood, because hee staied alone
when the rest were gone. I asked him if he desired to bee great and
rich; he answered, They were things all men aspired vnto: which I told
him he should be, if he would follow my counsell, so he gaue me two
tokens, which being returned by a messenger, should suffice to make him
confident the messenger could not abuse vs.
The trecherie of Namanicus.
Some things being
stolne from vs, he tooke such order that they were presently restored,
then we interchanged presents: in all things hee much admired our
discretions, and gaue vs a guide that hee called brother, to conduct vs
vp the Riuer: by the way we met with diuers that stil tould vs of Marcum: and though it was in October, we found the Countrie very hot, and their Corne gathered before ours at Iames towne. The next day we went to Paccamaganant, and they directed vs to Assacomoco, where their King Cassatowap had an old quarrell with Ensigne Saluage, but now seeming reconciled, went with vs, with another Werowance towards Mattapanient,
where they perswaded vs ashore vpon the point of a thicket; but
supposing it some trecherie, we returned to our boat: farre we had not
gone from the shore, but a multitude of Saluages sallied out of the
wood, with all the ill words and signes of hostilitie they could. When
wee saw plainly their bad intent, wee set the two Werowances at
libertie, that all this while had line in the Cabbin, as not taking any
notice of their villanie, because we would conuert them by courtesie.
Leauing them as we found them, very ciuill and subtill, wee returned
the same way wee came, to the laughing Kings on the Easterne shore, who
told vs plainly, Namanicus would also haue allured him into his Countrie, vnder colour of trade to cut his throat. Hee told vs also Opechancanough had imployed Onianimo to kill Saluage,
because he brought the trade from him to the Easterne shore, and some
disgrace hee had done his sonne, and some thirteene of his people
before one hundred of those Easterlings in rescuing Thomas Graues whom they would haue slaine, where hee and three more did challenge the thirteeene Pamavnkes to fight, but they durst not, so that all those Easterlings so derided them, that they came there no more.
Thomas Saluages good seruice.
This Thomas Saluage, it is sixteene yeeres since he went to Virginia, being a boy, hee was left with Powhatan, for Namontacke
to learne the language, and as this Author affirmeth, with much
honestie and good successe hath serued the publike without any publike
recompence, yet had an arrow shot through his body in their seruice.
This laughing King at Accomack, tels vs
the land is not two daies iourny ouer in the broadest place, but in
some places a man may goe in halfe a day, betwixt the Bay and the maine
Ocean, where inhabit many people, so that by the narrownesse of the
Land there is not many Deere, but most abundance of Fish and Fowle. Kiptope
his brother rules as his Lieutenant, who seeing his younger brother
more affected by the people than himselfe, freely resigned him the
moitie of his Countrie, applying himselfe onely to husbandry and
hunting, yet nothing neglected in his degree, nor is hee carelesse of
any thing concernes the state, but as a vigilant and faithfull
Counceller, as hee is an affectionated
Brother, bearing the greater
burden in gouernment, though the lesser honour, where cleane contrary
they on the Westerne shore, the younger beares the charge, and the
elder the dignitie. Those are the best husbands of any Saluages we
know: for they prouide Corne to serue them all the yeare, yet spare;
and the other not for halfe the yeare, yet want. They are the most
ciuill and tractable people we haue met with, and by little sticks will
keepe as iust an account of their promises, as by a tally. In their
mariages they obserue a large distance, as well in affinitie as
consanguinitie; nor doe they vse that deuillish custome in making black
Boyes. There may be on this shore about two thousand people: they on
the West would inuade them, but that they want Boats to crosse the Bay,
and so would diuers other Nations, were they not protected by vs. A few
of the Westerly Runnagados had conspired against the laughing King, but
fearing their treason was discouered, fled to Smiths Iles, where they made a massacre of Deere and Hogges; and thence to Rickahake, betwixt Cissapeack and Nansamund, where they now are seated vnder the command of Itoyatin, and so I returned to Iames Towne, where I found the gouernment rendred to Sir Francis Wyat. In February also he trauelled to the South Riuer Chawanock,
some sixtie miles ouer land, which he found to be a very fruitfull and
pleasant Country, yeelding two haruests in a yeare, and found much of
the Silke grasse formerly spoken of, was kindly vsed by the people, and
so returned.
Captaine Each sent to build a Fort to secure the Countrey.
1622.
The Earle of Southampton Treasurer, and Nicolas Farrar Deputy.
Fiue and twentie sent only to build Barks and Boats.
IT was no small
content to all the Aduenturers to heare of the safe ariuall of all
those ships and companies, which was thought sufficient to haue made a
Plantation of themselues: and againe to second them, was sent Captaine Each in the Abigale,
a ship of three or foure hundred tunnes, who hath vndertaken to make a
Block-house amongst the Oyster banks, that shall secure the Riuer. The
furnishing him with Instruments, cost three hundred pounds; but the
whole charge and the ships returne, will be neere two thousand pounds.
In her went Captaine Barwicke with fiue
and twentie men for the building ships and Boats, and not other waies
to be imploied: and also a selected number to build the East Indie Schoole, but as yet from Virginia
little returnes but priuate mens Tobacco, and faire promises of plentie
of Iron, Silke, Wine, and many other good and rich commodities, besides
the speedy conuersion of the Saluages, that at first were much
discouraged from liuing amongst them, when they were debarred the vse
of their peeces; therefore it was disputed as a matter of State,
whether such as would liue amongst them should vse them or not, as a
bait to allure them; or at least such as should bee called to the
knowledge of Christ. But because it was a great trouble for all causes
to be brought to Iames Towne for a triall, Courts were appointed in conuenient places to releeue them: but as they can make no Lawes in Virginia
till they be ratified here; so they thinke it but reason, none should
bee inacted here without their consents, because they onely feele them,
and must liue vnder them. Still they complaine for want of Corne, but
what must be had by Trade, and how vnwilling any Officer when he
leaueth his place, is to make good his number of men to his Successor,
but many of them during their times to help themselues, vndoes the
Company: for the feruants you allow them, or such as they hire, they
plant on their priuate Lands, not vpon that belongeth to their office,
which crop alwaies exceeds yours, besides those which are your tenants
to halfes, are forced to row them vp and downe, whereby both you and
they lose more then halfe. Nor are those officers the ablest or best
deseruing, but make their experience vpon the companies cost, and your
land lies vnmanured to any purpose, and will yeeld as little profit to
your next new officers.
The massacre vpon the two and twentieth of March.
The death of Nemattanow, writ by M. Wimp.
THe Prologue to this Tragedy, is supposed was occasioned by Nemattanow, otherwise called Iack of the Feather,
because hee commonly was most strangely adorned with them; and for his
courage and policy, was accounted amongst the Saluages their chiefe
Captaine, and immortall from any hurt could bee done him by the English. This Captaine comming to one Morgans house, knowing he had many commodities that hee desired, perswaded Morgan to goe with him to Pamauke to trucke, but the Saluage murdered him by the way; and after two or three daies returned againe to Morgans house, where he found two youths his Seruants, who asked for their Master: Iack replied directly he was dead; the Boyes suspecting as it was, by seeing him weare his Cap, would haue had him to Master Thorp: But Iack
so moued their patience, they shot him, so he fell to the ground, put
him in a Boat to haue him before the Gouernor, then seuen or eight
miles from them. But by the way Iack
finding the pangs of death vpon him, desired of the Boyes two things;
the one was, that they would not make it knowne hee was slaine with a
bullet; the other, to bury him amongst the English. At the losse of this Saluage Opechankanough much grieued and repined, with great threats of reuenge; but the English
returned him such terrible answers, that he cunningly dissembled his
intent, with the greatest signes he could of loue and peace, yet within
foureteene daies after he acted what followeth.
Security a bad guard.
Sir Francis Wyat
at his arriuall was aduertised, he found the Countrey setled in such a
firme peace, as most men there thought sure and vnuiolable, not onely
in regard of their promises, but of a necessitie. The poore weake
Saluages being euery way bettered by vs, and safely sheltred and
defended, whereby wee might freely follow our businesse: and such was
the conceit of this conceited peace, as that there was seldome or neuer
a sword, and seldomer a peece, except for a Deere or Fowle, by which
assurances the most plantations were placed straglingly and
scatteringly, as a choice veine of rich ground inuited them, and
further from neighbours the better. Their houses generally open to the
Saluages, who were alwaies friendly fed at their tables, and lodged in
their bed-chambers, which made the way plaine to effect their intents,
and the conuersion of the Saluages as they supposed.
The manner of the massacre.
Hauing occasion to send to Opechankanough
about the middle of March, hee vsed the Messenger well, and told him he
held the peace so firme, the sky should fail or he dissolued it; yet
such was the treachery of those people, when they had contriued our
destruction, euen but two daies before the massacre, they guided our
men with much kindnesse thorow the woods, and one Browne
that liued among them to learne the language, they sent home to his
Master; yea, they borrowed our Boats to transport themselues ouer the
Riuer, to consult on the deuillish murder that insued, and of our vtter
extirpation, which God of his mercy (by the meanes of one of themselues
conuerted to Christianitie) preuented, and as well on the Friday
morning that fatall day, being the two and twentieth of March, as also
in the euening before, as at other times they came vnarmed into our
houses, with Deere, Turkies, Fish, Fruits, and other prouisions to sell
vs, yea in some places sat downe at breakfast with our people, whom
immediatly with their owne tooles they slew most barbarously, not
sparing either age or sex, man woman or childe, so sudden in their
execution, that few or none discerned the weapon or blow that brought
them to destruction: In which manner also they slew many of our people
at seuerall works in the fields, well knowing in what places and
quarters each of our men were, in regard of their familiaritie with vs,
for the effecting that great master-peece of worke their conuersion;
and by this meanes fell that fatall morning vnder the bloudy and
barbarous hands of that perfidious
and inhumane people, three
hundred forty seuen men, women and children, most by their owne
weapons, and not being content with their liues, they fell againe vpon
the dead bodies, making as well as they could a fresh murder, defacing,
dragging, and mangling their dead carkases into many peeces, and
carying some parts away in derision, with base and brutish triumph.
Their cruelty.
Neither yet did
these beasts spare those amongst the rest well knowne vnto them, from
whom they had daily receiued many benefits, but spightfully also
massacred them without any remorse or pitie; being in this more fell
then Lions and Dragons, as Histories record, which haue preserued their
Benefactors; such is the force of good deeds, though done to cruell
beasts, to take humanitie vpon them, but these miscreants put on a more
vnnaturall brutishnesse then beasts, as by those instances may appeare.
The murder of Master Thorp.
That worthy religious Gentleman M. George Thorp, Deputie to the College lands, sometimes one of his Maiesties Pensioners, & in command one of the principall in Virginia;
did so truly affect their conuersion, that whosoeuer vnder him did them
the least displeasure, were punished seuerely. He thought nothing too
deare for them, he neuer denied them any thing, in so much that when
they complained that our Mastiues did feare them, he to content them in
all things, caused some of them to be killed in their presence, to the
great displeasure of the owners, and would haue had all the rest guelt
to make them the milder, might he haue had his will. The King dwelling
but in a Cottage, he built him a faire house after the English fashion,
in which he tooke such pleasure, especially in the locke and key, which
he so admired, as locking and vnlocking his doore a hundred times a
day, he thought no deuice in the world comparable to it.
The slaughter of Captaine Powell.
A Saluage slaine.
