I //
\ ^^T-
^
^afiin's litptints.
No. VI.
THE
lilSTOEY
FIRST DISCOVERY AND SETTLEIMENT
VIRGINIA
WILLIAM STITH, A. M.
NEW YORK:
REPRINTED FOR JOSEPH SABIN.
1865.
Two HUNDREB AND FiFTY COPIES PRINTED.
No. W
r
AL.VOllD, PTIINTEJ
BIBLIOGHAP/IICAL NOTICE,
The Original Documents from which much of this valu-
able work was compiled having been lately dellroyed, and
the work itfelf being fcarce, it is hoped its reprodudion will
be an acceptable contribution to American Hiitory.
Two Editions of the work have been publillied ; the Firft,
or Williamfburg Edition (of which this is a reprint), in
1747, and the London Reprint in 1753.
In the "Hiftorical Magazine," Vol. II., page 184, a writer,
under the pfeudonym of B, Franklin, deicribes what he
confiders Tico WilHamfl)urg Editions, but which were, in
reality, the Editions of 1747 and 1753, but probably having
titles alike.
In the fame Magazine, Vol. V., page 350, D. P. S [mith]
attempts to point out the difference in the Editions, but falls
into a double error : firft, in defcribing the Fine Paper Wil-
liamlburg Edition as correfponding with the London Edi-
tion in Type, Lines, Pages, and Ornaments ; and fecond, in
ftating that the "Poor Paper Williamfturg Edition" differs
from the Fine Paper of the fame place and date.
As I have the three varieties now before me, I will en-
deavour to defcribe them.
The Firft, or Williamfl)urg Edition, of 1747, appears to
have been printed on two varieties of paper, both the fame
fize, and both hv'd, one being thicker than the other. The
Signatures, Catchwords, Ornaments, &c., agreeing exadly
with each other, and the error on page 104, which is printed
410, being alike in each.
Signature S is mispaged. It fliould read 257 inftead of
247, and fo on to the end, adding 10 pages to the whole
number (331) as they appear in this reprint.
viii BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE.
The fecond Edition has the following Title : — " The Hif-
tory of the Firlt Difcovery and Settlement of Firghu'a. By
William Stith, A. M., Prefident of the College of William
and Mary in Firginia. '^antci violis erat * "^ * condere gentein.
Virg. Virginia, Printed : London, Reprinted for S. Birt,
in Jve-Mary-Lane. M.DCC.LIII."
The Number of Pages, Signatures, &c., is the fame as in
the Williamfburg Edition. The pagination runs on regularly
up to page 304, then the rctfo of Signature X is paged 295,
and fo on till it terminates at page 331 (for 341) as in the
other Edition.
,,^The Paper and Types are the fame as the Williamfburg
Fine Paper, but in other refpeds there are feveral variations.
On pages ], 35, 101, 175, and 176, the Ornaments differ.
On pages 21 and 119, the London Edition has Signature
marks not in the other.
On pages 33, 73, 82, 84, 86, 89, 98, 99, 131, 171, 178,
179, 206, 208, 214, 225, 233, 238, and 244, the Catchwords
differ; while Signature X appears to be precifely the fame in
each Edition, and in my copy of the London Edition, the
paper in this Signature differs from the reft of the volume.
On page 308 of the Williamfburg Edition, there is a line
acrofs the page, over the foot-note. This is omitted in the
London Edition.
On page 2 of the Appendix, the capital J is in Roman —
in the London Edition it is in Italic.
Joseph Sabin.
New York, 1865.
\
THE
HISTORY
O F T H E
Firft DISCOVERY
AND
SETTLEMENT
OF
VIRGINIA:
BEING
An ESSAY towards a General
History of this COLONY.
By William Stith, A. M.
Redtor of Henrico Parifh, and one of the Governors of
William and Mary College.
Tanta molis erat *** condere gentem. Virg.
WILLIAMSBURG:
Printed by William Parks, M,DCC,XLVII.
1^1
THE
PREFACE.
f3?.5-/
I 'K^)/~i ^t ik^ College, and began to enjoy a little
^r[\., ^>^ Le'ifure^ I could not think myfelf wholly dif-
^1^* ^y' il^ '^^'^ HERE prefent the Reader with the firjl
(','' '"' " ' )- Part of my Hijhry of our own Comitry.
-^ When I had left my laborious Einploy7nent
\ ' <- - - • r .^ '"* ', charged from the Service of the Publick.
iP T. r, T. M .1 As therefore my late Uncle^ Sir John Ran-
dolph, had purpofed to write a Preface to our Laws^ and
therein to give an Hijiorical Account of our Conjlitution and
Government^ but was prevented from profecuting it to Effe£i^
by his many and weighty Publick Employments^ and by the
vaji Burthen of private Bu/inefs frotn his Clients^ I thought
the Hijiory of Virginia luould be no mean or unacceptable Un-
dertaking. For fuch a Work., well performed., mujl naturally
he a great Satisfaction., and even Ornafuent^ to our Country.
Beftdes which., I was farther induced by fotne other Reafons.
It is now an hundred and forty Tears^ fince the firji Difco-
very and Settlement of Virginia ; and as many ufeful Papers
and Records., relating to our Hijiory., may probably be found
at prefent., which will perhaps be lofi hereafter., I conceived
it high time., that fomething material Jhould be atte?npted in it.
For I need not fay., how empty and unfatisfaCtory every thing.,
yet publifljed upon the Subjed., is \ excepting the excellent but
confufed Materials., left us in Captain Smith'j- Hijiory.
I [peak not this with the Pride and Malevolence of an Au-
thor., that would raife his own Reputation by depreciating his
Brother Writers ; but it is a Cenfure moji jujily due to thoj'e.,
who have yet meddled with our Hijiory., and which /, for
my own Part., owe thejn., for the Vexation and Difappoint-
ment I met with., in reading their Works. And I can far-
ther declare with great Truth., that had any thing of Confe-
quence been done in our Hijiory., I could mofi willingly have
faved myfelf the Trouble., of conning over our old 7nu(iy Re-
A 2 cords.,
The PREFACE.
cords^ and of Jludying^ conneSIing^ and reconciling the jar-
ring and disjointed Writings and Relations of different Men
and different Parties. Hoiuever^ I was forry to fee all our
Hopes at an End by the Death of Sir John Randolph ; and
was unwilling the Defign Jhould be entirely abandoned^ and
that our Hiffory fiould Jiill remain in its old Confufton and
Uncertainty . I had alfo^ by my Intimacy with that Gentle-
man., had the Sight and Perujal of many excellent Materials
in his Hands ; and thought., I could not handfomely be denied
the Ufe of any thing elfe to my Purpofe., either in our publick
Offices., or the PoJJ'effion of private Gentlemen.
I may further add., that I at prefent enjoy a perfeSI Lei-
fur e and Retirement., and am not burthened with any publick
Pofl or Office. So that fuch a Work will be a noble and ele-
gant Entertainment for my vacant Hours., which it is not in
my Poiuer to employ., more to my own Satisfaction., or the
Ufe and Benefit of ?ny Country.
J S to ?ny Helps in carrying on this Work., befides De Brye'j
Edition o/^Hariot'j- Treatife and'Wix.Ws Cuts and Maps., and
befides cafual Jffffances frotn fuch Parts of Purchas, as I
could procure., frofn Dr. Heylen, and other things in Print.,
the inquifitive Reader will eafily perceive., how much of this
Volume is founded on Captain Smith'j Materials. They are
large and good., and of unqueffionable Authority., for what is
related., whilfi he ffaid in the Country. But they are how-
ever., as I before obferved., va/ily confufed and perplexed., and
took me more Labour and Pains to digeff them., than I at firff
expected. The latter Part of his Hijiory alfo., efpecially from
Captain Argall'^ Government., is liable to fome jufl Sufpicion.
Not that I queffion Captain Smith'5 Integrity ; for I take
him to have been a very hone/i Man., and a ffrenuous Lover
of Truth. But being himfelf abfent in thofe times upon other
Projects., and having an Acquaintance and Friendjlnp with
Sir Thomas Smith and Captain Argall, he feems chief y to
have depended upon them and their Friends., for his Account
of things. And particularly., his Account of Captain Argall'j
Govertnnent is exprefy taken from himfelf., and from a Rela-
tion of Mr. Rolfe'j. Befides which., it is evident that his
Mind was fomewhat eagered by the NegleBs Jhewn him., and
by the Refufal of fome jufl Reward for his many and great
Services. So that he does not feem much inclined., to think well
of the Company or their Proceedings. And fuch Prejudices
and Partialities do filently and imperceptibly fide iyito the be ft
and honeffeff Minds ; and ought therefore to be carefully
watched and guarded againff by all Men., but efpecially by
Hifforians. But from whatever Caufe it proceeded., it is cer-
tain., that he gave a very wrong Idea of Captain Argall and
his
The PREFACE.
his Government^ and of the Reafons of the Diffolution of the
Company^ in which he has been iynplicitely followed by all our
fucceeding Hi/hrians. And I would not have the Reader fur-
prifed to find my Account of thofe Particulars^ fo very dif-
ferent from all others^ yet in Priyit. For I ajfure him^ there
is not one Article^ fcarce a Word^ in my Relation^ which is
not founded on the exprefs Tefiimony^ and the incontejiible
Authority^ of our Records in the Capitol^ and the Company'' s
"Journals.
FOR befides thefe priyit ed Accounts^ I have had the grcateji
and moji conjiderable Afiftances from authentick Manufcripts.
Sir John Randolph'j- Colle^ion of publick Papers^ and the
Capitol Records., have been of no little Ufe to me., and will be
Jiill of greater Service and Confequence in the Profecution of
the Work. But I muji confefs myfelf mojl endebted., in this
Part of my Hijiory., to a very full and fair Manufcript of
the London Company^ s Records., which was commimicated to
me by the late luorthy Prefdent of our Council., the Honoura-
ble William Byrd, Efq; Neither could I well excufe myfelf
if I did not likewife acknowledge., with what Humanity and
Politenefs., that tuell bred Gentleman and Scholar., not only
communicated thoje Manufcripts to me., but alfo threiu open his
Library [the bejl and mo/i copious Collection of Books in our
Part of America) and was himfelf even Jiudious and follici-
tous., to fearch out and give ?ne., tvhatever ?night be ufeful to
my Undertaking.
AS theje Records are a very curious and valuable Piece of
the Antiquities of our Country., I Jhall give the Reader an
Account of them., zvhich I received., many Tears ago., in Con-
verfation ivith Col. Byrd and Sir John Randolph. / had
then no Thoughts of writing the Hijiory of Virginia, and
therefore took lefs Notice., than I otherwife fhould have done.
However., as I am perhaps the only Perfon now living., any
thing acquainted xvith their Hi/iory., it ivill not be improper
to give it to the Reader., as I judge it highly luorthy of his
Knowledge.
THESE Records are a fournal of the Company'' s Pro-
ceedings., from Day to Day ; and are written in two large
Folio Volumes., on a Kind of Elephant Paper., generally in a
very fair and legible Hand. Each Page is fubfcribed by Ed-
ward Collingwood, the Company^ Secretary., thus ; Com.
Collingwood, zuhich is., as I take it.. Compared, Colling-
wood. Befides which., there is a Tejiification at the End of
each Volume. At the End of the firji., under the Hands of
Edward Waterhoufe and Edward Collingwood, Secretaries
of the two Companies for Virginia and the Somer-Iflands, that
they had compared that ivith the Original Court-Book., and
found
vi The P R E F A C E.
found it to he a true and perfect Copy of the fame^ except the
Omijfion of one Court and Part of another. The fecond Vo-
lume is figned by the [aid Secretary Collingwood arid Thomas
Collet, of the Middle Temple, Gentleman.^ tejiifying the
fame things except in a fw immaterial Points^ where xuere
wanted fome Original Papers : Thefe Volumes only contain
the Company^ s Proceedings for a little above five l~ears^ viz.
from April 28, 16 19 /c^ ,. ) ing it's Original, which give great Scope to
I'- T^- ; light and fanciful Hiftorians, but are ufually
p- ■" .' pailed over with a flight Mention by the folid
|,: ' ' \ and judicious. The late Difcovery of Jme-
|,;/si. >^,.y .,u,uuui rica^ in hiftorical and well-known Times,
might, one would think, have exempted it from this com-
mon Fate of Nations. Yet fuch is the Pride of fome
Men to feem of deep Reach and Infight, and to ftrike
out things untouched and unthought of by others, and
fuch their prepofterous Delight in groping after Truth
in the Dark, and yet negle6ting her in the clear and me-
ridian Brightnefs of Day, that even this new World hath
been endowed with it's fabulous Age, and old Tales re-
vived, or new ones invented, to ftretch it's Antiquities be-
yond Columbus^ and the fliort Date of two hundred and
fifty Years. We are therefore told of one Han?7o^ a Car-
thaginian Captain, who made a Voyage to Jmerica. But
in what Age he lived, or upon what Authority or Pretext
the Story is grounded, I have not been yet able fully to dis-
cover. Even the monftrous Legends of Arthur^ Malgo^
« B and
The History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
and Madock^ a JP elch Prince, and of the Friar of Lynne^
who by his black Art tranfported himfelf to the Northern
Parts of America^ have found Men weak enough to be
the Relators and Propagators of them. Plato\ Fable alfo
of the Atlantick Iflands has been applied to this Subject ;
and Seneca the Tragedian, who could never yet obtain from
the Criticks a firm Rank among the befl: and moft approved
Claflicks, hath neverthelefs been acknowledged by the Hif-
torians as a true Prophet, and fome Verfes of his quoted,
as containing a prediction of the future Difcovery and Set-
tlement of America. But as I have ever had an utter Con-
tempt and Averfion for all fuch learned Trumpery, and
have often been difgufted and concerned to fee Authors,
otherwife of Judgment and Genius, carried by their Cre-
dulity too far into thofe dark and uncertain Traits of
Time, I fhall leave thefe, with other Stories of the like
Nature, to their firft Authors or Inventors, and (hall apply
myfelf to give a plain and exa6l Hiftory of our Country,
ever regarding Truth as the firft requifite and principal Vir-
tue in an Hiftorian, and relating nothing without a fuffici-
ent Warrant and Authority.
The European Nations had continued, through all Ages,
in the molt profound Ignorance of all the reft of the World,
except the beft Part of Europe., and the moft obvious and
adjacent Countries of Afia and Africa. And although the
attractive Power of the Loadftone had been long known
and obferved, yet it's Poles, and the wonderful Qualities
and Inclination of the magnetical Needle, were ftill a Se-
cret, till it feemed good to Divine Providence, that one
John Gioia^ of Amalfi in the Kingdom of Naples., difco-
vered them about the Year 1300. This important Difco-
very lay long ufelefs, without any Application to Naviga-
tion ; neither can we certainly fay, who firft turned it to
this great End. However the Ufe of the Sea-Compafs
crept in by Degrees, and was undoubtedly the grand Inftru-
ment and Foundation of all thefe later Difcoveries.
The Portuguefe was the firft Nation of Europe., that
engaged in maritime Expeditions, in order to explore and
difcover the unknown Parts of the World. For Prince
Henry o^ Portugal., in the Year 141 7, fent two fmall Barks
to make Difcoveries along the Coaft of Africa ; which Be-
ginning, having fome Succefs, was afterwards profecuted,
during the Life of that Prince, under his Aufpices and Di-
rection. After his Death, they ftill advanced by Degrees
in their Trade and Difcoveries, till at length in the Year
i486 they reached the Cape of Good-Hope. But it was
1497, five Years after the Difcovery of America., before
Vafco
Book I. The History ^/"VIRGINIA.
Vafco de Gama^ by the Command, and in the Service, of
Emanuel^ Kli'ig o* Portugal^ failed round that Cape to the
Ea/I-Indies.
Chrijiopher Columbus^ a Genoefe by Birth, a Perfon of
great Knowledge and Experience in naval Affairs, of good
Learning, and a comprehenfive Mind, and being alfo led
perhaps by the late Difcoveries of the Portuguefe^ was
ftrongly poflefled with a Notion of fome Lands to the
Weftward, beyond the great Atlantick Ocean. He there-
fore firft offered his Service to his native Country, the Re-
publick of Genoa ; but being reje6ted as a whimfical and
chimerical Man, he applied himfelf to King John IL of
Portugal^ Henry VIL of England^ and to Ferdinand and
Ifabel^ f^ing and Queen of Cajiile. Many Years being
fpent in fruitlefs Sollicitations, and after much Vexation and
Difappointment, he was at laft entertained in the Service of
the King and Queen of Cajiile^ and fent upon the Difco-
very, which he happily effedled the nth of OSiober 1492.
After this, Cohanbus^ being animated with a publick Spirit
and a generous Principle of Glory, and the Spaniards^ be-
ing as eagerly puflied on by an infatiable Thirft of Gold,
fo ardently purfued, and fo fuccefsfully improved this firft
Diicovery, that they foon became Mafters of vafl Trails
of rich and fertile Country abounding in Gold, Silver,
Pearls, Emeralds, and many other the mofl precious and
delicious Products of this Globe. The Portuguefe likewife,
altho' fufficiently loaded and embarraffed with their vafl
Acquifitions on the Coafl of Africa and in the Ea/i-Indies^
yet nev^erthelefs found the Means and Opportunity to make
good their great Difcovery of Brazil. Neither were the
French entirely idle ; but they made many vigorous Efforts
towards gaining a Share of the Riches and Territory of this
new World.
The EngliJJo in the mean time, a maritime Nation, of
great Bravery, and of a bold and adventurous Nature, lay
quite negligent and fupine, and let flip all Opportunities in
thofe early Times of acquiring fome rich and ufeful Pro-
vinces in Ajnerica. For altho' they had in the Year 1497,
under Sebajiian Cabot., made the Difcovery of Newfound-
land., and of the main Continent of A7nerica from 38 to 68
Degrees of northern Latitude, yet they made no other Ad-
vantage of this Difcovery, but to fend out a few fifliing
Barks in common with other Nations of Europe. At length
Sir Humphry Gilbert., a Gentleman of great Reputation for
his Skill in naval Affairs, and of a high and refolute Spirit,
undertook to fettle a Colony in Newfoundland., a cold, bar-
ren, and unfruitful Soil, and mofl unfriendly Clime. And
B 2 to
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
to this End, he obtained Letters patent from Queen Eli%a-
heth^ bearing Date the nth of fune^ 1578.
These Letters patent granted " free Power and Li-
berty to him, his Heirs and Afligns for ever, to dif-
cover, find, fearch out, and view, all fuch remote,
heathen, and barbarous Lands, Countries, or Territories,
as were not adually poffefled by any Chriftian Prince or
People ; and thither to lead and carry with him, to travel
thitherward, and there inhabit, fuch and fo many of her
Majefty's Subjeils, as would willingly accompany and
join in the Enterprife.
"And that he fhould have, hold, occupy, and enjoy,
to himfelf, his Heirs and Afligns, for ever, all fuch
Lands, Countries, and Territories, fo to be difcovered
or poffeffed, with the Rights, Royalties, and Jurifdic-
tions, as well marine as other, within the faid Lands
and Countries, or the Seas thereunto adjoining, with
full Power to difpofe thereof to her Majefty's Subjects,
and of any or every Part thereof, in Fee-fimple, or other-
wife, according to the Laws of England^ as nearly as
conveniently might be ; paying to the Queen, her Heirs
and Succeflbrs, for all Services, Duties, and Demands
whatfoever, the Fifth Part of all the Ore of Gold and
Silver, which fliould at any time there be gotten ;
holding all the faid Lands and Countries of her Majef-
ty, her Heirs, and Succeflbrs, by Homage, and by the
Payment of the faid Fifth Part, before referved.
"Moreover granting to him, his Heirs and Affigns,
for ever. Licence to encounter, expel, repel, and refift
all Perfon or Perfons whatfoever, that fhould attempt
to inhabit in the faid Countries, without his fpecial
Licence and Liking, or within the Space of two Hun-
dred Leagues of the Place, where he, his Heirs, or Af-
figns, fhould, within Six Years next enfuing, make
their Dwelling and Abode; provided the faid Countries
were not before planted or inhabited, within the aforefaid
Limits, by the Subje6ts of any ChrilHan Prince, in Amity
with her Majefty. And giving and granting to him, his
Heirs and Afligns, for ever, full Power and Authority,
to take and furprife, by all manner of Means whatfo-
ever, all and every Perfon and Perfons, with their Ships,
Veflels, or other Goods and Furniture, that fhould be
found trafficking within the Limits aforefaid, without
the Licence of the faid Sir Humphry^ his Heirs, or Af-
figns ; the Subjects of the Queen's Realms and Domi-
nions, and all other Perfons in Amity with her, being
driven thither by Force of Tempeft or Shipwreck, only
excepted. "And
Book I. the History of VIRGINIA.
"And for uniting in more perfe6l League and Amity,
' fuch Lands and Countries with the Realms of England
' and Ireland^ and for the better encouragement of thofe,
' who would engage in the Enterprife, the Queen grants
' and declares, that the faid Countries, fo to be pofleffed
' and inhabited, fhould from thenceforth be in the Alle-
' giance and Protection of her, her Heirs, and Succeflbrs ;
' and farther grants to the faid Sir Humphry^ his Heirs,
' and Afligns, and to every other Perfon or Perfons, to
' their, and every of their Heirs, that they, and every
' of them, that fhould thereafter be inhabiting in the faid
' Lands, Countries, and Territories, fliould and might
' have and enjoy all the Privileges of free Denizens, or
'Perfons native of England \ ' 2iny Law, Cuftom, or U-
' fage to the contrary notwithftanding.
"And fhe farther grants to the faid Sir Humphry^ his
' Heirs and Afligns, for ever, full Power and Authority,
' to correct, punifh, pardon, govern and rule, as well in
' Caules capital or criminal, as civil, all fuch her Subje6ls
' or others, as fhould adventure themfelves in the faid
' Voyages, or Ihould at any Time thereafter inhabit the
' faid Lands, Countries, or Territories, or fhould dwell
' within two hundred Leagues of the Place or Places,
' where the faid Humphry^ his Heirs, or Affigns, or any
' of his or their Allbciates, fhould inhabit within fix Years
' enfuing the Date thereof ; with Power to conftitute fuch
' Statutes, Laws, and Ordinances, as fhould by him, the
' faid Sir Huynphry^ his Heirs, or Afligns, be devifed or
' eftabliflied, for the better Government of the faid Peo-
' pie : Provided always, that they fhould be, as near as
' conveniently might, agreeable to the Laws and Policy
' of England ; and provided alfo, that they be not againft
' the true ChrifHan Faith, profelTed in the Church of
' England^ nor any way tend to withdraw the SubjeCls or
' People of thofe Lands or Places from the Allegiance of
' the Queen, her Heirs, or Succeflors.
"Provided always, and flie thereby declares to all
' Chriftian Kings, Princes, and States, that if the faid Sir
' Humphry^ his Heirs, or Afligns, or any other by their
' Licence or Appointment, fliould at any Time or Times
' thereafter, rob or fpoil, by Sea or by Land, or do any
' Ait of unjufl or unlawful Hoflility, to any of the Sub-
'jedis of England^ or of any other King, Prince, or State,
' in League or Amity with the Crown of England^ that
' then, upon fuch Injury, or upon juft Complaint thereof,
' the Qiieen, her Heirs, or Succeflors, fhould make open
' Proclamation, within any of the Ports of England com-
B 3 " modious.
rZv History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
" modious, that the faid Sir Humphry^ his Heirs, or Affigns,
" or any other, to whom thofe Letters patent might ex-
" tend, fhould, within the Term to be limited in the faid
" Proclamations, make full Reftitution and Satisfa61:ion for
" all Injuries fo done : In Default whereof, it fliould be
" lawful for the Queen, her Heirs, or Succefl'ors, to put
" the faid Sir Humphry^ his Heirs, or Afligns, with his or
" their Adherents, and all the Inhabitants of the faid Pla-
" ces, out of their Allegiance and Prote6lion ; and that
" from fuch Time as they fliould be fo put out of the Pro-
" te6i:ion of the Crown of England^ it fliould be free for all
" Princes and others, to purfue them with Hoftility, as
" being no longer Subje^ls of England^ nor by the Queen,
" her Heirs, or Succeffors, any ways to be avowed, main-
" tained, or defended."
I N Confequence of thefe ample Powers and Privileges,
Sir Humphry Gilbert^ with the Conjunilion and Afliftance
of manv other Gentlemen, prepared to put to Sea with a
noble Fleet. But juft on the Point of Departure, upon fome
Difagreement and Diflention, he was deferted by his Aflb-
ciates, and left with only a few of his firm and faithful
Friends. With thefe, however, he ventured to Sea, but
having been expofed to fome Misfortunes, and loft a large
Ship of his Fleet, he was obliged to return without effe6ting
any thing. Thefe expenfive and unsuccefsful Preparations
had fo impaired his Fortune, that it was 1583, before he
made any farther Attempt. But then having fold his Eftate,
and being joined by divers Gentlemen of Fortune, he again
fet Sail with two Ships and three fmall Barks. Coming be-
fore St. yolni'?, Harbour in Newfoundland., he was refufed
Entrance by the fiftiing Veffels within, to the Number of
thirty-fix Sail, of all Nations. He therefore prepared to
make his Way good by P^orce of Arms ; but firft fent his
Boat in to inform them, that he had a Commiflion from
the Queen, to take Poffeffion of thofe Lands for the Crown
of England. Queen Eli%abeth''S, Name was reverenced
through all Europe., and her Power and Authority at Sea, in
particular, much honoured and revered. Thefe Fiftiing-
Barks therefore readily fubmitted, and even made a Contri-
bution of Provifions to fupply the Wants of this fmall
Fleet.
After this. Sir Hutnphry went afliore, being conduct-
ed by all the Englijh there ; and having caufed a Tent to
be fet up in View of the Bay and Veffels, being attended
by his Captains, Mafters, Gentlemen, and Soldiers, he
fummoned all the Merchants and Mafters, both Englijh and
Foreigners, to be prefent at his taking a formal and folemn
Poffeflion
Book I. "The History of VIRGINIA.
Pofleflion of the Country. He then caufed his Commiflion
to be openly read, 'and to be interpreted to thole who
were Strangers to the EtigliJJ) Tongue. By Virtue of
this Commiflion, he declared, that he took Pofleflion of
the Harbour of St. Johns^ and of the Territory two hun-
dred Leagues every way, and invefl:ed her Majefty with the
Title and Dignity thereof. And having had a Twig and a
Turf of the Soil delivered to him, he entered Pofl^eflion alfo
for himfelf, his Heirs, or Afligns, for ever. He further
fignified to thofe prefent, and through them to all Men,
that, from thenceforward, they fliould look upon thofe Ter-
ritories as appertaining to the Queen of England^ and upon
himfelf, as authorifed by her Majefl:y to poflefs and enjoy
them, with Power to ordain Laws, under which all Peo-
ple coming thither for the future, either to inhabit or to
trade, (hould fubmit themfelves and be governed. And to
exercife his Power and Jurifdiiflion, he enafted three Laws,
immediately to take Place and be of Force ; and granted di-
vers Parcels of Land, lying by the Sea Side, as well in the
Harbour of St. John's^ as elfewhere.
After fome Excurflons to fearch the Country, and
the pretended Difcovery of a Silver Mine, with which Sir
Humphry was much gulled and delighted, they fet Sail to
the Southward^ in order to explore and difcover the main
Coafl: of Jmerica. But falling among fome Shoals, and
meeting with very bad and tempeftuous Weather, after
having undergone much Danger and Fatigue, they refolved
to return for England. Sir Htmiphry^ the better to fearch
the Coafl:, and to run up into Creeks and Harbours, had
gone on board a fmall Bark of ten Tons ; and could not
afterwards be perfuaded to leave her in their Return home-
wards, till her Lights were fuddenly extinguiflied in the
Night, at which Time flie was fuppofed to flnk, and was
never after feen or heard of.
The learned and valiant Mr. Walter Ralegh was half
Brother to Sir Humphry Gilbert ; his Father having married
Sir Humphry's Mother, when a Widow, and had by her
this his fourth and youngeft Son, with fome other Children.
Led by this near Relation, and being alfo a Perfon of a noble
and enterprifing Genius, he had been one of the principal
Adventurers in this Undertaking of Sir Humphry., and had
fitted out, entirely at his own Charge, the largell Ship of
his Fleet, called the Ralegh Bark. Some Authors fay, he
went himfelf upon the Expedition, and commanded his own
Ship in Perfon. But however that might be, it is certain,
this Ship was, within a few Days, obliged to put back to Pli-
-mouth., greatly diftrefled by a violent and contagious Sick-
B 4 nefs
The History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
nefs among her Company. But notwithftanding this Dif-
' appointment, and the unhappy End of his rafli and unfor-
tunate Brother, Mr. Ralegh was not difcouraged ; but being
moved with the Voyages and Relations of others, he flill
perfifted in the Defign of difcovering and making a Settle-
ment in America. He therefore obtained Letters patent
from Queen EH-zabeth^ of whom he was at that Time one
of the chief Favourites, bearing Date the 25th of March.,
1584, for difcovering and planting any fuch Lands and
Countries, as were not already in the a6tual pofleilion of
any Chriftian Nation. Thefe Letters patent are in Hack-
luyf?, Collection of Voyages ; but that Book is fo very rare,
that our Country does not afford one Copy of it, at leaft
that I could find out or procure. I have not therefore been
able to obtain a Sight of thefe Patents ; but we are told,
that they were, mutatis mutandis., the very fame with thofe
granted to Sir Humphry Gilbert ; of which I have therefore
before given a particular Extraft.
About the fame Time, the Queen granted Mr. Ralegh
another Patent, to licence the Vending of Wine throughout
the Kingdom ; which was defigned, as it has been fuppofed,
to enable him by the Profits, that would thence arife, to
fuflain the vaft Charges which this Undertaking of a Colo-
ny would neceflarily bring upon him. But yet the better
to ftrengthen himfelf, and carry on the Affair, he perfua-
ded divers other Gentlemen and Merchants to join with
him ; particularly his noble and gallant Kinfman, Sir Rich-
ard Greenvil., and Mr. William Sanderfon., who had mar-
ried his Neice, and was much engaged among the Merchant
Adventurers of that Time ; and was alfo one of the Queen's
Commiffioners for the SpaniJJ) Prizes, and of Note for the
great Globes, which, by his Encouragement, were firfl
brought to Perfection. They therefore, with all conve-
nient Speed, provided two fmall Vellels, and having plenti-
fully furniflied them with Neceffaries, put them under the
Command of Captain Philip Amidas., and Captain Arthur
Barloiu ; which laft was alfo a Land-Offtcer, and had ferved
under Mr. Ralegh in the Wars of Ireland., with great Bra-
very and Honour. But Mr. Ralegh., being hindered by his
Employments, and too bufily engaged in his ambitious Pur-
fuits at Court, did not come himfelf upon the Expedition,
as hath been generally, tho' erroneoufly, thought.
On the 27th of April., 1584, thefe Adventurers fet Sail
from the Thames ; and having pafled by the Canaries and
the Wejl-Indies., (a Circuit both needlefs and unhealthy,
but through the Inexperience of thofe Times thought ne-
ceffary ) they fell in, on the 2d of July., with the Coafl: of
Florida.