M. Baldwines escape.
M. Thomas Hamer with 22 escapeth.
Thus insinuating
himselfe into this Kings fauour for his religious purpose, he conferred
oft with him about Religion, as many other in this former Discourse had
done, and this Pagan confessed to him as he did to them, our God was
better then theirs, and seemed to be much pleased with that Discourse,
and of his company, and to requite all those courtesies; yet this
viperous brood did, as the sequell shewed, not onely murder him, but
with such spight and scorne abused his dead corps as is vnfitting to be
heard with ciuill eares. One thing I cannot omit, that when this good
Gentleman vpon his fatall houre, was warned by his man, who perceiuing
some treachery intended by those hell-hounds, to looke to himselfe, and
withall ran away for feare he should be apprehended, and so saued his
owne life; yet his Master out of his good meaning was so void of
suspition and full of confidence, they had slaine him, or he could or
would beleeue they would hurt him. Captaine Nathaniel Powell
one of the first Planters, a valiant Souldier, and not any in the
Countrey better knowne amongst them; yet such was the error of an
ouer-conceited power and prosperitie, and their simplicities, they not
onely slew him and his family, but butcher-like hagled their bodies,
and cut off his head, to expresse their vttermost height of cruelty.
Another of the old company of Captaine Smith, called Nathaniel Causie,
being cruelly wounded, and the Saluages about him, with an axe did
cleaue one of their heads, whereby the rest fled and he escaped: for
they hurt not any that did either fight or stand vpon their guard. In
one place where there was but two men that had warning of it, they
defended the house against 60. or more that assaulted it. M. Baldwin at Warraskoyack,
his wife being so wounded, she lay for dead, yet by his oft discharging
of his peece, saued her, his house, himselfe, & diuers others. At
the same time they came to one Master Harisons house, neere halfe a mile from Baldwines, where was Master Thomas Hamer
with six men, and eighteene or nineteene women and children. Here the
Saluages with many presents and faire perswasions, fained they came for
Capt. Ralfe Hamer to go to their King,
then hunting in the woods, presently they sent to him, but he not
comming as they expected, set fire of a Tobacco-house, and then came to
tell them in the dwelling house of it to quench it; all the men ran
towards it, but Master Hamer not suspecting any thing, whom
the Saluages pursued, shot them full of arrowes, then beat out their braines. Hamer
hauing finished a letter hee was a writing, followed after to see what
was the matter, but quickly they shot an arrow in his back, which
caused him returne and barricado vp the doores, whereupon the Saluages
set fire on the house. Harisons Boy finding his Masters peece loaded, discharged it at randome, at which bare report the Saluages all fled, Baldwin still discharging his peece, and Mr Hamer with two and twentie persons thereby got to his house, leauing their owne burning. In like manner, they had fired Lieutenant Basse his house, with all the rest there about, slaine the people, and so left that Plantation.
Captaine Ralfe Hamer with forty escapeth.
Captaine Hamer
all this while not knowing any thing, comming to his Brother that had
sent for him to go hunt with the King, meeting the Saluages chasing
some, yet escaped, retired to his new house then a building, from
whence he came; there onely with spades, axes, and brickbats, he
defended himselfe and his Company till the Saluages departed. Not long
after, the Master from the ship had sent six Musketiers, with which he
recouered their Merchants store-house, where he armed ten more, and so
with thirtie more vnarmed workmen, found his Brother and the rest at Baldwins: Now seeing all they had was burnt and consumed, they repaired to Iames Towne with their best expedition; yet not far from Martins
hundred, where seuenty three were slaine, was a little house and a
small family, that heard not of any of this till two daies after.
The Saluages attempt to surprise a ship.
All
those, and many others whom they haue as maliciously murdered, sought
the good of those poore brutes, that thus despising Gods mercies, must
needs now as miscreants be corrected by Iustice: to which leauing them,
I will knit together the thred of this discourse. At the time of the
massacre, there were three or foure ships in Iames
Riuer, and one in the next, and daily more to come in, as there did
within foureteene daies after, one of which they indeuoured to haue
surprised: yet were the hearts of the English euer stupid, and auerted
from beleeuing any thing might weaken their hopes, to win them by kinde
vsage to Christianitie. But diuers write from thence, that Almighty God
hath his great worke in this Tragedy, and will thereout draw honor and
glory to his name, and a more flourishing estate and safetie to
themselues, and with more speed to conuert the Saluage children to
himselfe, since he so miraculously hath preserued the English; there
being yet, God be praised, eleuen parts of twelue remaining, whose
carelesse neglect of their owne safeties, seemes to haue beene the
greatest cause of their destructions: yet you see, God by a conuerted
Saluage that disclosed the plot, saued the rest, and the Pinnace then
in Pamavnkes Riuer, whereof (say they)
though our sinnes made vs vnworthy of so glorious a conuersion, yet his
infinite wisdome can neuerthelesse bring it to passe, and in good time,
by such meanes as we thinke most vnlikely: for in the deliuery of them
that suruiue, no mans particular carefulnesse saued one person, but the
meere goodnesse of God himselfe, freely and miraculously preseruing
whom he pleased.
The Letters of Master George Sands,
a worthy Gentleman, and many others besides them returned, brought vs
this vnwelcome newes, that hath beene heard at large in publike Court,
that the Indians and they liued as one
Nation, yet by a generall combination in one day plotted to subuert the
whole Colony, and at one instant, though our seuerall Plantations were
one hundred and fortie miles vp on Riuer on both sides.
But for the better
vnderstanding of all things, you must remember these wilde naked
natiues liue not in great numbers together, but dispersed, commonly in
thirtie, fortie, fiftie, or sixtie in a company. Some places haue two
hundred, few places more, but many lesse; yet they had all warning
giuen them one from another in all their habitations, though farre
asunder, to meet at the day and houre appointed for our destruction at
al our seueral Plantations; some directed to one place, some to
another, all to be done at the time appointed, which they did
accordingly: Some entring their houses vnder colour of trading, so
tooke their
aduantage; others drawing vs abroad vnder faire prerences, and the rest suddenly falling vpon those that were at their labours.
Six of the Councell slaine.
Six of the counsell
suffered vnder this treason, and the slaughter had beene vniuersall, if
God had not put it into the heart of an Indian, who lying in the house of one Pace, was vrged by another Indian his Brother, that lay with him the night before to kill Pace, as he should doe Perry which was his friend, being so commanded from their King; telling him also how the next day the execution should be finished: Perrys Indian presently arose and reueales it to Pace,
that vsed him as his sonne; and thus them that escaped was saued by
this one conuerted Infidell. And though three hundred fortie seuen were
slaine, yet thousands of ours were by the meanes of this alone thus
preserued, for which Gods name be praised for euer and euer.
How it was reuealed.
Pace vpon this, securing his house, before day rowed to Iames
Towne, and told the Gouernor of it, whereby they were preuented, and at
such other Plantations as possibly intelligence could be giuen: and
where they saw vs vpon our guard, at the sight of a peece they ranne
away; but the rest were most flaine, their houses burnt, such Armes and
Munition as they found they tooke away, and some cartell also they
destroied. Since wee finde Opechankanough
the last yeare had practised with a King on the Easterne shore, to
furnish him with a kind of poison, which onely growes in his Country to
poison vs. But of this bloudy acte neuer griefe and shame possessed any
people more then themselues, to be thus butchered by so naked and
cowardly a people, who dare not stand the presenting of a staffe in
manner of a peece, nor an vncharged peece in the hands of a woman. (But
I must tell those Authors, though some might be thus cowardly, there
were many of them had better spirits.)
Memorandums.
Captaine Smith.
Thus haue you heard
the particulars of this massacre, which in those respects some say will
be good for the Plantation, because now we haue iust cause to destroy
them by all meanes possible: but I thinke it had beene much better it
had neuer happened, for they haue giuen vs an hundred times as iust
occasions long agoe to subiect them, (and I wonder I can here of none
but Master Stockam and Master Whitaker
of my opinion.) Moreouer, where before we were troubled in cleering the
ground of great Timber, which was to them of small vse: now we may take
their owne plaine fields and Habitations, which are the pleasantest
places in the Countrey. Besides, the Deere, Turkies, and other Beasts
and Fowles will exceedingly increase if we beat the Saluages out of the
Countrey, for at all times of the yeare they neuer spare Male nor
Female, old nor young, egges nor birds, fat nor leane, in season or out
of season with them, all is one. The like they did in our Swine and
Goats, for they haue vsed to kill eight in tenne more then we, or else
the wood would most plentifully abound with victuall; besides it is
more easie to ciuilize them by conquest then faire meanes; for the one
may be made at once, but their ciuilizing will require a long time and
much industry. The manner how to suppresse them is so often related and
approued, I omit it here: And you haue twenty examples of the Spaniards how they got the West-Indies,
and forced the treacherous and rebellious Infidels to doe all manner of
drudgery worke and slauery for them, themselues liuing like Souldiers
vpon the fruits of their labours. This will make vs more circumspect,
and be an example to posteritie: (But I say, this might as well haue
beene put in practise sixteene yeares agoe as now.)
His Maiesties gift.
London sets out 100 persons.
Thus vpon this
Anuill shall wee now beat our selues an Armour of proofe hereafter to
defend vs against such incursions, and euer hereafter make vs more
circumspect: but to helpe to repaire this losse, besides his Maiesties
bountry in Armes, he gave the Company out of the Tower, and diuers
other Honorable persons haue renewed their aduentures, we must not omit
the Honorable Citie of London, to whose
endlesse praise wee may speake it, are now setting forward one hundred
persons, and diuers others at their owne costs are a repairing, and all
good men doe thinke neuer the worse of the businesse for all these disasters.
A lamentable example, too oft approued.
What growing state was there euer in the world which had not the like? Rome grew by oppression, and rose vpon the backe of her enemies: and the Spaniards haue had many of those counterbuffes, more than we. Columbus, vpon his returne from the West-Indies into Spaine, hauing left his people with the Indies,
in peace and promise of good vsage amongst them, at his returne backe
found not one of them liuing, but all treacherously slaine by the
Saluages. After this againe, when the Spanish Colonies were increased
to great numbers, the Indians from whom the Spaniards
for trucking stuffe vsed to haue all their corne, generally conspired
together to plant no more at all, intending thereby to famish them;
themselues liuing in the meane time vpon Cassaua, a root to make bread,
onely then knowne to themselues. This plot of theirs by the Spaniards
ouersight, that foolishly depended vpon strangers for their bread,
tooke such effect, and brought them to such misery by the rage of
famine, that they spared no vncleane nor loathsome beast, no not the
poisonous and hideous Serpents, but eat them vp also, deuouring one
death to saue them from another; and by this meanes their whole Colony
well-neere surfeted, sickned and died miserably, and when they had
againe recouered this losse, by their incontinency an infinite number
of them died on the Indian disease, we
call the French Pox, which at first being a strange and an vnknowne
malady, was deadly vpon whomsoeuer it lighted: then had they a little
flea called Nigua, which got betweene the
skinne and the flesh before they were aware, and there bred and
multiplied, making swellings and putrifactions, to the decay and losse
of many of their bodily members.
Note this conclusion.
Againe, diuers times
they were neere vndone by their ambition, faction, and malice of the
Commanders. Columbus, to whom they were also much beholden, was sent with his Brother in chaines into Spaine; and some other great Commanders killed and murdered one another. Pizzaro was killed by Almagros sonne, and him Vasco beheaded, which Vasco was taken by Blasco, and Blasco was likewise taken by Pizzaros
Brother: And thus by their couetous and spightfull quarrels, they were
euer shaking the maine pillars of their Common-weale. These and many
more mischiefes and calamities hapned them, more then euer did to vs,
and at one time being euen at the last gaspe, had two ships not arriued
with supplies as they did, they were so disheartned, they were a
leauing the Countrey: yet we see for all those miseries they haue
attained to their ends at last, as is manifest to all the world, both
with honour, power, and wealth: and whereas before few could be hired
to goe to inhabit there, now with great sute they must obtaine it; but
where there was no honesty, nor equity, nor sanctitie, nor veritie, nor
pietie, nor good ciuilitie in such a Countrey, certainly there can bee
no stabilitie.
How the Spaniards raise their wealth in the West Indies.
Therefore let vs not
be discouraged, but rather animated by those conclusions, seeing we are
so well assured of the goodnesse and commodities may bee had in Virginia,
nor is it to be much doubted there is any want of Mines of most sorts,
no not of the richest, as is well knowne to some yet liuing that can
make it manifest when time shall serue: and yet to thinke that gold and
siluer Mines are in a country otherwise most rich and fruitfull, or the
greatest wealth in a Plantation, is but a popular error, as is that
opinion likewise, that the gold and siluer is now the greatest wealth
of the West Indies at this present. True it is indeed, that in the
first conquest the Spaniards got great and mighty store of treasure
from the Natiues, which they in long space had heaped together, and in
those times the Indians shewed them entire and rich Mines, which now by
the relations of them that haue beene there, are exceedingly wasted, so
that now the charge of getting those Metals is growne excessiue,
besides the consuming the liues of many by their pestilent smoke and
vapours in digging and refining them, so that all things considered,
the cleere gaines of those metals, the Kings part defraied, to the
Aduenturers is but small, and nothing neere so much as vulgarly is
imagined; and were it not
for other rich Commodities
there that inrich them, those of the Contraction house were neuer able
to subsist by the Mines onely; for the greatest part of their
Commodities are partly naturall, and partly transported from other
parts of the world, and planted in the West-Indies,
as in their mighty wealth of Sugarcanes, being first transported from
the Canaries; and in Ginger and other things brought out of the East-Indies,
in their Cochanele, Indicos, Cotton, and their infinite store of Hides,
Quick-siluer, Allum, Woad, Brasill woods, Dies, Paints, Tobacco, Gums,
Balmes, Oiles, Medicinals and Perfumes, Sassaparilla, and many other
physicall drugs: These are the meanes whereby they raise that mighty
charge of drawing out their gold and siluer to the great & cleare
reuenue of their King. Now seeing the most of those commodities, or as
vsefull, may be had in Virginia by the
same meanes, as I haue formerly said; let vs with all speed take the
priority of time, where also may be had the priority of place, in
chusing the best seats of the Country, which now by vanquishing the
saluages, is like to offer a more faire and ample choice of fruitfull
habitations, then hitherto our gentlenesse and faire comportments could
attaine vnto.
The numbers that were slaine in those seuerall Plantations.
| 1 AT Captaine Berkleys Plantation, himselfe and 21. others, seated at the Falling-Crick, 66. miles from Iames City. |
22 |
| 2 Master Thomas Sheffelds Plantation, some three miles from the Falling-Crick, himselfe and 12. others. |
13 |
| 3 At Henrico Iland, about two miles from Sheffelds Plantation. |
6 |
| 4 Slaine of the College people, twenty miles from Henrico. |
17 |
| 5 At Charles City, and of Captaine Smiths men. |
5 |
| 6 At the next adioyning Plantation. |
8 |
| 7 At William Farrars house. |
10 |
| 8 At Brickley hundred, fifty miles from Charles City, Master Thorp and |
10 |
| 9 At Westouer, a mile from Brickley. |
2 |
| 10 At Master Iohn Wests Plantation. |
2 |
| 11 At Captaine Nathaniel Wests Plantation. |
2 |
| 12 At Lieutenant Gibs his Plantation. |
12 |
| 13 At Richard Owens house, himselfe and |
6 |
| 14 At Master Owen Macars house, himselfe and |
3 |
| 15 At Martins hundred, seuen miles from Iames City. |
73 |
| 16 At another place. |
7 |
| 17 At Edward Bonits Plantation. |
50 |
| 18 At Master Waters his house, himselfe and |
4 |
| 19 At Apamatucks Riuer, at Master Perce his Plantation, fiue miles from the College. |
4 |
| 20 At Master Macocks Diuident, Captaine Samuel Macock, and |
4 |
| 21 At Flowerda hundred, Sir George Yearleys Plantation. |
6 |
| 22 On the other side opposite to it. |
7 |
| 23 At Master Swinhows house, himselfe and |
7 |
| 24 At Master William Bickars house, himselfe and |
4 |
| 25 At Weanock, of Sir George Yearleys people. |
21 |
| 26 At Powel Brooke, Captaine Nathaniel Powel, and |
12 |
| 27 At South-hampton hundred. |
5 |
| 28 At Martin Brandons hundred. |
7 |
| 29 At Captaine Henry Spilmans house. |
2 |
| 30 At Ensigne Spences house. |
5 |
| 31 At Master Thomas Perse his house by Mulbery Ile, himselfe and |
4 |
The whole number 347.
Men in this taking bettered with affliction,
Better attend, and mind, and marke Religion,
For then true voyces issue from their hearts,
Then speake they what they thinks in inmost parts,
The truth remaines, they cast off fained Arts.
How they were reduced to fiue or six places.
Gookins and Iordins resolutions.
The opinion of Captaine Smith.
THis lamentable and
so vnexpected a distaster caused them all beleeue the opinion of Master
Stockam, and draue them all to their wits
end: it was twenty or thirty daies ere they could resolue what to doe,
but at last it was concluded, all the petty Plantations should be
abandoned, and drawne onely to make good fiue or six places, where all
their labours now for the most part must redound to the Lords of those
Lands where they were resident. Now for want of Boats, it was
impossible vpon such a sudden to bring also their cattle, and many
other things, which with much time, charge and labour they had then in
possession with them; all which for the most part at their departure
was burnt, ruined and destroyed by the Saluages. Only Master Gookins at Nuports-newes
would not obey the Commanders command in that, though hee had scarce
fiue and thirty of all sorts with him, yet he thought himselfe
sufficient against what could happen, and so did to his great credit
and the content of his Aduenturers. Master Samuel Iorden
gathered together but a few of the straglers about him at Beggers-bush
where he fortified and liued in despight of the enemy. Nay, Mistrisse Procter,
a proper, ciuill, modest Gentlewoman did the like, till perforce the
English Officers forced her and all them with her to goe with them, or
they would fire her house themselues, as the Saluages did when they
were gone, in whose despight they had kept it, and what they had a
moneth or three weekes after the Massacre; which was to their hearts a
griefe beyond comparison, to lose all they had in that manner, onely to
secure others pleasures. Now here in England
it was thought, all those remainders might presently haue beene reduced
into fifties or hundreds in places most conuenient with what they had,
hauing such strong houses as they reported they had, which with small
labour might haue beene made inuincible Castles against all the
Saluages in the Land, and then presently raised a company, as a running
Armieto torment the Barbarous and secure the rest, and so haue had all
that Country betwixt the Riuers of Powhatan and Pamavnke to range and sustaine them; especially all the territories of Kecoughtan, Chiskact and Paspakege, from Ozenies to that branch of Pamavnke, comming from Youghtaxund,
which strait of land is not past 4. or 5. miles, to haue made a
peninsula much bigger then the Summer Iles, inuironed with the broadest
parts of those two maine Riuers, which for plenty of such things as Virginia
affords is not to be exceeded, and were it well manured, more then
sufficient for ten thousand men. This, were it well vnderstood, cannot
but be thought better then to bring fiue or six hundred to lodge and
liue on that, which before would not well receiue and maintaine a
hundred, planting little or nothing, but spend that they haue vpon
hopes out of England, one euill begetting
another, till the disease is past cure: Therefore it is impossible but
such courses must produce most fearefull miseries and extreme
extremities; if it proue otherwise, I should be exceeding glad. I
confesse I am somewhat too bold to censure other mens actions being not
present, but they haue done as much of me; yea many here in England
that were neuer there, & also many there that knowes little more
then their Plantations, but as they are informed, and this doth touch
the glory of God, the honour of my Country, and the publike good so
much, for which there hath beene so many faire pretences, that I hope
none will be angry for speaking my opinion, seeing the old Prouerbe
doth allow losers leaue to speake; and Du Bartas faith,
Euen as the wind the angry Ocean moues,
Waue bunteth Waue, and Billow Billow shoues,
So doe all Nations iustell each the other,
And so one people doe pursue another,
And scarce a second hath the first unhoused,
Before a third him thence againe haue roused.
The prouidence of Captaine Nuse.
AMongst the multitude of these seuerall Relations, it appeares Captaine Nuse seeing many of the difficulties to ensue, caused as much Corne to be planted as he could at Elizabeths
city, & though some destroyed that they had set, fearing it would
serue the Saluages for Ambuscadoes, trusting to releefe by trade, or
from England, which hath euer beene one cause of our miseries, for from England
wee haue not had much, and for trading, euery one hath not Ships,
Shalops, Interpreters, men and prouisions to performe it, and those
that haue, vse them onely for their owne priuate gaine, not the publike
good, so that our beginning this yeere doth cause many to distrust the
euent of the next. Here wee will leaue Captaine Nuse for a while, lamenting the death of Captaine Norton,
a valiant industrious Gentleman, adorned with many good qualities,
besides Physicke and Chirurgery, which for the publike good he freely
imparted to all gratis, but most bountifully to the poore; and let vs speake a little of Captaine Croshaw amongst the midst of those broiles in the Riuer of Patawomeke.
Captaine Croshaw his voyage to Patawomek.
Being in a small Barke called the Elizabeth, vnder the command of Captaine Spilman, at Cekacawone, a Saluage stole aboord them, and told them of the Massacre, and that Opechancanough had plotted with his King and Country to betray them also, which they refused, but them of Wighcocomoco at the mouth of the riuer had vndertaken it; vpon this Spilman
went thither, but the Saluages seeing his men so vigilant and well
armed, they suspected them selues discouered, and to colour their
guilt, the better to delude him, so contented his desire in trade, his
Pinnace was neere fraught; but seeing no more to be had, Croshaw went to Patawomek
where he intended to stay and trade for himselfe, by reason of the long
acquaintance he had with this King that so earnestly entreated him now
to be his friend, his countenancer, his Captaine and director against
the Pazaticans, the Nacotchtanks, and Moyaons his mortall enemies. Of this oportunity Croshaw was glad, as well to satisfie his owne desire in some other purpose he had, as to keepe the King as an opposite to Opechancanough, and adhere him vnto vs, or at least make him an instrument against our enemies; so onely Elis Hill stayed with him, and the Pinnace returned to Elizabeths City; here shall they rest also a little, till we see how this newes was entertained in England.
The arriuall of this newes in England.
It was no small
griefe to the Conncell and Company, to vnderstand of such a supposed
impossible losse, as that so many should fall by the hands of men so
contemptible; and yet hauing such warnings, especially by the death of Nemattanow,
whom the Saluages did thinke was shot-free, as he had perswaded them,
hauing so long escaped so many dangers without any hurt. But now to
leape out of this labyrinth of melancholy, all this did not so
discourage the noble aduenturers, nor diuers others still to vndertake
new seuerall Plantations, but that diuers ships were dispatched away,
for their supplies and assistance thought sufficient. Yet Captaine Smith
did intreat and moue them to put in practise his old offer, seeing now
it was time to vse both it and him, how slenderly heretofore both had
beene regarded, and because it is not impertinent to the businesse, it
is not much amisse to remember what it was.
The proiect and offer of Captaine Iohn Smith, to the Right Honourable, and Right Worshipfull Company Virginia.
Captaine Smiths offer to the Company.v
IF you please I may
be transported with a hundred Souldiers and thirty Sallers by the next Michaelmas,
with victuall, munition, and such necessary prouision, by Gods
assistance, we would endeuour to inforce the Saluages to leaue their
Country, or bring them in that feare and subiection that euery man
should follow their businesse securely, whereas now halfe their times
and labours are spent in watching and warding, onely to defend, but
altogether vnable to suppresse the Saluages, because euery man now
being for himselfe will be vnwilling to be drawne from their particular
labours, to be made as pack-horses for all the rest, without any
certainty of some better reward and preferment then I can vnderstand
any there can or will yet giue them.