T^ook I. Tic History of VIRGINIA. 9
Flo7-ida. For that was the Name which all this Northern 1584-
Continent from Cape Florida then bore, there being yet no ^— ^^ — -^
diftin6l Settlements, which gave particular Names to the
feveral Places along the Coaft. They were met at Sea
with a moft delicate and delightful Smell ; and foon after
making the Land, they coafted it along for about an hun-
dred and twenty Miles, without finding any convenient
Harbour. The firft they faw, they entered with much
Difficulty ; and having returned Thanks to God, they went
afhore to view the Country, and to take Pofleffion of it in
the Qiieen's Name. The Place of their firft Landing was
a low and fandy Beach ; but it yielded fuch a Vv'onderful
Abundance of Grapes, as very much furprifed and delighted
them. Every little Shrub was covered with them, and the
Tops of the talleft Cedars were over-run and loaded with
their Clufters.
They concluded, that the Place of their Landing was on
the main Continent of America ; but going up to the Top
of a fmall Eminence at a little Diftance from the Shore,
they perceived it to be an Ifland, of about twenty, or as Mr.
Hariot judged, of fifteen Miles in Length, and fix in Breadth.
This Ifland was called JVococon^ and lay between Cape Hat-
ter as 2.\-\ A. Cape Fear\ and muft therefore be the Ifland of
Ocacock^ or at leaft- fome of the other fmall Iflands along
that Coaft. For it cannot be, by TFith and Hariofs. Plan,
Roanoke^ or any other of thofe which befet and ftop up the
Mouth of Albemarle Sound, in North-Carolina^ as has been
commonly fuppofed. It was covered with tall and ftately
Trees, Cedars, Pines, Cyprefs, Saflafras, and many others
of excellent Smell and Quality ; and abounded in Deer, Co-
nies, and Wild-fowl, in incredible Numbers.
They faw none of the Natives, 'till the third Day after
their Landing, when they fpied three in a Canoe. One of
them went afliore, and waited without any Signs of Fear,
till the Englijh rowed to him. He fpoke much to them in
his own Language, and then went boldly aboard their Vef-
fels. They gave him a Shirt, a Hat, Wine, and Meat,
with which he was much pleafed. Having attentively
viewed every thing, he went away ; and within half an
Hour he had loaded his Canoe with Fifli, which he brought
and divided between the Ship and the Bark.
The next Day feveral Canoes came, and in one of them
the King's Brother. His Name was Grangana?neo ; the
King was called Wingina^ and^ the Country fVingandacoa.
The King himfelf at that Time lay, at his chief Town, ill
of the Wounds which he had lately received in a Battle.
Granganameo^ leaving his Canoes at fome Diftance, went
4 to
r/v History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
to the Point of Land wtiere the EngliJ]) had gone to the
Indian the Day before. I Having fpread a Mat, he fat down
upon it ; and when the EngliJJ) came to him well armed,
he fhewed no Fear ; but made Signs to them to fit down,
ftroaking his own Head and Breaft, and then theirs, to ex-
prefs his Love. The Natives were a proper, well-propor-
tioned People, very civil in their Behaviour, and highly re-
fpecStful to Granganafneo. For none of them fat down, or
fpoke a Word in his Prefence, except four ; on whom the
EngUfh alfo beflowed Prefents. But Grangana7neo took
them all from them, and made Signs, that every thing be-
longed to him. After fome fmall Traffick, he went away;
but returning in two Days, he eat and drank very merrily
with them. Not long after, he brought his Wife and
Children on board. They were of mean Stature, but well-
favoured, and very bafhful and modeft. His Wife had a
Band of white Coral about her Forehead, and Bracelets of
Pearl in her Ears, hanging down to her Middle, of the
Bignefs of large Peafe. As to the reft, they were decked
with red Copper, and fuch Ornaments, as are at prefent in
Fafhion and Efteem among our Indians. J
After this, there came down, from all Parts, great
Numbers of People, with Leather, Coral, and divers Kinds
of Dyes. But when Granganameo was prefent, none durft
trade but himfelf, and thofe, who wore red Copper on their
Heads, as he did. He would have engaged a Bag of Pearl
for a Suit of Armour ; but the Englijh refufed, as not re-
garding it, that they might thereby the better learn, where
it grew. He was very juft to his Promife, for they often
trufted him, and he never failed to come within his Day to
keep his Word. He commonly fent the EngUJh every Day
a Brace of Bucks, Conies, Hares, and Fifli ; and fometimes
Melons, Walnuts, Cucumers, Peafe, and divers Kinds of
Roots. And the Englijh^ to try the Strength and Goodnefs
of the Soil, put fome of their Peafe into the Ground, which
grew wonderfully, and were found in ten Days time four-
teen Inches high.
A N Acquaintance being thus contracted by mutual Re-
turns of Kindnefs and Beneficence, Captain Amidas^ with
feven more, ventured up the River Occam.^ as they call it,
which muft be Pamptico Sound. The next Evening they
came to the Ifle of Roanoke., at the Mouth of Albemarle
Sound, about feven Leagues, as they fay, from the Har-
bour, where they firft entered. But this is a grofs Miftake,
and muft be an Error in the Copy. For by the Scale in
IVith's Map, it cannot be lefs than thirty Leagues, from
JFococon to Roanoke. On this Ifland they found a fmall
Town,
Book I. r/je History of VIRGINIA. ii
Town, confiding of nine Houfes ; in one of which Gran- ^S^4-
gana?neo Yived. He was abfent ; but his Wife entertained ^"—~^r^ '
them with wonderful Courtefy and Kindnefs. She made
fome of her People draw their Boat up, to prevent it's be-
ing injured by the Beating of the Surge ; fome ihe ordered
to bring them afhore on their Backs ; and others, to carry
their Oars to the Houfe, for Fear of being ftole. When
they came into the Houfe, (he took off their Cloaths and
Stockings, and waflied them, as likewife their Feet in warm
Water. When their Dinner was ready, they were con-
duced into an inner Room (for there were five in the Houfe,
divided by Mats) where they found Ho?niny''\ boiled Veni-
fon, and roafted Fifli ; and as a Defert, Melons, boiled
Roots, and Fruits of various Sorts. While they were at
Meat, two or three of her Men came in with their Bows
and Arrows, which made the EngliJI) take to their Arms.
But flie, perceiving their Diftruft, ordered their Bows and
Arrows to be broken, and themfelves to be beaten out of
the Gate. In the Evening the EngliJJj returned to their
Boat ; and putting a little off from Shore, lay at Anchor.
At which fhe was much concerned, and brought their Sup-
per, half boiled. Pots and all to the Shore Side ; and feeing
their Jealouiy, fhe ordered feveral Men, and thirty Wo-
men, to fit all Night upon the Shore, as a Guard ; and fent
five Mats to cover them from the Weather. In fhort, die
omitted nothing, that the moft generous Hofpitality and
hearty Defire of pleafing could do, to entertain them.
And this was the fartheil: Difcovery made upon this firft
Vovage, except fome confufed and uncertain Accounts of
the Country, which they gathered from the Indians. They
returned to England about the Middle of September^ carry-
ing with them two of the Natives, Manteo and IVanchefe \
and their Difcovery was fo welcome there, that the Queen
herfelf was pleafed to name the Country Virginia,, in
Memory of it's having been firft found out in the Reign of
a Virgin Queen. Or as fome have been pleafed to glofs
and interpret it, becaufe it ftill feemed to retain the Virgin
Purity and Plenty of the firft Creation, and the People their
primitive Innocency of Life and Manners. And foon after
their Return, Mr. Ralegh was eledled, together with Sir
JVilUam Courtenay^ Knight of the Shire for the County of
Devon. On the 14th of December., he caufed a Bill to be
brought into the Houfe, to confirm his Patent for difcover-
ing foreign Countries ; which being committed to Mr. Vice-
Chamberlain Hatton.^ Secretary lFallingha?n^ Sir Philip
Sidney.^
* A Food made of" Indian Corn, or Maize, beaten and carefully huflted,
fomething like Furmety in England; and is an excellent Dilh various Ways.
12 • 'The History r/ VIRGINIA. Book I.
1584- Sidney^ Sir Francis Drake^ Sir Richard Greenvil^ Sir IVil-
' \^ 'Ham Courtenay^ and others, it was in a few Days pafled, af-
ter many Arguments and a Provifo added. And not long
after, the Queen was pleafed to Knight him, upon Occa-
fion, it is faid, of this grateful Difcovery. But Mr, Oj-
horne^ an ingenious Obferver on her Reign, fays with Re-
fpe£t to Sir Francis Vere^ a Man nobly defcended, and Sir
Walter Ralegh^ exadly qualified, that they, with fuch o-
thers, were fet apart in her Judgment for military Services.
Neither did (he ever raife them above Knighthood ; faying,
when follicited to make Vere a Baron, That in his proper
Sphere, and her Eftimation, he was above it already.
1585- The advantageous Accounts, which thefe firft Adven-
turers gave of the Fertility, Pleafantnefs, and Wholefome-
nefs of the Country, induced Sir Richard Greenvil himfelf
to make a Voyage thither the next Year. And he accord-
ingly fet out from Plunoiith the 9th of April^ with {^\^\\
Ships. Having made the ufual Circuit of the Canaries and
Wejl-Indies^ where they took two rich Spanifi Prizes, and
forced a profitable Trade, they fell in with the Continent
of Jmerica near Cape Fear^ and were in great Danger of
being loft upon it. But having happily efcaped, they came
to an Anchor off the Ifland of Wococon the 26th of May.
They immediately fent to the Ifle of Roanoke., to Wingina
the king -, and Mr. Arundel went to the Main, with Mayi-
teo., who proved throughout their whole Stay, very faithful
and ufeful to them. Soon after, the General, Sir Richard
Greenvil., went himfelf to the Main, with a fele6l Body of
Men; and ranging about, difcovered feveral Indian ^To\NWi.
At one of them the Indians ftole a Silver Cup ; for which
they burnt their Town, and deftroyed their Corn, and fo
returned to their Ships at Wococon. At Hatter as., whither
they went foon after, Granganatneo., the King's Brother,
came aboard the Admiral with Manteo. This is the laft
Vifit he made to the Fnglijl:) ; for fometime this Year he
died, and in him they loft a fincere and hearty Friend.
S I R Richard Greeyivil., having only made that fmall Ex-
curfion on the Continent, returned to England this Sum-
mer. In his Way home, he took another Spanijlo Prize, of
three hundred Tons, richly laden, and with her arrived at
Plumuth the i8th of September. But he left behind him
an hundred and eight Perfons, as a Colony, to keep Poffef-
fion of, and inhabit the Country. Of thefe he conftituted
Mr. Ralph Lane Governor, a military Man of Note, who
was afterwards Knighted, and applying himfelf to the Sea
Service, was of eminent Command in the Englijh Navy.
With him remained Captain Philip J?nidas., as Admiral,
- one
Book I. rhc History of VIRGINIA.
one of the Commanders in Chief in the fiift Adventure ;
Mr. Thomas Harlot \ Captain Stafford; Mr. Kendal; with '^
feveral others of Name in the Expedition.
This Colony chofe Roanoke^ an Ifland at the Mouth of
Albemarle Sound, for the Place of their Habitation ; and
their chief Employment was to reconnoitre and view the
Country. Their fartheft Difcovery to the Southward was
Secotan^ an Indian Town, by their Reckoning, eighty
Leagues from Roanoke^ lying up between the Rivers Pamp-
ticoe and Neus^ in North-Carolina. To the Northward they
went an hundred and thirty Miles to the Chefapeakes., a
Nation of Indians., feated on a fmall River, to the South of
our Bay, now called Elfaheth River, from whom, as thefe
firft Difcoverers tell us, the Bay itfelf took its Name. But
fome pretend to give another Derivation of this Word ; and
fay, that Chefapeake fignified, in the Indian Language, The
Mother of Waters; implying, that it was the Parent and
grand Refervoir of all the great Rivers within it. But this
is a dark and uncertain Guefs ; efpecially confidering the
Unftablenefs and vaft Mutability of the Indian Tongues,
and that no body at prefent can pretend to underfland their
Language at that time. The beft Authority that I have
met with for this Derivation, is what a Gentleman of Cre-
dit once afl'ured me, that in a a very old Spanijl) Map,
which he had feen, our Bay was laid down under the Name
of Madre des Jcquas., or fome Expreffion to the like Pur-
pofe. This Town of the Chefapeakes., we are told, for
Pleafantnefs of Situation, for Temperature of Clime, Fer-
tility of Soil, and Commodioufnefs to the Sea, was not to
be excelled by any in the World. To the Northiveji., thefe
Difcoverers went up Albemarle Sound and Chotuan River,
an hundred and thirty Miles, to a Nation of Indians called
the Chaiuonocks., inhabiting above the Eork of that River,
where one Branch takes the Name of Meherrin., and the
other of Nottoiuay.
The King of the Chaiuonocks., whofe Name was Me-
natonon., was lame, but the moft fenfible and underftanding
Indian they had met with. He amufed Mr. Lane and his
Company with a Story of a Copper Mine, and of a Pearl
Fifhery, which by the Defcription was fome where upon
our Coaft, and with a ftrange Relation of the Head of the
River Moratuc., now called Roanoke. This River was de-
fcribed, as fpringing out of a Rock, fo nigh the Sea, that
in high Winds the Surge beat over into the Spring. And
the EngliJJ) very fanguinely concluded this Sea to be either
the Bay of Mexico., or the South Sea, or at leaft fome Arm
that opened into it. Having their Heads filled with thefe
chimerical
[4 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
'SSs- chimerical Fancies, they formed many Schemes, and un-
< — -' dertook a very fatiguing and hazardous Voyage up that
River. And fo eager were they, and refolutely bent upon
this golden Difcovery, that they could not be perfuaded to
return, as long as they had one Pint of Corn a Man left,
and two MalTif Dogs, which being boiled with Saffafras
Leaves, might afford them fome Suftenance in their Way
back. But after fome Days fpent in vain, and having un-
dergone much Mifery and Danger, they at laft returned, and
joyfully arrived at their old Habitation on Roanoke Ifland.
The Death of Granganameo had caufed a great Altera-
tion in the Affairs of the Colony. For whilft he lived, his
Credit with the King, joined to the Intereft of Enfenore^
their Father, had reftrained his Perfidy and Malice, and
kept him within Bounds. But upon the Death of Granga-
nameo^ he changed his Name from Wingina to Pemijfapan^
and became a fecret but bitter Enemy to the Englijh. To
his Machinations chiefly were owing the many Hardfliiips
and Dangers, they had encountered in their laft Journey up
the River Choivan. For he had given fecret Intelligence to
thofe Indians of the coming of the EngUJh ; and had craf-
tily infituated Jealoufies into the Indians of the EngliJJ)^ and
into the EngUfh of the Indians. But a Rumour being fpread,
that Mr. Lane and his Company were all either flain or
ftarved in this Journey, he began to a6l more openly. He
blafphemed the God of the EngUJJj^ and endeavoured, by
all the Devices he could, to hurt and annoy them. And
Enfenore., his aged Father, the beft Friend the EngUflo had
left after the Death of Granganatneo^ loft all his Credit to
aflift or ferve them. But their Return foon after, and their
bringing the Son of Menatonon., their greateft King, Pri-
foner, joined to the Teftimonies of Alanteo., and three other
Indians^ that went with them, how little they valued any
People they met, or feared Hunger, Death, or any thing
elfe, reftrained his Devices for the prefent, and brought Enfe-
nore again into Credit and Efteem.
1586. Soon after, Menatonon^ King of the Chaivonocks^ fent
a Prefent of Pearl to Mr. Lane \ and Okifco^ King of Weo-
pomeoke.^ (another powerful Nation, pofleffing all that
Country from Albemarle Sound and Choivan River, quite
to the Chefapeakes and our Bay) came himfelf, with twenty
four of his principal Men, to own Subje6lion to the Qiieen
of England. All which fo wrought on the Heart of IVin-
gina^ that by Enfenore''s Perfuafions, they came and made
Weirs for the EngliJJ)., when they were ready to famifli,
and planted their Fields of Corn, which they intended to
abandon. But this good Intelligence was foon broke off" by
the
Book I. The History ?/^ VIRGINIA. i
the Death of Enfemre^ which happened on the 20th of A- 15^6.
pril. For Wingina^ under Pretence of folemnizing his Fa- " v —
ther's Funeral, had laid a Scheme of drawing together fix-
teen or eighteen hundred Indians^ and of cutting off all the
Engliflo at once. But his Defign took Wind, and was at
laft fully difcovered to Mr. Lane by his Prifoner Skico^ f^ing
Menatonon''% Son. Then the Englijh^ in their Turn, en-
deavoured to feize all the Canoes upon Roanoke^ and there-
by to have all the Indians in the Ifland at their Mercy. But
they took the Alarm, and after a fmall Skirmifli, in which
five or fix Indians were flain, the reft efcaped and fled into
the Woods. After this, neither Side cared much for trull-
ing the other ; and at laft, after much Tricking and Difli-
mulation on both Parts, Wingina was entrapped by the
EngliJ}}^ and flain, with eight of his chief Men. This is
the Account of that A6tion, as it is delivered by the Per-
fons concerned in it. But I find, that Mr. Hariot^ who
was likewife upon the Spot, blames the Violence and For-
wardnefs of the EngHJJ) ; and thinks, that the Caufes of
Sufpicion and Refentment had been better diffembled and
paffed over.
I N the Time of thefe Confufions and Broils with the In-
dians^ Mr. Lane had been obliged, through Want of Pro-
vifions, to fend Captain Stafford^ with twenty more, to
Croatan^ on the South Part of Cape Look-out^ to fliift for
themfelves, and to fee, if they could fpy any Sail pafs by
the Coaft. In like Manner he detached Mr. Prideaux^
with ten, to Hatteras^ upon the fame Defign ; and other
fmall Parties he fent to the Main, to live upon Roots and
Oyfters. Seven Days after the Death of IVingina^ Cap-
tain Stafford^ (who through the whole Voyage was very
vigilant and induftrious, and fpared no Labour or Danger,
to perform any ferious and important Service, committed to
him) fent Mr. Lane Word, that he defcried twenty three
Sail of Ships ; and the next Day, he came himfelf with a
Letter from Sir Francis Drake. Sir Francis was then re-
turning from an Expedition againft the Spaniards in the
JVeJi-Indies^ where he had taken Carthagena^ and the Ca-
pital City of Hifpaniola ; and had burnt St. Jnthony^ and
St. Helena^ on the Coaft of Florida ; and done much other
Damage to the Enemy. He had Orders from the Queen
to vifit the Colony of Virginia in his Return, and to afford
them fuch Ailiftance and Encouragement, as was proper.
He therefore offered to fupply their Wants, and to do any
thing elfe in his Power, towards their Relief and the Fur-
therance of the Undertaking ; and after mature Delibera-
tion, he appointed them a Ship of feventy Tons, with an
hundred
i6 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
1586. hundred Men, and four Months Provifions, befides two
■.■ ' Barks and four fmall Boats, with able Mafters and fufficient
Gangs. But juft as all was ready, there arofe fuch a Storm,
as had like to have driven the whole Fleet afhore. Many
Ships were forced out to Sea, among which was that lately
given to the Colony, with all their Provifions and Compa-
ny aboard.
This Accident did not difcourage the Admiral, but he
allotted them another Ship of an hundred and feventy Tons,
with all Provifions as before, to carry them to England the
next JuguJI^ or when they fliould have made fuch Difco-
veries as they thought fufficient. But their Harbour, which
was very indifferent, would not receive a Ship of her Bur-
then ; and to lie in the open Road, expofed to the Winds
and Sea, was very dangerous. And therefore, after Con-
fultation, it was unanimoufly agreed, to defire the Admiral
to take them home with him in his Fleet ; for they had al-
ready undergone much Mifery and Danger, and there ap-
peared but little Hopes of Sir Richard Greenvil's, Return.
And fo this firft Attempt towards a Settlement became a-
bortive, and they all arrived fafe at Portfmouth the latt-er
End of yw/y, 1586. But in his Way home, Sir Francis
Drake touched on the Coaft of Neiu-England; where he
landed, and fpent two or three Days in trading with the
Natives, and one of the Indian Kings came, and fubmitted
himfelf to Qiieen Elizabeth.
I Upon this Voyage, Sir Walter Ralegh.^ by the Queen's
Advice and Dire6lions, fent, at no fmall Expence, Mr.
yohn With^ a fkilful and ingenious Painter, to take the Si-
tuation of the Country, and to paint, from the Life, the
Figures and Habits of the Natives, their Way of Living,
and their feveral Fafliions, Modes, and Superftitions ; which
he did with great Beauty and Exailnefs. There was one
Theodore de Bry., who afterwards publifhed, in the Year
1624, the beautiful Latin Edition of Voyages, in fix Vo-
lumes, Folio^ a moft curious and valuable Work. He be-
ing in England foon after, by the Means of the Rev. Mr.
Richard Hackluyt^ then of ChrijV s- Church., in Oxford., who,
De Bry tells us, had himfelf feen the Country, obtained
from Mr. JFith a Sight of thefe Pieces, with Permiflion to
take them -off in Copper Plates. Thefe, being very lively
and well done, he carried to Frankfort., on the Maine.,
where he publifhed a noble Edition of them, with Latin
Explanations, out of fohn TVechelius''% Prefs,^ jn the Year
1590. And thefe are the Originals from which Mr. Bever-
ley's,^ and the Cuts of many of our late Writers and Tra-
vellers, have been chiefly imitated. And to fliew, that the
Inhabitants
Book I. rZv History ^/VIRGINIA.
Inhabitants of England were once as wild and barbarous as
thefe of Virginia^ Mr. With gave him the Figures of three
of the Pl^s and two of their Neighbours, that he had
found delineated in an old Englijh Hiftory •, which were
accordingly publifhed with them, and was no mean or im-
politic Device, to recommend the Profecution of the En-
tcrprife to the Engl'iJ}) Nation. |
But befides this Painter, Sir Walter fent upon this
Voyage a Domeftick of his, one Mr. 'Thomas Harlot^ a
Mathematician, and highlv in his Patron's Intimacy and
Friendftiip. He was a Man of Learning, and a very ob-
ferving and underftanding Perfon, and went chiefly to make
Obfervations on the Situation of the Country, and to aflift
Mr. With in the Plan. After his Return, to obviate the
clamorous and unjuft Reports of fome of the Company, he
publiflied a fmall Treatife concerning the Country, divided
into three Parts. The firft: treats of fuch Commodities, as
would be ufeful towards the Improvement of Commerce ;
the fecond, of thofe natural Products of the Earth, and of
fuch Fifli, Fowl, and Beafts, as would contribute to the
Suftenance of Man, and the Support of hu^man Life ; and the
third, of the Trees and Timber, and other proper Mate-
rials for building Houfes, Ships, and the like. After which
he fubjoins the following Account of the Do6lrines and
Manners of the Natives.
They believed, that there is one chief God, who hath
exifted from all Eternity : That he created the World ;
but firft made other Gods of a principal Order, to be his
Inftruments in the Creation and Government thereof :
That next the Sun, Moon, and Stars were created, as petty
Gods, and as Inftruments to thofe other Gods of a fupe-
rior Order : That then the Waters were created, out of
w^hich were formed all Creatures : That a Woman was
firft made ; who, by the Congrefs of one of the Gods, con-
ceived and brought forth Children ; and that thence Man-
kind had their Beginning. They thought, the Gods were
all of human Shape, and therefore reprefented them by
Images, which they placed in their Temples ; and they
worfhipped, prayed, fung, danced, and made many Offer-
ings to them. They held the Immortality of the Soul ;
which after Death, according to it's Works in the Flefti,
was either carried up to the Tabernacles of the Gods, to
eternal Happinefs ; or elfe to Popogujfo (a great Pit at the
furtheft Parts of the Earth, where the Sun fets) into per-
petual Fire and Torment. And this Do<£lrine they fup-
ported by the Authority of two Perfons, who, as they pre-
tended, had rifen from the Dead.
^ C These
rhe History tf VIRGINIA. Book I.
:586. These Opinions were thought to make but flight Im-
"v~— -^ preilions on their Weroances^ or Kings and Rulers ; or upon
their Priefts, and other Perfons of Figure among them.
For that Chriftian Cuftom, for the Great and Eminent to
free their Confciences from the Shackles of a Creed, and
exempt their Actions from the unwieldy Clog of Religion
and Morality, had reached even among thofe wild and fa-
vage Nations, But thefe Do6lrines had a great Influence
on the common Sort. They kept them in proper Subjec-
tion to their Rulers ; and made them very follicitous to ob-
tain the Blifs, and avoid the Torments of the next Life.
They were not however fo firm to their own Doc-
trines, but that they were very open to receive any Inftruc-
tions from the Englifh. Their Compafles, Perfpe6tive
Glafl'es, Burning Glafl^es, Clocks, Books, Writing, Guns,
and other Inftruments and Inventions, fo exceeded their
Capacities, and amazed them, that they thought them to
be the Works of Gods rather than Men ; or at leaft, that
the Gods had taught the Englijh^ how to make them.
This caufed them to give great Credit to whatever they
faid concerning God and Religion. And Wingina himfelf
would often be at Prayers with them ; and when he was
fick, which, he thought, proceeded from having offended
the EngUJh and their God, he would fend for fome of them,
to pray, and be a Means to their God, of his living with
him after Death ; as alfo did many others. And once,
when their Corn was much hurt and withered with a long
Drought, thinking it proceeded from fome Injury done the
Englifh^ they came to them in Flocks, and begged them
to pray to their God to preferve their Corn, for which
they promifed, when it was ripe, to give them a Part.
And this high Opinion of the Englijh was greatly en-
creafed, by a marvellous Accident. The Country was that
Year afflicted with an epidemical Difeafe, which was ob-
ferved to fall upon none, but thofe Nations, which had en-
deavoured to injure or betray the Englijh. This wrought
many extravagant and fuperftitious Opinions, which were
much confirmed by the Healthinefs of the Englijh Colony.
Some thought it was the Work of the EngliJ)) God ; and o-
thers, that they themfelves (hot invifible Bullets from the Place,
where they dwelt. Others obferving, that the EngliJ]? had
no Women of their own, nor cared for any of theirs,
thought they were not born of Women, but were Men of
an ancient Generation, rifen again to Immortality ; that
there were more of them ftill in the Air, as yet invifible
and without Bodies, who would afterwards come, and de-
ftroy their Generation, and take their Places ; and that
thefe.
Book I. "The History of VIRGINIA.
thefe, by the Entreaty, or out of Love to the EngliJ})^
made the People die, as they did, by ihooting invifible Bul-
lets into them. And their Phyficians, to cover their Ig-
norance, w^ould make them believe, that they fucked out
of the Bodies of the Sick Leaden Bullets in the Strings of
Blood. In {hort, Wingina and others vi^ere fo firmly per-
fuaded, that it happened through their Means, that when
any of their ovi'n Enemies had affronted or abufed the En-
glijh^ they would defire them to make them die in the fame
Manner. And altho' the Englijh remonftrated to them the
Unrighteoufnefs of their Requeft, and how difagreeable it
was to God ; yet becaufe the Effect fell out foon after,
they would come and return them Thanks in their Way;
thinking, altho' they had denied them in Words, yet they
had in Reality fully anfwered their Defire.
I He likewife tells us of the great Efteem and Veneration,
"in which the Natives held a Plant, which grew fpontane-
oufly in the Country, and was by them called Uppowoc^ but
is now well known by the Name of Tobacco ; derived, it is
faid, from the Ifland of Tobago^ one of the Caribbees in the
JVeJi-Indies^ where it grew in vaft Quantities. The Leaves
of this they cured and dried, and then being rubbed into a
Sort of Bran and Duft, they put it into Earthen Tubes,
and drew the Smoke through the Mouth. They thought
this Plant of fo great Worth and Virtue, that even the
Gods themfelves were delighted with it. And therefore
they fometimes made facred Fires, and inllead of a Sacrifice
threw in this Duft ; and when they were caught in a Tcm-
peft, they would fprinkle it into the Air and Water. Up-
on all their new fifhing Nets they would caft fome of it ;
and when they had efcaped any remarkable Danger, they
would throw fome of this Duft into the Air, with ftrange
diftorted Geftures, fometimes ftriking the Earth with their
Feet, in a Kind of Time and Meafure, fometimes clapping
their Hands, and throwing them up on high, looking up
to the Heavens, and uttering barbarous and diflbnant
Words.
M R . Harriot alfo, in pafling through their Towns,
would fhew them the Bible, and explain the Contents :
That in that Book was taught the true and only God, his
Omnipotence, the Do6lrine of Salvation by Jefus Chrift,
and the other principal Heads of our Religion. But he was
obliged to tell them, that there was no particular Virtue in
the material Book itfelf, but only in the Do6lrines, which
it contained. For they paid their Kind of Adoration to the
Book, by handling, hugging, and kiiling it, and by ap-
plying it to their Head and Breaft, and ftroking it over the
other Parts of their Body. ■ C 2 And
20 rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
1586. And here, if it were an Imputation worthy of Notice,
^^^ — V I might tranfiently remark the great Injuftice, done to this
learned Mathematician and pious Scholar. For as Sir TFal-
ter Ralegh was afperfed with holding atheiftical Principles,
fo it has been faid, that he imbibed them from this Mr.
Harioty whom he retained in his Service with a handfome
Penfion, to teach him the mathematical Sciences at his lei-
fure Hours. But an orthodox Divine, Dr. Richard Corbet^
afterwards a Bifhop, tells us, that Harioi''=> deep Mine was
without Drofs. And Mr. George Chapman^ another Con-
temporary, a grave and virtuous Author, fays. That his
Judgment and Knowledge in all Kinds were deep and in-
comparable, and as much to be admired, as his moft blame-
lefs Life, and the right facred Expence of his Time, were
to be honoured and reverenced. To which might be added
other Teftimonies, which have been carefully collefted by
the diligent and induftrious Mr, Oldys^ in his accurate Life
of Sir Walter Ralegh^ lately prefixed to his Hiftory of the
World ; who likewife fhews, that the famous French Phi-
lofopher, Defcartes^ borrowed much of his Light from this
excellent Mathematician ; and that the learned Dr. WalUs
gave the Preference to Hariofs. Improvements, before Def-
carte's^ altho' he had the Advantage of coming after, and
being aflifted by him.
A s to this groundlefs Afperfion, the Truth of it perhaps
was, that Sir TFalter and Mr. Harlot were the firft, who
ventured to depart from the beaten Tra6t of the Schools,
and to throw off and combat fome hoary Follies and tra-
ditionary Errors, which had been riveted by Age, and ren-
dered facred and inviolable in the Eyes of weak and preju-
diced Perfons. Sir Walter is faid to have been firft led to
this, by the manifeft Dete6lion, from his own Experience,
of their erroneous Opinions concerning the Torrid Zone ;
and he intended to have proceeded farther in the Search af-
ter more folid and important Truths, 'till he was chid and
reftrained by the Queen, into whom fome Perfons had in-
fufed a Notion, that fuch Dodrine was againft God. And
this was fufficient Ground for Men, zealous without Know-
ledge, and ftifly orthodox, with a Charity ufual to fome (uch
in all Ages, to brand him with the odious Names of Atheijl
and Detji ; altho' he was an eminent Aflertor of God and
Providence, and has in many Parts of his Writings, efpe-
cially in the Hiftory of the World, given ftronger Evidences
of his Chriftian Faith, than any of his Detra6lors ever did
of theirs.