These I would imploy
onely in ranging the Countries, and tormenting the Saluages, and that
they should be as a running Army till this were effected, and then
settle themselues in some such conuenient place, that should euer
remaine a garison of that strength, ready vpon any occasion against the
Saluages, or any other for the defence of the Countrey, and to see all
the English well armed, and instruct them their vse. But I would haue a
Barke of one hundred tunnes, and meanes to build sixe or seuen Shalops,
to transport them where there should bee occasion.
Towards the charge,
because it is for the generall good, and what by the massacre and other
accidents, Virginia is disparaged, and
many men and their purses much discouraged, how euer a great many doe
hasten to goe, thinking to bee next heires to all the former losses, I
feare they will not finde all things as they doe imagine; therefore
leauing those gilded conceits, and diue into the true estate of the
Colony; I thinke if his Maiestie were truly informed of their
necessitie, and the benefit of this proiect, he would be pleased to
giue the custome of Virginia, and the
Planters also according to their abilities would adde thereto such a
contribution, as would be fit to maintaine this garison till they be
able to subsist, or cause some such other collections to be made, as
may put it with all expedition in practice; otherwise it is much to be
doubted, there will neither come custome, nor any thing from thence to England within these few yeares.
Now if this should
be thought an imploiment more fit for ancient Souldiers there bred,
then such new commers as may goe with me; you may please to leaue that
to my discretion, to accept or refuse such voluntaries, that will
hazard their fortunes in the trialls of these euents, and discharge
such of my company that had rather labour the ground then subdue their
enemies: what releefe I should haue from your Colony I would satisfie
and spare them (when I could) the like courtesie. Notwithstanding these
doubts, I hope to feede them as well as defend them, and yet discouer
you more land vnknowne then they all yet know, if you will grant me
such priuiledges as of necessity must be vsed.
For against any
enemy we must be ready to execute the best can be deuised by your state
there, but not that they shall either take away my men, or any thing
else to imploy as they please by vertue of their authority, and in that
I haue done somewhat for New-England as well as Virginia,
so I would desire liberty and authority to make the best vse I can of
my best experiences, within the limits of those two Patents, and to
bring them both in one Map, and the Countries betwixt them, giuing
alwaies that respect to the Gouernors and gouernment, as an Englishman
doth in Scotland, or a Scotchman in England,
or as the regiments in the Low-countries doe to the Gouernors of the
Townes and Cities where they are billited, or in Garrifon, where though
they liue with them, and are as their
seruants to defend them, yet
not to be disposed on at their pleasure, but as the Prince and State
doth command them, and for my owne paines in particular I aske not any
thing but what I can produce from the proper labour of the Saluages.
Their Answer.
I Cannot say, it was
generally for the Company, for being published in their Court, the most
that heard it liked exceeding well of the motion, and some would haue
been very large Aduenturers in it, especially Sir Iohn Brookes and Master Dauid Wyffin,
but there were such diuisions amongst them, I could obtaine no answer
but this, the charge would be too great; their stocke was decayed, and
they did thinke the Planters should doe that of themselues if I could
finde meanes to effect it; they did thinke I might haue leaue of the
Company, prouided they might haue halfe the pillage, but I thinke there
are not many will much striue for that imploiment, for except it be a
little Corne at some time of the yeere is to be had, I would not giue
twenty pound for all the pillage is to be got amongst the Saluages in
twenty yeeres: but because they supposed I spake only for my owne ends,
it were good those vnderstand prouidents for the Companies good they so
much talke of, were sent thither to make triall of their profound
wisdomes and long experiences.
The manner of the Sallary.
About this time also
was propounded a proposition concerning a Sallery of fiue and twenty
thousand pounds to be raised our of Tobacco, as a yeerely pension to
bee paid to certaine Officers for the erecting a new office, concerning
the sole importation of Tobacco, besides his Maiesties custome,
fraught, and all other charges. To nominate the vndertakers, fauourers
and opposers, with their arguments (pro) and (con)
would bee too tedious and needlesse being so publikely knowne; the
which to establish, spent a good part of that yeere, and the beginning
of the next. This made many thinke wonders of Virginia,
to pay such pensions extraordinary to a few here that were neuer there,
and also in what state and pompe some Chieftaines and diuers of their
associates liue in Virginia, and yet no
money to maintaine a Garrison, pay poore men their wages, nor yet fiue
and twenty pence to all the Aduenturers here, and very little to the
most part of the Planters there, bred such differences in opinion it
was dissolued.
Captaine Croshaw staies at Patawomek, and his aduentures.
Now let vs returne to Captaine Croshaw at Patawomek, where he had not beene long ere Opechancanough
sent two baskets of beads to this King, to kill him and his man,
assuring him of the Massacre he had made, and that before the end of
two Moones there should not be an Englishman in all their Countries:
this fearefull message the King told this Captaine, who replied, he had
seene both the cowardise and trechery of Opechancanough sufficiently tried by Captaine Smith,
therefore his threats he feared not, nor for his fauour cared, but
would nakedly fight with him or any of his with their owne swords; if
he were slaine, he would leaue a letter for his Country men to know,
the fault was his owne, not the Kings; two daies the King deliberated
vpon an answer, at last told him the English were his friends, and the
Saluage Emperour Opitchapam now called Toyatan, was his brother, therefore there should be no bloud shed betwixt them, so hee returned the Presents, willing the Pamavnkes to come no more in his Country, lest the English, though against his will, should doe them any mischiefe.
The escape of Waters and his Wife.
Not long after, a
Boat going abroad to seeke out some releefe amongst the Plantations, by
Nuports-newes met such ill weather, though the men were saued they lost their boat, which the storme and waues cast vpon the shore of Nandsamund, where Edward Waters one of the three that first stayed in Summer Iles, and found the great peece of Amber-greece, dwelling in Virginia at this Massacre,
hee and his wife these Nandsamunds
kept Prisoners till it chanced they found this Boat, at which purchase
they so reioyced, according to their custome of triumph, with songs,
dances and inuocations, they were so busied, that Waters and his wife found opportunity to get secretly into their Canow, and so crossed the Riuer to Kecoughtan,
which is nine or ten miles, whereat the English no lesse wondred and
reioyced, then the Saluages were madded with discontent. Thus you may
see how many desperate dangers some men escape, when others die that
haue all things at their pleasure.
The arriuall of Captaine Hamar at Patawomek.
Croshaws Fort and plot for trade.
All men thinking Captaine Croshaw dead, Captaine Hamer arriuing with a Ship and a Pinnace at Patawomeke, was kindly entertained both by him and the King; that Don Hamar told the King he came for Corne: the King replied hee had none, but the Nacotchtanks
and their confederats had, which were enemies both to him and them; if
they would fetch it, he would giue them 40. or 50 choise Bow-men to
conduct and assist them. Those Saluages with some of the English they
sent, who so well played their parts, they flew 18. of the Nacotchtanks, some write but 4. and some they had a long skirmish with them; where the Patawomeks
were so eager of reuenge, they driue them not onely out of their towne,
but all out of sight through the woods, thus taking what they liked,
and spoiling the rest, they retired to Patawomek, where they left Captaine Croshaw, with foure men more, the rest set saile for Iames towne. Captaine Croshaw
now with fiue men and himselfe found night and day so many Alarums, he
retired into such a conuenient place, that with the helpe of the
Saluages, hee had quickly fortified himselfe against all those wilde
enemies. Captaine Nuse his Pinnace meeting Hamar by the way vnderstanding all this, came to see Captaine Croshaw: after their best enterchanges of courtesies, Croshaw writ to Nuse
the estate of the place where he was, but vnderstanding by them the
poore estate of the Colony, offered if they would send him but a bold
Shallop, with men, armes and prouision for trade, the next Haruest he
would prouide them Corne sufficient, but as yet it being but the latter
end of Iune, there was little or none in all the Country.
Captaine Madyson sent to Patawomek.
This being made knowne to the Gouernour and the rest, they sent Captaine Madyson with a ship and pinnace, and some six and thirtie men: those Croshaw a good time taught the vse of their armes, but receiuing a letter from Boyse his Wife, a prisoner with nineteene more at Pamavnke,
to vse meanes to the Gouernour for their libertie; So hee dealt with
this King, hee got first two of his great men to goe with him to Iames towne, and eight daies after to send foure of his counsell to Pamavnke, there to stay till he sent one of his two to them, to perswade Opachankanough to send two of his with two of the Patawomekes, to treat about those prisoners, and the rest should remaine their hostage at Pamavnke; but the Commanders, at Iames towne, it seemes, liked not of it, and so sent the Patawomekes backe againe to their owne Countrie, and Captaine Croshaw to his owne habitation.
The industry of Captaine Nuse.
All this time we haue forgot Captaine Nuse,
where we left him but newly acquainted with the Massacre, calling all
his next adioyning dispersed neighbours together, he regarded not the
pestring his owne house, nor any thing to releeue them, and with all
speed entrenched himselfe, mounted three peece of Ordnance, so that
within 14. daies, he was strong enough to defend himselfe from all the
Saluages, yet when victuall grew scant, some that would forrage without
order, which he punished, neere occasioned a mutiny. Notwithstanding,
he behaued himselfe so fatherly and kindly to them all, they built two
houses for them he daily expected from England,
a faire Well of fresh water mantled with bricke, because the Riuer and
Cricks are there brackish or salt; in all which things he plaied the
Sawyer, Carpenter, Dauber, Laborer, or any thing; wherein though his
courage and heart were steeled, he found his body was not made of Iron,
for hee had many sicknesses, and at last a Dropsie, no lesse griefe to
himselfe, then sorrow to his Wife and all vnder his gouernment. These
crosses and losses were
no small increasers of his
malady, nor the thus abandoning our Plantations, the losse of our
Haruest, and also Tobacco which was as our money; the Vineyard our
Vineyerours had brought to a good forwardnesse, bruised and destroyed
with Deere, and all things ere they came to perfection, with weeds,
disorderly persons or wild beasts; so that as we are I cannot perceiue
but the next yeere will be worse, being still tormented with pride and
flattery, idlenesse and couetousnesse, as though they had vowed heere
to keepe their Court with all the pestilent vices in the world for
their attendants, inchanted with a conceited statelinesse, euen in the
very bottome of miserable senselesnesse.
Captaine Powel kils 3. Saluages.
Shortly after, Sir George Yearly and Captaine William Powel, tooke each of them a company of well disposed Gentlemen and others to seeke their enemies, Yearley ranging the shore of Weanock, could see nothing but their old houses which he burnt, and so went home: Powel
searching another part, found them all fled but three he met by chance,
whose heads hee cut off, burnt their houses, and so returned; for the
Saluages are so light and swift, though wee see them (being so loaded
with armour) they haue much aduantage of vs though they be cowards.
The opinion of Captaine Smith.
I confesse this is
true, and it may cause some suppose they are grown inuincible: but will
any goe to catch a Hare with a Taber and a Pipe? for who knowes not
though there be monsters both of men and beasts, fish and fowle, yet
the greatest, the strongest, the wildest, cruellest, fiercest and
cunningest, by reason, art and vigilancy, courage and industry hath
beene slaine, subiected or made tame, and those are still but Saluages
as they were, onely growne more bold by our owne simplicities, and
still will be worse and worse till they be tormented with a continuall
pursuit, and not with lying inclosed within Palizados, or affrighting
them out of your sights, thinking they haue done well, can but defend
themselues: and to doe this to any purpose, will require both charge,
patience and experience. But to their proceedings.
Sir George Yearleys iourny to Accomack.
Captaine Nuse his misery.
An Alarum, foure slaine.
About the latter end of Iune, Sir George Yearley accompanied with the Councell, and a number of the greatest Gallants in the Land, stayed three or foure daies with Captaine Nuse,
he making his moane to a chiefe man amongst them for want of prouision
for his Company, the great Commander replied hee should turne them to
his greene Corne, which would make them plumpe and fat: these fields
being so neere the Fort, were better regarded and preserued then the
rest, but the great mans command, as we call them, was quickly obeied,
for though it was scarce halfe growne either to the greatnesse or
goodnesse, they deuoured it greene though it did them small good. Sir George with his company went to Accomack
to his new Plantation, where he staied neere six weekes; some Corne he
brought home, but as he aduentured for himselfe, he accordingly enioyed
the benefit; some pety Magazines came this Summer, but either the
restraint by Proclamation, or want of Boats, or both, caused few but
the Chieftaines to be little better by them. So long as Captaine Nuse
had any thing we had part; but now all being spent, and the people
forced to liue vpon Oisters and Crabs, they became so faint no worke
could be done; and where the Law was, no worke, no meat, now the case
is altered, to no meat, no worke; some small quantity of Milke and Rice
the Captaine had of his owne, and that he would distribute gratis as he saw occasion; I say gratis,
for I know no place else, but it was sold for ready paiment: those
eares of Corne that had escaped till August, though not ripe by reason
of the late planting, the very Dogs did repaire to the Corne fields to
seeke them as the men till they were hanged; and this I protest before
God is true that I haue related, not to flatter Nuse, nor condemne any, but all the time I haue liued in Virginia,
I haue not seene nor heard that any Commander hath taken such
continuall paines for the publike, or done so little good for himselfe,
and his vertuous wife was no lesse charitable and compassionate
according to her power. For my owne part, although I found neither Mulberies planted, houses built,
men nor victuall prouided, as the honourable Aduenturers did promise mee in England;
yet at my owne charge, hauing made these preparations, and the silke
Wormes ready to be couered, all was lost but my poore life and children
by the Massacre, the which as God in his mercy did preserue, I
continually pray we may spend to his glory. The 9. of September, we had
an alarum, and two men at their labours slaine; the Captaine, though
extreme sicke, sallied forth, but the Saluages lay hid in the Corne
fields all night, where they destroyed all they could, and killed two
men more, much mischiefe they did to Master Edward Hills
cattle, yet he alone defended his house though his men were sicke and
could doe nothing, and this was our first assault since the Massacre.
The kindnesse of the King of Patawomek.
About this time Captaine Madyson passed by vs, hauing taken Prisoners, the King of Patawomek, his sonne, and two more, and thus it happened; Madyson not liking so well to liue amongst the Saluages as Croshaw did, built him a strong house within the Fort, so that they were not so sociable as before, nor did they much like Poole the Interprer; many Alarums they had, but saw no enemies: Madyson before his building went to Moyaones, where hee got prouision for a moneth, and was promised much more, so he returned to Patawomek and built this house, and was well vsed by the Saluages. Now by the foure great men the King sent to Pamavnke for the redemption of the Prisoners, Madyson
sent them a letter, but they could neither deliuer it nor see them: so
long they stayed that the King grew doubtfull of their bad vsage, that
hee swore by the Skyes, if they returned not well, he would haue warres
with Opechankanough so long as he had any thing: at this time two of Madysons men ranne from him, to finde them he sent Master Iohn Vpton and three more with an Indian guide to Nazatica, where they heard they were. At this place was a King beat out of his Country by the Necosts, enemies to the Patawomeks; this expulsed King though he professed much loue to the Patawomeks, yet hee loued not the King because he would not helpe him to reuenge his iniuries, but to our Interpreter Poole hee protested great loue, promising if any treason were, he would reueale it, our guide conducted this Bandyto with them vp to Patawomek and there kept him; our Fugitiues we found the Patawomeks had taken and brought home, and the foure great men returned from Pamavnke; not long after, this expulsed King desired priuate conference with Poole, vrging him to sweare by his God neuer to reueale what hee would tell him, Poole promised he would not; then quoth this King, those great men that went to Pamavnke, went not as you suppose they pretended, but to contract with Opechankanough how to kill you all here, and these are their plots.
A Saluages policy.
First, they will
procure halfe of you to goe a fishing to their furthest towne, and
there set vpon them, and cut off the rest; if that faile, they will
faine a place where are many strangers would trade their Furres, where
they will perswade halfe of you to goe trade, and there murder you and
kill them at home; and if this faile also, then they will make Alarums
two nights together, to tire you out with watching, and then set vpon
you, yet of all this, said he, there is none acquainted but the King
and the great Coniurer.
Madison takes the King and kils 30. or 40.
The King set at liberty.
This being made
known to the Captain, we all stood more punctually vpon our guard, at
which the Saluages wondering, desired to know the cause; we told them
we expected some assault from the Pamavnkes,
whereat they seemed contented, and the next day the King went on
hunting with two of our men, and the other a fishing and abroad as
before, till our Shallop returned from Iames towne with the two Saluages, went home with Captaine Croshaw: by those the Gouernour sent to Madyson,
that this King should send him twelue of his great men; word of this
was sent to the King at another towne where he was, who not comming
presently with the Messenger, Madyson
conceited hee regarded not the message, and intended as he supposed the
same treason. The next morning the King comming home, being sent for,
he came to the Captaine and brought him a dish of their daintiest
fruit; then the Captaine fained his returne to Iames towne, the
King told him he might if he would, but desired not to leaue him
destitute of aid, hauing so many enemies about him; the Captaine told
him he would leaue a guard, but intreated his answer concerning the
twelue great men for the Gouernour; the King replied, his enemies lay
so about him he could not spare them, then the Captaine desired his
sonne and one other; my sonne, said the King, is gone abroad about
businesse, but the other you desire you shall haue, and that other sits
by him, but that man refused to goe, whereupon Madyson
went forth and locked the doore, leauing the King, his sonne, and foure
Saluages, and fiue English men in the strong house, and setting vpon
the towne with the rest of his men, slew thirty or forty men, women and
children; the King demanding the cause, Poole
told him the treason, crying out to intreat the Captaine cease from
such cruelty: but hauing slaine and made flye all in the towne hee
returned, taxing the poore King of treason, who denied to the death not
to know of any such matter, but said, This is some plot of them that
told it, onely to kill mee for being your friend. Then Madyson willed him, to command none of his men should shoot at him as he went aboord, which he presently did, and it was performed: so Madyson
departed, leading the King, his sonne, and two more to his ship,
promising when all his men were shipped, he should returne at libertie;
notwithstanding he brought them to Iames towne, where they lay some daies, and after were sent home by Captaine Hamer, that tooke Corne for their ransome, and after set saile for New found Land.
But, alas the cause of this was onely this
They vnderstood, nor knew what was amisse.
A digression.
Euer since the
beginning of these Plantations, it hath beene supposed the King of Spaine would inuade them, or our English Papists indeuour to dissolue them. But neither all the Counsels of Spaine,
nor Papists in the world could haue deuised a better course to bring
them all to ruine, then thus to abuse their friends, nor could there
euer haue beene a better plot, to haue ouerthrowne Opechankanough then Captaine Chroshaws, had it beene fully managed with expedition. But it seemes God is angry to see Virginia made a stage where nothing but murder and indiscretion contends for victory.
Their proceedings of the other plantations.
300 surpriseth Nandsamund.
Samuell Collyer slaine.
Amongst the rest of
the Plantations all this Summer little was done, but securing
themselues and planting Tobacco, which passes there as current Siluer,
and by the oft turning and winding it, some grow rich, but many poore,
notwithstanding ten or twelue ships or more hath arriued there since
the massacre, although it was Christmas ere any returned, and that
returne greatly reuiued all mens longing expectation here in England:
for they brought newes, that notwithstanding their extreme sicknesse
many were recouered, and finding the Saluages did not much trouble
them, except it were sometimes some disorderly straglers they cut off.
To lull them the better in securitie, they fought no reuenge till their
Corne was ripe, then they drew together three hundred of the best
Souldiers they could, that would leaue their priuate businesse, and
aduenture themselues amongst the Saluages to surprize their Corne,
vnder the conduct of Sir George Yearley, being imbarked in conuenient shipping, and all things necessary for the enterprise, they went first to Nandsamund,
where the people set fire on their owne houses, and spoiled what they
could, and then fled with what they could carry; so that the English
did make no slaughter amongst them for reuenge. Their Corne fields
being newly gathered, they surprized all they found, burnt the houses
remained vnburnt, and so departed. Quartering about Kecoughtan, after the Watch was set, Samuell Collyer
one of the most ancientest Planters, and very well acquainted with
their language and habitation, humors and conditions, and Gouernor of a
Towne, when the Watch was set going the round, vnfortunately by a
Centinell that discharged his peece, was slaine.
They surprise Pamavnke.
Thence they sailed to Pamavnke, the chiefe seat of Opechankanough, the contriuer of the massacre: the Saluages seemed exceeding fearefull, promising to bring them Sara,
and the rest of the English yet liuing, with all the Armes, and what
they had to restore, much desiring peace, and to giue them any
satisfaction they could. Many such deuices they fained to procrastinate
the time ten or twelue daies, till they had got away their Corne from
all the other places vp the Riuer, but that where the English kept
their quarter: at last, when they saw all those promises were but
delusions, they seised on all the Corne there was, set fire on their
houses: and in following the Saluages that fled before thẽ, some few of
those naked Deuils had that spirit, they lay in ambuscado, and as our
men marched discharged some shot out of English peeces, and hurt some
of them flying at their pleasures where they lifted, burning their
empty houses before them as they went to make themselues sport: so they
escaped, and Sir George returned with
Corne, where for our paines we had three bushels apeece, but we were
enioyned before we had it, to pay ten shillings the bushell for fraught
and other charges. Thus by this meanes the Saluages are like as they
report, to endure no small misery this Winter, and that some of our men
are returned to their former Plantations.
The opinion of Captaine Smith.
What other passages
or impediments hapned in their proceedings, that they were not fully
reuenged of the Saluages before they returned, I know not; nor could
euer heare more, but that they supposed they slew two, and how it was
impossible for any men to doe more then they did: yet worthy Ferdinando Courtus had scarce three hundred Spaniards to conquer the great Citie of Mexico,
where thousands of Saluages dwelled in strong houses: but because they
were a ciuilized people, had wealth, and those meere Barbarians as
wilde as beasts haue nothing; I intreat your patience to tell you my
opinion, which if it be Gods pleasure I shall not liue to put in
practice, yet it may be hereafter vsefull for some, but howsoeuer I
hope not hurtfull to any, and this it is.
How to subiect all the Saluages in Virginia.
Had these three
hundred men beene at my disposing, I would haue sent first one hundred
to Captaine Rawley Chroshaw to Patawomek,
with some small Ordnance for the Fort, the which but with daily
exercising them, would haue struck that loue and admiration into the Patowomeks,
and terror and amazement into his enemies, which are not farre off, and
most seated vpon the other side the Riuer, they would willingly haue
beene friends, or haue giuen any composition they could, before they
would be tormented with such a visible feare.
Now though they be
generally perfidious, yet necessity constraines those to a kinde of
constancy because of their enemies, and neither my selfe that first
found them, Captaine Argall, Chroshow, nor Hamar,
neuer found themselues in fifteene yeares trials: nor is it likely now
they would haue so hostaged their men, suffer the building of a Fort,
and their women and children amongst them, had they intended any
villany; but suppose they had, who would haue desired a better
aduantage then such an aduertisement, to haue prepared the Fort for
such an assault, and surely it must be a poore Fort they could hurt,
much more take, if there were but fiue men in it durst discharge a
peece: Therefore a man not well knowing their conditions, may be as
well to iealous as to carelesse; Such another Lope Skonce would I haue
had at Onawmanient, and one hundred men more to haue made such another at Atquacke vpon the Riuer of Toppahanock, which is not past thirteene miles distant from Onawmanient:
each of which twelue men would keepe, as well as twelue thousand, and
spare all the rest to bee imploied as there should be occasion. And all
this with these numbers might easily haue beene done, if not by
courtesie, yet by compulsion, especially at that time of September when
all their fruits were ripe, their beasts fat, and infinite numbers of
wilde Fowle began to repaire to euery creeke, that men if they would
doe any thing, could not want victuall. This done, there remained yet
one hundred who should haue done the like at Ozinieke, vpon the Riuer of Chickahamania, not past six
miles from the chiefe habitations of Opechankanough.