\ Mr. Lane and his Company carried home fome Tobac-
co, which, Cambden thinks, was the firft, that ever was
brought
Book I. rbe History of VIRGINIA.
brought to Englajul. And Sir Walter Ralegh^ a Man of
Gaiety and Fafhion, readily gave into it, and by his In-
tereft and Example, foon brought it into fuch Vogue at
Court, that many great Ladies, as well as Noblemen, made
no Scruple fomtimes to take a Pipe. We are not inform-
ed, whether the Qiieen made Ufe of it herfelf •, but it is
certain, fhe gave great Countenance and Encouragement to
it, as a Vegetable of fingular Strength and Power, which
might therefore prove of Benefit to Mankind, and Advan-
tage to the Nation. So far, as Mr. Oldys well obferves,
was this wife Princefs from the refined Tafle of her Suc-
cefior, who held Tobacco in fuch Abomination, that he
not only refufed the Ufe of it himfelf, but endeavoured to
deftroy and fupprefs it among his Subjefts, and would there-
by have robbed the Crown of what has fince proved one of
its nobleft Jewels and moft confiderable Revenues, and the
Nation of a very advantageous and important Branch of
Trade.
Sir Walter Ralegh's Tobacco-Box, with fome of his
Pipes, was lately extant, and laid up among the Rarities in
the Mufeum of that curious Antiquarian, the late Mr.
Ralph 'Thorefby^ of Leech, in Torkjhire. There are alfo
fome humerous Stories ftill remembred, concerning his firft
Ufe of Tobacco ; particularly his Wager with the Queen,
that he would determine exailly the Weight of the Smoke
which went oft in a Pipe of Tobacco. This he did bv firft
weighing the Tobacco, and then carefuUv preferving and
weighing the Afhes ; and the Queen readily granted, that
what was wanting in the prime Weight, muft be evapora-
ted in Smoke. And when fhe paid the Wager, ftie
faid pleafantly, that {he had heard of many Labourers in
the Fire, that turned their Gold into Smoke, but Ralegh
was the firft, who had turned his Smoke into Gold. It is
alfo related, that a Country Servant of his, bringing him a
Tankard of Ale and Nutmeg into his Study, as he was in-
tently engaged at his Book, fmoaking a Pipe of Tobacco,
the Fellow was fo frightened at feeing the Smoke reek out
of his Mouth, that he threw the Ale into his Face, in or-
der to extinguifli the Fire, and ran down Stairs, alarming
the Family, and crying out. His Mailer was on Fire, and
before they could get up, would be burnt to Afhes.
But whilft Mr. Lane and the Colony were in the above
mentioned Streights and Difficulties in America^ Sir Walter
Ralegh was not idle at home. He provided a Ship of an
hundred Tons, and loaded her with Plenty of all things
necefi~ary for the Settlement ; but it being Eajier before fhe
departed, Mr. Lane and his Company had fliipped them-
felves
22 The History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
1586. felves for England in Sir Francis Drake's Fleet, a i^-w Days
■ — ""Y-^—' before her Arrival. Having therefore fpent fome Time in
feeking them up the Country without Effed:, they returned
that Summer to England^ with all their Provifion.
Those Authors who will have Sir Walter Ralegh to
have been in Virginia^ fay, that he came upon this Voyage :
But the Condu6l of it was fo weak and trifling, that I can-
not be eafily induced to believe it agreeable to a Perfon of
his Senfe and Refolution ; who, had he been there, would
certainly have made fome vigorous Searches and Enquiries,
and left fome ufeful Remarks on the Country, as he did in
his Voyage to Guiana. Indeed it does not appear, that Sir
Walter was ever in his Colony himfelf. The only Authori-
ty of Weight for it, that I have met with, is the Tranflation
of Mr. Harlot's Treatife, which mentions the A6lions of
thofe, qui Generofum D. Walterum Ralegh in earn regionem
comitati funt. But this, I am inclined to think, muft be
an Errof of the Tranflator, who feems to have been a
Frenchman^ and might not therefore perfectly underftand
our Language ; and I could never yet get a Sight of Ha-
rlot's original Difcourfe, which was written in Englijh., but
have been obliged to make Ufe of the Latin Tranflation,
publiflied by De Bry^ at Frankfort^ 1590- B^it if Mr.
Hackluyt ever was in Virginia^ as we are exprefly told by
De Bry., it muft have been, I think, either in this Voyage,
or that immediately following by Sir Richard Greenvil., of
which we have fuch brief and fummary Accounts. For it
is not to be fuppofed, that a Perfon of his Figure and Con-
fideration, would have been entirely pafl'ed over in the
full and particular Relations, that we have of all the other
Voyages.
About a Fortnight after the Departure of this Ship,
Sir Richard Greenvil arrived with three Ships more, well
provided ; but he neither found that Ship, according to
his Expe6lation, nor could hear any News of the Colony,
which he himfelf had feated and left there the Year before.
Therefore, after travelling in vain up and down to feek
them, finding their Habitation abandoned, and being un-
willing to lofe the Pofleflion of the Country, he landed fifty
Men on the Ifland of Roanoke., plentifully furnifhed with
all Provifions for two Years, and fo returned to England.
These unlucky Crofles and Accidents gave Occafion
to many Perfons to difcant on their Proceedings, to the
Difparagement of Sir Richard Greenvil. But their Cenfure
was very unjufl:. For to plant Colonies abroad, and to dif-
fufe and propagate our Nation and our Trade, is certainly
a moft princely and noble Enterprize, and highly worthy a
Perfon
Book I. T/je History of VIRGINIA.
Perfon of his eminent and illuftrious Family. And indeed
he feems to have embarked in the Affair with great Hearti-
nefs and Refolution, and to have hazarded and expofed his
Perfon very freely in the Profecution of it. And it was upon
Occafion of theie Murmurs and Reports, that Mr. Hariot
wrote and publifhed his Difcourfe, before mentioned. 1587
The next Year, three Ships were fent, under the Com-
mand of Mr. John JVhite^ who was appointed Governor of
the Colony, with twelve Afliftants, as a Council. To thefe
Sir Walter Ralegh gave a Charter, and incorporated them
by the Name of the Governor and Afliftants of the City of
Ralegh in Virginia^ with exprefs Directions to feat at Che-
fapeake ; which, however ufeful and important, they ne-
verthelefs difobeyed and neglected. Having taken the old
Route by the We/l -Indies^ they had like to have been caft
away upon Cape-Fear^ through the Error or Defign of S'l-
7non Ferdinando. He had been with Captain Amidas in the
firrt Expedition ; and being made Pilot in this, was fufpeded
of a Defign to ruin the whole Voyage, But being prevent-
ed by the Vigilancy of Captain Stafford^ they arrived all
fafe at Hatteras the 22d of July.
They went immediately to Roayioke^ to look for the
fifty Men, left there by Sir Richard Greenvil^ but they
found nothing but the Bones of a Man ; and where the
Plantation had been, the Houfes were undeftroyed, but o-
vergrown with Weeds, and the Fort defaced. They re-
fitted the Houfes ; and Mr. George Hoiv, one of the Coun-
cil, ftragling abroad, was (lain by the Indians. Soon after,
Captain Stafford^ with twenty Men, and Manteo^ who, I
believe, had been again in England this Voyage, went to
Croatan., to enquire, if they could hear any News of the
Colony. There they underftood, that Mr. Hoiu had been
flain by fome of Wingina\ Men of Dajfamonpeake ; that
the fifty, left the Year before, had been fuddenly fet upon
by three hundred Indians., of Secotan., Aquafcogoc, and Daf-
famonpeake ; that after a fmall Skirmifh, in which one En-
glijlmian was flain, they retired to the Water Side, and hav-
ing got their Boat, and taken up four of their Fellows ga-
thering Crabs and Oyfters, they went to a fmall Ifland by
Hatteras ; that they ftaid there fome time, but after de-
parted they knew not whither. And with this Account,
Captain Stafford returned to the Fleet at Hatteras.
However, Mr. White endeavoured to renew and keep
up a good Underftanding with the feveral Nations of Indians
on the Sea-Coaft. But finding his Offers of Friendfliip not
much regarded, he refolved no longer to defer his Revenge
on thofe of DaJfa?nonpeake. This Nation was feated right
C 4 oppofite
"The History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
oppofite to Roanoke Ifland, on the Main, in the Neck of
'Land, between the River now called Allegator^ and the
Narrows. About Midnight, Mr. White fet forward, with
Captain Stajford^ and twenty four Men, whereof Manteo
was one, who was their Guide, and behaved himfelf as a
moft faithful EngliJ}:iman. They landed by Break of Day,
and having got beyond the Town, they afl'aulted fome In-
dians that were fitting by a Fire. One was (hot through,
and they hoped to have been fully revenged, but were foon
undeceived, and found that they were their Friends of Cro-
atan^ come to gather their Corn, becaufe they underfliood,
that the Dajfamonpeake Indians had fled after the Death
of Mr. Hoiu. Manteo^ their Countryman, was grieved at
the Miftake ; but however, imputed it all to their own
Folly. And fo having gathered what was ripe, and left
the reft unfpoiled, they returned to Roanoke.
On the 13th of Auguji., Manteo^ according to Command
from Sir Walter Ralegh., was baptized, and ftiled Lord of
Roanoke and Dajfamonpeake., in Reward of his Fidelity. And
on the 1 8th, the Governor's Daughter, Wife to Ananias
Dare., one of the Council, was delivered of a Daughter,
which, being the firft Child born there, was called Virginia.
And foon after, there arofe a Difpute between the Gover-
nor and his Affiftants or Council, concerning a Perfon to
be fent to England to follicit Supplies. All refufed, except
one, who was thought very unequal to the Bufinefs. At
laft, they unanimoufly pitched upon the Governor, as the
fitteft Perfon ; and having figned a Paper, teftifying his
Unwillingnefs to leave the Colony, they at length prevailed
upon him, with much Importunity, to undertake it. Leav-
ing therefore above an hundred Perfons on one of the Iflands
of Hatteras., to form a Plantation, he departed, and after
many Crofles and Difficulties, got iirft to Ireland., and from
thence went to England.
At this time, the Nation was in great Commotion and
Apprehenfion of the Spanijh Invafion and invincible Arma-
da., as it was vainly called, and the Queen caufed frequent
Councils to be held, by the oldeft and moft experienced
Commanders at Sea ; and alfo appointed a Council of War,
of fuch Perfons as were in higheit Repute for military Skill
and Knowledge, in order to put the Land Forces of the
Kingdom in the beft Pofture of Defence. For this Pur-
pofe were chofen the Lord Grey., Sir Francis Knolles., Sir
Thomas Leighton., Sir Walter Ralegh., Sir John Norris., Sir
Richard Greenvil., Sir Richard Bingham., Sir Roger Wil-
liams., and Ralph Lane., Efq; late Governor of Virginia.,
who were therefore all entirely taken up with thofe impor-
tant Confultations. How-
Book I. the History of VIRGINIA. 25
However, having laid a Plan of Operations, and made 1588.
proper Difpofitions for the Defence of the Nation, Sir IVal-' v '
tcr found Leifure to fit out a fmall Fleet for the Relief of
the Colony, at Biddeford^ early the next Year, vi^hich was
put under the Command of Sir Richard Gi-eenvil^ and only
waited for a fair Wind. But the Alarm of the vaft and for-
midable Armament, made by the King of Spain^ encreaf-
ing, all Ships of Force, then in any Readinefs, received
Orders from the State to ftay in their Harbours, for the
Defence of their own Country ; and Sir Richard Greenvil
was perfonally commanded not to depart out of Cornwall^
where Sir Walter Ralegh then was himfelf, muftering and
training the Forces, and performing other Duties of his
Office, as Lieutenant of that County. However, Gover-
nor JVh'ite laboured fo ftrenuoufly with them, that he ob-
tained two fmall Barks, and put to Sea from Biddeford, the
22d oi Jpril^ 1588. But thefe Veflels, tho' of little Force,
being more intent on a gainful Voyage, than the Relief of
the Colony, ran in Chace of Prizes ; till at laft, one of them,
meeting with two Ships of War, was, after a bloody Fight,
overcome, boarded, and rifled. In this maimed, ranfacked,
and ragged Condition, fhe returned to England in a Month's
Time ; and in about three Weeks after, the other alfo re-
turned, having perhaps tafted of the fame Fare, at leaft
without performing her intended Voyage, to the Diftrefs,
and as it proved, the utter Defi:ru6i:ion of the Colony in
Virghiia^ and to the great Difpleafure of their Patron at
home.
These Difappointments gave much Vexation to Sir
Walter Ralegh^ who had by this Time expended, as we
are authenticly allured, not lefs than forty thoufand Pounds,
upon the Enterprife. He had alfo, not long before, re-
ceived, as a Reward for his great Services in the Irijl)
Wars, a very large Grant, out of the Earl of Defmond's
Lands there ; the Terms of which he fairly and honeftly
endeavoured to fulfil, by planting thofe Lands with EngliJJ)^
and made Ufe of none of the Arts and Frauds, which others
of thofe Grantees were charged withal. So that this great
Bounty of the Queen was at prefent rather a Burthen and
Charge to him, than any real Profit or Advantage. Befides
which, he was among the foremoll of the military Geniufes
of that time, who were fired with the Spani^} Invafion, and
profecuted the War againft them with great Coft and In-
duftry, and with an incredible Courage and Succefs. For
all thefe Reafons, Sir Walter Ralegh made an Aflignment,
by Indenture, bearing Date the 7th of March ^ 1588-9, to 1589.
'Thomas S?mth^ ( afterwards Sir Thomas Smithy and a Per-
•^ Ibn
riie History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
fon of Note in the Sequel of this Hiftory ) with other Mer-
chants and Adventurers of London^ and to Governor White^
and other Gentlemen, for continuing the Plantation of Vir-
ginia. By this Indenture, he grants to the faid Thoinas
Smithy John White^ and the relt, according to a Charter,
formerly granted for the City of Ralegh^ free Liberty to
carry to Virginia^ and there inhabit, fuch of her Majefty's
Subjeits, as would willingly accompany them ; as alfo to
them, their Heirs, or Affigns, free Trade and Traffick to
and from Virginia^ or any other Part of America^ where
the faid Sir Walter., his Heirs, or Afligns, did, or might
claim any Intereft, Title, or Privilege. And he did far-
ther, for their Encouragement, and for the common Utility,
freely and liberally give them one hundred Pounds, to be
employed for planting the Chriftian Religion in thofe bar-
barous and heathen Countries.
And thus Sir Walter Ralegh., having difengaged him-
felf for the prefent from this burthenfome and expenfive
Affair, gave a Loofe to his martial Genius, and bent his
whole Thoughts againft the Spaniards^ which foon became
the fixed and ruling Pailion of his Nature ; as abafing the
exorbitant Power of France^ and preventing its ill Confe-
quences on the Liberties of Europe., did, in later Times,
engrofs all the Thoughts and Liclinations of King William.,
and was the principal Aim of mofl: of his Steps and Actions.
And altho' this Comparifon may be thought very une-
qual with Relation to the Power and Dignity of the two
Perfons, yet it will, I think, be found juft and exa61: with
Refpe6t to their Inclinations and Defigns. For no Man of
that Age was more deeply fenfible of the pernicious Confe-
quences of the Spanijh Power and Aims, or was more eager
and afliduous in fpeaking, writing, and a6ling againft them,
than Sir Walter Ralegh.
jgo. But thefe new Aflignees were not fo diligent and care-
ful of the Bufinefs, as they ought to have been. For it was
a Year after, March., 1589-90, before any thing was un-
dertaken by them for the Relief of the Colony. Then Mr.
White., with three Ships, fet Sail from Plitnouth ; and paf-
fing by the Weji-Indies., they ftaid Ibme time there, to per-
form fome Exploits, as they call them, which was to at-
tack and plunder the Spaniards., among whom they got a
confiderable Booty. On the 3d of Juguji., they fell in with
fome low fandy Iflands, to the Wejiward oi Wococon. From
thence they went to Croatan., and fo to Hatteras. There
they defcried a Smoke, at the Place, where the Colony had
been left three Years before. The next Morning, they
difcharged fome Cannon, to give Notice of their Arrival ;
and
Book I. r/oe History of VIRGINIA. 27
and having fitted out two Boats, Captain Cooke and Captain 1590-
Spicer went aftiore, but found no Man, nor the Sign of' x '
any, that had been there lately. The next Day, they
prepared to go to Roanoke ; but the Wind being hard
at North-Eaft, one of the Boats, in pafling a Bar, was half
filled with Water, and the other overfet. Captain Spicer^
with fix more, were drowned ; but four, who could fwim
a little, and did not truft themfelves to their Legs on the
Shoals, but kept in deep Water, were faved by the Care
and Dexterity of Captain Cooke in the other Boat, This
Accident fo difcomfited the Sailors, that they could hardly
be prevailed upon to make any farther Search for the Colo-
ny. But indeed, confidering the Shoals and Dangers, with
their Ignorance and Inexperience of the Coaft, which they
unfortunately happened upon in this their firft Attempt to-
wards a Settlement, it is rather to be wondered, that they
met not with more Accidents and Misfortunes, than they
really did.
The Sailors being at length encouraged by the For-
wardnefs and Readinefs of their Captains, two Boats more
were fitted out for Hatteras^ with nineteen Men. When
Mr. White left the Colony three Years before, they talked
of going fifty Miles up into the Main ; and it had been
agreed between them, that if they left the Place, where
they then were, they fhould write the Name of the Place,
to which they went, on feme Tree, Door, or PofI: ; and
if they, had been in any Diilrefs, they ftiould fignify it, by
making a Crofs over it. When they landed therefore, they
founded a Trumpet, but received no Anfwer ; and going up
to the Fire, they found, it was nothing but the Grafs and
fome rotten Trees burning. Then fearching up and down
the Ifland, they at laft found three fair Roman Letters
carved, C. R. O. but without any Sign of Diftrefs ; and
looking farther, they faw CROAT AN, carved in fair
Capital Letters on one of the chief Pofts, but ftill without
the Crofs, as a Sign of Dilfrefs. Their Houfes were taken
down ; and an high Palifado built, after the Manner of a
Fort. They likewife found, where their Goods had been
buried ; but many of them had been dug up, and fcattered
about, and all were fpoiled ; yet Mr. White knew and
diflinguifhed feveral of his own among them. With this
joyful Difcovery, as they hoped, of where they were, they
returned to their Ships ; but had like to have been caft
away by a violent Storm, that continued all that Night.
The next Morning, weighing Anchor for Croatan^
which was an Indian Town on the South Part of Cape
Look-out^ one of their Cables broke, and carried off ano-
ther
28 rZv History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
1590- ther Anchor with it. But letting go their third, the Ship
' Y^^'went fo faft adrift, that (lie was very near ftranding. Dis-
couraged with thefe Misfortunes, and having but one An-
chor left, and their Provifions near fpent, they gave over
all Thoughts of farther Search for the prefent, and deter-
mined to go to the Weji-Indies^ to winter and refrefh .^them-
felves (chiefly perhaps with more Spanifi Plunder) and to
return in the Spring, to feek their Countrymen. But the
Vice-Admiral was obfl:inately bent upon going direcStly for
England; and the Wind being contrary, the reft were
obliged, within two Days, to make for the Wejlern-Ijlands^
where they arrived the 23d of September^ 1590, and met
with many of the Queen's Ships, their own Confort, and
divers others. But many fufpe6led, that private Intereft
was the chief Occafion of their Failure in this Undertaking;
and that the Riches, gotten from the Spaniards in the We/i-
Indies^ was the true Reafon of their Return, for which the
Storm only furnifhed them with a colourable Pretext.
However it ife certain, that the Aflignees made no farther
Search, nor gave themfelves any other Trouble about the
Matter ; but thefe poor Souls were bafely deferted by them,
and left a Prey to the barbarous Savages, neither were they
ever feen or heard of afterwards.
1591- The following Year 1591, Sir Richard Greenvil was
fent, by the Queen, Vice-Admiral to the Lord Thomas
Howard^ with feven Ships of War, and a {qv^ other fmall
Veflels, to intercept the Spanifl) Plate-Fleet. At the J-
zores^ this fmall Squadron was furprifed by fifty three capital
Ships, purpofely fent from Spain ; and Sir Richard Greenvil^
who was unwilling to leave a great Part of his Men, then
on Shore for Water and other Neceflaries, to the Infolence
and Barbarity of the Iflanders, ftaid fo long in getting them
off, that he was hemmed in between the Enemy's Fleet
and the Ifland of Flores. In this dangerous Situation, he
fcorned to fhew any Signs of Fear, or to owe his Safety to
Flight ; but he bravely bore down upon the Enemy, and
endeavoured to break through them, in which Attempt he
maintained a gallant and obftinate Fight, with the heft of
the Spanijl) Ships, for fifteen Hours together. He was at
once laid aboard by the St. Philips a Ship, of fifteen hundred
Tons and feventy eight large Pieces of Ordinance, and four
other of the ftouteft Ships in the Spanijl} Fleet, full of Men,
in fome two hundred, in fome five hundred, and in others
eight hundred Soldiers, befides Mariners ; and he never had
lefs than two large Galleons by his Side, which, from time
to time, were relieved by frefh Ships, Men, and Ammu-
nition. Yet he behaved himfelf with fuch uncommon Bra-
very
Book I. "The History ^/VIRGINIA. 29
very and Condu6l, that he difabled fome, funk others, and 1501.
obliged them all to retire. Neither did he ever leave the"— — -r— -^
Deck, tho' wounded in the Beginning of the clofe Fight,
till he received a dangerous Wound in the Body bv a Mufket
Bullet. When he went down to have it drefled, he re-
ceived another Shot in the Head, and his Surgeon was killed
by his Side. By this time alfo moft of his braveft Men
were flain, his Ship much difabled, his Deck covered with
Dead, and Wounded, and fcattered Limbs, and his Powder
fpent to the very laft Barrel. Yet in this Condition he or-
dered the Veflel to be funk, but it was prevented by the
reft of the Officers ; tho' many of the Crew joined with
him, and the Mafter-Gunner, if he had not been reftrain-
ed, would have killed himfelf, fooner than fall into the
Hands of the Spaniards. When the Ship, or rather
Wreck, was furrendered. Sir Richard was carried on board
the SpaniJJ) Admiral, where he died within two Days,
highly admired by the very Enemy, for his extraordinary
Courage and Refolution. And when he found the Pangs of
Death approach, he faid to the Officers, that ftood round
him, in the SpanlJJ) Tongue : Here die /, Richard Green-
vil, with a joyful and quiet Mind., having ended my Life like
a true Soldier., that fought for his Country., ^leen., Religion.^
and Honour : Thus fumming up, in fhort, all the generous
Motives, that fire the Brearts of the truly Brave and Great,
to exert themfelves beyond the common Pitch of Huma-
nity.
And fuch was the gallant End of this noble Gentleman,
who, next to Sir Walter Ralegh., was the principal Perfon
concerned in this firft Adventure of Firginia. He was a
Man eminently fitted to ferve his Country, in Peace or
War, by Land or Sea, and was fo deeply rooted in the At-
fe6lion and Efteem of his illuftrious Kinfman, Sir [Falter
Ralegh., that he honoured his Death with a particular Re-
lation of the Adion by his own excellent Pen, which he
caufed to be immediately printed the latter End of the fame
Year 1591, to obviate fome Afperfions, caft upon him by
fome of the Spaniards. The reft of the Englijh Ships
having Sea-Room, fought bravely, and did every thing,
that could be expeiled from valiant Men, whilft they had
the Advantage of the Wind. The Lord Hoivard was for
even hazarding the whole Fleet in the Refcue of Sir Richard
Greenvil., and for charging up to the Place, where he was
engaged. But he was over-ruled by the other Officers,
whofe Prudence is commended even by Sir Walter Ralegh \
altho' no Perfon can certainly fay, I think, what might
have been the Event, had fix Ships of War more befidcs
the
rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
the Privateers, fallen upon an Enemy, whom one Ship alone
had for fo long a time kept in fuch warm A6lion. When
the Night parted them from the Enemy, they all went ofF
fafe, and in their Way home took feveral rich Prizes. Sir
Richard''^ Ship too, the Revenge^ of 500 Tons Burthen,
and about 20 Iron Guns, made good her Name. For a few
Days after flie foundered at Sea, and drowned two hundred
Spaniards^ who had been put aboard to carry her to Spaitj.
But Sir Walter Ralegh^ being, by the above-mentioned
Aflignment, eafed in fome Meafure of the Undertaking of
Virginia^ was foon engaged by his adlive and enterprifing
Genius in other Adventures and Difcoveries. He contri-
buted generoufly towards the Difcovery of the North-lVeJl
Paflage, and other things of the like Nature. But having
loft his Royal Miftrefs's Favour, by debauching one of her
Maids of Honour, whom he afterwards married, he under-
took in Perfon, in the Year 1595, the Voyage and Difco-
very of Guiana^ a rich Country up the River Oronaque^ in
South America. After his Return, he wrote a moft excel-
lent Difcourfe upon his Expedition, in which his chief Aim
was to engage the Queen and Nation in the Profecution of
the Enterprife, and Settlement of the Country. But all
his Reafons were overpowered by the Envy of fome great
Men to his Perfon and Merit ; and altho' he was reftored
to the Queen's Favour, yet he could never get any thing
done to Effe6t in this important and judicious Defign.
However he never quitted it himfelf, but fent twice imme-
diately after, to make farther Difcoveries, and to keep up
the good Difpofitions of the Natives towards the Englijh.
Even after his Fall, and when he was in the Tower, he
found Means to continue this Defign ; and his laft Voyage
thither, after his Releafe, with the fatal Confequences of
it, is too well known, to need a particular Relation here.
Neither was he, notwithftanding the Aflignment, negligent
or forgetful of the Colony, which had been feated in Virgi-
nia upon his Account, f For he fent five feveral Times, to
fearch after, and relieve them ; and laft he difpatched
Samuel Mace., of Weymouth^ in March 1 602. But he, like
all* the reft, performed nothing, but returned with idle
Stories and frivolous Allegations.
However, thefe Efforts of Sir Walter were only in-
tended to recover and bring off thofe poor People, and no
ways in Profecution of his firft Defign of fettling a Colo-
ny. So that all Thoughts of Virginia were abandoned,
and the Proje6l lay dead for near twelve Years, when it
was revived by Captain Bartholomew Gojnold., who under-
took a Voyage thither, and fet Sail from Dartmouth., on
the
Book I. r/je History of VIRGINIA.
the twenty fixth of March 1602, in a fmall Bark, with
thirty two Men. He kept as far North as the Winds would
permit, and was the firll that came in a dire6t Courfe to
jl?nerica.
On the nth of May^ being about the Latitude of forty
three, they made Land, on the Coaft of Nevu-England^ as
it hath been fince called. But as all this Continent bore
the Name of Florida^ till the Difcovery of the EngliJ}) in
1584, fo afterwards all that Tra6t of Country, from 34 to
45 Degrees of Northern Latitude, was called Virginia^ till
from different Settlements it got different Names. The
Land was low ; the Shore white Sand, and rocky, yet over-
grown with fair and ftately Trees. Coming to an Anchor,
eight Indians^ in a Shallop, with Maft and Sail, came boldly
on board them. By their Signs, and by the Shallop and
other things, which they had, they judged, that fome Bif-
cayneers had been fifhing there. But finding no good Har-
bour, they weighed, and flood to the Southward into the
Sea. The next Morning, they found themfelves embayed
with a mighty Head-land ; and going to the neighbouring
Hills, they perceived it to be Part of the Continent, almolt
environed with Iflands. Here, in a itvf Hours, they caught
more Cod, then they knew, what to do with ; from whence
the Place obtained the Name of Cape-Cod. And they thence
alfo concluded, that a good Fifhery might be found there,
in the Months of March., April^ and May.
Soon after they went to the Iflands, and anchored near
one of them. They found it four Miles in Compafs, with-
out Houfe or Inhabitant. In it was a Lake, near a Mile in
Circuit ; and the reft fo overgrown with Vines, which co-
vered all the Trees and Buflies, that they could fcarce pafs
through them. They likewife found Plenty of Strawber-
ries, Rafberries, Goofberries, and divers other Fruits in
Bloom, and therefore called the Ifland Martha\ Vineyard.
They then vifited the reft of the Hies, and found them re-
pleniflied with the like Produ6ls. One they named Eliza-
beth's Ijland^ in Honour to their ancient Sovereign, in which
they planted Wheat, Barley, Oats, and Peafe, which fprung
up nine Inches in fourteen Days. From hence thev went
to the Main, where they ftood for fome time ravifhed at
the Beauty and Delicacy of the Country. But foon after
returning to Elizabeth'' % IJland., they fpent three Weeks in
building a Houfe, in a fmall Ifland of about an Acre of
Ground, which ftood in the Midft of a large Lake of frefti
Water, about three Miles in Circumference.
They faw feveral of the Natives, with whom they
made mutual Prefents, and had fome fmall Traffick. They
were
"Tlx^ History of VIRGINIA. Book I.
were of an excellent Conftitution of Body, a6live, ftrong,
healthful, and very ingenious, as divers of their Joys tefti-
fied. The bafer Sort would Ileal, but thofe of better Rank
were very civil and juft. ' Not one of the Englijh was af-
fected with any Sicknefs ; but they rather grew more heal-
thy and ftrong, notwithftanding their bad Diet and Lodging.
Twelve had refolved to ftay ; but, confidering how meanly
they were provided, they were at laft all obliged to leave
this Ifland, not without much Sorrow and ReluClancy, and
arrived at Exmouth the 23d of fuly, \
603- The Beginning of the next 'Fear, died that ever-memo-
rable and glorious Princefs, Queen Elizabeth^ and was fuc-
ceeded by King "Jaynes VI. of Scotland. He was fcarce
warm in his Throne, before, as a Prefage of his future weak
and inglorious Reign, he confined Sir IValter Ralegh in the
Tower, for a moft myfterious and inextricable Plot. This
great Man, as he was the firft Undertaker and Mover of
thefe Difcoveries, is ufually looked upon as the Founder and
Father of our Country. And indeed we are proud to own
for fuch, a Perfon of his diftinguifhed Merit and Parts,
who was one of the brightcft Ornaments of his Age and
Country, highly in the Favour and Efteem of Queen Eli-
zabeth^ and afterwards the Sacrifice of her mean and pufil-
lanimous Succeflbr. But yet it muft be confefibd, that his
Adventurers touched but once, and then flightly, on our
Country ; but ftill kept on in the fame unfortunate Tra6l,
on the flioaly and importuous Coaft of North-Carolina.
Altho' his Judgment foon diflinguifhed from the Accounts,
he received, the Advantages of Chefapeake for feating his
Capital City of Ralegh ; and had his Orders been followed,
it might perhaps have given a quite different Turn to the
Affairs of the Colony. For it would not only have freed
them from the Hazards and Difficulties, they encountered
on that dangerous Coafl, and every where have fupplied
them with fafe and convenient Harbours, but would have
naturally led them to the Search and Difcovery of one of
the molt commodious Countries perhaps in the World, for
Shipping and Veflels.
The fame Year 1603, by the Perfuafions of Mr.
Richard Hackluyt (a curious and inquifitive Gentleman, and
foon after a Prebend of Wejhninjier^ who publiflied the
noted Collection of Voyages and Travels) the Mayor and
Aldermen, with mofl of the Merchants of Brijhl., raifed a
Stock of a thoufand Pounds, and fitted out two Veflels.
But firfl they obtained the Leave and Permiffion of Sir
Walter Ralegh^ as Proprietor of the Country, to make
Difcoveries in Virginia. Martin Pring was made Captain,
an
Book I. "The History ^/VIRGINIA. ^
an underftanding Gentleman and able Mariner ; and Robert 1603.
Saltern^ who had been with Captain Gofnold the Year be- ^"" — y—
fore, was appointed his Afliftant and Pilot. But as, for
the moft Part, they followed Captain Gofnold's Courfe,
their Difcoveries were nothing extraordinary or different
from his.
But another Bark was this Year fent from London^ un-
der the Command of Captain Bartholoinexv Gilbert^ who
had likewife been with Captain Gofnold. After fome fmall
Trade in the IVeJi-Indies^ they fell in with the Coaft of
America in about 37 Degrees of Northern Latitude ; and
fome Authors fay, they run up into Chefapeake Bay, where
the Captain, going afhore, was killed with four of his
Men. This ftruck fuch a Damp and Difcouragement into
the reft, that they immediately weighed Anchor, and re-
turned to England^ without any further Attempt or Difco-
very.
Two Years after. Captain George Weymouth was fent by 1605.
the Earl of Southampton and the Lord Arundel of Warder.,
to make Difcoveries on the Coaft of Virginia. He intend-
ed to the Southward of 39 ; but was forced by the Winds
farther Northward., and fell among fome Shoals in 41 Deg.
20 Min. But having happily difengaged themfelves, on the
1 8th of May they made Land. It appeared to be a main
high Land, but they found it an Ifland of fix Miles in
Compafs. From thence they could difcern the Continent
and very high Mountains ; and coafting among the Iflands,
adjoining to the Main, they found an excellent Harbour.
They dug a Garden the twenty fecond of May \ and among
their Seeds, they fowed Barley and Peafe, which grew up
eight Liches in fixteen Days ; altho' they judged the Mould
much inferior to what they found afterwards on the Main.
On the 30th of May., the Captain with thirteen more, went
to view and difcover the Continent ; and having found a
fair River, running up into the Country, they returned
back to bring in the Ship. What River this was, and
what Part of the American Coaft they fell upon, is difficult
to determine exa£lly. For their negle£ling to tell us what
Courfe they fteered, after they were difengaged from the
Shoals, renders it doubtful, whether they fell in with fome
Part of the Majfachufet\ Bay ; or rather farther Southward^
on the Coaft of Rhode-IJJand., Naraganfet., or Connecticut ;
altho' I am moft inclined to believe, this River was either
that of Naraganfet or Connecticut \ and the Ifland, what is
now called Block-IJJand. However it is certain, that Old-
mixon., (the Author of the Book, entitled, The BritiJJ} Em-
pire in America) according to his ufual Cuftom, is here
^ D moft
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
moft egregioufly bewildered and loft. For after having,
njudicioully enough, determined the fmall Ifland they firft
made, of fix Miles in Compafs, to be Long-IJJand^ on the
Coaft of Nnv-Tork^ he immediately after, with ftiU grea-
ter Abfurdity and Grofnefs, calls this the River of Poivha-
tan^ now James River, to the Southward^ as he fays, of
the Bay of Chefapcake.
When Captain Weymouth returned aboard, he found,
that the Indians had contracSled an Acquaintance with his
Crew ; that they had had fome fmall Trade together ; and
that there was much outward Shew of Kindnefs and Civi-
lity between them. For as the EngUfh intended to inhabit
their Country, and as it was the chief Defign of the noble
Adventurers, who had fent them, to propagate Chriftianity
among thofe barbarous People, they uied them very kindly ;
and exchanging Hoftages, would fometimes lie afhore with
them, and they fometimes aboard with the Englifl). At
laft they were very preiJing with the Captain, to go to the
Main, to trade with their Bafliabes, or chief Lord. He
accordingly manned his Boat with fourteen Hands, and at-
tended them. But having plainly difcovered their Trea-
chery, and that it was only a Stratagem to cut them off,
he feifed five, and ever afterwards treated them with great
Civility, but never more trufted them.
Having fpent fome time in founding all the Ifles,
Channels, and Inlets, and found four feveral Ways of bring-
ing a Ship into the Bay, they at laft ran theirs twenty fix
Miles up the River. They found, it flowed eighteen Feet,
was a Mile wide forty Miles from the Mouth, had a bold
Channel from fix to ten Fathom deep, and every half Mile
beautiful Coves and Harbours, fome of them to contain an
hundred Sail of Veflels. The Land was very rich, trend-
ing all along in an equal Plain, neither mountainous nor
rocky, but verged with a green Border of Grafs ; and the
Woods were large and tall, and delightfully watered with
many frefh Springs and Rivulets. Leaving their Ship, they
went feven Miles higher than the fait Water flowed, and
then marched towards the Mountains. But the Weather
was fo hot, and the Fatigue fo great, that having ere6led
a Crofs, they willingly returned to their Ship. Soon after,
they failed for England^ and arrived at Dartmouth the i8th
of July ; carrying with them the five Indians^ taken by
the Captain, whereof one was a Sagamo, or Commander,
and three others, Perfons of Figure and Diftin6tion in their
own Country.
THE
THE
HISTORY
OF
VIRGINIA,
BOOK II.
A P T A I N Bartholomeiu Gofnold had made a
Voyage to the Northern Parts of Virginia^ in
the Year 1602, as hath been before related.
He was fo wonderfully pleafed with the Plea-
fantnefs and Fertility of the Places he faw,
that, after his Return to England^ he made it his Bufinefs
to follicit all his Friends and Acquaintance, to join with
him in an Attempt to fettle fo delightful a Country. After
fome Years fpent in vain, he at laft prevailed with Cap-
tain John Smithy Mr. Edward-Maria Wingfield^ the Rev.
Mr. Robert Hunt^ and divers others, to join in the Under-
taking. But fettling Colonies is an Enterprife of too great
Burthen and Expence for a i^yN private Perfons ; and there-
fore, after many vain Proje6ls, they applied themfelves to
feveral of the Nobility, Gentry, and Merchants, and by
their great Charge and Induftry, recommended their Scheme
fo efFeilually to them, that they came into it very heartily.
And firft. Letters patent were obtained from King
James I. bearing Date the loth of Jpril^ 1606, to Sir Tho-
mas Gates^ and Sir George Somers^ Knights, Richard Hack-
luyt^ Clerk, Prebendary of Wejhn'uijhr^ Edward-Maria
Wingfield^ with others unnamed, for the Southern Colony ;
and to Thomas Hanham^ and Ralegh Gilbert^ Efqrs, Wil-
liam Parker^ and George Popha?n^ Gentlemen, and others
D 2 unnamed,
1606.
r/v History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
unnamed, for the Northern Colony. By this Charter, all
'that Tra6l of Country, from 34 to 45 Degrees of North
Latitude, which then went under the common Name of
Virginia^ was divided into two Parts ; called the Firft Co-
lony and the Second. The Firft or Southern Colony was
defigned for the City of London^ and fuch as would adven-
ture with them, to difcover and chufe a Place of Settlement,
any where between the Degrees of 34 and 41. The Se-
cond or Northern Part, was appropriated to the Cities of
Brijiol^ Exeter^ PUmouth^ and the JFeJiern Parts of En-
gland^ and all thofe, that would adventure and join with
them, to make their Choice, any where between the De-
grees of 38 and 45 ; provided, there fhould be at leaft an
hundred Miles Diftance between the two Colonies. For
each of them was to extend fifty Miles from the Place of
their firft Habitation, each way along the Coaft. But I
ftiall make no Abftra6t of this Charter, having caufed it to
be printed at large in the Appendix, to which I refer the
Reader.
But befides this Charter, the King gave divers Articles,
InftrucSions, and Orders, under his Sign Manual, and the
Privy Seal of England^ dated the 20th of November^ 1606 ;
wherein he eftablifhes and ordains a Council, under the
Name of the King's Council for Virginia. This confifted
of the following Perfons ; Sir IVilliam Wade., Lieutenant
of the Tower of London., Sir Thomas Smith., Sir Walter
Cope., Sir George More., Sir Francis Popham., Sir Ferdinando
Gorges., Sir "John Trevor., Sir Henry Montagu., Recorder of
the City of London., and Sir William Ro?nney., Knights ;
John Dodderidge., Sollicitor General, and Thomas Warr.,
Efqrs; John Eldred., of the City of London., Thomas James.,
of Brijlol., and James Bagg., of Plimouth., in the County of
Devon., Merchants. But thefe being foon found too few,
and by Reafon of the Diftance of their Habitations from
each other, difficult to be got together in any competent
Number, his Majefty, by an Ordinance dated the 9th of
March following, augmented this Council with Sir Tho?uas
Challenor., Sir Henry Nevil., Sir Fulke Grevil., Sir John
Scot., Sir Robert Manfel., Sir Oliver Cronnvell., Sir Morris
Berkeley., Sir Edward Michelborne., Sir Thomas Holcroft., Sir
Thomas Smith., Clerk of the Privy 'Council, Sir Robert Kil-
ligrexv., Sir Herbert Croft., Sir George Copping., Sir Edwin
Sandys., Sir Thotnas Roe., and Sir Anthony Palmer., Knights,
nominated to him by and on the Behalf of the firlt Colony;
and with Sir Edivard Hungerford., Sir John Mallet., Sir John
Gilbert., Sir Thomas Freake., Sir Richard Hawkins., and Sir
Bartholometu Mitchel., Knights ; Thotnas Seamer^ Bernard
GreenviL
Book II. Hv History of VIRGINIA.
Greenvll^ and Edward Rogers^ Efqrs ; and Matthetu Sutcliff'e^
Do£lor of Divinity, and afterwards Dean of Exeter^ nomi-
nated to him by and on the Behalf of the fecond Colony.
In this laft Inftrument, there was a Diftin6lion and Se-
peration made of the two Councils ; but in the former of
the 20th of November^ Sir William JVade^ and the reft,
were conftituted his Majefty's Council for both Colonies,
for all Matters that fhould happen in Virginia^ or any the
Territories of America^ between 34 and 45 Degrees of
North Latitude, according to the Purport and Tenor of
the Letters patent : That they fhould have full Power
and Authority, at the Pleafure, and in the Name of his
Majefty, his Heirs, or Succeflors, to give Dire6lions to
the Councils, refident in America^ for the good Govern-
ment of the People there, and for the proper ordering
and difpofing all Caufes within the fame, in Subftance
as near to the Common Law of England^ and the Equity
thereof, as might be ; referving to his Majefty, his Heirs
and Succeffors, a Power to increafe, alter, or change
the faid Council, at their Will and Pleafure : And that
this his Majefty's Council in England^ ftiould nominate
and appoint the firft Members of the feveral Councils,
to be refident in the Colonies.
"• That the faid Councils, refident in the Colonies, or
the major Part of them, (hould chufe one of their own
Body, not being a Minifter of God's Word, to be Prefi-
dent of the fame, and to continue in that Office by the
Space of one whole Year, and no longer : And that it
ftiould be lawful for the major Part of the faid Councils,
upon any juft Caufe, either of Abfence or otherwife, to
remove the Prefident, or any other of the Council ; and
in Cafe of Death or fuch Removal, to ele6f another into
the vacant Place : Provided always, that the Number of
each of the faid Councils fliould not exceed thirteen.
" That the faid Prefidents, Councils, and the Minifters,
fhould provide, that the true Word and Service of God
be preached, planted, and ufed, not only in the faid Co-
lonies, but alfo, as much as might be, among the Sava-
ges bordering upon them, according to the Rites and
Do6trine of the Church of England.
" That they fhould not fuffer any to withdraw the
People of the faid Colonies from the Allegiance of the
King, his Heirs, or Succeflors ; but fliould caufe all
Perfons fo offending, to be apprehended and imprifoned,
till full and due Reformation, or if the Caufe fo required,
fliould fend them to England., with all convenient Speed,
there to receive condign Punifliment.
D 3 " That
rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
" That all Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments,
" fliould be had, inhabited, and enjoyed, within the faid
" Colonies, as the like Eftates are held and enjoyed, by
" the Laws in England.
" That Tumults, Rebellion, Confpiracy, Mutiny,
" and Sedition, together with Murder, Manflaughter, In-
" ceft. Rapes, and Adultery, committed within any of the
" Degrees aforefaid, (and no other Offences) Ihould be
" punifhed by Death without Benefit of Clergy, except in
" Cafe of Manflaughter, to which Clergy fhould be allow-
" ed : And that the faid Prefidents and Councils, within
" their feveral Limits and Precin61:s, fhould have full Power
" and Authority, to hear and determine concerning the
" faid Offences, in Manner and Form following ; viz. by
^' a Jury of twelve honeft and indifferent Perfons, returned
" by proper Officers, and fworn upon the Evangelifts,
" who fliould, according to the Evidence given, upon their
'' Oath, and according to the Truth in their Confciences,
^' convi6l or acquit the feveral Perfons fo accufed, and
" tried by them : That every Perfon who fhould volunta-
" rily confefs the faid Offences, or fliould ftand mute, and
'' refufe to plead, or make direcSl: Anfwer, fliould be, and
" be held as fully convi6fed of the fame, as if he had been
*■'■ found guilty by the Verdi6l of the twelve Jurors afore-
'' faid : That the faid Prefidents and Councils, or the Ma-
" jor Part of them, within their feveral Precin6ls and Li-
" mits, fhould have full Power and Authority, to give
" Judgment of Death upon every fuch Offender, without
'' Benefit of Clergy, except in Cafe of Manflaughter only :
'' And that no Perfon, fo adjudged or condemned, fliould
" be reprieved, but by the Confent of the faid Prefident
" and Council, or the major Part of them ; nor fliould
" receive full Pardon, or be abfolutely difcharged from the
" faid Offences, but by the Pardon of the King, his Heirs,
" or Succeflors, under the Great Seal of England : And fi-
" nally, that all Perfons, offending as aforefaid, within
" the Degrees abovementioned, but out of the Precinds
" of their own Colony, fliould be tried and puniflied in
" their proper and refpeftive Colony.
" That the faid Prefidents and Councils, within their
*' feveral Precin61:s and Limits, fliould have Power and Au-
" thority, to hear and determine all other Wrongs, Tref-
*' pafles, and Mifdemeanors whatfoever ; and on fufficient
" Proof upon Oath, fliould refpeilively punifli the Offen-
" ders, either by reaibnable corporal Punifliment and Im-
" prifonment, or elfe by awarding fuch Damages, or other
*' Satisfadtion, to the Parties aggrieved, as to them, or the
" more
Book II. 'The History of VIRGINIA.
more Part of them, (liould feem fit and convenient : And
that the faid Prefidents and Councils fhould have Power
to punifli all Manner of Excefs, through Drunkennefs
or otherwife, and all loitering, idle, and vagrant Per-
fons, within their refpe6live Precin6ls, according to their
beft Difcretions, and with fuch convenient Punifhment,
as they, or the moft Part of them, fliould think fit :
That thefe judicial Proceedings fliould be made fumma-
rily and verbally, without Writing, till they came to the
Judgment or Sentence, which (hould be briefly regiftred
into a Book, kept for that Purpofe, together with the
Caufe, for which the faid Judgment or Sentence was
given, fubfcribed by the faid Prefident and Council, or
by fuch of them as gave the Judgment,
" That for five Years, next after their landing on the
Coaft of Firginia^ the faid feveral Colonies, and every
Perfon thereof, fhould trade altogether in one Stock, or in
two or three Stocks at mofl, and fhould bring all the Fruits
of their Labours there, with all their Goods and Com-
modities from England or elfewhere, into feveral Maga-
zines or Storehoufes, for that Purpofe to be erected, in
fuch Order, Manner, and P^orm, as the Councils of the
refpedive Colonies, or the more Part of them, fliould
prefcribe and dire6f: : That there fhould be annually cho-
ien by the Prefident and Council of each Colony, or the
major Part of them, one Perfon of their Colony, to be
Treafurer or Cape-Merchant of the fame, to take Charge
of, and to manage, all Goods and Wares, brought into,
or delivered out of, the faid Magazines ; upon whofe
Death, voluntary Refignation, or Removal for any juft
and reafonable Caufe, it fhould be lawful for the faid
Prefident and Council, to eled any other, or others, in
his Room : That there fhould alfo be eleded, by the
faid Prefident and Council, two others (or more, if need
be) Perfons of Difcretion ; the one to enter into a Book,
kept for that Purpofe, all Goods, Wares, and Merchan-
difes, brought into ; and the other, to charge, in a like
Book, all taken out of the faid Magazines or Storehoufes;
which Clerks fhould continue in their Places, only at the
Will of the Prefident and Council of their refpedive Co-
lony : And laftly, that every Perfon of each of the faid
Colonies, fhould be furniflied with NecefTaries out of the
faid Magazines, for the Space of five Years, by the Ap-
pointment, Diredion, and Order, of the Prefident and
Council of their refpedive Colonies, or of the Cape-
Merchant and two Clerks, or the major Part of them.» <
D 4 " That
40 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1606. " That the Adventurers of the f'irft Colony fhould
chufe, out of themfelves, one or more Companies, each
confifting of three Perfons at the leaft, to refide in or
near London^ or at fuch other Place or Places, as the
Council for that Colony, for the time being, or the moft
Part of them, during the faid five Years, fhould think
fit : In the fame Manner, that the Adventurers of the
Second Colony fhould chufe the like Companies, to be
refident at or near Plimouth^ or at fuch one, two, or
three other Places or Ports, as the Council for that Co-
lony fhould think fit : And that thefe minor Companies
fhould, from time to time, take Care and Charge of
the Trade, and an Account of all the Goods, Wares,
and Merchandifes, that fhould be fent from England to
their refpecSlive Colonies, and brought from the Colonies
into England^ and of all other Things, relating to the
Affairs and Profits of their feveral Companies.
" That no Perfon fhould be admitted to abide or re-
main in the faid Colonies, but fuch as fhould take, not
only the ufual Oath of Obedience, but alfo the Oath,
preicribed in the lafl Seflion of Parliament, holden at
IVeJitnin/ler in the fourth Year of his Majefty's Reign,
for due Obedience to the King, his Heirs, and Succef-
fors.
" That the Prefidents and Councils of the faid Colo-
nies, or the major Part of them, fhould have Power to
conftitute, make, and ordain, from time to time. Laws,
Ordinances, and Officers, for the better Order, Go-
vernment, and Peace of their refpe6live Colonies ; pro-
vided neverthelefs, that thofe Ordinances and Conflitu-
tions did not touch any Party in Life or Member : And
that the faid Laws and Ordinances fhould ftand and con-
tinue in full Force, till the fame fliould be otherwife
altered or made void by the King, his Heirs, or Suc-
cefibrs, or by his Majefly's Council in England for Fir^
ginia^ or by their own Council, there refident : Provided
always, that the faid Alterations fhould fland with, and
be in Subftance confonant to, the Laws of England^ or
the Equity thereof.
" That all Perfons fhould kindly treat the favage and
heathen People in thofe Parts, and ufe all proper Means
to draw them to the true Service and Knowledge of
God, and that all jufl and charitable Courfes fhould be
taken with fuch of them, as would conform themfelves
to any good and fociable Traffick, thereby the fooner to
bring them to the Knowledge of God, and the Obe-
dience of the King, his Heirs, and SuccefTors, under fuch
" fevere
Book II. Tbe History of VIRGINIA. 41
'•'■ fevere Pains and Punifliments, as ihould be inflicted by 1^06.
*' the refpe6live Prefidents and Councils of the leveral Co-^ y '
" lonies.
" That as the laid Colonies fliould, from time to
" time, encreafe in Plantation, the King, his Heirs, and
*' Succeflbrs, fhould ordain and give fuch Order, and fur-
*' ther Inftru6tions, Laws, Conllitutions, and Ordinances,
" as bv them fliould be thought fit and convenient : Pro-
" vided always, that they be fuch as might ftand with, and
*' be confonant to the Laws of Englmul^ or the Equity
"■ thereof.
"And laftly, that his Majeftv's Council in England
" for Virginia^ fliould take fuch Oath, as fiiould be limit-
*' ed and appointed by the Privy Council ; and each Coun-
'' fellor, refident in the Colonies, fliould take fuch Oath,
*' as fliould be prefcribed by the King's Council in England
*' for Virginia : And that thefe, as well as all future Or-
" ders and Inftru6tions of the King, his Heirs, or Succef-
" fors, fhould be tranfmitted over to the feveral Councils,
" refident in the faid Colonies, under the legal Seal of the
*' King's Council in England for Virginia.''''
These Articles contain feveral Things of an extraor-
dinary Nature ; which ,Sif fohn Randolph^ in the Sketch,
he has left of the Beginning of his Hiftory of Virginia.^ pro-
mifed afterwards to animadvert upon. I am no Lawyer,
and therefore fliall not prefume to enter deeply into the
Matter. I fliall only tranfiently remark, that, notwith-
fl:an'Hng the frequent Repetition of the Laws of Englayid.,
and the Equity thereof, his Majefty feems, in fome things,
to have deviated grofly from them. He has certainly made
fufficient Provifion for his own defpotic Authority ; and
has attributed an extravagant and illegal Power to the Pre-
fidents and Councils. For he has placed the whole Legif-
lative Power folely in them, without any Reprefentative of
the People, contrary to a noted Maxim of the Englijh
Conflitution ; That all Freemen are to be governed by Laws,
made with their own Confent, either in Perfon, or by their
Reprefentatives. He has alfo appointed Juries only in Cafes
of Life and Death ; and has left all other Points, relating
to the Liberty and private Property of the Subjed:, wholly
to the Pleafure and Determination of the Prefidents and
Councils. He has indeed, agreeably to the Di6lates of his
own Nature, been exprefs enough with Refpe6l to Rebel-
lion, Confpiracy, and other Offences immediately againft
the Magiftrate ; but then he has been very fparing in all
other criminal Matters. For altho' he has made Adultery
punifliable with Death, contrary to the Laws of England.,
s and
[6o6.
42 ^rhc History of VIRGINIA. Book IL
and contrary to a greater, the Law of the Gofpel, in the
noted Determination of our B. Saviour, concerning the
Woman taken in Adultery ; yet he has palled over all the
feveral Species of Robbery, Burglary, and Felony, with
other Crimes, capita! by the Laws of England^ and decla-
red, that none, but thofe there fpecified, il:iould be fubje£fc
to the Punifliment of Death.
However, fumifhed with thefe Powers and Autho-
rities, the Firft or Southern Colony, which ftill retains the
Name of Virginia^ was undertaken and begun by feveral
Nobleman, Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants and Citizens,
in and about London ; and they chofe Sir Thomas Smithy
a very eminent and wealthy Merchant of London^ their
Treafurer, to have the chief Management of their Affairs,
and to fummon and prefide in all Meetings of the Council
and Company in England. He had been the chief of Sir
Walter Ralegh^ Affignees, and was either now, or foon
after, Governor of the Eaji-India Company ; and had alfo
been fent, two Years before, his Majefty's EmbafTador to
the Emperor of Rujfia. And next, having provided two
Ships and a fmall Bark, they committed the Tranfporta-
tion of the Colony to Captain Chrijiopher Newport.^ who
was efteemed a Mariner of Ability and Experience on the
American Coafts. For he had fourteen Years before, Jnno
1592, with much Reputation and Honour, condu<5led an
\ Expedition againft the Spaniards in the Weji-Indies ; where,
\with three Ships and a fmall Bark, he took feveral Prizes,
^plundered and burnt fome Towns, and got a confiderable
Booty.
/^ To him therefore, by an Inftrument, bearing Date the
loth of December 1606, under the legal Seal of the Coun-
cil, they gave Power to appoint all Captains, Soldiers, and
Mariners, and to have the fole Charge and Command of
the fame, and of the whole Voyage, from the Date there-
of, till they fhould land on the Coaft of Virginia ; and in
Cafe of his Death, the feveral Captains of the Ships and
Bark were ordered and impowered, to proceed and carry
them to the Coaft of Virginia aforefaid. To Captain New-
port^ Capt. Bartholomew Gofnold., and Captain fohn Rat-
cliffe^ they alfo delivered feveral Inftruments, clofe fealed
with the Councils Seal, which they, the Survivors, or Sur-
vivor of them, fhould, within twenty four Hours after
their Arrival on the Coaft of Virgiiiia^ and not before, open
and unfeal, and publift^ the Names of the Perfons, therein
fet down, who fliould be declared and taken to be his Ma-
jefty's Council for that Colony : That the faid Council
ihould immediately proceed to the Choice and Nomination
of
Book II. -TZv History «/ VIRGINIA. 43
of a Prefident, who fliould have two Votes in all Matters ^■^°^-
of Controveriy and Queftion, where the Voices happened ' — ' r^-'
to be equal ; and fhould have full Power and Authority,
with the Advice of the reft of the Council, or the greater
Part of them, to govern, rule, and command, all the
Captains and Soldiers, with all other Perfons whatfoever of
the faid Colony : And that the Prefident, immediately
upon his Eiet'^tion, fliould, in the Prefence of the Council,
and of twenty others of the principal Adventurers in the
Voyage, to be by the President and Council called thereto,
take his Oath, according to a Form prefcribed, to bear true
Allegiance to the King, and for the Performance of his
Dutv in the Place and Office of Prefident; after which he
iliould adminifter the like Oath to each of the Council par-
ticularly. And finally, Captain Newport was commanded,
with fuch a Number of Men, as fhould be affigned him by
the Prefident and Council, to beftow two Months in the
Search and Difcovery of the Rivers and Ports of the Coun-
try, and to give prefent Order for the lading the two Ships
(the Bark being defigned to remain in the Country) with
fuch principal Commodities and Merchandife, as could there
be had and found, and to return with the faid Ships, full
laden, bringing a particular Account of every thing, by
the laft of May following, if God permit.
To these Orders the Council added other Inftruflions,
by way of Advice, concerning their ftrift Obfervation of
the above-mentioned Ordinances by the King's Majefty,
delivered to them under the Privy Seal; concerning the
Choice of a Place, and the Manner of feating themfelves ;
the neceffary Orders and Methods of Difcovery ; their
Caution before, and Behaviour towards, the Natives; with
various other Counfels and Directions for the better con-
ducing themfelves and the Enterprife. And as the Council
in England vjevQ ever follicitous and intent on the Difcovery
of the South-Sea^ as the certain and infallible Way to im-
menfe Riches, they were commanded, if they happened to
difcover divers navigable Rivers, and among them any, that
had two main Branches, if the Difference was not great,
to make Choice of that, which tended moft towards the
North-lVeJ} ; fince the other Sea, as they judged, would
be fooneft found that Way. And they were to difcover, if
they could, whether the River, on which they feated, fprung
out of the Mountains or out of Lakes. For if it rofe from
any Lake, it was likely, that the Paffage to the other Sea
would be the more eafy, and that out of the fame Lake
they might find fome other Stream, running the contrary
Way, towards the Eaji-India^ or South-Sea. And they
44 -77v History of VIRGINIA. Book IL
i6o5. concluded laftly and chiefly, that the Way to profper and
'"•^ — >^-^ obtain Succefs was to make themfelves all of one Mind, for
their own and their Country's Good, and to ferve and fear
God, the Giver of all Goodnefs, fince every Plantation,
which he did not plant, would certainly be rooted out.
All thefe Orders and Inftrudions being put into a
Box, they fet Sail from Blackivall the 19th of Dece?nber
1606; but were kept fix Weeks on the Coaft o^ England
by contrary Winds. Even then they neglected the Coun-
cil's laft falutary Advice, concerning Unity and Concord
among themfelves. For they began to fall into fuch Fac-
tions and Difcords, as would have ruined the w^hole Voyage,
had not A4r. Hiint^ their Preacher, by his prudent Con-
duit and pious Exhortations, allayed their Fury and Dif-
fenfion. That good Man, altho' he was fo fick and weak
the whole Time, that i&^N expeded his Recovery, and had
the additional Aggravation of being the principal Obje6l of
their Malice and Reproach, yet bore all with the utmoft
Meeknefs and Patience. And he never betrayed the leaft
feeming Defire to leave the Bufinefs, altho' his Habitation
was but twenty Miles from the Downs^ but preferred the
Service of God and his Country, in fo good a Voyage, be-
fore all other private Refpe6fs or Confiderations whatfo-
ever.
1607. As foon as they got clear of the Coaft: of England^ they
took the old Rout by the Canaries^ where they watered.
Here their Quarrels and Diflenfions grew fo high, that
Captain Smith was feized and committed clofe Prifoner. It
was fuggefted by Mr. Wingfield and fome others of the chief
among them, who envied his Repute and Intereft with the
Company, that he intended to murder the Council, ufurp
the Government, and make himfelf King of Virginia ; and
this, they pretended, would be attefted and proved againfl:
him by feveral of his Confederates, who were difperfed in
all the three Ships. Upon thefe fcandalous Suggeftions, he
was fufpeded, and kept in clofe Confinement thirteen
Weeks. From the Canaries they went to the Weji-Indies ;
where having traded with the Natives, and ftaid three
Weeks to refrefli themfelves, they fl:eered away Northward^
in Search of Virginia. The Mariners had pafied their
Reckoning three Days, and yet found no Land ; which fo
diflieartened the Company, that Captain Ratcliffe., Com-
mander of the Bark, was urgent to bare up the Helm, and
return for England. But a violent Storm, obliging them
to hull it all Night under their bare Poles, drove them pro-
videntially, beyond all their Expe61:ations, to their defired
Port. For the next Day, being the 26th of Jpril 1607,
they
Book II. "The History ^/VIRGINIA. 45
they made a Coaft, which none of them had ever leen. '607.
The firft Land, they defcried, they called Cape-Henry^ in " r~ —
Honour to the Prince of IFales ; as the Northern Cape
was named Cape-Charles^ after the Duke of I'ork^ King
James's fecond Son at that time, and afterwards King
Charles I. of England. Thirty Men went afliore on Cape-
Henry^ to recreate and refrefh themfelves ; but they were
fuddenly aflaulted by five Savages, who wounded two of
them very dangeroufly.
Within thefe Capes they found a Country, which,
according to their own Defcription, might claim the Pre-
rogative over the moft pleafant Places in the known World,
for large and majeftic navigable Rivers, for beautiful
Mountains, Hills, Plains, Vallies, Rivulets, and Brooks,
gurgling down, and running moffc pleafantly into a fair Bay,
encompafled on all Sides, except at the Mouth, with fruit-
ful and delightfome Land. In the Bay and Rivers were
many Iflands, both great and fmall, fome woody, others
plain, but moft of them low and uninhabited. So that
Heaven and Earth feemed never to have agreed better, to
frame a Place for Man's commodious and delightful Habi-
tation, were it fully cultivated and inhabited by indufi:rious
People,
The Night of their Arrival, the Box was opened, and
the Orders for Government read. In them Edward-Maria
Wingfield., Bartholomexv Gofnold^ John S?nith., Chri/iopher
Netvport^ John Ratcliffe^ John Martin., and George Ken-
dall^ were appointed of the Council. They were employ-
ed, till the 13th of May., in feeking a Place for their Set-
tlement ; and then they refolved on a Permifula., on the
North Side of the River Powhatan., about forty Miles from
the Mouth. After which, Mr. Wingfield was chofen Y\: Prefi- j-^j^g time difgraced, and removed from the Council, for
being concerned in thefe male Pra£tices of the Prefident.
And now, when all their Provifions were fpent, the Stur-
geon gone, and no ProfpecSl of Relief from any Qiiarter
left, God wrought fo wonderful a Change in the Hearts of
the Indians^ that they brought fuch Plenty of their Fruits
and Provifions, as no Man wanted.