These small Forts had beene cause sufficient to cause all the
Inhabitants of each of those Riuers to looke to themselues. Then hauing
so many Ships, Barks, and Boats in Virginia
as there was at that present, with what facility might you haue landed
two hundred and twentie men, if you had but onely fiue or six Boats in
one night; forty to range the branch of Mattapanyent, fortie more that of Toughtanund, and fortie more to keepe their randiuous at Pamavnke
it selfe. All which places lie so neere, they might heare from each
other within foure or fiue houres, and not any of those small parties,
if there were any valour, discretion, or industry in them, but as
sufficient as foure thousand, to force them all to contribution, or
take or spoile all they had. For hauing thus so many conuenient
randeuous to releeue each other, though all the whole Countries had
beene our enemies, where could they rest, but in the depth of Winter we
might burne all the houses vpon all those Riuers in two or three daies?
Then without fires they could not liue, which they could not so hide
but wee should finde, and quickly so tire them with watching and
warding, they would be so weary of their liues, as either fly all their
Countries, or giue all they had to be released of such an hourely
misery. Now if but a small number of the Saluages would assist vs, as
there is no question but diuers of them would; And to suppose they
could not be drawne to such faction, were to beleeue they are more
vertuous then many Christians, and the best gouerned people in the
world. All the Pamavnkes might haue beene
dispatched as well in a moneth as a yeare, and then to haue dealt with
any other enemies at our pleasure, and yet made all this toile and
danger but a recreation.
If you think this
strange or impossible, 12 men with my selfe I found sufficient, to goe
where I would adaies, and surprise a house with the people, if not a
whole towne in a night, or incounter all the power they could make, as
a whole Army, as formerly at large hath beene related: And it seemes by
these small parties last amongst them, by Captaine Crashow, Hamar, and Madyson,
they are not growne to that excellency in policy and courage but they
might bee encountred, and their wiues and children apprehended. I know
I shall bee taxed for writing so much of my selfe, but I care not much,
because the iudiciall know there are few such Souldiers as are my
examples, haue writ their owne actions, nor know I who will or can tell
my intents better then my selfe.
Some againe finde as
much fault with the Company for medling with so many Plantations
together, because they that haue many Irons in the fire some must
burne; but I thinke no if they haue men enow know how to worke them,
but howsoeuer, it were better some burne then haue none at all. The
King of Spaine regards but how many
powerfull Kingdomes he keepes vnder his obedience, and for the Saluage
Countries he hath subiected, they are more then enow for a good
Cosmographer to nominate, and is three Mole-hills so much to vs; and so
many Empires so little for him? For my owne part, I cannot chuse but
grieue, that the actions of an Englishman should be inferior to any,
and that the command of England should not
be as great as any Monarchy that euer was since the world began, I
meane not as a Tyrant to torment all Christendome, but to suppresse her
disturbers, and conquer her enemies.
For the great Romans got into their hand.
The whole worlds compasse, both by Sea and Land,
Or any seas, or heauen, or earth extended,
And yet that Nation could not be contented.
The arriuall of Captaine Butler, & his accidents.
Much about this time arriued a small Barke of Barnestable, which had beene at the Summer Iles, and in her Captaine Nathaniel Butler, who hauing beene Gouernor there three yeares, and his Commission expired, he tooke the opportunity of this ship to see Virginia: at Iames Towne he was kindly entertained
by Sir Francis Wyat the Gouernor. After he had rested there foureteene daies, he fell vp with his ship to the Riuer of Chickahamania, where meeting Captaine William Powell, ioyning together such forces as they had to the number of eighty, they set vpon the Chickahamanians, that fearefully fled, suffering the English to spoile all they had, not daring to resist them. Thus he returned to Iames towne, where hee staied a moneth, at Kecoughtan as much more, and so returned for England.
A strange deliuerance of Master Argent & others.
But riding at Kecoughtan, M. Iohn Argent, sonne to Doctor Argent, a young Gentleman that went with Captaine Butler from England to this place, Michael Fuller, William Gany, Cornelius May,
and one other going ashore with some goods late in a faire euening,
such a sudden gust did arise, that driue them thwart the Riuer, in that
place at least three or foure miles in bredth, where the shore was so
shallow at a low water, and the Boat beating vpon the Sands, they left
her, wading neere halfe a mile, and oft vp to the chin: So well it
hapned, Master Argent had put his
Bandileir of powder in his hat, which next God was all their
preseruations: for it being February, and the ground so cold, their
bodies became so benumbed, they were not able to strike fire with a
steele and a stone hee had in his pocket; the stone they lost twice,
and thus those poore soules groping in the darke, it was Master Argents chance to finde it, and with a few withered leaues, reeds, and brush, make a small fire, being vpon the Chisapeaks
shore, their mortall enemies, great was their feare to be discouered.
The joyfull morning appearing, they found their Boat and goods driue
ashore, not farre from them, but so split shee was vnseruiceable: but
so much was the frost, their clothes did freeze vpon their backs, for
they durst not make any great fire to dry them, lest thereby the bloudy
Saluages might discry them, so that one of them died the next day, and
the next night digging a graue in the Sands with their hands, buried
him. In this bodily feare they liued and fasted two daies and nights,
then two of them went into the Land to seeke fresh water; the others to
the Boat to get some meale and oyle, Argent
and his Comrado found a Canow, in which they resolued to aduenture to
their ship, but shee was a drift in the Riuer before they returned:
thus frustrate of all hopes, Captaine Butler
the third night ranging the shore in his Boat to seeke them, discharged
his Muskets, but they supposing it some Saluages had got some English
peeces, they grew more perplexed then euer, so he returned and lost his
labour. The fourth day they vnloaded their Boat, and stopping her
leakes with their handkerchiefes, and other rags, two rowing, and two
bailing out the water; but farre they went not ere the water grew vpon
them so fast, and they so tired, they thought themselues happy to be on
shore againe, though they perceiued the Indians were not farre off by their fires. Thus at the very period of despaire, Fuller
vndertooke to sit a stride vpon a little peece of an old Canow; so well
it pleased God the wind and tide serued, by padling with his hands and
feet in the water, beyond all expectation God so guided him three or
foure houres vpon this boord, he arriued at their ship, where they no
lesse amazed then he tired, they tooke him in. Presently as he had
concluded with his Companions, he caused them discharge a peece of
Ordnance if he escaped, which gaue no lesse comfort to Master Argent
and the rest, then terror to those Plantations that heard it, (being
late) at such an vnexpected alarum: but after, with warme clothes and a
little strong water, they had a little recouered him, such was his
courage and care of his disteressed friends, he returned that night
againe with Master Felgate to conduct him
to them, and so giuing thanks to God for so hopelesse a deliuerance, it
pleased his Diuine power, both they and their prouision came safely
aboord, but Fuller they doubt will neuer recouer his benumbed legs and thighes.
Now before Butlers arriuall in England,
many hard speeches were rumored against him for so leauing his charge,
before he receiued order from the Company: Diuers againe of his
Souldiers as highly commended him, for his good gouernment,
art, iudgement and industry. But to make the misery of Virginia
appeare that it might be reformed in time, how all those Cities,
Townes, Corporations, Forts, Vineyards, Nurseries of Mulberies,
Glasse-houses, Iron forges, Guest-houses, Silke-wormes Colleges, the
Companies great estate, and that plenty some doe speake of here, are
rather things in words and paper then in effect, with diuers reasons of
the causes of those defects; if it were false, his blame nor shame
could not be too much: but if there bee such defects in the gouernment,
and distresse in the Colony, it is thought by many it hath beene too
long concealed, and requireth rather reformation then disputation: but
howeuer, it were not amisse to prouide for the worst, for the best will
help it selfe. Notwithstanding, it was apprehended so hardly, and
examined with that passion, that the brute thereof was spread abroad
with that expedition, it did more hurt then the massacre; and the fault
of all now by the vulgar rumour, must be attributed to the
vnwholesomnesse of the ayre, and barrennesse of the Country, as though
all England were naught, because the Fens
and Marshes are vnhealthy; or barren, because some will lie vnder
windowes and starue in Cheap-side, rot in Goales, die in the street,
high-waies, or any where, and vse a thousand deuices to maintaine
themselues in those miseries, rather then take any paines, to liue as
they may by honest labour, and a great part of such like are the
Planters of Virginia, and partly the occasion of those defailements.
1623. How Captaine Spilman was left in the Riuer of Patawomek. The Earle of Southampton Treasurer.
In the latter end of this last yeare, or the beginning of this, Captaine Henrie Spilman
a Gentleman, that hath liued in those Countries thirteene or foureteene
yeares, one of the best Interpreters in the Land, being furnished with
a Barke and six and twentie men, hee was sent to trucke in the Riuer of
Patawomek, where he had liued a long time
amongst the Saluages, whether hee presumed too much vpon his
acquaintance amongst them, or they sought to be reuenged of any for the
slaughter made amongst them by the English so lately, or hee sought to
betray them, or they him, are all seuerall relations, but it seemes but
imaginary: for then returned report they left him ashore about Patawomek,
but the name of the place they knew not, with one and twentie men,
being but fiue in the Barke, the Saluages ere they suspected any thing,
boorded them with their Canowes, and entred so fast, the English were
amazed, till a Sailer gaue fire to a peece of Ordnance onely at
randome; at the report whereof, the Saluages leapt ouer-boord, so
distracted with feare, they left their Canowes and swum a shore; and
presently after they heard a great brute amongst the Saluages a shore,
and saw a mans head throwne downe the banke, whereupon they weighed
Anchor and returned home, but how he was surprised or slaine, is
vncertaine.
Thus things proceed and uary not a lot,
Whether we know them, or we know them not.
A particular of such necessaries as either priuate families, or single persons, shall haue cause to prouide to goe to Virginia, where by greater numbers may in part conceiue the better how to prouide for themselues.
Apparell.
Apparell for one man, and so after the rate for more.
| A Monmoth Cap. |
1s.10d. |
| 3 falling bands. |
1s.3d. |
| 3 shirts. |
7s.6d. |
| 1 Waste-coat. |
2s.2d. |
| 1 suit of Canuase. |
7s.6d. |
| 1 suit of Frize. |
10s. |
| 1 suit of Cloth. |
15s. |
| 3 paire of Irish stockings. |
4s. |
| 4 paire of shooes. |
8s.8d. |
| 1 paire of garters. |
10d. |
| 1 dozen of points. |
3d. |
| 1 paire of Canuas sheets. |
8s. |
| 7 ells of Canuas to make a bed and boulster, to be filled in Virginia, seruing for two men. |
8s. |
| 5 ells of course Canuas to make a bed at Sea for two men. |
5s. |
| 1 course rug at sea for two men. |
6s. |
|
4 l. |
Uictuall for a whole yeare for a man, and so after the rate for more.
| 8 bushels of meale. |
2 l. |
| 2 bushels of pease. |
6s. |
| 2 bushels of Otemeale. |
9s. |
| 1 gallon of Aquavita. |
2s.6d. |
| 1 gallon of oyle. |
3s.6d. |
| 2 gallons of Vineger. |
2s. |
|
3 l. 3s. |
Armes for a man, but if halfe your men be armed it is well, so all haue swords and peeces.
| 1 Armor compleat, light. |
17s. |
| 1 long peece fiue foot and a halfe, neere Musket bore. |
1 l. 2s. |
| 1 Sword. |
5s. |
| 1 Belt. |
1s. |
| 1 Bandilier. |
1s. 6d. |
| 20 pound of powder. |
18s. |
| 60 pound of shot or Lead, Pistoll and Goose shot. |
5s. |
|
3 l. 9s. 6d. |
Tooles for a family of six persons, and so after the rate for more.
| 5 broad howes at 2s. a peece. |
10s. |
| 5 narrow howes at 16d. a peece. |
6s. 8d. |
| 2 broad axes at 3s.8d. a peece. |
7s. 4d. |
| 5 felling axes at 18d. a peece. |
7s. 6d. |
| 2 steele handsawes at 16d. a peece. |
2s. 8d |
| 2 two handsawes at 5s. a peece. |
10s. |
| 1 whipsaw, set and filed, with box, file and wrest. |
10s. |
| 2 hammers 12d. a peece. |
2s. |
| 3 shouels 18d. a peece. |
4s. 6d. |
| 2 spades at 18d. a peece. |
3s. |
| 2 Augers at 6d. peece. |
1s. |
| 6 Chissels at 6d. a peece. |
3s. |
| 2 Percers stocked 4d. a peece. |
8d. |
| 3 Gimblers at 2d. a peece. |
6d. |
| 2 Hatchers at 21d. a peece. |
3s. 6d. |
| 2 frowes to cleaue pale 18d. each |
3s. |
| 2 hand Bills 20d. a peece. |
3s. 4d. |
| 1 Grindstone. |
4s. |
| Nailes of all sorts to the value of |
2 l. |
| 2 Pickaxes. |
3s. |
|
6 l. 2s. 8d. |
Houshold implements for a family and six persons, and so for more or lesse after the rate.
| 1 Iron pot. |
7s. |
| 1 Kettell. |
6s. |
| 1 large Frying pan. |
2s. 6d. |
| 1 Gridiron. |
1s. 6d. |
| 2 Skellots. |
5s. |
| 1 Spit. |
2s. |
| Platters, dishes, spoones of wood. |
4s. |
|
1 l. 8s. |
| For Sugar, Spice, and Fruit, and at Sea for six men. | 12s. 6d. |
| So the full charge after this rate for each person, will amount about the summe of | 1 l. 10s. |
| The passage of each man is | 6 l. | | The fraught of these prouisions for a man, will be about halfe a tun, which is | 12 l. 10s. 10d. | | So the whole charge will amount to about | 20 1. |
Now
if the number be great, Nets, Hooks and Lines, but Cheese, Bacon, Kine
and Goats must be added. And this is the vsuall proportion the Virginia Company doe bestow vpon their Tenents they send.
A briefe relation written by Captaine Smith to his Maiesties Commissioners for the reformation of Virginia, concerning some aspersions against it.
HOnourable
Gentlemen, for so many faire and Nauigable Riuers so neere adioyning,
and piercing thorow so faire a naturall Land, free from any
inundations, or large Fenny vnwholsome Marshes, I haue not seene, read,
nor heard of: And for the building of Cities, Townes, and Wharfage, if
they will vse the meanes, where there is no more ebbe nor floud, Nature
in few places affoords any so conuenient, for salt Marshes or
Quagmires.
In this tract of Iames
Towne Riuer I know very few; some small Marshes and Swamps there are,
but more profitable then hurtfull: and I thinke there is more low Marsh
ground betwixt Eriffe and Chelsey, then Kecoughton and the Falls, which is about one hundred and eighty miles by the course of the Riuer.
The causes of our first miseries.
Being enioyned by
our Commission not to vnplant nor wrong the Saluages, because the
channell was so neere the shore, where now is Iames
Towne, then a thicke groue of trees; wee cut them downe, where the
Saluages pretending as much kindnesse as could bee, they hurt and slew
one and twenty of vs in two houres: At this time our diet was for most
part water and bran, and three ounces of little better stuffe in bread
for fiue men a meale, and thus we liued neere three moneths: our
lodgings vnder boughes of trees, the Saluages being our enemies, whom
we neither knew nor vnderstood; occasions I thinke sufficient to make
men sicke and die.
But 38 English in all Virginia.
Necessity thus did
inforce me with eight or nine, to try conclusions amongst the Saluages,
that we got prouision which recouered the rest being most sicke. Six
weeks I was led captiue by those Barbarians, though some of my men were
slaine, and the rest fled, yet it pleased God to make their great Kings
daughter the means to returne me safe to Iames towne, and relerue our wants, and then our Commonwealth was in all eight and thirty, the remainder of one hundred and fiue.
Proofes of the healthfulnesse of the Countrey.
Being supplied with
one hundred and twenty, with twelue men in a boat of three tuns, I
spent foureteene weeks in those large waters; the contents of the way
of my boat protracted by the skale of proportion, was about three
thousand miles, besides the Riuer we dwell vpon, where no Christian
knowne euer was, and our diet for the most part what we could finde,
yet but one died.
How the Saluages became subiected.
The Saluages being acquainted, that by command from England
we durst not hurt them, were much imboldned; that famine and their
insolencies did force me to breake our Commission and instructions,
cause Powhatan fly his Countrey, and take the King of Pamavnke Prisoner; and also to keepe the King of Paspahegh
in shackels, and put his men to double taskes in chaines, till nine and
thirty of their Kings paied vs contribution, and the offending Saluages
sent to Iames towne to punish at our owne discretions: in the two last yeares I staied there, I had not a man slaine.
How we liued of the natural fruits of the Countrey.
All those
conclusions being not able to preuent the bad euents of pride and
idlenesse, hauing receiued another supply of seuentie, we were about
two hundred in all, but not twentie work-men: In following the strict
directions from England to doe that was
impossible at that time; So it hapned, that neither wee nor they had
any thing to eat, but what the Countrey afforded naturally; yet of
eightie who liued vpon Oysters in Iune and Iuly, with a pint of corne a
week for a man lying vnder trees, and 120 for the most part liuing vpon
Sturgion, which was dried til we pounded it to powder for meale, yet in
ten weeks but seuen died.
Proofe of the Commodities we returned.
It is true, we had of Tooles, Armes, & Munition sufficient, some Aquavite,
Vineger, Meale, Pease, and Otemeale, but in two yeares and a halfe not
sufficient for six moneths, though by the bils of loading the
proportions sent vs, would well haue contented vs, notwithstanding we
sent home ample proofes of Pitch, Tar, Sope Ashes, Wainskot, Clapboord,
Silke grasse, Iron Ore, some Sturgion and Glasse, Saxefras, Cedar,
Cypris, and blacke Walnut, crowned Powhaton, sought the Monaeans
Countrey, according to the instructions sent vs, but they caused vs
neglect more necessary workes: they had better haue giuen for Pitch and
Sopeashes one hundred pound a tun in Denmarke: Wee also maintained fiue or six seuerall Plantations.
What we built.
Iames
towne being burnt, wee rebuilt it and three Forts more, besides the
Church and Store-house, we had about fortie or fiftie seuerall houses
to keepe vs warme and dry, inuironed with a palizado of fourteene or
fifteene foot, and each as much as three or foure men could carrie. We
digged a faire Well of fresh water in the Fort, where wee had three
Bulwarks, foure and twentie peece of Ordnance,
of Culuering, Demiculuering,
Sacar and Falcon, and most well mounted vpon conuenient plat-formes,
planted one hundred acres of Corne. We had but six ships to transport
and supply vs, and but two hundred seuenty seuen men, boies, and women,
by whose labours Virginia
being brought to this kinde of perfection, the most difficulties past,
and the foundation this laid by this small meanes; yet because we had
done no more, they called in our Commission, tooke a new in their owne
names, and appointed vs neere as many offices and Officers as I had
Souldiers, that neither knew vs nor wee them, without our consents or
knowledge; since there haue gone more then one hundred ships of other
proportions, and eight or ten thousand people. Now if you please to
compare what hath beene spent, sent, discouered and done this fifteene
yeares, by that we did in the three first yeares, and euery Gouernor
that hath beene there since, giue you but such an account as this, you
may easily finde what hath beene the cause of those disasters in Virginia.
Then came in Captaine Argall, and Master Sedan, in a ship of Master Cornelius, to fish for Sturgion, who had such good prouision, we contracted with them for it, whereby we were better furnished then euer.
Not long after came
in seuen ships, with about three hundred people; but rather to supplant
vs then supply vs, their Admirall with their authoritie being cast away
in the Bermudas, very angry they were we
had made no better prouision for them. Seuen or eight weekes we
withstood the invndations of these disorderly humors, till I was neere
blowne to death with Gun-powder, which occasioned me to returne for England.
How I left the Country.
In the yeare 1609
about Michaelmas, I left the Countrey, as is formerly related, with
three ships, seuen Boats, Commodities to trade, haruest newly gathered,
eight weeks prouision of Corne and Meale, about fiue hundred persons,
three hundred Muskets, shot, powder, and match, with armes for more men
then we had. The Saluages their language and habitation, well knowne to
two hundred expert Souldiers; Nets for fishing, tooles of all sorts,
apparell to supply their wants: six Mares and a Horse, fiue or six
hundred Swine, many more Powltry, what was brought or bred, but
victuall there remained.
My charge.
My reward.
Hauing spent some
fiue yeares, and more then fiue hundred pounds in procuring the Letters
Patents and setting forward, and neere as much more about New England,
&c. Thus these nineteene yeares I haue here and there not spared
any thing according to my abilitie, nor the best aduice I could, to
perswade how those strange miracles of misery might haue beene
preuented, which lamentable experience plainly taught me of necessity
must insue, but few would beleeue me till now too deerely they haue
paid for it. Wherefore hitherto I haue rather left all then vndertake
impossibilities, or any more such costly taskes at such chargeable
rates: for in neither of those two Countries haue I one foot of Land,
nor the very house I builded, nor the ground I digged with my owne
hands, nor euer any content or satisfaction at all, and though I see
ordinarily those two Countries shared before me by them that neither
haue them nor knowes them, but by my descriptions: Yet that doth not so
much trouble me, as to heare and see those contentions and diuisions
which will hazard if not ruine the prosperitie of Virginia,
if present remedy bee not found, as they haue hindred many hundreds,
who would haue beene there ere now, and makes them yet that are willing
to stand in a demurre.
For the Books and
Maps I haue made, I will thanke him that will shew me so much for so
little recompence, and beare with their errors till I haue done better.
For the materials in them I cannot deny, but am ready to affirme them
both there and here, vpon such grounds as I haue propounded, which is
to haue but fifteene hundred men to subdue againe the Saluages,
fortifie the Countrey, discouer that yet vnknowne, and both defend
& feed their Colony, which I most humbly refer to his Maiesties
most iudiciall iudgement, and the most honourable Lords of his
Priuy Councell, you his trusty and well-beloued Commissioners, and the Honourable company of Planters and well-willers to Virginia, New-England and Sommer-Ilands.
Out of these Obseruations it pleased his Maiesties Commißioners for the reformation of Virginia, to desire my answer to these seven Questions.
Quest. 1. WHat conceiue you is the cause the Plantation bath prospered no better since you left it in so good a forwardnesse?
Answ.
Idlenesse and carelesnesse brought all I did in three yeeres in six
moneths to nothing, and of fiue hundred I left, scarce threescore
remained, and had Sir Thomas Gates not got from the Bermudas, I thinke they had beene all dead before they could be supplied.
Quest. 2. What conceiue you should be the cause, though the Country be good, there comes nothing but Tobacco?
Answ.
The oft altering of Gouernours it seemes causes euery man make vse of
his time, and because Corne was stinted at two shillings six pence the
bushell, and Tobacco at three shillings the pound, and they value a
mans labour a yeere worth fifty or threescore pound, but in Corne not
worth ten pound, presuming Tobacco will furnish them with all things,
now make a mans labour in Corne worth threescore pound, and in Tobacco
but ten pound a man, then shall they haue Corne sufficient to
entertaine all commers, and keepe their people in health to doe any
thing, but till then, there will be little or nothing to any purpose.
Quest. 3. What
conceiue you to haue beene the cause of the Massacre, and had the
Saluages had the use of any peeces in your time, or when, or by whom
they were taught?