Ne^uport was gone, Gofnold dead, and Wingfield and
Kendall in Difgrace ; neither were their Places fupplied by
the Ele6lion of any others, according to the Authority
given. So that the whole Government and Power of the
Council now refted in the new Prefident, Martin., and
Smith. But the Prefident and Martin., being little efteemed
or beloved, of weak Judgment in Dangers, and lefs In-
duftry in Peace, at firft very candidly and wifely permitted
every thing to Smith's Management, who was peculiarly
fitted for condu6f:ing fuch an Enterprife, by a good Judg-
ment, undaunted Courage, and an invincible Induftry and
Refolution. He immediately fet about the building of
fames-Town ; and by good Words, fair Promifes, and his
own Example (himfelf always bearing the greateft Share
of the Labour and Fatigue) he puflied on the Work with
fuch Vigor and Diligence, that he had, in a fhort time,
provided moft of them with Lodgings, negle6f:ing anv for
himfelf. After which, finding the Jutmnn Superfluity of
the Savages begin to decreafe, he refolved to fearch the
Country for Trade. The Want of the Language and a
fufficient Power, with Cloathing for his Men and other
Ne-
Book II. "The History of VIRGINIA, 49
NeceiTaries, were infinite Impediments to this Defign, but 1607.
no Difcouragement to his bold and adventurous Spirit. -.— ,— -^
For with five or fix more, he went down the River, in a J- R^tdifft
Shallop, to Kicqmtan; where at firft they fcorned them, as ^''^'''''^"'■
poor famifhed Creatures, and would offer, in Derifion, a
Handful of Corn, or a Piece of Bread, for their Swords,
Mufkets, or Cloaths. But Smithy finding, that nothing
was to be had by Trade and Courtefy, ventured to exceed
his CommifTion, and entered upon fuch Meafures, as Ne-
ceflity and the Exigency of his Case required. And there-
fore, having difcharged his Mufkets among them, he ran
his Boat afliore ; at which the Indians all fled into the
Woods. Then marching up to their Houfes, they faw "^
great Heaps of Corn. But Smith with much ado refl:rained
his hungry Soldiers from immediately feizing it ; expecSting,
the Savages would return to affault them, as it foon after
happened. For fixty or feventy of them, fome painted black,
fome red, fome white, and fome party-coloured, ilfued out of
the Woods, finging and dancing, and making a moft hide-
ous Noife, with their OJcee borne before them. This was
an Idol, made of Skins, ftuff^ed with Mofs, and all painted
and hung with Chains and Copper. For there was no
Place in Virginia found fo barbarous and void of Humani-
ty, in which they had not a Religion, Deer, Bows, and
Arrows. In this Savage Manner, being armed with Clubs,
Targets, Bows, and Arrows, they charged the Englijh^
who received them fo warmly with a fecond Volley of
Mufkets, loaded with Piftol Shot, that down fell their God,
and feveral of them lay fprawling on the Ground. The
reft fled again into the Woods, and foon after fent one of
their Priefts, to redeem their God and offer Peace. ■ Smith
told him, if only fix would come unarmed, and load his
Boat with Corn, he would not only reftore their Okee^ but
would be their Friend, and give them Beads, Copper, and
Hatchets befides. Which was agreed to, and performed to
the Satisfa6lion of both Parties. And then they brought
him Venifon, Turkies, Wildfowl, Bread, and whatever
elfe they had, finging and dancing in Sign of Friendfhip,
till he departed. - And in his Return up the River, he dif-
covered the Town and Country of JVarrafqucake.
After his Return to 'James-Town^ he made feveral
Journies by Land, and difcovered the People of Chickaho-
miny. In one of thefe, Wingfield and Kendall^ feeing
all things at random in Smith's Abfence, and the Com-
pany's Scorn of the Prefident's Weakneis and Martin's
never-mending Sicknefs, took Advantage of the Occafion,
and combined with the Sailers and others, to regain their
^ E former
50 The History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1607. former Authority, or at leaft to feize the Bark, which
' y ' Smith had fitted for a trading Voyage, and in her to efcape
j.Raidiffe^^^ go for England. But ^w/V/;, returning unexpe6ledly,
with much Difficulty prevented their Defign. For he was
obHged to turn the Cannon of the Fort upon them, and fo
force them to Hay or finlc in the River ; which Action coft
the Life of Captain Kendall. And not long after, their
new Prefident Ratdijfe and Captain Gabriel Archer intended
to abandon the Country ", but their Project was likewife
reftrained and fupprelVed by Smith. The Spaniards was ne-
ver more greedy of Gold, than he was of Provifions ; nei-
ther did the reft defire more eagerly to abandon the Coun-
try, than he to keep it. And therefore, having found
Plenty of Corn up the River Chickahoininy.^ he went a tra-
ding Voyage thither, and was received by hundreds of In-
dians.^ who ftood in divers Places with Bafkets, expeding
his Coming. And now the Winter likewife coming on,
the Rivers were fo covered with Swans, Geefe, and Ducks,
that they daily feafted with good Bread, Virginia Peafe,
Pumpions, and Paflimnions, and with Fifh, Fowl, and di-
vers Sorts of wild Bcafts, as fat as they could well eat
them. So that none of their humourfome and tuftafFety
Sparks (as Smith calls them) were any longer difcontented,
or defirous to go to England.
But Captain Smith's Activity and Induftry, in difco-
vering the Country, and providing for the Colony, could
not fcreen him from the vain Exceptions and Murmurs of
many Idlers at "James-Toivn. He was cenfured by fome,
and even taxed by the Council, of being too remifs and
negligent in difcovering the Head of Chickahominy River.
And therefore foon after, with much Labour in cutting
away Trees and clearing a Pafiage, he went up as far, as
his Barge could pafs. And then leaving her in a broad
Bay, beyond the Reach of the Indians Shot, he himfelf,
with two Englijh more, and two Indians., proceeded higher
up in a Canoe. When he left the Barge, he ordered, that
. none fhould go afhore, till his Return. But he was not
long gone, before his diforderly and ungovernable Crew
difobeyed this Command, and thereby gave the Indians an
Opportunity of furprifing one George Cajfen ; and indeed
narrowly efcaped being all cut off to a Man. For Ope-
^ chancanough., Brother to Powhatan., and King of Patnunkey.,
a fubtle and favage Barbarian, was there with three hundred
Bowmen. And after having extorted from Cajjen., which
Way his Captain was gone, he put him to Death in a moft
cruel and barbarous Manner, and then went in Purfuit of
Smith.
Captain
Book II. r/v History of VIRGINIA.
Captain S?nith had got up twenty Miles higher, a
mong the Swamps and Marflies at the Head of the River
and leaving the Canoe to the Care of i^ — -'and he fhould immediately go to 'James-Town^ to
J. Ratcliffe feiij hin-i ^y^Q great Guns and a Grindftone ; for which he
would give him the Country of Capahozujick^ and ever after
eileem him, as his Son Nantaquaus. Captain Smith put
little Confidence in his Words, and expelled every
Minute, even till he got to "Jatnes-Toiun^ to be put to one
Kind of Death or other. But Pozuhatan fent him off
immediately, with twelve Guides ; and having lodged
that Night in the Woods, he arrived the next Morning
early at the Fort.
And thus Captain Smithy after feven Weeks Captivity,
returned to James-Town^ with the Advantage of being much
improved in the Knowledge of the Country and their Lan-
guage. He ufed his Guides with the utmoft Kindnefs ; and
{hewed Raiubunt^ Poiuhatan^s trufty Servant, two Demi-
Culverins and a Mill-ftone, to carry to their Mafter. Their
Weight was fufficient to deter them from the Attempt ;
but when they faw him difcharge them, loaded with Stones,
among the Boughs of a great Tree, hung with Icicles, the
Terror of the Report, and the Ratling of the Boughs and
Ice, fo frighted the poor Savages, that they ran away, half
dead with Fear. But having regained fome Conference
with them, he gave them fuch Toys for themfelves, and
fent Powhatan^ his Women, and Children, fuch Prefents,
as gave a general fatisfaftion.
A T James-Town every thing was in Confufion, and the
ftrongeft were preparing once more to run away with the
Bark. But Stnith^ with the Hazard of his Life, forced her
the third time, to ftay or fink in the River. And the next
Day, feveral combined with the Prefident, to put him to
Death by the Levitical Law, for the Lives of Robinfon and
Emv\\ whom, they faid, he had led to their End, and
was confequently the Author of their Death. But he quick-
ly took fuch Order with thofe Lawyers, that he laid them
by the Heels, till he fent fome of them Prifoners to England.
And then, by his Relation of the Plenty, he had feen a-
mong the Natives, efpecially at Werowocomoco., and of the
State and Bounty of Powhatan^ till then unknown, he very
much appeafed their Fears, and revived their dead Spirits.
And Pocahontas^ with her Attendants, ever once in four or
five Days, brought him fo much Provifion, as faved the
Lives of many, who mull otherwife have periflied with
Hunger. Several others alfo of the Natives repaired daily
to the Fort, with fuch Provifions, as fufficiently ferved
them from Hand to Mouth. Part they always brought
Smith, as Prefents from their Kings or Pocahontas ; and he.
Book II. "The History of VIRGINIA.
as their Market-Clerk, fet the Price upon the reft. So
much had he aftoniflied and enchanted thofe poor Souls,
whilft their Prifoner, that they efteemed him, as a Demi-^- ^a'dijfe
God, and were ready, at his Beck, to do, whatever he
commanded. And the God, who created all things, they
knew, he adored as his God, and would, in their Dif-
courfe, call him the God of Captain Smith.
And this their high Opinion was much increafed by the
Arrival of Captain Newport^ whom S?nith^ among them,
called his Father, nearly about the time, that he had fore-
told. For the Treafurer and Council in England fent two
Ships, the latter End of this Year, with a Supply of Pro-
vifions, and an hundred and twenty Men. Thefe came,
well furnifhed with all things, that could be imagined ne-
ceffary, as Captain Sfnith tells us. But however, we muft
always make fome Allowance in his Account of thefe things.
For he was a very great Friend to Sir Thomas Smith ; and
we fhall fee hereafter, from feveral authentic Papers, but
efpecially from a Reprefentation of our General Ailembly,
among the Records in the Capitol., that that Officer was
moft fcandaloufly negligent, if not corrupt, particularly in
this Matter of Supplies. One of thefe Ships was com-
manded by Captain Neiuport^ the other by Captain Francis
Nelfon., an honeft Man and expert Mariner. But fuch
was the Lewardnefs of his Ship, that altho' he v/as within
Sight of Cape Henry., yet by contrary Winds and ftormy
Weather, he was driven off the Coaft, and forced to the
Weji-Indies., to repair his Mafts, and to get a Recruit of
Wood and Water. But before this, the Prefident and
Council fo much envied Smith\ Efteem among the Natives,
altho' they all equally participated of the good EfFe6ts of
it, that to raife their Credit and Authority above his, they
would give them four times as much for their Commodities,
as he had appointed. And now, out of Joy for the Ar-
rival of this firft Supply, and to gratify the Mariners, they
gave them free Liberty to trade, as they pleafed. So that
in a ftiort time, what was before bought for an Ounce of
Copper, could not be had for a Pound. To which Captain
Newport'^ profufe Prefents to Powhatan were added, and
gave the finifhing Blow to their Trade. They ferved in-
deed to entertain and keep up the high Idea of Newport's
Greatnefs, which S?nith had raifed in Powhatan., and made
him very defirous to fee him.
Accordingly the Bark was prepared, and a great
Coil there was at James-Town to fet him off. Captain
Smith and Mr. Matthew Scrivener., a difcreet and under-
ftanding Gentleman, newly arrived and admitted ot the
,,, ' Council,
ne History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
Council, attended him with a Guard of thirty or forty
chofen Men. When they came to Werowocomoco^ New-
port began to entertain many Fears and Sufpicions of Trea-
chery. But Synith^ with twenty Men, undertook to en-
counter the worft, that could happen ; and going afhore,
was kindly conducted by two or three hundred Indians to
the Town. Powhatan ftrained himfelf, upon this Occafi-
on, to the utmoft of his Greatnefs to entertain them, with
great Shouts of Joy, Orations, and Proteftations, and with
the moft fumptuous and plentiful Banquet, he could pro-
vide. He fat on a Bed of Mats, with a Pillow of Leather
embroidered with Pearl and white Beads ; and was cloathed
in a Robe of Skins, as large afs an Irifl) Mantle. At his
Head and Feet, fat a handfome young Woman ; and on
each Side the Houfe, twenty of his Concubines, with their
Heads and Shoulders painted red, and a great Chain of white
Beads about each of their Necks. Before them, fat his
chief Men, in the like Order ; and above forty Platters of
fine Bread flood in two Files, on each Side of the Door.
Four or five hundred People attended, as a Guard ; and
Proclamation was made, that none, upon Pain of Death,
fhould prefume to do the EngUfh any Wrong or Difcour-
tefy. And thus did Smith and he fpend the Day, in a kind
Renewal of their former Acquaintance, and in feafting,
and feeing them dance and fing, and play their other Feats
of Humour and A6tivity. And that Night, the Englijh
were quartered and lodged by Powhatan.
The next Morning, Newport came afhore, and they
fpent three or four Days more in feafling, and dancing, and
trading. In all which time, Powhatan behaved himfelf with
fuch Loftinefs and State, and yet with fo much Difcretion,
that they could not forbear admiring his natural Parts and
Underftanding. Scorning to trade, as his SubjecSls did, he
told Newport^ that he efleemed him a great IVerowance^
as well as himfelf; that it was not agreeable to their Dig-
nity to trade, in that pedling Manner, for Trifles ; and
that therefore, if he would lay down all his Commodities
together, he would chufe, what he liked, and give him
their Value. Smith, who was their Interpreter, and knew
Powhatan's Difpofition, told the Company, his Intent was
only to cheat them. But Neivport, thinking to out-brave
this ftately Barbarian in Ofl:entation and Greatnefs, and by
his Bounty to obtain from him, whatever he pleafed, ac-
cepted the Condition. And then Poiuhatan, having taken
what he liked, valued his Corn at fuch a Rate, that they
had not four Bufhels, for what they expe6f:ed twenty Hogf-
heads. This bred fome Diftafle between the two Englijh
Captains i
Book II. the History of VIRGINIA. 59
Captains. But Smithy fmothering his Diflike before the 1607.
Savages, glanced feveral Trifles in the Eyes of Powhatan^ ^--^-v '
who foon fixed his Fancy on fome blue Beads. He was a 7 ^"'"'#
long time importunate to have them ; but Smith ^valued
them fo much the higher, and told him, they were com-
pofed of a rare Subftance of the Colour of the Skies, and
were not to be worn by any, but the greateft Kings in the
World. This made him the more eager and mad for them;
fo that, for a Pound or two of blue Beads, he drew from
him two or three hundred Bufliels of Corn, and yet parted
in good Friendfliip. Upon this Voyage Newport gave
Pozuhatan a Boy, named Thomas Savage^ whom he called
his Son ; and Powhatan gave him Namontack^ a Servant of
his, of a fhrewd and fubtie Capacity.
From Werowocomoco they went to Pamunkey^ where
they were feafted in like Manner by Opechancamugh.
Smith fitted him alfo, at the fame Rates, with blue Beads ;
which, by this Means, grew into fuch Eftimation, that none
durft wear them, but their great Kings, or their Wives and
Children. At length weighing from thence, they returned
to ya7nes-Town ; where this new Supply of Corn being
lodged with the reft, their Store-houfe was by fome Acci-
dent fired, and fo the Town, which, being thatched with
Reeds, burnt with that Fiercenefs and Violence, as foon
confumed their wooden Fortifications, with their Arms,
Apparel, and Bedding, and much private Goods and Pro-
vifion. The good Mr. Hunt loft all his Library, with every
thing elfe, that he had, except the Cloaths on his Back ;
yet no one ever heard him murmur or repine at it. -~
Notwithstanding this unfortunate Accident, 1608.
they had yet a tolerable Stock of Oatmeal, Meal, and Corn,
had not the Ship loitered fourteen Weeks in the Country,
when (he might as well have been gone in fourteen Days.
For they thereby helped to confume a great Part of the
Colony's Store, and near all the Provifions, fent to be land-
ed. When they departed, they left them, what little they
thought proper to fpare ; which they were glad to receive,
and make up an Account, highly commending their Care
and Providence, left they fliould difcourage the Council at
home from fending any more. Yet thofe Perfons, who
had either Money, fpare Cloaths, Credit for Bills of Ex-
change, Gold Rings, Furs, or any fuch valuable Commo-
dities, were always welcome to this floating Tavern. Such
was their Neceflity and Misfortune, to be under the Lafh
of thofe vile Commanders, and to buy their own Provifions
at fifteen times the Value ; fuffering them to feaft at their
Charge, whilft themfelves were obliged to faft, and yet
dare
6o 'The History of VIRGINIA. Book II..
1608. dare not repine, left they fhould incur the Cenfure of being
— ^- ' fa6lious and feditious Perfons. By thefe Means and Ma-
J. Ratcliffe nagement, the Colony was rather burthened than relieved,
by the vaft Charge of this Ship ; and being reduced to Meal
and Water, and" expofed, by the Lofs of their Town, to
the moft bitter Cold and Froft, above half of them died.
Smith indeed and Scrivener endeavoured to correal all A-
bufes, and to put things into a better Pofture ; but they
could do nothing to EfFe6l, being overpowered by the Pre-
fident and his Party, who had long before this laid afide
their Deference to Sinith'^ Judgment and Management.
About this time alfo, there fprung up a very trouble-
fome Se6i: of Gold-finders, which was headed by Captain
Martin^ and warmly embraced by Newport. There was
no Thought, no Difcourfe, no Hope, and no Work, but
to dig Gold, wafli Gold, refine Gold, and load Gold. And
notwithftanding Captain Smith's warm and judicious Re-
prefentations, how abfurd it was, to neglecft other things of
immediate Ufe and Neceflity, to load fuch a drunken Ship
with guilded Duft ; yet was he over-ruled, and her Re-
turns made in a Parcel of glittering Dirt, which is found
in various Parts of the Country, and which they very
fanguinely concluded to be Gold-Duft. And in her they
fent home Mr. IVingfield and Captain Archer., to feek fome
better Place of Employment in England. For they had
afliimed many empty Titles of Offices here, as Admirals,
Recorders, Chronologers, Juftices of the Peace and of the
Courts of Plea, with other fuch idle and infignificant Pre-
tenfions.
And now Martin and the Prefident, carrying all things,
as they pleafed, by their Fa6lion, lived in great Splendor
by the Sale of the Store's Commodities, as if they had been
their proper and hereditary Revenue. And the Spring ap-
proaching, Captain Smith and Mr. Scrivener prepared Fields
for Corn, and applied themfelves to rebuild "James-Toivn.,
and repair the Church, Store-houfe, and Fortifications.
But whilft they were all bufily engaged at their feveral La-
bours, Captain Nelfon., who had been driven ofF the Coaft,
as was before faid, and as they all thought, loft, unex-
pe6ledly arrived, to their great Joy. He had been very
careful and provident, and had fed his Company on what
he got at the Weji-India Iflands ; fo that the Provifions
he now landed, joined to their former Store, were fufficient
to fupport them half a Year, according to their prefent
Allowance. He himfelf alfo freely imparted, whatever he
had ; and by his fair and generous Behaviour, he got the
Good-word and Love of the whole Colony. And the Pre-
fident,
Book II. r/?e History of VIRGINIA.
iident, to fend fome good News by this Ship, ordered
Captain Smithy with fixty able Men, to difcover the Coun-
try of the Monacan^ or as they were afterwards called, the J- ^'^t^W^
Mauakin Indians; a Nation above the Falls of James-
River, not fubje6l to Poivhatan^ but profeft Enemies to
him and his Dominions, For that ftrange Blood-thirftinefs,
and, as it were, judicial Infatuation, of warring againft
and exterminating each other, which at prefent infefts our
Indians^ and has been the Caufe of the utter Extirpation of
moil of the Nations on this Continent, was even then root-
ed in their Nature, and may be obferved in the oldeft Ac-
counts, that we have of them. However as it was the
Time of planting Corn, and this Ship was to be difpatched.
Captain Sjnith thought thofe and other things more urgent
at that time, and therefore deferred the Difcovery, till he
could perform it with lefs Charge and more Leifure.
W HEN Newport left the Country, Powhatan prefented
him with twenty Turkies, and in return demanded twenty
Swords, which were immediately fent him. Afterwards
he prefented Captain Smith with the like Number; but
having no Swords in Return, he was highly offended, and
ordered his People to take them by Stratagem or Force.
So that they became infufFerably troublefome and infolent,
would furprife the EngUJJ) at their Work, and feife their
Swords at the very Ports of ya?nes-Town. The Prefident
and Martin^ who now bore the Sway, would keep their
Houfes, or do any thing, rather than tranfgrefs a ftriift Com-
mand from England^ not to offend them. But at length
they happened to meddle with Captain Smithy who gave
them a rough Encounter, hunted them up and down the
Ifland, and feifed feven, whom he whipped and imprifon-
ed. By this and other Imart Proceedings, he brought them
to Submiifion ; and they unanimoufly confefled, that they
a6ted by Powhatan\ Direction, in order to get Swords from
the Englijh^ to cut their own Throats ; and they likewife
difcovered, how, where, and when, this Defign was to be
put in Execution ; all which was confirmed by many con-
current Circumftances. But Powhatan^ finding, that things
went not according to his Defire and Intent, fent Pocahon-
tas with Prefents, to excufe himfelf for the Injuries done by
fome of his ungovernable Captains ; and he defired their
Liberty for this time, with Aflurances of his Love and
Friendfhip for ever. And Smith having given them a pro-
per Correftion, delivered them to Pocahontas ; for whofe
Sake alone he pretended to fave their Lives, and give them
their Liberty. Thus, without the Death of one Man, he
reftrained their Infolence, and brought them into fuch per-
fect
62 r/v History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1608. fe£t Fear and Obedience, that his very Name was fuificient
~--^ ^ to fright them ; whereas beforj they had fometimes Peace
J. RMiiffc ^y^^ War twice in a Dav, and feldom a Week pailed without
fome Treachery or Ambufcadc. But the peaceable Coun-
cil were highly offended at thefe Proceedings, and expoftu-
lated warmlv with him for his Raflinefs and Cruelty.
There had been a Difpute between Martin and SmitJi^
whether this Ship fhould be laded with Cedar or Dirt.
But her Freight being concluded to be Cedar, fhe was, by
the Diligence of her Captain and Smithy quickly difpatched.
In her Captain Martin^ being always fickly and unfervice-
able, and ha\'ing his Head full of the idle Whimfy of a
Gold Mine, was moft willingly admitted to return to En-
gland. In thefe two Ships, befides Mr. Scrivener^ came
Walter Rujfel.^ DoAor of Phyfick, Richard Fetherjione., and
fome others of Note. And whilft Nelfon and Smith were
engaged in loading the Ship, Mr. Scrivener was neither idle
nor flow in carrying on the Works of yames-Town. But
the Prefident's Prodigality and State went fo deep, and was
fo fenfibly felt in their fmall Store, that he and Smith were
obliged to bind him and his Parafites to the Rules of Pro-
portion.
On the fecond of June Captain Nelfon fell down the
River, and was accompanied to the Capes by Smithy who,
in an open Boat of about three Tons Burthen, together
with Dr. Rujfel and thirteen more, was going to difcover
Chcfapeake Bay. Parting with the Ship at Cape Hem-\\
they flood over to thofe Iflands, which were then called,
after him their firfl Difcoverer, Smith's IJJands. The firfl
People, they faw, were two grim and ftout Indiaris on
Cape Charles.^ with long Poles, like Javelins, headed with
Bone. They flernly demanded, what they were, and
what they wanted ; but grew afterwards more kind, and
directed them to Accomack^ the Habitation of their IVero-
ivance. This King treated them very kindly, and was the
comliefl, moft proper, and civil Indian., they had met with.
They ipoke the Language of Powhatan., and at that time
lay under the Misfortune of a flrange Mortality, which
they attributed to a Miracle. PafEng on from thence, they
coafled it along, and fearched every Inlet and Bay, that
feemed proper for Harbours or Habitations ; and many
Harbours they found for fmall Veflels, but none fit to re-
ceive large Ships. Then fpying many Iflands out in the
Bay, they bore up for them ; but before they could reach
them, there rofe such a Guft of Thunder, Lightning,
Wind, and Rain, that with great Difficulty they efcaped
being foundered. Thefe Iflands they named 'Rujfets IJJands.,
after
Book II. The History >-'''J>'""f->
caufed them to believe much more, than was true. He
tells them, that their Dire61:ions by Newport had been fol-
lowed, altho' he himfelf was direcSlly againft them, as they
were very prejudicial and to the imminent Hazard of the
whole Colony, which was then, when it was too late, ge-
nerally confefled. He complains of Newport^ expofes the
Vanity and ill Confequences of his Projects, his Lingering in
the Country, the good Cheer and Luxury of him and the Sailers,
and their Embezzlement of the publick Stores. For of the
two thoufand Pounds, which this Ship coft them, he af-
fures them, that the Colony had not Received the Value of
an hundred Pounds. He blames Ratcllffe^ Archer^ and
others, as the Authors of their Factions and Difturbances ;
and tells them, that he had fent RatcUffe^ a counterfeit Im-
poftor, whofe right Name was Sicklemore^ home, left the
Company fliould cut his Throat. And he judicioufly in-
fifts upon their fending ufeful Labourers and proper Tradef-
men for their prefent Condition ; and upon providing, firft
of all, Food, Lodging, and fuch other Neceflaries, as
were abfolutely requifite for their Being and Subfiftance,
before they went on any other Projects of Gain or Curio-
fity, for which they were no ways fitted, in their prefent ff^
weak and infant Condition. At the fame time, he fent
them two Barrels of fuch Stones, as he thought contained
fome Kind of Ore, with Notes, fignifying in what Places
he found them. And to fhew, he could make as large a
Difcovery, as Newport'?, of the Manakins^ for lefs Charge,
than he fpent them at every Meal, he fent them a Map of
the Bay and Rivers, with a Relation annexed, of the Coun-
tries, and of the Nations, that dwelt upon them. And
this indeed was done with fuch wonderful exa61:nefs, as
fhewed him to have travelled far, and feen much ; and it
has ever fince been the Original, from which all later Maps
and Defcriptions of Virginia have been moftly copied.
And now the Ship being gone, the grand Remora and
Obftacle to all necefl'ary Bufinefs, the Colony began to look
about them. The Profpe6l was difmal, and they were all
in the utmoft Confternation, expe6ling nothing elfe but the
moft extreme Famine. However to make up, in fome
meafure, their loft Time, Mr. Scrivener had been fent, be-
fore Newport's, Departure, with the Bark and Barges to
IVerowocomoco. There he found the Indians more ready to
fight, than to trade. But his Vigilancy prevented their
Plots ; and by the Means of Namontack^ he got three or
G 2 ix)ur
84 T^ke History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1608. four Hogfheads of Corn, and as much Pocones, a red Root,
^ — > ■ at that time efteemed an excellent Dye. Meeting Newport
John Smith at Point CoTufort^ he returned to the Fort ; and the Prefi-
Prefident. ^^^^^ taking him and Captain Wynne^ fet off immediately
for Nandfarnond. That Nation at firft denied him, not
only the four hundred Bafkets of Corn, they had promifed,
but any Trade at all. They excufed themfelves on Ac-
count of their Corn's being almoft fpent, and becaufe they
were commanded by Powhatan^ to keep what was left,
and not to let the Englifi even enter their River. The
Prefident finding, nothing was to be done in the Way of
Peace, refolved to ufe Force. At the firft Onfet, the In-
dians all fled, without fliooting an Arrow. Then marching
up to their Houfes, they fet Fire to the firft, they came to.
When the Indians perceived that, they offered, if they
would make no more Spoil, to give them half the Corn,
they had. Accordingly, before Night, they loaded their
three Boats ; and for fparing them this Year, they promifed
to plant Corn purpofely for them the next. With this
they returned to "James-Town^ about the Time, that fohn
Laydon was married to Jnne Burras ; which was the firft
Chriftian Marriage, that ever was in Virginia. But the
Prefident ftaid not long at the Fort. For he fitted him-
felf and Captain Waldo out immediately with two Barges,
|ft| and made a Voyage up the River. From IVyanoake^ and
\ all Parts there-abouts, he found the Indians fled ; and there-
i fore hafting up higher, he then firft difcovered the River
\ and People of Appamatox. The little Corn, they had,
\^ was equally divided ; and the Prefident gave them Copper
for it, and fuch other Toys, as fully fatisfied them. At
the fame time, Mr. Scrivener and Lieutenant Percy went
abroad in Queft of Provifions, but could find nothing.
About this time, the Prefident was invited by Powha-
tan to come to him ; and he promifed to load his Ship with
Corn, provided he would fend fome Workmen to build him
a Houfe, and would give him a Grind-ftone, fifty Swords,
fome Mufkets, a Cock and a Hen, with much Copper and
Beads. The Prefident was not ignorant of his Devices and
Subtlety ; yet was unwilling to negle6l any Opportunity of
getting Provifions, and refolved, fooner than fail, to take
him and all his Store by Surprife. To this End, he took
Order with Captain Wa'ldo^ whom he knew to be fure in
Time of Danger, to fecond him, if Need required. But
Captain Wynne and Mr. Scrivener did their utmoft to hin-
der their Projed. For Scrivener's ftri6l Friendfliip with
Captain Smith was now much cooled ; and he was thought
to join with fome others, in a Plot to ruin him in England.
But
Book II. rhe History of VIRGINIA.
But the Prefident, whom no Eloquence could perfuade to
ftarve, fent ofF two Englijhmen before by Land, and foui
Germans^ to build the Houfe for Powhatan againft his ^x-J"^-'"^"'"^
rival. And then, having left Mr. Scrivener his Subftitute,
he fet forward with the Bark and two Barges, manned only
with fuch, as offered themfelves voluntarily to go upon the
Service. In the Difcovery-Barge went himfelf, Mr. Ralegh
ChroJ})aiv^ John Riijfel^ and feveral other Gentlemen and
Soldiers ; and Mr. William Phittiplace^ as Captain, Lieute-
nant Percy^ Mr. Francis Wejl^ Mr. Robert Ford, Clerk of
the Council, with many others, went on board the Bark.
The 29th of Dece?nher they left "James-Town, being
victualled only for three or four Days. That Night they
lodged at IVarrafqueake, where the Prefident got fufficient
Provifion. The King of that Town did his utmoft to
divert him from feeing Poxvhatan \ but finding, he could
not prevail, he told him, that Powhatan would ufe them
kindly, although he had fent for them only to cut their
Throats. He therefore advifed him, not to truft him,
and to be fure to give him no Opportunity of feizing his
Arms. The Prefident thanked him for his good Counfel ;
and having obtained Guides from him to the Chowanocks, a
Nation dwelling in the Fork of Chowan, between Notta-
way and Meherrin Rivers, he fent Michael Sicklemore, a
very valiant, honeft, and painful Soldier, with Prefents to
that King ; but chiefly to look for Silkgrafs, and to en-
quire after Sir Walter Ralegh's, loft Colony. The next
Night they lodged at Kicquotan, and were detained there
fix or feven Days by the extreme Wind, Rain, Froft, and
Snow. This obliged them to keep their Chri/hnas among 1609.
the Savages ; and they were never more merry in their
Lives, lodged by better Fires, or fed with greater Plentv of
good Bread, Oyfters, Fifti, Flefli, and Wildfowl. De-
parting thence, they arrived on the 12th of January, thro'
various Accidents, at Werowocomoco ; where they found the
River frozen near half a Mile from the Shore. But the
Prefident, running his Barge up, as far as he could by
breaking the Ice, was left by the Ebb upon the oozy Shoals.
In this dangerous Situation, he plunged firft into the River
himielf ; and by his Example, taught them to march, near
Middle deep, a Flight-fhot, through the frozen Ooze.
When the Barge fliould float, he appointed two or three to re-
turn her aboard the Bark ; where they, foon after, came into
fuch Diftrefs for Want of Water, that the River being fait,
they were obliged to make frefh Water, by melting the Ice.
The Prefident and his Company quartered in the next
Cabbins, they found, and fent to Poivhatan for Provifions.
G -i He
The History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
He fent them Plenty of Bread, Turkey, and Venifon ; and
the next Day, feafted them after his ufual Manner, But
John Smith }^g pretended, he had not fent for them ; neither had he
any Corn, and his People much lefs ; and foon began to
be importunate with them to be gone. But the Prefident
confronting him with the Perfons, who brought the Mef-
fage, he endeavoured to put the Matter off with a Laugh,
and afked for his Commodities. But he liked nothing, ex-
cept Guns and Swords, and valued a Bafket of Corn higher
than a Bafket of Copper ; faying, he could rate his Corn,
but not the Copper. Captain Smithy feeing his Intent, told
him ; that he had many Ways, to have got Proviiions,
but relying on his Promifes, he had neglected all to fatisfy
his Defire, and had fent his Men to make his Buildings,
whilll his own were undone : That he knew, he had en-
groffed his People's Corn, and forbid them to trade ; think-
ing, by confuming Time, to confume them : That as for
Swords and Guns, he had none to fpare ; and that he muft
know, thofe, he had, could keep him from ftarving : Yet
he would neither rob nor wrong him, nor diffolve that
Friendfliip, they had mutually promifed, unlefs conftrained
to it by bad Ufage. The King liftened attentively to this
Difcourfe ; and promifed, that both he and his People
fhould fpare him, what they could, and that they ftiould
receive it within two Days. But^ fays he, / have fame
Doubt about the Reafon of your coming hither. I am in-
formed from many Hands., that you come., not to trade.,
but to invade my People., and to pojjefs my Country. This
makes me lefs ready to relieve you., and frightens my Peo-
ple from bringing in their Corn. And therefore to eafe
them of that Fear., leave your Arms aboard., ftnce they are
^ needlefs here., where we are all Friends., and for ever
Powhatans.
/^ In thefe, and many fuch infidious Difcourfes, that Day
was fpent. But Captain Smith afterwards difcovered, that
the Germans., whom he had fent to build Powhatan''^ Houfe,
finding his Plenty and the Wants of the Englijh^ and
thinking it fcarce poffible, that they could efcape both him
and Famine, had, to gain his Favour, revealed to him all,
they knew, of the State and Defigns of the Englijh., and
advifed him, how to counteract and prevent them. And
this Treachery was the more odious and unfufpecSted, be-
caufe the Prefident had placed one of them, as a Spy upon
Potuhatan., being a Man of Judgment and Refolution, and
therefore thought moft proper for that Employ. And as
he was fure of his Wages for his Labour, and had ever
been well ufed, both he and his Countrymen, there was at
that
Book II. -The History of VIRGINIA. 87
that time little Doubt concerning his Honefty. But whilft 1609.
they expe6led the coming in of the Country, they wrangled ^ -< '
Powhatan out of eighty Bufhels of Corn for a Copper Ket- ^"^^ -^""'^
tie ; which the Prefident feeing him much affecSi, he told '^^ ' ^^^'
him, it was of much greater Value, yet in Regard of his
Scarcity, he would accept that Quantity at prefent, pro-
vided he fhould have as much more the next Year, or the
Manakin Country. Both being fatisfied with the Condition,
Powhatan begun to expoftulate the Difference of Peace and
War, with Captain Stnith^ after this Manner.
H E told him, with a Vanity ufual to Perfons, who affecSl
to be thought very old, that he had feen the Death of all
his People thrice ; and that not one of thofe three Genera-
tions was then living, except himfelf : That he knew the
Difference of Peace and War better, than any in his
Country : That he was now grown old, and muft die foon ;
and that the Succeflion muft defcend, in Order, to his
Brothers, Opitchapan^ Opechancanough^ and Catataugh^ and
then to his two Sifters, and their two Daughters. He wifhed
their Experience was equal to his ; and that Smith''?, Love
to them might be no lefs, than his to Smith. He afked
him; Why he would take that by Force, which he might
quickly have by Love ? Why he would deftroy them, that
provided him Food ? and. What he could get by War ?
For they could hide their Provifions, and fly into the Woods ;
and then he muft confequently famifti by wronging his
Friends. He defired to know the Reafon of his Jealoufy,
fmce he faw them unarmed, and willing to fupply his Wants,
if he would come in a friendly Manner, and not with
Swords and Guns, as to invade an Enemy. And he told
him, that he was not fo fimple, as not to know, it was
better to eat good Meat, lie well, and fleep quietly with his
Women and Children ; to laugh and be merry with the
Eng/ijh^ and being their Friend, to have Copper, Hatchets,
and whatever elfe he wanted ; than to fly from all, to lie
cold in the Woods, feed upon Acorns, Roots, and fuch
Trafti, and to be fo hunted, that he could neither reft, eat,
or fleep. In that Circumftance, his tired Men muft watch,
and if a Twig did but break, all would be crying out.
Here comes Captain Smith \ and fo, in this miferable Man-
ner, to end his miferable Life ; which might likewife foon
be Captain Smiths Fate too, through his Rafhnefs and Un-
advifednefs. He therefore earneftly exhorted him to peace-
able Counfels ; and above all infifted, that the Guns and
Swords, the grand Caufe of their Jealoufy and Uneafinefs,
fhould be removed and fent away.
G4 To
The History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
To this crafty Difcourfe the Prefident replied : That it
was the Fafhion of the Englijh, always to wear their Arms,
John Smith Y^\r^Q their Cloaths ; and that they would, by no Means,
Prefident. ^^^^ ^-^^^ them : That his People came frequently to Jatnes-
Toiun^ and were entertained with their Bows and Arrows,
without any Exceptions : That if the Englijh had intended
him any Hurt, they could long fince have effefted it, as
was evident to him, and all the World, efpecially confi-
dering the Superiority of their Arms : That altho' Revenge
was always in their Power, yet, out of an Inclination to
Mercy and Friendfliip, they parted over the daily Viola-
tions of the Peace by his Subje^ls : And as to hiding his
Provifions, and flying into the Woods, he told him, they
fhould not fo unadvifedly ftarve, as he imagined. For they
had a Rule to find things hidden, beyond his Knowledge.
After much more Difcourfe, they at laft began to trade.
But the King, feeing that his Will would not be admitted
as a Law, and that S?mth was obftinate, not to difmifs his
Guard, or difarm his Men, breathed out his Mind once
more in this Manner, with a Sigh.
Captain Smith, / never ufe any Werowance fo kindly as
yoiirfelf; yet from you I receive the leaf Kindnefs of any.
Captain Newport gave me Swords^ Copper^ Cloaths^ or
whatever elfe I defred^ ever accepting what I offered him ;
and ivould fend away his Guns^ when requefed. No one re-
fufes to lie at my Feet^ or do^ what I demand^ hut you only.
Of you I can have nothing., hut what you value not., and yet
you ivill have., whatfoever you pleafe. Captain Newport you
call Father., and fo you call me ; hut I fee., in fpite of us hoth.,
you tvill do., what you will., and we mufl hoth Jiudy to humour
and content you. But if you intend fo friendly^ as you fay.,
fend away your Jr?ns. For you fee., my undefigning Simplicity
and FriendJ})ip caufe me., thus nakedly., to forget ?nyfelf.
The Prefident, perceiving this Barbarian only trifled the
Time to cut his Throat, refolved to treat him in his own
Way. He therefore procured the Indians to break the Ice,
that his Boat might come, to fetch him and his Corn ; and
at the fame Time, gave Order for more Men to come a-
fhore, to furprife the King. In the mean while, to pro-
trail the Time, he endeavoured to entertain him with much
fpecious and fallacious Difcourfe ; promifing, the next Day
to quit his Arms, and to fhew, by trufting to his Word,
that he loved and confided in him, as a Father. But whilft
the Ice was breaking, Powhatan conveyed himfelf away,
with his Women, Children, and Luggage. Yet to avoid
Sufpicion, he left two or three of his Women talking with
the Prefident, whilft he fecretly ran off", and his Men as
fecretly
Book II. rhc History of VIRGINIA. 89
fecretly befet the Houfe. Which being prefently difcover- 16. 9.
ed, the Prefident iflued forth, with his Piitol, Sword, and
Prefident.
Target. At his firft Shot, thofe, next him, tumbled one ■'/*''•"' *""'•'
over another ; and the reft fled nimbly off, fome one Way,
Ibme another. And thus, without any Hurt, only accom-
panied with Mr, yohn Riijfel^ he reached the main Body
of his Men. But when the Indians perceived him fo well
efcaped, they ufed their utmoft Art, to excufe and diflem-
ble the Matter. Powhatan fent him a great Bracelet and
Chain of Pearl by an ancient Orator, who told him, that
their Emperor was fled for Fear of his Guns : That know-
ing, when the Ice was open, there would come more Men
alhore, he had fent thofe Numbers, whom he had aflaulted,
only to guard his Corn from being ftole, which might hap-
pen without the Prefident's Knowledge : That altho' fome
were hurt by his Miftake, yet Poivhatan was itill his Friend,
and for ever would continue fo. And he defircd, fince the
Ice was open, that he would fend away his Corn ; and if
he expected his Company, that he would alfo fend away
his Guns, which fo frighted his People, that they were
afraid to bring in their Corn, as he had promifed they
Ihould. And then Balkets being provided for the Englijh^
to carry their Corn to the Boats, thofe Indians kindly offer-
ed their Service, to guard their Arms, left they ftiould be
ftolen. There was a great Number of goodly, well-pro-
portioned Fellows, painted and grimmed, like Devils. But
the very Sight of the EngUfh cocking their Matches, and
being ready to charge, made them quit their Bows and Ar-
rows, at Command, to the Guard, and carry down the
Corn upon their Backs. And there was no Occafion to
importune them, to make Difpatch.
But Powhatan and the Germans were ftill eager to have
the Head of Captain Sfnith. For if they could but kill him,
they thought, all would be their own. And therefore, the
Englijh being ftaid by the Ebb till late within Night, the
King fpent his Time in making ready his Forces, to fur-
prife the Houfe and him at Supper. But Pocahontas^ in a
very dark and difmal Night, came alone through the Woods,
and told the Prefident, that great Cheer would be fent them
foon ; but that Powhatan^ with all the Power, he could
make, would come after to kill them all, if thofe, who
brought the Vi6luals, could not effe6l it with their own
Arms, while they were at Supper. And therefore, as they
tendered their Lives, ftie advifed them to be gone. The
Prefident would have given her fuch Things, as he knew,
fhe delighted in. But, with Tears running down her
Cheeks, (he refufed them ; faying, flie durft not be feen to
^"^ have
90 The History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1609. have any of them. For fhould her Father know it, it
^- — Y ^ would be certain and immediate Death to her. And fo fhe
John Umith ran away, by herfelf, as fhe came. Within lefs than an
Prefident. fjQy^ after. Came eight or ten lufty Fellows, with large
Platters of Venifon and other Victuals ; and they were very
importunate with the EngUfl)^ to put out their Matches ;
pretending, their Smoke made them fick. But the Prefi-
dent made them tafte of every Difh ; and then fent fome of
them back to Powhatan^ to bid him make Hafte ; for he
was ready for his coming. Soon after came more Meflen-
gers, to fee what News ; and not long after them, others.
And thus was the Time fpent, with equal Vigilancy on both
Sides, but without any farther Hurt. At high Water, the
Englijh departed ; but to oblige Powhatan^ they left him,
at his Requeft, Edward Brynton^ to kill him Fowl, and
the Germans^ who were yet unfufpe6led, to finifh his Houfe.
They had no fooner fet Sail, but Powhatan returned,
and fent two of the Germans to yaines-Town. They pre-
tended to Captain JFynne^ that all things were well, and
that the Prefident had Occafion for their Arms; and there-
fore they defired new ones, with fome fpare Tools, and
fhift of Apparel ; all which were readily granted them.
During their loitering there, by the Promife of Powhatan^
Favour, and of an Exemption from the Miferies, which
would certainly happen to the Colony, they drew over to
their Confederacy fix or feven more, fuch expert Thieves,
as prefently furnifhed them with fifty Swords, eight Mirf-
kets, eight Pikes, and Powder and Shot ; which were
fpeedily conveyed away, by Indians at Hand for that Pur-
pofe. The other German Powhatan kept, as a Pledge ;
whofe Diligence provided him with three hundred Toma-
hauks, or Indian Hatchets. In the mean time, Edward
Brynton and Thomas Savage^ feeing the Germans fo diligent
to accommodate the Indians with Arms, attempted to make
their Efcape to fames-Town. But they were apprehended
and brought back, and expelled, every Minute, to be put
to Death.
The Prefident and the reft, being arrived at Pamunkey.^
were entertained fome Days by the King, with great Feaft-
ing and Mirth. The Day, appointed to begin their Trade,
he went afhore with Lieutenant Percy ^ Mr. Wejl^ Mr.
Russel^ Mr. Behethland^ Mr. Crojhaw^ Mr. Powel^ Mr.
Ford^ and others to the Number of fifteen ; and going up
to Opechancanough\ Houfe, a Quarter of a Mile from the
River, they found nothing but a lame Fellow and a Boy,
and all the Houfes round abandoned, and ftripped of every
thing. They ftaid not long, before the King came, and
after
Book II. rbe History of VIRGINIA. 91
after him feveral of his People, loaded with Bows and Ar- ^^-9-
rows. But their Commodities were fo trifling, and thofe '— - ,— ^
held at fuch a Rate, that the Prefident began with ^^^ If'^^,^'^''''
King, and faid : That the Profeflions of his Tongue were
proved by his AcSlions to be mere Deceit : That laft Year
he kindly freighted his Veffel ; but had how treacheroufly
invited him, with a View to famifli and deftroy him : That
as the King was not ignorant of his Wants, fo neither was
he of the King's Plenty ; of which, by fome Means, he
muft have Part. And he told him, it was highly proper
and decent for Kings, above all others, to keep their Pro-
mife. And therefore, (hewing his Commodities, he offered
him his Choice, and the reft, he faid, he would proportion
in fit Bargains for his People. Opechancanough feemed kind-
ly to accept his Offer ; and the better to colour his Defigns,
fold them, what they had, at their own Price ; promifing,
the next Day, more Company, better provided.
The next Day, the Prefident, with the fame fifteen,
marched up to the King's Houfe, where they found four
or five Men, newly arrived, with each a great Bafket.
Soon after came the King ; and putting on a ftrained Chear-
fulnefs, he entertained them in Difcourfe, about the great
Pains he had been taking, to keep his Promife ; till Mr.
RuJJel brought in News, that at leaft feven hundred In-
dians^ well armed, had invironed the Houfe, and befet the
Fields. The Prefident, feeing fome of the Company great-
ly difmaid at the Thought of fuch a Multitude, told them :
That he was lefs concerned at the Danger and Number of
the Enemy, than at the malicious Reprefentations, which
the Council, and their open mouthed Minions, would make
to England^ of his breaking the Peace : That he, alone,
was once aflaulted by three hundred ; and had it not been
for an Accident, would have made his Way good among
them all : That they were now fixteen, and the Enemy
but feven hundred at the moft. And therefore he defired
them, to fight like Men, and not die like Sheep. Eor if
they dared to follow his Example, and to do, as he did,
he doubted not, by God's Afiiftance, to extricate them out
of the prefent Difficulty and Danger. The Time not per-
mitting any Argument, they all chearfully vowed, to exe-
cute, whatever he attempted, or die. But that they might
not fight for nothing, or be even ruined and fi:arved by
their Vi6fory, the Prefident told Opechancamugh : That he
faw his Plot to murder him, but he feared it not : That
their Men had done no Harm, but by their Direftions :
That therefore, if each of his Men would bring a Bafket
of Corn, he would ftake againft it the Value in Copper,
and
92 the History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1609. and they two would go over into the Ifland, in the River,
"— ,— againft that Place, and decide the Matter by fingle Combat :
John Stnith -phat he fhould have his Choice, and all Advantage of Wea-
Prefident. ^^^^ . ^^^^ ^j^^^ ^j^^ Conqueror fhould have all, and be
Lord and Mafter over all their Men.
But duelling in fair and open Field is not the Manner
of the Indians. Their chief Valour confifts in way-laying
and murdering the unfufpe61:ing and unprovided, or perhaps
the weak and helplefs. Neither had Opechancanough fuch
Regard for the Lives of his Subjects, as to fave them from
Danger, at the Hazard of his own. He therefore kindly
endeavoured to appeafe the Prefident's Anger and Sufpicion,
by a Prefent at the Door, which he intreated him to ac-
cept. This was only to draw him out, where the Bait
was guarded with two hundred Men, befides thirty, which
lay behind a great Tree, fallen acrofs, with each his Ar-
row notched, ready to fhoot. But the Prefident, having
difcovered the Treachery, feifed the King, in the Midft of
his Men, by his long Lock of Hair, and prefented his Pif-
tol, ready cocked, to his Breaft. Thus he led him, trem-
bling and half dead with Fear, among his People ; who
were eafily induced to throw down their Arms, and to de-
liver the King's Vambrace, Bow, and Arrows ; little
dreaming, that any one durft to ufe their King in that Man-
ner. And now Opechancanough^ to refcue himfelf, befliow-
ed his Prefents in ferious Sadnefs ; and his Subje6ls, being
upbraided and threatened by the Prefident in a fmart and
angry Speech, mixed with fome Expreflions of Love and
Confidence, caft away their Bows and Arrows, and Men,
Women, and Children, brought in their Commodities.
For two or three Hours, they fo thronged and wearied him,
that he retired into the Houfe to reft, leaving others to
trade, and receive their Prefents. Whilft he was afleep,
fifty of their choice Men, with each an Englijh Sword or
Club in his Hand, and feconded by two or three hundred
more, preffed into the Houfe to murder him. But the Pre-
fident, being waked from his Sleep, by the Noife of the
People and fliaking of the Houfe, betook himfelf to his
Arms, together with Mr. Croflmw and fome others ; which
foon made them throng back, fafter than they came. But
Opechancanough and fome of his Ancients, who were kept
Prifoners with him, endeavoured, in a long Oration, to
excufe this Intrufion. The reft of the Day was fpent with
much Kindnefs, the Indians renewing their Prefents, and
feafting the Englijh with their beft Provifions.
While thefe things were tranfaiting, there happened
an unlucky Accident at the Fort. Mr. Scrivener had re-
ceived
Book II. The History of VIRGINIA. 93
ceived Letters from England^ which gave him towering 1609.
Thoughts, and made him decline entirely in his AfFe6lion and ' y -^
Friendfhip to Captain Smithy who ftill regarded and loved John Smith
him, as his Brother. This made him more headftrong and
conceited, than was naturally confiftent with his Prudence
and Moderation. And having taken it into his Head to vifit
Hog-IJJamd^ he could not be turned from it, by the Advice
and repeated Entreaties of Captain Waldo and feveral others.
Therefore, taking with him Captain IValdo^ who was not
to be abfent from the Fort, but to be ready to fecond the
Prefident, if called for, and Mr. Anthony Gofnold^ a very
worthy, honeft, and induftrious Gentleman, and Brother
to Captain Bartholomew Gofnold^ with eight others, he
went into the Skiff. She was fo overloaded, that (he fcarce
could have lived in calm Weather ; but, in that cold and
boifterous Day, (he funk, none knowing how or where,
and all aboard were drowned. To advertife the Prefident
of this heavy News, none could be got, till Mr. Richard
Wyffin undertook it alone. He was encountered with many
Dangers and Difficulties, in all Places, as he paffed. And
at Werowocoynoco^ not finding the Prefident, and perceiving
fuch Preparations for War, he was certainly aflured, that
fome Mifchief was intended. But Pocahontas hid him for
a Time, and fent thofe, who purfued him, the quite con-
trary Way. At length, by her Means and extraordinary
Bribes and Trouble, in three Days Travel, he found the
Prefident at Pamunkey^ in the Midft of thofe Broils and
Difficulties, The Prefident, having fworn him to conceal
this unhappy News from the Company, and diflembling
his Sorrow with the beft Countenance, he could, went
fafely aboard at Night, and left Opechancanough at Liberty,
according to his Promife, and likewife with a Defign, the
betterto entrap Powhatan in his Return, Soon after, he went
down the River, having fearched the Countries of Toiigh-
tanund (now Pa?nunkey River) and Mattapony ; where the
poor Creatures imparted the little Corn, they had, with
fuch Complaints, and Tears from the Eyes of Women and
Children, as fully fatisfied, and moved them with Com-
paffion.
Powhatan had threatened Death to his Men, if they did
not, by fome Means or other, kill Captain S?nith. But
they hated fighting with him, almost as bad as hanging.
And the Prelident, on his Side, was as eager, to furprife
and take that fubtle and perfidious Barbarian. Therefore,
in his Way down the River, there were many Feints and
Strategems, on both Parts, but without any remarkabl Ef-
ie€t. Only the Prefident, with Mr. IVeJi and fome others,
would
94 "^f^e History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1609. would have been poifoned, had their Art been equal to
• -r ^ their Will. It only made them Sick, and fo worked itfelf
John Smith off; ^j^j thus, through many Dangers and Difficulties,
rei ent. ^^^^ returned to James-Toiun •■> where they delivered, near
200 lbs. of Deer's Suet, and 479 Bufhels of Corn, to the
Cape-Merchant.
At 'James-Town they found nothing done, but their Pro-
vifions fpent, and a great Part of their Tools and Arms
conveyed to the Indians. But altho' what was left by the
Ship was fo rotten with the Rain, and fo mangled by the
Rats and Worms, that the Hogs would fcarcely eat it, yet
upon cafling up their Store, they found a fufficient Provi-
fion for the Year. Wherefore, the Fear of ftarving being
laid afide, the Company was ranged into proper Divifions,
and fix Hours each Day fpent in Work, the reft in Paf-
time and merry Exercifes. And the Prefident, having cal-
led them together, told them : That their late Experience
and Mifery were fufficient to perfuade every one to a pre-
fent Amendment : That they muft not think, that either
his Pains, or the Adventurers Purfes, would for ever main-
tain them in Sloth and Idlenefs : That he knew, many de-
ferved more Honour, and a better Reward, than was yet
to be had ; but that far the greateft Part of them muft be
more induftrious, or ftarve : That it was not reafonable,
that the Labours of thirty or forty honeft and induftrious
Men fliould be confumed, to maintain an hundred and fifty
Loiterers : and, That therefore every one, that would not
work, fliould not eat : That they had often been fcreened
and protected, in their Difobedience to his juft and neceftary
Commands, by the Authority of the Council : But that
now, all being either dead or gone, except Captain Wynne
and himfelf, that whole Power refted, in Effe6l, folely in
him. And therefore, he advifed them, not to feed them-
felves up with the vain Prefumption, that his Authority was
but a Shadow, and that his Life muft anfwer for theirs.
For the Letters Patent, and other Powers, would prove
the contrary, and fhould, every Week, be read to them ;
and every one, that offended, might afluredly expe6l his
due Punifliment. He alfo made a Table, as a publick Me-
morial of each Man's Deferts, to encourage the Good, and
to fpur on the reft by Shame. By this, many became very
induftrious ; but more were driven to their Bufmess, by
Punifliment, and the Prefident's extraordinary Vigor and
Diligence.
As they came down Pamunkey (fince called York River)
ofi^ of JVeroivocomoco., the Prefident had fent Mr. Chrofliaw
and Mr. Ford to James-Town^ by Land. In their Way,
they
Book II. rhe History of VIRGINIA.
they met four or five of the German s Confederates, going
to Powhatan ; who to clear themfelves from thofe Gentle-
mens Sufpicion, that they were running to the Indians^ ^q_ John Smith
turned with them to the Fort, and there continued. But
the Germans^ to know the Reafon of 'their Stay, fent one
of their Company, a ftout young Fellow, difguifed like an
Indian^ to the Glafs-houfe. This ftood in the Woods,
about a Mile from Jatnes-Town^ and was the common
Place of Rendezvous for all their fecret Villany. The Pre-
fident, hearing of this, immediately fent to apprehend this
German. But he being gone, he difpatched twenty good
Shot after, to intercept him in his Return to Potuhatan.
They foon brought him back, and notwithftanding his fair
Tale and plaufible Excufes, he was thrown into Prifon.
However the Prefident fpared his Life, hoping thereby to
regain his Countrymen.
Captain Smith., having fent all his Men after the
German., returned from. the Glafs-houfe alone, armed only
with a Faucheon. In his Way he met the King of Paf-
pahey., a Man of great Strength and gigantic Stature. At
firft, he endeavoured to draw the Prefident into his Am-
bufcade -, but failing in that, he attempted to (hoot him.
But Smith., to prevent it, clofed in and grappled with him.
And the Indian., by mere Dint of Strength, bore him into
the River, with a Defign to drown him. Long they ftrug-
gled in the Water, till the Prefident got fuch Hold of his
Throat, that he almofl: ftrangled him. And then, having
difengaged himfelf, fo as to draw his Faucheon, the poor
Savage begged his Life, in fuch a pitiful Manner, that he
led him to yames-Town., and put him into Chains, where
he continued for fome time, till by the Negligence of his
Keepers, he efcaped. Some Endeavours were ufed to re-
take him, but without EfFe6l ; only the Prefident took two
Indians Prifoners, Kemps and Tujfore., the two moft exqui-
fite Villains in all the Country. Thefe Men would have
betrayed both King and Kindred for a Piece of Copper ;
and had Captain Wynne and Lieutenant Percy., who were
fent upon the Bufinefs with fifty Men, followed their Di-
rections, they would certainly have regained the King, and
been fully revenged for the Injury and Afl'ault. However,
that this might not encourage them to farther Boldnefs,
they attacked and flew feveral of the Nation, burnt their
Houfes, took their Canoes and fiftiing Weirs, and planted
fome of them at "James-Town., and were refolved to profe-
cute them with War, till they were fully humbled and
fubdued.
Not
96 The History of VIRGINIA. Book II.
1609. Not long after, the Prefident, pafling by Pafpahey in
^"- — Y 'in his Way to Chlckahominy^ was affaulted by them. But
John Smith ^g ("qq^, ^g jj^gy IcHcw him, they all threw down their Arms,
and fued for Peace. Their Spokefman was a lufty young
Fellow, named Okaning^ whofe Difcourfe well deferves to
be remembered. He told the Prefident, that the King, his
Mafler, was there prefent in the Company : That they
took him for Captain Wynne^ who purfued them in
War, altho' they had never injured him: That if the King
offended him in efcaping from Prifon, he ought to confider,
that the Fifhes fwim, the Fowls fly, and the very Beafts
ftrive to efcape the Snare and live : That therefore, his
Mafler, who was a Man, ought not to be blamed, for
following this necelTary Inftin(St of Nature even in brute
Animals. He reminded him of the Pains, his Mafler
took, to fave his Life, when a Prifoner ; and if he had fince
injured him, he was compelled to it, and it had however
been already fully revenged, to their too great Lofs. And
he further told him, if he ftill perfifted in his Refolution to
deftroy them, they muft abandon their Habitation, and fet-
tle fomewhere beyond his Reach ; which would only coft
them more Labour, but would be of worfe Confequence
to the EngliJ})^ who could not well fubfift without their
Corn and Fruits. And therefore he earneftly entreated him
to grant them his Friendfhip, and to permit them to enjoy
their Houfes, and plant their Fields, in Peace and Security.
Concluding, that if he would promife them Peace, they
would truft to his Word ; but if he proceeded in his Re-
venge, they would quit the Country. Whereupon the
Prefident promifed them Peace, if they would do no far-
ther Injury, and would bring in Provifions to the Fort.
To which they joyfully agreed, and parted good Friends,
and fo continued, till S?nith left the Country.
Soon after this, an Indian^ who had been imprifoned
at ya?nes-TQwn for Theft, had fo fHfled himfelf, by a Char-
coal Fire in a clofe Room of the Prifon, that he feemed to
be dead. But the Prefident, by the Application of Vinegar
and Aqua-vitce^ brought him to himfelf, which was foon
fpread abroad among the Indians^ throughout the whole
Country, as a Miracle ; and it was generally believed, that
Captain Smith could raife a dead Man to Life. And another
at IVerowocomoco^ having got a large Bag of Powder, to
Ihew his extraordinary Skill among his Companions, dried
it on the Back of an Armour, as he had feen the Soldiers
at 'James-Town do. Many flood peeping over, to fee his
Skill ; till at lafl it took Fire, and blew him, with one or
two more, to Death, and fo fcorched and mangled the reft,
th-^
Book II. "The History (/VIRGINIA. 97
that it raifed a vaft Dread and Aftonifliment in them, and 1609
a great Admiration of the Power and Art of the Englijh. "^ — y~~^
Thefe, with feme other Accidents, fo frighted and amazed >^j.|'^*'J''^
Poxvhatan and his People, that they flocked from all Parts,
and with Prefents defired Peace ; returning many ftolen
Things, which had never been demanded, or thought of, by
the Englijh. And ever after, during the Remainder of Capt.
S?nith\ Adminiftration, both Powhatan and his People would
fend back to James-Town fuch, as had been taken ftealing, to
receive their Punifhment ; and the whole Country became
as abfolutely free and fafe to the Englijh^ as to themfelves. ^^.-^
And now the Colony purfued their Bufinefs with Ala-
crity and Succefs. They made three or four Laft of Tar,
Pitch, and Soap-Afhes ; produced a Trial of Glafs ; funk
a Well in the Fort, of excellent Water, which till then
was wanting ; built about twenty Houfes ; new-covered
the Church ; provided Nets and Weirs for fifhing ; and to
flop the Diforders of the Thieves and Indians.^ they built a
Block-houfe in the Neck of the Ifland, to receive the Trade
of the Indians ; and none, neither Indian nor Chriftian, was
fuffered to pafs or repafs, without the Prefident's Order.
Thirty or forty Acres of Ground were broke up and planted.
Of three Sows, in eighteen Months, increafed fixty odd
Pigs ; and near five hundred Chickens brought up them-
felves, without having any thing given them. But the
Hogs were tranfported to Hog-Ifland ; where alfo was built
a Block-houfe, with a Garrifon, to give Notice of any
Ships ; and for their Exercife at leifure Times, they made
Clapboard and Wainfcot. In this Time, died Captain
Wynne \ fo that the Government devolved wholly upon the
Prefident, as it had before in Effe6l done, by his having
two Voices in the Council.
But this Flow of Plenty and Profperity lafted not long.
For, upon Examination, they found half their Corn rotten,
and the reft confumed by Rats ; which, coming originally
from the Ships, had increafed to incredible Multitudes. So
that all Works were intermitted, and the People fufficiently
employed to get Provifions. But at firft, the Indians.^ to
exprefs t!ieir Love, brought in an hundred a Day, at leaft,
of Squirrels, Turkies, Deer, and other wild Beafts ; and
Powhatan fpared them near half his Stock of Corn, But
the Prefident was neverthelefs obliged to detach fixty or
eighty down the River, to live upon Oyfters. Twenty
were fent to the Falls with Mr. Weft \ and as many more
with Lieutenant Percy to Point Cotnfort^ to try for a Fifhery.