Answ.
The cause of the Massacre was the want of marshall discipline, and
because they would haue all the English had by destroying those they
found so carelesly secure, that they were not prouided to defend
themselues against any enemy, being so dispersed as they were. In my
time, though Captaine Nuport furnished
them with swords by truck, and many fugitiues did the like, and some
Peeces they got accidentally, yet I got the most of them againe, and it
was death to him that should shew a Saluage the vse of a Peece. Since I
vnderstand they became so good shot, they were imployed for Fowlers and
Huntsmen by the English.
Quest. 4. What charge thinke you would haue setled the gouernment both for defence and planting when you left it?
Answ.
Twenty thousand pound would haue hyred good labourers and mechanicall
men, and haue furnished them with cattle and all necessaries, and 100.
of them would haue done more then a thousand of those that went, though
the Lord Laware, Sir Ferdinando Waynman, Sir Thomas Gates and Sir Thomas Dale were perswaded to the contrary, but when they had tried, they confessed their error.
Quest. 5. What conceiue you would be the remedy and the charge?
Answ. The remedy is to send Souldiers and all sorts of labourers and necessaries for them, that they may be there by next Michaelmas,
the which to doe well will stand you in fiue thousand pound, but if his
Maiesty would please to lend two of his Ships to transport them, lesse
would serue, besides the benefit of his grace to the action would
encourage all men.
Quest. 6. What thinke you are the defects of the gouernment both here and there?
Answ.
The multiplicity of opinions here, and Officers there, makes such
delaies by questions and formalitie, that as much time is spent in
complement as in action,
besides, some are so desirous
to imploy their ships, hauing six pounds for euery Passenger, and three
pounds for euery tun of goods, at which rate a thousand ships may now
better be procured then one at the first, when the common stocke
defrayed all fraughts, wages, prouisions and Magazines, whereby the
Ships are so pestred, as occasions much sicknesse, diseases and
mortality, for though all the Passengers die they are sure of their
fraught; and then all must be satisfied with Orations, disputations,
excuses and hopes. As for the letters of aduice from hence, and their
answers thence, they are so well written, men would beleeue there were
no great doubt of the performance, and that all things were wel, to
which error here they haue beene euer much subiect; and there not to
beleeue, or not to releeue the true and poore estate of that Colony,
whose fruits were commonly spent before they were ripe, and this losse
is nothing to them here, whose great estates are not sensible of the
losse of their aduentures, and so they thinke, or will not take notice;
but it is so with all men: but howsoeuer they thinke or dispose of all
things at their pleasure, I am sure not my selfe onely, but a thousand
others haue not onely spent the most of their estates, but the most
part haue lost their liues and all, onely but to make way for the
traill of more new conclusions, and he that now will aduenture but
twelue pounds ten shillings, shall haue better respect and as much
fauour then he that sixteene yeere agoe aduentured as much, except he
haue money as the other hath, but though he haue aduentured fiue
hundred pound, and spent there neuer so much time, if hee haue no more
and not able to begin a family of himselfe, all is lost by order of
Court.
But in the beginning
it was not so, all went then out of one purse, till those new deuices
haue consumed both mony and purse; for at first there were but six
Patentees, now more then a thousand, then but thirteene Counsailors,
now not lesse then an hundred; I speake not of all, for there are some
both honourable and honest, but of those Officers, which did they
manage their owne estates no better then the affaires of Virginia, they would quickly fall to decay so well as it; but this is most euident, few Officers in England
it hath caused to turne Banquerupts, nor for all their complaints would
leaue their places, neither yet any of their Officers there, nor few of
the rest but they would be at home, but fewer Aduenturers here will
aduenture any more till they see the businesse better established,
although there be some so wilfully improuident they care for nothing
but to get thither, and then if their friends be dead, or want
themselues, they die or liue but poorely for want of necessaries, and
to thinke the old Planters can releeue them were too much simplicity;
for who here in England is so charitable to feed two or three strangers, haue they neuer so much; much lesse in Virginia
where they want for themselues. Now the generall complaint saith, that
pride, couetousnesse, extortion and oppression in a few that ingrosses
all, then sell all againe to the comminalty at what rate they please,
yea euen men, women and children for who will giue most, occasions no
small mischiefe amongst the Planters.
As for the Company,
or those that doe transport them, prouided of necessaries, God forbid
but they should receiue their charges againe with aduantage, or that
masters there should not haue the same priuilege ouer their seruants as
here, but to sell him or her for forty, fifty, or threescore pounds,
whom the Company hath sent ouer for eight or ten pounds at the most,
without regard how they shall be maintained with apparell, meat, drinke
and lodging, is odious, and their fruits sutable, therefore such
merchants it were better they were made such merchandize themselues,
then suffered any longer to vse that trade, and those are defects
sufficient to bring a well setled Common-wealth to misery, much more Virginia.
Quest. 7. How thinke you it may be rectified?
Answ.
If his Maiestie would please to intitle it to his Crowne, and yearely
that both the Gouernours here and there may giue their accounts to you,
or some that are not ingaged in the businesse, that the common stocke
bee not spent in
maintaining one hundred men for
the Gouernour, one hundred for two Deputies, fifty for the Treasurer,
fiue and twenty for the Secretary, and more for the Marshall and other
Officers who were neuer there nor aduentured any thing, but onely
preferred by fauour to be Lords ouer them that broke the ice and beat
the path, and must teach them what to doe, if any thing happen well, it
is their glory; if ill, the fault of the old directors, that in all
dangers must endure the worst, yet not fiue hundred of them haue so
much as one of the others; also that there bee some present course
taken to maintaine a Garrison to suppresse the Saluages, till they be
able to subsist, and that his Maiesty would please to remit his
custome, or it is to be feared they will lose custome and all, for this
cannot be done by promises, hopes, counsels and countenances, but with
sufficient workmen and meanes to maintaine them, not such delinquents
as here cannot be ruled by all the lawes in England,
yet when the foundation is laid, as I haue said, and a common-wealth
established, then such there may better be constrained to labour then
here: but to rectifie a common-wealth with debaushed people is
impossible, and no wise man would throw himselfe into such a society,
that intends honestly, and knowes what he vndertakes, for there is no
Countr to pillage as the Romans found: all you expect from thence must
be by labour.
For the gouernment I thinke there is as much adoe about it as the Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland, men here conceiting Virginia
as they are, erecting as many stately Offices as Officers with their
attendants, as there are labourers in the Countrey, where a Constable
were as good as twenty of their Captaines, and three hundred good
Souldiers and labourers better then all the rest that goe onely to get
the fruits of other mens labours by the title of an office. Thus they
spend Michaelmas rent in Mid-summer Moone, and would gather their Haruest before they haue planted their Corne.
As for the
maintenance of the Officers, the first that went neuer demanded any,
but aduentured good summes, and it seemes strange to me, the fruits of
all their labours, besides the expence of an hundred and fifty thousand
pounds, and such multitudes of people, those collaterall Officers could
not maintaine themselues so well as the old did, and hauing now such
liberty to doe to the Saluages what they will, the others had not. I
more then wonder they haue not fiue hundred Saluages to worke for them
towards their generall maintenance, and as many more to returne some
content and satisfaction to the Aduenturers, that for all their care,
charge and diligence, can heare nor see nothing but miserable
complaints; therefore vnder your correction to rectifie all, is with
all expedition to passe the authority to them who will releeue them,
lest all bee consumed ere the differences be determined. And except his
Maiestie vndertake it, or by Act of Parlament some small tax may be
granted throughout his Dominions, as a Penny vpon euery Poll, called a
head-penny; two pence vpon euery Chimney, or some such collection might
be raised, and that would be sufficient to giue a good stocke, and many
seruants to sufficient men of any facultie, and transport them freely
for paying onely homage to the Crowne of England,
and such duties to the publike good as their estates increasedreason
should require. Were this put in practice, how many people of what
quality you please, for all those disasters would yet gladly goe to
spend their liues there, and by this meanes more good might be done in
one yeere, then all those pety particular vndertakings will effect in
twenty.
For the Patent the
King may, if he please, rather take it from them that haue it, then
from vs who had it first, pretending to his Maiesty what great matters
they would doe, and how little we did, and for any thing I can
conceiue, had we remained still as at first, it is not likely we could
haue done much worse; but those oft altering of gouernments are not
without much charge, hazard and losse. If I be too plaine, I humbly
craue your pardon; but you requested me, therefore I doe but my duty.
For the Nobility, who knowes not how freely both in their
Purses and assistances many of
them haue beene to aduance it, committing the managing of the businesse
to inferiour persons, amongst whom question lesse also many haue done
their vtmost best, sincerely and truly according to their concert,
opinion and vnderstanding; yet grosse errors haue beene committed, but
no man liues without his fault; for my owne part, I haue so much adoe
to amend my owne, I haue no leisure to looke into any mans particular,
but those in generall I conceiue to be true. And so I humbly rest
Yours to command,
I. S.
The King hath pleased to take it into his consideration.
THus those
discords, not being to be compounded among themselues, nor yet by the
extraordinary diligences, care and primes of the noble and right worthy
Commissioners, Sir William Iones, Sir Nicholas Fortescue, Sir Francis Goston, Sir Richard Sutton, Sir Henry Bourgchier and Sir William Pit; a Corante was granted against Master Deputy Farrar,
and 20. or 30. others of that party to plead their causes before the
right Honourable, the Lords of his Maiesties Priuy Councell: now
notwithstanding all the Relations, Examinations, and intercepting of
all Letters whatsoeuer came from thence, yet it seemes they were so
farre vnsatisfied and desired to know the truth, as well for the
preseruation of the Colony, as to giue content and doe all men right,
they sent two Commissioners strictly to examine the true estate of the
Colony. Vpon whose returne after mature deliberation, it pleased his
royall Maiesty to suppresse the course of the Court at Deputy Farrars, and that for the present ordering the affaires of Virginia, vntill he should make a more full settlement thereof, the Lord Viscount Mandeuile,
Lord President of his Maiesties Priuie Councell, and also other Priuy
Councellors, with many vnderstanding Knights and Gentlemen, should
euery Thursday in the afternoone meet at Sir Thomas Smiths in Philpot lane,
where all men whom it should concerne may repaire, to receiue such
directions and warrant for their better security, as more at large you
may see in the Proclamation to that effect, vnder the great Scale of England,
dated the 15. of Iuly, 1624. But as for the relations last returned,
what numbers they are, how many Cities, Corporations, townes, and
houses, cattle and horse they haue, what fortifications or discoueries
they haue made, or reuenge vpon the Saluages; who are their friends or
foes, or what commodities they haue more then Tobacco, & their
present estate or what is presently to be put in execution, in that the
Commissioners are not yet fully satisfied in the one, nor resolued in
the other, at this present time when this went to the Presse, I must
intreat you pardon me till I be better assured.
Thus far I haue trauelled in this Wildernesse of Virginia,
not being ignorant for all my paines this discourse will be wrested,
tossed and turned as many waies as there is leaues; that I haue writ
too much of some, too little of others, and many such like obiections.
To such I must answer, in the Companies name I was requested to doe it,
if any haue concealed their approued experiences from my knowledge,
they must excuse me: as for euery fatherles or stolne relation, or
whole volumes of sofisticated rehearsals, I leaue them to the charge of
them that desire them. I thanke God I neuer vndertooke any thing yet
any could tax me of carelesnesse or dishonesty, and what is hee to whom
I am indebted or troublesome? Ah! were these my accusers but to change
cases and places with me but 2. yeeres, or till they had done but so
much as I, it may be they would iudge more charitably of my
imperfections. But here I must leaue all to the triall of time, both my
selfe, Virginia's preparations,
proceedings and good euents, praying to that great God the protector of
all goodnesse to send them as good successe as the goodnesse of the
action and Country deserueth, and my heart desireth.
FINIS. |