But he being very Tick, and forely burnt with Gun-powder,
they would not agree in fix Weeks, once to caft out their
15 H Net.
98 'The History of VIRGINIA. Book IL
1609. Net. Many were billetted among the Indians^ who knew,
^""^^v"^ that thev had fuch a commanding Power at 'James-Town^
John Smith jj^^j ji^gy durft not wrong them in the leaft. And in all
this Time of Diftrefs, they caught more Sturgeon than
could be devoured by Man and Dog. This the induftri-
ous, drying and pounding, would mingle with Caviare,
Sorrel, and wholefome Herbs, and make Bread and good
Meat. Others would gather as much Tuckahoe Root in
a Day, as would make them Bread for a Week. So that,
upon thefe wild Products, and what they caught, the de-
ligent lived very well and plentifully.
Yet fuch was the infufFerable Sloth and unreafonable
Perverfenefs of far the greater Number, that they would
fooner have periftied, than have been at the Pains to gather
Food. And they were even importunate with the Prefi-
dent, to fell their Tools and Iron, nay, their Swords and
Firelocks, and their very Houfes and Ordinance, to the
Indians for this Trafti. And they took Occafion from hence,
in a very turbulent and clamorous Manner, to infift on the
Neceflity of leaving the Country. But the Prefident, hav-
ing punifhed one of the worft and moft feditious among
them, called the reft together, and reprefented to them the
extreme Folly and Iniquity of their Proceedings. And he
told them, that if any more were found attempting to run
away to Newfoundland with the Bark, they might afluredly
expedl the Gallows, as their Fate : That he never had more
from the Store than the worfi: of them ; for they well knew
and faw, that his extraordinary Allowance, as Prefident,
was conftantly diftributed among the Sick : and. That fmce
he found, Neceflity had not Power to force them to gather
the Fruits of the Earth, he was refolved, that they fhould
gather, not only for themfelves, but alfo for the Sick ; and
that whofoever would not gather, every Day, as much, as
he himfelf did, fhould, the next Day, be fet beyond the Ri-
ver, and banifhed from the Fort, as a Drone. This Order
raifed a great Clamour and Outcry ; but it made moft of
them beftir themfelves fo well, that they had Plenty of Food
to eat, and continued very healthy and ftrong. Yet many
of them, underftanding, how well they were ufed, that
were billetted among the Indians^ ran away to Kemps and
Tujj'ore^ their old Prifoners. But Kemps firfl made himfelf
Sport with them, fliewing his Countrymen, how he
was ufed, when a Prifoner, and feeding them upon this
Condition, that they, who would not work, fhould not eat ;
and then he carried them back, by Force, to the Prefident.
This deterred many others, who intended to follow ; and
made them content, rather to labour at home, than venture
among
Book II. rhe History of VIRGINIA. 99
among the Ind'iam. For the Kings, and better Sort of that 1609.
People, were fo afraid, or fo friendly, that when the En-' """"^
slilh puniflied fome of their bafer Sort with great Severity, Job>' Smith
they would hu-e them, not to tell it to their kings or
Countrymen ; left they fhould punifh them again, and fend
them to James-Town^ to give full Satisfa6tion to the Prefident.
About this time, Mr. Sicklemore returned from Cha-
xvonock ; but without any Information of Sir Walter Ralegh's,
loft Company, or fatisfailory Account of the Silk-grafs.
And the Prefident, to purfue a Point, thought, fo neceftary
by the Council in England^ fent off" Mr. Nathaniel Powel
and Anas Todkill^ to the Mangoags^ a Nation of Indians^
not fubjed to Powhatan^ dwelling on the upper Branches
of Nottoiuay^ or fome jmall Streams of Roanoke River. He
obtained Guides from the King of the ^lyoughquohanocks^
a fmall Nation of hidians^ feated on the South Side of James
River, about ten Miles above James-Town. This good
King did ever affeft the Englijh above all others ; and al-
tho' he was very zealous to his falfe Gods, yet he con-
fefled, that the Englijh God as much exceeded his, as their
Guns did his Bow and Arrows ; and in Time of Drought,
he would often fend Prefents to Captain Smithy to pray
to his God for Rain. His Guides condu6ted Powel and
Todkill^ three Days Journey, into a high Country, towards
the South-JVeJl \ where they faw, here and there, a Corn-
field, by fome little Spring or fmall Brook, but no large
River. The People were, in all Refpe6ls, like the reft,
except their Language. They lived chiefly by hunting, and
on fruits and Roots; and they trafficked their Skins with
thofe towards the Sea and fatter Countries, for dried Fifti
and Corn. But neither did they here, or ever after, hear
any thing of this Colony, left by Mr. White^ in the Year
1587, on one of the Iflands oi Hatteras.
All this while, they employed one William Volday., a
Zwitzer., by Promifes and Pardons to reclaim his Country-
men, the Germans., and one Bentley., another Fugitive. But
this vile Hypocrite, pretending highly to deteft their Vil-
lany, hereby got an Opportunity, to convey them every
thing, they wanted, to effedt their Projects, and deftroy
the Colony. With much Devotion they looked for the
Spaniard., to whom they were willing and intended to do
good Service. And finding, the Englijh were obliged to
difperfe themfelves to gather Food, they importuned Poiu-
hatan to lend them his Forces ; and they undertook, not
only to deftroy the Hogs, fire the Town, and feize on the
Bark, but to bring moft of the Colony to his Service and
Subjection. This Scheme was communicated to many of
their Confederates at the Fort ; but two, whofe Hearts re-
H 2 lented
loo The History ^/VIRGINIA. Book II.
1609. lented at the Horror of the A|^ ^'^^ Voyage, not finding that Profit and Re-
turn, they expe6ted, they were much dif-
appointed and enraged. To this was added Neiuport\ Ac-
count of things, which was certainly not very favourable
to their Condu6t and Management in Firg'niia. The Com-
pany therefore made Interelt to his Majelly, to grant them
a new Charter, which bears Date the 23d of May 1609,
and contains larger Powers and more ample Privileges, than
the former ; as may be feen in the Original, printed at
large in the Appendix. By this Charter the Power and Au-
thority of the Prefident and Council in Virginia were ex-
prefly abrogated ; and they were ftreightly commanded,
upon their Allegiance, to pay Obedience to fuch Governor or
Governors, as fhould be appointed by the Council in England.
In Confequcnce of which Power, the Council conftituted
Sir Thomas IVcJi^ Lord Delawarr^ Captain-General of Fir-
ginia ; Sir Thomas Gates^ his Lieutenant-General ; Sir
George Somers^ Admiral ; Captain Neiuport^ Vice-Admiral ;
Sir Thomas Dale^ High-Marflial ; Sir Ferdinando fVaifiman^
General of the Horfe ; and fo, many other Offices, to fe-
veral worthy Gentlemen, for their Lives.
H3 This
r/v History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
This new Charter was granted to the Earls of Sal'if-
hury^ Suffolk^ Southampton^ Pembroke^ and other Peers, to
the Number of twenty one ; to the Honourable George
Percy and Francis Weji^ Efqrs; to Sir Humphrey Weld^ Lord
Mayor of London^ and ninety eight other Knights, ex-
prefly named ; and to Dr. Matthew SutcUffe^ with a great
Multitude more, of Dodors, Efquires, Gentlemen, Offi-
cers, Merchants, and Citizens, together with many Cor-
porations and Companies of London. So many Perfons of
great Power, Intereft, and Fortune, engaging in the En-
terprize, and the Lord Delawarr^ with the other Gentle-
men of Difl:in6tion, appointed to the feveral Offices, foon
drew in fuch large Sums of Money, that they difpatched
away Sir Thomas Gates., Sir George Somers., and Captain
Newport^ with nine Ships, and five hundred People. Thefe
three Gentlemen had, each of them, a Commiffion, who
firft arrived, to call in the old. But becaufe they could not
agree for Place, it was concluded, that they fhould all go
in one Ship, called the Sea-Venture. They failed from En-
gland., the latter End of May 1609 ; but the 25th of July.,
the Admiral-Ship was parted from the reft of the Fleet, by
the Tail of a Hurricane, having on board the three Com-
manders, an hundred and fifty Men, their new Commif-
fion, and Bills of Lading, together with all Manner of In-
ftruftions and Directions, and the beft Part of their Provi-
fions. She arrived not, but was foundered on Bermudas.,
as fhall be hereafter related, A fmall Catch likewife perifli-
ed in the Hurricane ; but the feven other Ships came fafe.
In them, as Captains, came Ratcliffe (whofe right Name,
as is faid, was Sickle?nore) Martin., and Archer., with Cap-
tain Wood., Captain Wehbe., Captain Moon., Captain King.,
Captain Davies., Mr. Ralph Hamer., and divers other Gen-
tlemen, of good Fortune, and eminent Birth. The Prefi-
dent, being informed by his Scouts of the Arrival of this
Fleet, little dreamed of fuch a Supply, but fuppofed them,
at firft, to be Spaniards. He therefore put himfelf into the
beft Pofture of Defence, he could ; and being feconded by
the Indians (who, upon this Occafion, ftiewed their Friend-
fhip, and prepared, with great Alacrity, to affift the En-
glijh with their utmoft Power) they thought themfelves fo
well provided for the Reception of an Enemy, that they
little feared their Coming.
Ratcliffe., Martin., and Archer., had bred much Diftur-
bance at Sea, and had paved the Way, for being even more
troublefome aftiore. For they had infufed fuch Jealoufies
and Prejudices into the Company againft Captain Smith.,
that they mortally hated him, before they had ever feen
him.
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 103
him. But feveral of better Senfe and Experience among 1609.
them, from their firft landing, hearing the general good ' — -r '
Report of his old Soldiers, and feeing the Prudence and Up- 7°^" ^^"'^^
rightnefs of his Actions, were foon undeceived, and faw
into the Malice of Ratclijffe and his Faction. They there-
fore left their Society, and ever adhered to Captain Smithy
as his firm and faithful Friends. But a great Part of this
new Company confifted of unruly Sparks, packed ofF by
their Friends, to efcape worfe Deftinies at home. And the
reft were chiefly made up of poor Gentlemen, broken
Tradefmen, Rakes and Libertines, Footmen, and fuch
others, as were much fitter to fpoil or ruin a Common-
wealth, than to help to raife or maintain one. This lewd
Company therefore were led by their feditious Captains,
into many Mifchiefs and Extravagancies. They affumed
to themfelves the Power of difpofing of the Government ;
and conferred it fometimes on one, and fometimes on ano-
ther. To-day, the old Commiffion muft rule ; To-morrow,
the new ; and next Day, neither. So that, all was Anar-
chy and Diftra(Slion ; neither were there any Hopes, from
the prefent Pofture of Afi-airs, but of the utmolt Mifery
and Confufion.
The German alfo, that had returned to the EngUJh^
feeing this diftrailed State of things, and hoping for fome
Advantage from it, fled again, with one of his Conforts,
to Powhatan \ to whom he promifed Wonders, at the Ar-
rival of Lord Delawarr. But that fenfible Barbarian,
knowing the Wickednefs and Perfidy of their Nature, re-
plied ; That they, who would have betrayed Captain
Smith to him, would certainly betray him to this great
Lord, to make their Peace. And fo, he ordered his Men,
to beat out their Brains. But Volday^ the Zwit%er^ made
a fhift to get to England; where purfuading the Merchants,
what rich Mines he had found, and what Services he would
do them, he was well rewarded, and fent back with the
Lord Delawarr. But being found a mere Impoftor, he died
in a moft contemned and miferable Manner.
Captain tS'^/z/V^, all this Time of Turbulency and
Diftradlion, was fadly troubled and perplexed, how to pro-
ceed. At firft, finding his Authority thus unexpecSledly
cancelled and changed, he refolved to leave all, and return
for England. But afterwards, feeing, there was little Hope
of the Arrival of this new Commiffion, and that his own
was not legally fuperfeded, but by the aftual Production of
another, he determined to bear up, and to a6l with Vigor
and Refolution. He therefore fet himfelf, with great Cou-
rage, and the perpetual Hazard of his Life, to oppofe this
H 4 Tor-
iio^ TJ:e History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
I 1609. rent of Fa6lion and Immorality ; and at laft, fo far mafter-
Y 'ed it, that he caft RatcUffe^ Archer^ and the other Chiefs,
John Smith ij-,fQ Prifon, till he had more Leifure, to bring them to a
fair and legal Trial. And the better to dillipate the Hu-
mours, and to break their Confederacies, he fent Mr. IVeJ}^
with an hundred and twenty, the beft, he could chufe, to
make a Settlement at the Falls ; and Martin^ with near the
fame Number, to Nanfamond; allowing each their due Pro-
portion of all the Provifions, according to their Number.
And now the Year of his Prefidency being near expired, he
made Captain Martin^ who was become more tractable,
Prefident in his Room. But Martin^ knowing his own In-
fufficiency, and the People's Unrulinefs and little Regard
for him, within three Hours, refigned it again to Captain
Smith. For as Ratciijfe had been removed from the Coun-
cil, and was not again refl:ored, Martin and S?nith were the
only two then in the Country, that could either ele<5t, or be
eleiled Prefident. And Martin., having thus wifely difen-
gaged himfelf from an Office, which he was then no ways
able to execute or fupport, proceeded to make his Settle-
ment at Nanfamond. That Nation, having been reduced to
Subje6lion and Contribution, ufed him kindly ; yet fuch
were his unreafonable Jealoufy and Fear, that he furprifed the
poor naked King, and his Monuments and Houfes, with
the Ifland, wherein he lived, and there fortified himfelf.
But the Indians., foon perceiving his Fear and Difl:ra6lion,
ventured to aflault him ; and they killed feveral of his Men,
releafed their King, and gathered and carried off a thoufand
Bufhels of Corn; whilft he, in the mean while, never once
offered to intercept them, but fent to the Prefident, then
at the Falls, for thirty Soldiers. Thefe were prefently fent
him, from fames-Town. But he fo employed them, that
they did nothing, and foon returned, complaining of his
Tendernefs and Cowardice. And he likewife, leaving his
Company to their Fortunes, came away with them to
fames-Toiun.
The Prefident followed the other Company up to the
Falls, to fee them well feated. But he was furprifed, in
his Way, to meet Captain JVeJi., fo foon returning to fames-
Town ■■, and he found the Settlement very inconfiderately
made, in a Place, not only liable to the River's Inundation,
but alfo fubje6l to many other intolerable Inconveniences.
To remedy which, he immediately fent to Powhatan., to
purchafe the Place, called Powhatan. The Conditions of
their Agreement were thefe : That the EngUfl) {hould de-
fend him againft the Manakins : That he fhould refign to
them the Fort and the Houfes, with all that Country, for a
Pro-
Book III. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 105
Proportion of Copper : That all Thieves ftiould be fent 1609.
thither, to receive their Punifliment : That every Houie, ^"- — v '
as a Cuftom, (hould pay the Prefident a Bufhel of Corn, J"^" ^"'"^
for an Inch fquare of Copper, and a certain Quantity of
Pocones to King James^ for their Protection : and, That
they fhould barter, what elfe they could fpare, at their beft
Difcretion. But Captain IVeJi's Company depended fo
much on the Lord General's new Commiffion, that they
regarded no Perfon or thing. And fuppofing the Mana-
k'lns' Country reached to the South-Sea^ and was all Gold,
thev pleafed themfelves with the vain Conceit, that it was
entirely under their Power and Command, and that none
fhould go thither, b.ut whom they pleafed. They therefore
reje(Sfed the Prefident with Infolence and Contempt. How-
ever he ventured, with five Men, to land among them ;
and committed the Heads of the Mutiny to Prifon, till, by
their Numbers, they obliged him to retire. In making oft",
he happily furprifed one of their Boats, with which he re-
turned to the Ship ; and had not the Mariners proved very
tradable and faithful to him, he had fmall Means and little
Probability of efcaping their Fury.
The Indians alfo came to him; complaining, that he
had brought them, for Prote6lors, worfe Enemies, than
the Manakins themfelves ; that they ftole their Corn, rob-
bed their Gardens, broke open their Houfes, beat them,
and kept feveral in Prifon ; and that, till then, they had
borne all this, out of Love to him, but defired Pardon, if
hereafter they defended themfelves. They likewife offered
him their Affiftance, and to fight for him againft them, if
he would lead them on. But having fpent nine Days, to
no Purpofe, in endeavouring to reclaim them, he departed
for 'James-Town. The Ship was no fooner under Sail, but
twelve Indians afTaulted thofe hundred and twenty in their
Fort. And finding many ftraggling abroad in the Woods,
they killed fome, and fo frighted the reft, that their Coun-
trymen in Prifon efcaped, and they went fafely off^, with
the Swords and Cloaks of thofe, they had flain. But before
the Ship had failed half a League, fhe grounded ; which
gave the Prefident an Opportunity of fummoning them,
once more, to a Parley. And now he found them fo
amazed with that filly Aflault of the Indians., that they
furrendered themfelves, upon any Terms, to his Mercy.
He therefore laid fix or feven of the chief Oftenders by the
Heels ; and feated the reft at Powhatan^ the ftrongeft and
moft pleafant Place, he had feen in the Country ; and for
that Reafon, they called it Nonfuch. Here they had dry
Houfes for Lodgings, near two hundred Acres of Land,
^^ cleared
]o6 r/v History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1 609. cleared and ready for planting, with a Savage Fort, ready
"^ V 'built, and prettily fortified with Poles and Barks of Trees,
^''*" /^""'^ and fufficient to have defended them againft all the Indians
'' ■ in the Country. He likewife appeafed the Indians^ making
Reltitution and Satisfaction, to each Party, for their former
Lofl'es and Damages.
And now, new Officers being appointed, and the Prefi-
dent ready to depart, juft at that Inftant arrived Captain
IVeJi ; whofe gentle Nature was fo wrought on and abufed,
by Compaflion for the Prifoners, and the Perfuafions of the
Mutineers, who aliedged, they had only done this for his Ho-
nour, that all things were again thrown into Confufion and
Mutiny. But the Prefident, haying no Inclination to con-
tend with Mr. ff^e/I^ and little Power to curb their Info-
lence, left them to their Fortunes, and returned to yames-
Town. And foon after they abandoned Nonfuch^ and went
back to their firll Settlement at JVejT^-Fort.
But paffing down the River, as Captain S?nith was
adeep in the Boat, his Powder-bag, by fome Accident, was
fired ; which tore the Flefh from his Body and Thighs,
nine or ten Inches fquare, in a moft dreadful Manner. To
quench the Fire, which fryed and tormented him in his
Cloaths, he leaped overboard, and was almoft drowned, be-
fore they could recover him. In this piteous State, he ar-
rived at yames-Town ; where RatcUffe^ Archer^ and the
reft of their Confederates, were foon to come to their
Ti'ials. But their guilty Confciences mifgiving them, and
feeing the Prefident unable to ftand, and almoft bereft of
his Senfes by reafon of his Torment, they entered into a
Confpiracy to Murder him in his Bed. But his Heart failed
him, who was to have given Fire to the Piftol. And fo,
being difappointed in this Purpofe, they joined together, to
ufurp the Government, and thereby efcape their Punifti-
ment. In the mean time, the Prefident's old Soldiers, be-
ing provoked, beyond all Patience, at their Malice and Se-
dition, flocked to him, and importuned him to give them
but the Word, and ther would fetch the Heads of the bold-
eft among them, that durft refift his Commands. Yet he
would not fufter them to bring the Matter to a civil Broil ;
but fent immediately for the Mafters of the Ships, and took
Order with them for his Return to England. For there
was neither Chirurgeon nor Chirurgery at the Fort ; and
his Wounds were fo grievous, and Torments fo cruel, that
few expected, he could live. And he likewife highly re-
fented, and was much chagrined, to fee his Authority fup-
prcfied, he knew not why ; himfelf aad his Soldiers to be
rewarded for their paft Labours and Dangers, he knew not
how ;
Book III. The History of VIRGINIA.
how ; and a new Commiflion granted, to they knew not
whom. And befides, he found himfelf unable to follow his
liufinefs, fupprefs thofe Fa6lions, and range the Country •J''^"*""*
for Provifions, as he before intended. And he well knew,
that his own Prefence and A6tivity were as requifite in thofe
Affairs, as his Advice and Directions. For all which Rea-
fons, he refolved upon leaving the Country, and went pre-
fently on board one of the Ships.
Captain Percy had been, for fome time, in a very The Hon.
bad State of Health, and had taken his Paffage in one of the George Percy
Ships, to go to England. But now, upon Smith's Depar--^*^' ^°^'^''"
ture, many came about him, and by Intreaties and Per-
fuafions, prevailed with him to ftay, and take upon him the
Government. But there were many others up in Arms,
calling themfelves Prefidents and Counfellors ; feveral of
which began now to fawn upon and follicite Smithy to give
up his Commiflion to them. And after much ado, and
many bitter Repulfes, that their Ruin and Confufion might
not be attributed to him, for leaving the Country without
a Commiflion, he permitted it to be ffolen, but never could
be induced to refign it into fuch vile Hands. In which he
feems to have been fomething froward and peevifli. For
fince the old Soldiers, and better Sort of new Comers, had
generally agreed upon Captain Percy for their Governor, a
Perfon every way fit for the Ofllice, except in Point of
Health, it would have been but reafonable in him, to have
endeavoured to confirm him in his Authority, and when
he departed, to have delivered up his Commiflion to him.
And thus, about Michaelmas 1609, Captain Smith left i
the Country, never again to fee it. ! He left behind him \
three Ships and feven Boats ; Commodities ready for Trade ; ;
the Corn newly gathered ; ten Weeks Provifion in the
Store ; four hundred ninety and odd Perfons ; twenty four
Pieces of Ordinance ; three hundred Mufkets, with other
Arms and Ammunition, more than fufficient for the Men ;
the Indians^ their Language, and Habitations, well known
to an hundred trained and expert Soldiers ; Nets for fifliing;
Tools, of all Sorts, to work ; Apparel, to fupply their
Wants ; fix Mares and a Horfe ; five or fix hundred Hogs ;
as many Hens and Chickens ; with fome Goats, and fome
Sheep. For whatever had been brought, or bred here, ftill
remained. But this feditious and diftrafted Rabble, re-
garding not any thing, but from Hand to Mouth, riotoufly
confumed, what there was ; and took Care for nothing,
but to colour and make out fome Complaints againit Cap-
tain Smith. Yov this Fnd, the Ships were Ttaid three
Weeks, at a great Charge, till thev could produce and
bring
io8 The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1609. bring them to bear. But, not with ftanding their perverfe
^— ""v-^'— ' Humours and unreafonable Clamours, Captain Smith was
The Hon. undoubtedly a Perfon of a very great and generous Way of
E^q.'^Qyyg^'^ thinking, and full of a high Idea of the publick Good and
nor. his Country's Honour. To his Vigor, Induftry, and un-
daunted Spirit and Refolution, the Eftablifhment and firm
Settlement of this Colony was certainly owing ; and there-
fore it may not be unacceptable to the Reader, to have
fome farther Account of his Perfon and Actions. And this
we are enabled to do the more authenticly, as he hath him-
felf, at the Requeft of Sir Robert Cotton^ the famous Anti-
quarian, left a brief Relation of his principal Travels and
Adventures.
H E was born a Gentleman, to a competent Fortune, at
Willoughhy in Lincoln/hire^ in the Year 1579. From his
very Childhood, he had a roving and romantic Fancy, and
was flrangely fet upon performing fome brave and adven-
turous Atchievement. Accordingly, being about thirteen
Years of Age at School, he fold his Satchel and Books, and
all, he had, to raife Money, in order to go fecretly beyond
Sea. But his Father dying juft at that Time, he was flop-
ped for the prefent, and fell into the Hands of Guardians,
more intent on improving his Eflrate, than him. However,
at fifteen, in the Year 1594, he was bound to a Merchant
at Lynne^ the mofi: confiderable Trader in thofe Parts.
But becaufe he would not fend him immediately to Sea, he
found Means, in the Train of Mr. Peregrine Berty^ fecond
Son to the Lord Willoughhy^ to pafs into France. Here,
and in the Low-Countries, he firft learnt the Rudiments of
War ; to which Profeilion he was led, by a ftrong Propen-
fity of Genius. He was afterwards carried into Scotland.,
with delufive Hopes, from a Scottijh Gentleman, of being
efFe<5lually recommended to King fames. But foon find-
ing himfelf baffled in his Expe6tations, he returned to Wil-
loughhy., his native Place ; where meeting with no Compa-
ny, agreeable to his Way of thinking, he retired into a
Wood, at a good Diftance from any Town, and there
built himfelf a Pavilion of Boughs, and was wholly em-
ployed, in ftudying fome Treatifes of the Art of War,
and in the Exercife of his Horfe and Lance. But his
Friends, being concerned at fuch a whimfical Turn of
Mind, prevailed with an Italian Gentleman, Rider to the
Earl of Lincoln., to infinuate himfelf into his Acquaintance ;
and as he was an expert Horfeman, and his Talent and Stu-
dies lay the fame Way with Mr. Smiths., he drew him from
his fylvan Retirement, to fpend fome time with him at
Tatterfall.
But
Book III. The History of VIRGINIA. 109
But Smith's reftlefs Genius foon hurried him again into
Flanders; where lamenting to fee fuch Effufion of Chriftian
Blood, he refolved to try his Fortune againft the Turks.
In order to this, he paffed through France^ with Variety
of Adventure and Misfortune, in which he always (hewed
a high and martial Spirit. At Marfeilles he embarked for
Italy. But the Ship meeting with much foul Weather, a
Rabble of Pilgrims, on board, hourly curfed him for a Hu-
gonot, railed at Qiieen Elizabeth and his whole Nation,
and fwore, they fhould never have fair Weather, as long
as he was in the Ship. At laft, the Paflions of thefe pious
Chriftians rofe fo high, that they threw him overboard ;
trufting, we may fuppofe, in the Merit and Supererogation
of that holy Pilgrimage, to expiate the trifling Offence and
Peccadillo of Murder. However, Smith., by the Divine
Affiflance, got fafe to a fmall uninhabited Ifland, againft
Nice in Savoy. From thence he was, the next Day, taken
off by a French Rover, who treated him very kindly, and
with whom he therefore made the Tour of the whole Me-
diterranean., both on the Mahometan and the Chriftian Coafts.
At length, after a defperate Battle, having taken a very
rich Venetian Ship, the generous Frenchman fet him afhore,
with his Share of the Prize; amounting to five hundred Se-
queens in Specie, and a Box of rich Commodities, worth
near as much more. And now out of Curiofity ranging
all the Regions and Principalities of Italy., he at laft went
to Vienna., and entered himfelf a Gentleman Volunteer, in
Count Meldritch's Regiment, againft the Turk.
H E had not been long in the Chriftian Army, before he
was diftinguiflied for a Man of great perfonal Bravery ; and
in the Sieges of Olumpagh and Alba-Regalis., he was the
Author of fome Stratagems, which fhewed a happy Talent
for War, and did fignal Service to the Chriftian Caufe. He
was thereupon immediately advanced to the Command of a
Troop of Horfe ; and was, foon after, made Serjeant Ma-
jor of the Regiment, a Poft, at that Time, next to the
Lieutenant Colonel. But Count Meldritch., a Tranfihanian
Nobleman by Birth, afterwards palled with his Regiment,
out of the Imperial Service, into that of his natural Prince,
Sigifmond Bathori., Duke of Tranfilvania. And here, en-
deavouring to recover fome patrimonial Lordfliips, then in
the Pofteflion of the Turk., he laid Siege to a ftrong Town,
chiefly inhabited by Renegados and Banditti. Whilft their
Works were advancing flowly, and with great Difficulty,
a Turkijh Officer iffued forth of the Town, and challenged
any Chriftian, of the Dignity of a Captain, to a fingle
Combat. Many were eager of the Honour of humbling
this
no "The History Go-
24th of May. Thefe two noble Knights, being utter ^""°'^-
Strangers to their Afi^airs, could underftand nothing of the
Caufe and Reafon of thefe Miferies, but by Conje6ture from
their Clamours and Complaints, either accufing, or excu-
fing one another. They therefore embarked them all, in
the beft manner, they could, and fet Sail for England. At
their Departure, many were importunate to burn the Houfes
and Fort at Jatnes-Town. But God, who did not intend,
that this excellent Country fliould be fo abandoned, put it
into the Heart of Sir Thomas Gates., to fave the Town and
Fortifications. For having fallen down to Hog-IJJarid^ and
thence to Mulberry- Point., they defcried the Long-boat of
the Lord Delawarr ; who, being then Captain-General of
Virginia., a Title ever after given to our Governors in chief,
came up with three Ships, exceedingly well furniflied with
all Neceflaries, and returned them back to 'James-Town.
His Lordfhip arrived the 9th of June., accompanied with LordZW^-
Sir Ferdinando Waynman., General of the Horfe, (who foon '^^^^^^
after died here) Captain Holcroft., and divers other Gentle-
men of Figure. The loth he came up with his Fleet,
went afhore, heard a Sermon, read his Commiffion, and
entered into Confultation about the Affairs of the Colony.
Then he made a fhort Speech to the Company, juftly
blaming them for their Pride, Vanity, and Sloth, and earn-
eftly entreating them to amend their Ways, left he ftiould
be compelled to draw the Sword of Juftice, and cut off fuch
Delinquents ; which, he profeffed, he had much rather
draw, to the fliedding his own vital Blood, in their Caufe
and Defence. He alfo conftituted proper Officers of all
Kinds, and allotted every Man his particular Place and Bu-
finefs. This Oration was received with a general Applaufe ;
and you might foon fee the idle and refty Humours of a di-
vided Multitude, by the Splendor, Unity, and Authority of
I 3 this
ii8 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1610. this Government, fubftantially healed. Captain Martin
' r 'was removed from the Council, for his weak, cruel, and
Lord Dcla- diforderly Behaviour ; and thofe, who knew not the Path
•warr, o- ^^ Qoodncfs bcfore, would now chalk it out to their Fel-
lows, endeavouring to outflrrip each other in Diligence and
Induftry. The French prepared to plant the Vines ; the
Engli/h laboured in the Woods and Grounds ; and every
Man knew his particular Bufinefs and Vocation, which he
followed with Alacrity and Pleafure.
But altho' his Lordfliip's Stores were very plentiful for
his own Company, yet were they far from being enough to
fuffice the whole Colony. For it was computed, that all
the Provifion, landed from England^ the whole firft three
Years, was not fufficient to have ferved the People, ac-
cording to their Numbers, fix Months. Underftanding
therefore, what Plenty there was of Hogs and other good
Provifions in Bermudas^ he determined to fend thither for a
fufficient Supply. Whereupon Sir George Somers^ who, by
his Diligence in ranging thofe Iflands, was beft acquainted
with the Place, and whofe generous Mind ever regarded the
publick Good, more than his own private Ends, altho' of
above threefcore Years of Age, and of a Fortune in En-
gland fuitable to his Rank and Qiiality, yet offered his Ser-
vice to perform this dangerous Voyage to thofe rocky and
unfortunate Iflands; and he promifed with God's Affiftance,
foon to return, with fix Months Provifion of Flefli. On
the 19th of yune^ he embarked, in his own Cedar Veffel,
of thirty Tons ; and Captain Samuel Argall was alfo fent
with him, in another fmall Bark. But Captain Argall was
foon forced back, by Strefs of Weather ; and was fent, by
the Lord Governor, to Patowmack River, to trade for Corn.
He there found the Englijh Boy, Henry Spilman^ preferved
by Pocahontas and thofe Indians^ from the Fury of Powha-
tan. He was a young Gentleman, well defcended ; and,
by his Acquaintance and Help, Captain Argall received fuch
good Ufage from that kind People, that his Veffel was foon
freighted with Corn, with which he returned to James-
Town. But Sir George Somers ftruggled long with foul
Weather and contrary Winds ; and was at laft forced to the
Northern Parts of the Continent, where he refrefhed him-
felf and his Men on the unknown Coaft. But departing
thence again, he at length arrived fafe at Bermudas. Ufing
too much Diligence and Pains in difpatching his Bufinefs,
and the Strength of his Body not anfwering the ever memo-
rable Vigor of his Mind, having lived long in honourable
Employments, much beloved, and highly efteemed, thro'
his whole Life, Nature at laft could no longer fupport the
Burthen,
Book III. "The History ^/VIRGINIA. 119
Burthen, but lunk under his too great Labour and Fatigue. 1610.
Finding his Time but fliort, after having made a proper
Difpofition of his Eftate, he called them together, and like
Lord De
ivarr.
a valiant Captain and w^orthy Patriot, exhorted them to be vernor.
true and conftant to thofe Plantations, and with all Expedi-
tion and Diligence, to return to Virginia.
Thus died this virtuous and honourable Knight, in the
very Place, where they afterwards built a Town, from him
called St. Georges ; and the Iflands themfelves have ever
fince borne the Name of the Sorrier- IJlands., in Honour to
his Memory. But Captain Matthew Sorners., his Nephew,
and all his Men, were in fuch Grief and Confternation at
his Death, and were fo heedlefs and unconcerned for the
Colony, that they utterly negle6led his dying Inftrudions,
to return to Virginia. For having buried his Heart and En-
trails, and erected a Crofs over the Place ; they embalmed
his Body, and fet Sail with it, in his Cedar Ship, for En-
gland. Arriving fafe at Whitchurch in Dorfetjhire., he was
there honourably enterred, with many VoUies of Shot, and
the Rites of a Soldier. But the Crofs was accidentally
found, nine Years after, in a Bye-place, overgrown with
Bufhes, by Captain Nathaniel Butler.^ then Governor of
thofe Iflands. Refolving to have a better Memorial of fo
worthy a Soldier, and finding a large Marble Stone, brought
from England.^ he caufed it to be handfomely wrought by
Mafons, and laid over the Place ; engraving an Epitaph,
agreeable to the Tafte and Manner of the Times, and en-
vironing the whole with a fquare Wall of hewn Stone.
But I underftand, that this Monument is now utterly ob-
literated, and the Place quite forgot and unknown in that
Country.
Upon this Occafion, there alfo happened a very hu-
mourous Circumftance. Carter and Waters had been left
here, when the reft went to Virginia.^ as hath been faid.
And now, by Carter's Perfuafions, Waters was ftill ftaid,
and one Edward Chard ]o'me A himfelf to them. This Vef-
fel once out of Sight, thefe three Lords and fole Inhabi-
tants of all thofe Iflands, began to ere6l their little Com-
monwealth, with equal Power and brotherly Regency,
building a Houfe, preparing the Ground, planting their
Corn, and fuch Seeds and Fruits, as they had, and pro-
viding other Neceflaries and Conveniences. Then making
Search among the Crevices and Corners of thofe craggy
Rocks, what the Ocean, from the World's Creation, had
thrown up among them, befides divers fmaller Pieces, they
happened upon the largeft Block of Ambergreafe, that had
ever been feen or heard of, in one Lump. It weighed
four-
Go-
ivarr^ Go
vernor.
"The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
fourfcore Pounds ; and is faid, itfelf alone, befides the others,
to have been then worth nine or ten thouiand Pounds. And
Lord Z)f/a-now being rich, they grew fo refty and ambitious, that
thefe three forlorn Men, above three thoufand Miles from
their native Country, and with little Probability of ever
feeing it again, fell out for the Superiority and Rule. And
their Competition and Quarrel grew fo high, that Chard
and Waters^ being of the greateft Spirit, had appointed to
decide the Matter in the Field. But Carter wifely flole
their Arms ; chufing rather, to bear with fuch troublefome
Rivals, than, by being rid of them, to live alone. So
doubtful a Good are Riches, and fo prepofterous a Thing
the Mind of Man !
In the mean while, the Lord Delawarr^ in Virginia^
built two Forts at Kicquotan ; and called one. Fort Hen-
ry^ the other. Fort Charles. They flood on a pleafant
Plain, near a little River, which they named Southampton
River, in a wholefome Air, having plenty of Springs, and
commanding a large Circuit of Ground, which contained
Wood, Paflure, and Marfh, with fit places for Vines,
Corn, and Gardens. Here it was intended, that thofe,
who came from England^ fhould be quartered at their firlt
Landing, that the Wearifomenefs and Naufea of the Sea
might be refrefhed, in this pleafant Situation, and whole-
fome Air. Sir Thomas Gates he fent to England ; and Cap-
tain Percy^ with Mr. Stacy and fifty or threefcore good
Shot, was difpatched to revenge fome Injuries of the Paf-
paheys. But thofe Indians flying, they burnt their Houfes,
and took the Queen and her Children Prifoners, whom not
long after they flew. So much was the Government alrea-
dy altered from the Clemency of Smith's Adminiftration,
who never did, nor would have been permitted, to fhed
the leaft Drop of Indian Blood, by Way of Punifhment ;
but was obliged to fupply the Want of fufficient Vigor and
Power in his Authority, by his own A6livity, Induftry,
Art, and Circumfpedion.
Some time after, as my Lord Delaiuarr was at the
Falls, the Indians afTaulted his Troops, and killed three or
four of his Men. But his Lordfhip had now been long fick.
Immediately upon his Arrival, he was feized with an Ague,
which, being put by for the prefent, foon returned with
greater Violence than ever ; and he began to be diftempered
with other grievous SicknefTes. He was firfl afTailed by the
Flux, then by the Cramp, and after that by the Gout ;
all which reduced him to fo weak and low a State, that,
being unable to ftir, it brought upon him the Scurvy.
Therefore, by the Advice of his Friends, on the 28th of
March^
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 121
March^ he (hipped himfelf, with Dr. Bohun and Captain 161 1.
Argall^ for Mevis^ in the IVeft-Indies^ an Ifland, at that ' ^^ '
time, famous for wholefome Baths. At his Departure, he'^^^ ^""•
committed the Colony to the Charge of Captain Fercy^ 'till Efq7'Govlr"^
the Arrival of Sir Thomas Dale. And he left behind about nor!
two hundred Perfons, moft of them in good Health, and
well provided with Vi6tuals, and the Natives, to all out-
ward Appearance, tractable and friendly. But being crolled
by Southerly Winds, they were obliged to (hape their Courfe
to the IFe/iern-I/Iands ; where his Lordfhip met with much
Relief from Oranges and Lemons, a fovereign Remedy for
that Diforder. However he was advifed, not to hazard
himfelf back to Virginia yet, but to return to England^ for
the perfe6f Recovery of his Health.
The Council in England were, all this while, ftill ea-
ger after fome immediate Profit. Therefore, finding the
Smalnefs of the Return by thofe Ships, which had carried
the laft Supply, they entered into ferious Confultation, whe-
ther it were better, to come into a new Contribution, or in
time to abandon the Country, and give over the Enterprife.
Wherefore, upon the Arrival of Sir Thomas Gates., they
adjured him to deal plainly with them ; and he, with a
folemn and facred Oath, gave them a full Account of the
State and ProfpecSl of Things. And he told them, that all
Men knew, they lay at the Mercy of politic Princes and
States ; who, for their own proper Utility, devifed all Me-
thods to grind their Merchants, and, on any Pretence, to
confifcate their Goods, and draw from them all Manner of
Gain ; whereas Virginia., in a few Years, might furnifli
all their Wants, with Honour and Security. But, by this
time, fome of the Adventurers were become fufpicious of
the Treafurer's Fairnefs in the Carriage and Management
of the Bufinefs. To which the Lord Delawarrs, Return
added a farther Damp and Difcouragement, and bred fuch
a Coldnefs and Irrefolution in many of them, that they en-
deavoured to withdraw their Payments. Being fued, fome
pleaded in Chancery, upon their Oaths, that the Monies
were not converted to the Ufe intended, but to private
Mens Gains ; and that no Accounts were kept, or at leaft
legally audited and examined. But this was overruled, and
no ways regarded or believed ; and Sir Thomas Smith's In-
tegrity was then thought fo unqueffionable, that they were
obliged to pay their Sums fubfcribed. The Lord Delawarr
alfo, being much pleafed with the Country, and cordial in
the Affair, made a publick Oration in the Council; which
he afterwards publifhed, to allay their Difcontents, and give
Satisfa6tion to all. And his Lordfhip protefled himfelf wil-
1^ ling,
122 the History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1611. ling, to venture his whole Fortune upon the Succefs of the
' , Enterprife ; and rather than fo honourable an A6lion fhould
Sir Tbomas^^A j-q return immediately in Perfon, if they would but
Dale, Go-^ ' J , . 17 , ^ ^
vernor lecond his Endcavours.
But before the Arrival of Lord Delawarr in England^
the Council and Company had difpatched away Sir Thomas
Dale^ High Marflial of Virginia^ with three Ships, Men,
and Cattle, and with all other Provifions, thought necelTary
for a Year; which arrived fafe, the lOth oi May^ 161 1.
Sir Thomas found the People again falling into their former
Eftate of Penury and Want. For they were fo improvi-
dent, as not to put Corn into the Ground, but trufted
wholly to the Store, then furnifhed with only three Months
Provifions. His firft Care, therefore, was to employ all
Hands in planting Corn at the two Forts at Kicquotan ; and
the Seafon being then not fully paft, they had an indifferent
Crop of good Corn. And having taken Order for this Bu-
finefs, and committed the Care of it to his Under-Officers,
he hafled back to James-Toiun ; where he found moft of the
Company, at their daily and ufual Work, bowling in the
Streets. But he foon employed them about things more
neceflary ; as felling Timber, and repairing their Houfes,
ready to fall on their Heads. He likewife fet many to pro-
viding Pales, Pofts, and Rails, to empale the new Town,
he purpofed to build ; but being yet unacquainted with the
Country, he had not refolved, where to feat it. He there-
fore fpent fome time, with an hundred Men, in viewing
the River of Nanfamond^ in Defpight of the Indians^ at that
time their Enemies. And then he examined James River,
up to the Falls ; and at length pitched upon a Place for his
new Town, on the Narrow of Farrar\ Ifland, in Varina
Neck, upon a high Land, nearly invironed by the main
River.
B u T he found it no eafy Matter, to reduce his turbulent
and feditious People to good Order. About this time. Sir
Thomas Smith fent over a printed Book of Articles and Laws,
chiefly tranflated from the martial Laws of the Low Coun-
tries. Thefe were very bloody and fevere, and no ways
agreeable to a free People and the Britijh Conftitution ;
neither had they any San6lion or Authority from the Coun-
cil and Company in England. However, Sir Thomas Dale.,
being fadly troubled and peftered with the mutinous Hu-
mours of the People, caufed them to be publifhed, and
put into Execution with the utmoft Rigor. And altho' the
Manner was harfli and unufual to EngUjhman., yet had not
thefe military Laws been fo ftri^tly executed at this time,
there were little Hopes or Probability of preventing the ut-
ter
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 123
ter Subverfion of the Colony. For, this Summer, one 1611.
Webb and one Price entered into a Plot againft the Go-"^-— v— ^
vernment ; which was, foon after, followed by a more d^"" ^^/J'" q^'
gerous Confpiracy of Jeffrey Abbot. This Abbot had ferved ^^^^l^_
long as a Soldier, both in Ireland and the Netherlands^ and
was here Serjeant of Captain Smith's Company ; who de-
clares, that he never knew in Firginia^ a more able Soldier,
lefs turbulent, of a better Wit, more hardy and induftri-
ous, or more forward to cut off thofe, who endeavoured to
abandon the Country, or wrong the Colony. But from
what Caufe foever his Difcontents arofe, whether he refent-
ed his being neglecSled and unrewarded, and having others
put over his Head and preferred before him, or whether
there was any other Reafon of his Diflatisfa6lion, it is cer-
tain, that this Man, who never received any Reward for
his long Services and Deferts, now met with an immediate
Punifliment for this fudden and paflionate Deviation from
his Duty. One Cole alfo, and Kitchens^ with three more,
plotted to run away to the Spaniards^ whom they fuppofed,
from fome wrong Information, to be inhabiting, fome
where within five Days Journey of the Fort. And thefe
Commotions juftified Sir Thomas Dale's neceflary Severities,
which might otherwife have been branded, as many were
then ready to do, with being too cruel and tyrannical.
But however falutary fuch fliarp and fummary Proceedings
might be at that time, as I find them owned to have been,
and commended by all Parties ; and however Sir Thomas
Dale might fafely be trufted with fo great a Power, a Man
of much Honour, Wifdom, and Experience ; yet it is cer-
tain, that thefe Articles were utterly dellrucSlive of the En-
glifl) Freedom and Laws, and gave the Governor fuch a
commanding and defpotick Authority, as is, by no means,
to be lodged in any Hand, in a Country, that has the leaft
Thoughts or Pretenfions to Liberty.
In the Beginning of Auguji^ Sir Thomas Gates arrived sir Thomas
in fix tall Ships, with three hundred Men, an hundred Cat- Gam Go-
tie, two hundred Hogs, and with all Manner of other Mu-^^*^"""^'
nition and Provifion, that could be thought of, as needful
and proper. At his Arrival, Sir Thomas Dale's Authority
determined, who, after mutual Salutations, acquainted him
with what he had done, and what he intended. And now,
being eafed of the Burthen of Government, and more at
Leifure, he fet himfelf heartily about building his Town ;
and Sir Thomas Gates^ highly approving the Defign, fur-
nifhed him with three hundred and fifty Men, fuch as he
himfelf made Choice of. He fet Sail from James-Town^
the Beginning of September ; and being arrived at the Place,
he
Gates, Go
vernor.
124 rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
i6ii. he environed it with a Palifade, and in Honour of Prince
— ^^ ■ Henry^ called it Henrico. And then he built a Church,
and Storehoufes ; and at each Corner of the Town, high
commanding Watch Towers. This being accomplifhed,
he next provided proper and convenient Houfes for himfelf
and Men, which were finifhed with all poflible Speed, to
the great Comfort and Satisfa(5tion of his Company and the
whole Colony,
The Ruins of this Town are ftill plainly to be traced
and diflinguifhed, upon the Land of the late Col. William
Randolph^ of Tuckahoe^ juft without the Entrance into Far-
rar's Ifland. It lay from River to River, upon a Plain of
high Land, with very fteep and inaccellible Banks, and the
Neck without, being well empaled, gave it all the Security
and Conveniency of an Ifland. It had three Streets of well-
framed Houfes, a handfome Church, and the Foundation
of another laid, to be built of Brick, befides Store-houfes,
Watch-houfes, and other publick Conveniences. Upon the
Verge of the River Bank, ftood five Houfes, inhabited by
the better Sort of People, who kept continual Sentinel for
the Town's Security. About two Miles from the Town,
into the Main, he run another Palifade, from River to Ri-
ver, near two Miles in Length, guarded with feveral Forts,
with a large Quantity of Corn-ground empaled and fuffi-
ciently fecured. Befides thefe Precautions, there may flill
be feen, upon the River Bank within the Ifland, the Ruins
of a great Ditch, now over-grown with large and {lately
Trees ; which, it may be fuppofed, was defended with a
Palifade, to prevent a Surprife on that Side, by crofling the
River. And for a ftill further Security to the Town, he
intended, but never quite finifhed, a Palifade on the South
Side of the River, as a Range for their Hogs 5 and he called
it Hope in Faith and Coxendale. It was about two Miles
and an half long, and was fecured by five of their Manner
of Forts, called Charity Fort, Elifabeth Fort., Fort Patience.,
and Mount Malady., with a Gueil Houfe for fick People,
upon a high and dry Situation, and in a wholefome Air, in
the Place, where 'Jeff'erfon^% Church now ftands. On the
fame Side of the River alfo, Mr. JVhitaker., their Preacher,
chofe to be feated ; and he empaled a fair Parfonage, with
an hundred Acres of Land, calling it Rock-hall.
About Chri/lmas., Sir Thomas Dale., to revenge fome
Injuries of the Appamattock Indians., aflaulted and took their
Town, without the Lofs of a A4an. This Town ftood at
the Mouth of the River, and was accounted but five Miles,
by Land, from Henrico. And Sir Tho?nas., confidering how
convenient it would be to the EngUp:)., refolved to poflefs
and
Book. III. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 125
and feat it, and, at the Inftant, called it New Bermudas. 1611.
And he annexed, to the belonging Freedom and Corpora- ' « '
tion for ever, many Miles of champion and wood-land ^'' ^^"^"^^
Ground, in feveral Hundreds, by the Names of the Upper vJInor.
and Nether Hundreds^ Rochdale ( now called Rockfdale )
Hundred^ Shirley Hundred., and Digges's Hundred. At
Bermudas., where was the moft Corn-ground, he firft be-
gan to plant ; and with a Pale of two Miles, acrofs from
River to River, he enclofed and fecured eight EngliJJ] Miles
in Compafs. Upon this Circuit, there were foon built ma-
ny fair Houfes, to near the Number of fifty. Rockfdale
was alfo enclofed with a crofs Palifade, near four Miles in
Length ; and there were many Houfes, planted along the
Pale, within which their Hogs and Cattle had twenty Miles
Circuit to graze in fecurely.
I T will not be thought, I believe, foreign to the Hiftory
of rirginia^ occafionally to interfperfe fome Account of
the Fortunes of Sir Walter Ralegh., our Founder, and the
firft Author, to the E^igUf., of fettling Colonies in America.
Juft before the Death of Queen EUfabeth., he received a
Challenge, upon fome Quarrel, from Sir Am'ias Pre/ion.,
one of Effex\ Followers, and a Man of the Sword ; which
however was made up, by the Mediation of a certain great
Nobleman, before it came to the laft Decifion. But on this
Occafion, Sir Walter., like a prudent and affectionate Fa-
ther of a Family, had conveyed all his landed Eftate, which
confifted of about three thoufand Pounds a Year, to his
Wife and Son. This was fortunately a Bar to his Lands
falling abfolutely to the Crown, upon his Attainder. They
were only forfeited for his own Life ; and the King, upon
fome powerful Interceflion, reftored them to him again. So
that he lived, under his Confinement, with much Elegan-
cy, Neatnefs, and Affluence. For he was naturally a great
Lover of Propriety ; and had been, in the Time of his
Profperity, both in his Drefs and Equipage, one of the moft
fumptuous and polite Perfons of the Age. And now, being
cut off" from all the acSlive Parts of Life, he indulged and
gave a Loofe to his noble Genius, and natural Thirft of
Knowledge ; and feemed (to ufe Prince Henry\ Allufion)
a finging Bird in a Cage ; rather a Philofopher, than a Cap-
tive ; a Student in a Library, than a Prifoner in the Tower.
The Reftraint of his Body was fo far from damping and
confining his native Greatnefs of Mind and Sublimity of
Parts, that it only opened a new Field of Glory to him,
and rendered him as illuftrious, in this ftill and fedentary
Scene of Life, as he had before been, in his moft adive and
profperous Days. But at laft, the Lawyers pretended to
find
126 rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1611. find fome Flaw in the Conveyance of his Lands ; and an In-
' Y ' formation was exhibited againft him, in the Court of Ex-
Sir Thomas chequer. His chief Judge, we are told, was his greateft
verno'r Enemy ; which, I fuppofe, was Sir Edward Coke^ then
Lord Chief Juftice. For that famous Lawyer, notwith-
ftanding his vaft Abilities and Knowledge in the Common
Law, will be branded to all Futurity, for bawling and rail-
ing Sir Walter Ralegh out of his Life at his Trial. And
W'llfon^ a contemporary Hiflorian, tells us, that it was po-
pularly objected to him, as a Judge ; That he made the
Law lean too much to his own Opinion, thereby becoming
a legal Tyrant, and ftriking, whom he pleafed, with that
Weapon, whofe Edge he was able to turn any Way.
When the Caufe came to Trial, it was determined againft
Sir Walter Ralegh^ only for the Want of one fingle Word
in his Anfwer, fetting forth that Conveyance ; which was
neverthelefs an Overfight of the Clerk, and the Word was
in the original Inftrument. And thus was he moft iniqui-
toufly deprived of his Lands ; and upon Lady Ralegh's, paf-
fionate Application to the King, fhe could obtain no other
Anfwer from him, but / 77iun have the Land^ I mun have
it for Car. It was accordingly conferred upon that Favou-
rite, juft then in his Rife ; and Sir Walter wrote him a
Letter upon the Occafion, which may be feen in his Life,
by Mr. Oldys ; and which may be placed, perhaps, among
the moft beautiful, wife, and pathetic Compofitions, that
ever has appeared of that Kind. So invariable was this Mo-
narch in his wrong Judgment of Men and Things, as to
aggrandize and enrich fo infignificant a Tool, and one fo
infamoufly wicked, lewd, and infufficient, as Car^ with the
Spoils of a Perfon, fo truly virtuous, great, and able, as
Sir Walter Ralegh. As if Fortune had confpired to expofe
his Weaknefs, and render his Injuftice the more confpicu-
ous and remarkable, by the Contraft between the Man, he
oppreffed, and the Man, he advanced. However, as fome
Retaliation for the Injuftice and Wrong, his Majefty af-
terwards gave Lady Ralegh and her Son eight Thoufand
Pounds for the Eftate.
j5jj. Captain Matthew Somers and his Company, at their
Return to England with Sir George^ Body, had made very
advantageous Relations of Bermudas. But thefe were little
credited at firft, and looked upon, as mere Traveller's
Tales ; till fome of the Virginia Company apprehended,
that a Settlement there might be very beneficial and helpful
to the Plantation in Virginia. But as by their former Let-
ters-patent, they were only entitled to the Ulands within an
hundred Miles of their Coaft, and as Bermudas lay much
beyond
Book III. TZv History ^/-VIRGINIA. 127
beyond that Diftance, they procured a new Charter from 1612.
his Majeftv, bearing Date March 12, 1611-12. This"^"^.^ '
granted them all the Iflands in the Ocean Seas, within three ^l"" '^'''"Z"'
hundred Leagues or the Coalt, between the one and tortietn yernor.
and thirtieth Degrees of Northerly Latitude. It alfo gave
them a Power, to fet up Lotteries ; to fue for the Monies
fubfcribed, requiring the Judges, to favour and further the
faid Suits, fo far forth, as Law and Equity would, in any
wife, further and permit ; together with other ample Privi-
leges and Authorities, as may be more fully feen in the
Charter at large, printed in the Appendix. But the Vir-
ginia Company fold thefe Iflands to about an hundred and
twenty of their own Members, who were ere6led into a
diftinil Society and Body Corporate, by the Name of the
Somer-IJJands Company. Sir Thomas Smith was elected
their Treafurer, or Governor, in England \ and fome time
this Year 1612, Mr. Richard More was fent Governor of
the Country, with fixty Men, to make a Settlement and
Plantation. They found the three Men, before fpoken of,
lufty and well. They were very comfortably feated, and
plentifully ftored with divers Sorts of excellent Provifions.
But under Colour, that they were fitted out, at the Charge,
and in the Service of the Company, thefe three poor Men
were profecuted, tormented, and threatned by the Gover-
nor, in the Company's Name, 'till they were entirely de-
prived of their great Treafure of Ambergreafe. However
a great Part was embezzled by Captain Davies and Mr.
Edivin Kendal^ to whom they committed it, during the
Squabble and Contention. So that not above a Third came
into the Hands of the Company ; for which, we are told,
they afterwards compounded with the Finders, and made
them a juft and reafonable Satisfaction,
I N the Beginning of the fame Year, two Ships arrived j
in Virginia^ with a Supply of Provifions and fourfcore Men. !
But thefe Provifions, according to Cuftom, were very fcanty \
and infufficient ; and therefore Capt. Argall^ who com-
manded one of the Ships, having recreated and refrefhed his
Company, was fent to Patowmack River, to trade for Corn.
For the Indians about Jatnes-Town were in a ticklifh State,
and little to be depended upon ; being Friends or Foes, ac-
cording as they found Advantage and Opportunity. Captain
Argall foon entered into a great Acquaintance and Friend-
fliip with "Japaxaius^ K'ng o^ Patoivmack^ an old Friend to
Captain Smithy and fo to the whole Englijl) Nation, ever
fince the Hrft Difcovery of the Country. Hard by Patoiu-
mack^ Pocahontas lav concealed, thinking herfelf fafe, and
unknown to all but trully Friends. What was the Reafon
of
128 rbe History ?/ VIRGINIA. Book III.
1612. of her abfconding from Weroivocomoco^ cannot eafily be
^'"'^•'^■^ judged ; except it was to withdraw herfelf from being a
§^^00' ^'^"^^^ ^° ^^^ frequent Butcheries of the Englijh^ whofe
vernor. Folly and Raflmefs, after Smith'''!, Departure, put it out of
her Power to fave them. Captain Argall^ having got In-
telligence of this, engaged to give yopazaius a Copper Ket-
tle, to bring her on board his Ship ; promifing not to hurt
her, but to keep her fafe, 'till they could conclude a Peace
with her Father. This Savage would have done any thing
^ for the Copper Kettle ; and therefore, having no Pretence
on Account of her own Curiofity, becaufe fhe had feen and
been in many Ships, he made his Wife pretend, how de-
firous fhe was to fee one, fo that he offered to beat her for
her Importunity, 'till flie wept. But at laft he told her, if
Pocahontas would go with her, he was content. And
thus, taking Advantage of her Good-nature and obliging
Temper, they betrayed this innocent Creature aboard ;
where they were all kindly received and entertained in the
Cabbin. The Captain, when he faw his Time, decoy'd
Pocahontas into the Gun Room ; only to conceal from her,
that yapa%aws was any way guilty of her Captivity. When
he had received his Reward, the Captain fent for her again ;
and told her, flie muff go with him, and be the Means and
^ Inftrument of Peace, between her Country and the Englijh.
At this, the old Traitor and his Wife began to howl and
cry, as much as Pocahontas \ who, by the Captain's fair
Promifes and Perfuafions, pacified herfelf, by degrees. And
fo yapazaws and his Wife, with their Kettle and other
Baubles, went joyfully afhore, and fhe to yames-Town \
where, altho' a frequent Vifitant before, and often a kind
Support and Preferver of the Colony, fhe had never been
'till now, fince Captain Smith left the Country.
A Meffenger was immediately difpatched to her Father ;
that he muff ranfom his Daughter Pocahontas^ whom he
loved fo dearly, with the Men, Guns, and Tools of the
EngliJJ}^ which he had treacheroufly ftolen and furprifed.
This unwelcome News much troubled Poivhatan^ becaufe
he loved both his Daughter and their Commodities well ;
and it threw him into fuch Perplexity, that it was three
Months, before he returned any Anfwer, Then he fent
back feven of the Englijh^ with each an unferviceable
Mufket ; and fent Word, that when they ffiould deliver his
Daughter, he would make full Satisfa6tion for all Injuries, and
give them five hundred Buffiels of Corn, and would be
their Friend for ever. But the Englijh anfwered ; That
his Daughter fliould be well ufed ; but that thev could not
believe, the reff of their Arms were either loii, or ffolen
from
Book III. rZv History of VIRGINIA. 129
from him ; and that therefore, they would keep his Daugh- 1612.
ter, till he had fent them all back. But this Anfwer dif-"";^ '
pleafed him fo much, that they heard no more from him,^"" T^komai
\. i ■ c Gates, Go-
ror a long tmie arter. vemor.
At lall:, in the Beginning of the next Year, Sir Thomas 1613.
Dale took Pocahontas with him, and went in Captain Jr-
gall's Ship, with fome other Vellels belonging to the Colo-
ny, up into his own River, to his chief Habitation at IF'e-
rowocomoco^ with a Partv of an hundred and fifty Men,
well appointed. Powhatan did not appear ; and although
the Englifl) told them, their Bufinefs was to deliver up their
Emperor's Daughter, upon Reltitution of the reft of their
Men and Arms, yet were they received with many fcorn-
ful Bravades and Threats. They told them, if they came
to fight, they were welcome ; but advifed them, as they
loved their Lives, to retire ; or elfe they would treat them,
as thev had done Captain RatcHjfe. But after fome fmall
Skirmiflies, and confiderable Damage done the Indians,
by burning their Houfes, and fpoiling all, they could find,
a Peace was patched up. They immediately fent Meflen-
gers to Powhatan ; and they told the Englijh^ that their
Men were run off\, for fear they fhould hang them ; but
that Powhatan''^ Men were run after, to bring them back;
and that their Swords and Mufkets fhould be brought, the
next Day. But the EngUjh^ perceiving, that this was all
Collufion, only to delay the Time, till they could carry off
their Goods and Provifions, told them, that they fhould
have a Truce, till the next Day at Noon ; but then, if
they had not a direct Anfwer to their Demands, or found
them inclinable to fight, they fhould know, when the En-
glifh would begin, by the Sound of their Drums and Trum-
pets. Upon Confidence of this Truce, two of Powhatan^
Sons came on board the Ship, to fee their Sifter; on whofe
Sight, finding her well, although they had heard the con-
trary, they greatly rejoiced ; and they promifed to perfuade
their Father, to redeem her, and for ever be Friends with
the EngUJh. Hereupon Mr. fohn Rolfe and Mr. Sparks
were fent to Powhatan^ to acquaint him with the Bufinefs.
They were kindly received and entertained, but not admit-
ted into the Prefence of the Emperor. They only fpoke
with Opechancanough^ who promifed to do his utmofl with
his Brother, to incline him to Peace and Friendfhip, But
it now being April^ and Time to prepare their Ground, and
fet their Corn, they returned to Jajnes-Town^ without do-
ing any thing more in the Affair.
Long before this, Mr. "John Rolfe^ a worthy young
Gentleman, and of good Behaviour, had been in Love with
^^ K Pocahontas^
1,30
-m History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
613. Pocahontas^ 2ir\^ {he with him. And at this time, he made
-— , ^the thing known to Sir Thomas Dale^ through Mr. Ralph
Sir Thomai Hamer^ and wrote him a Letter, entreating his Advice ;
G^'",Go-^^_^^ file Hkewife acquainted her Brother with it. Sir Tho-
mas Dale highly approved of it ; and the Report of this
Marriage foon coming to the Knowledge of Powhatan^ it
was found a thing acceptable to him, by his fudden Con-
fent. For within ten Days, he fent Opachifco^ an old
Uncle of hers, and two of his Sons, to fee the Manner of
the Marriage, and to do in that Behalf, what they were
required, for the Confirmation of it, as his Deputies. It
was therefore folemnifed in the Beginning of Jpril 161 3;
and ever after, they had friendly Trade and Commerce, as
well with Poiuhatan himfelf, as with all his Subjects.
The Chickahominies were a ftout, daring, and free Peo-
ple. They had no Werowance, or fingle Ruler, but were
governed, in a Republican Form, by their Elders. Thefe
were their Priefts, and fome of the wifeft of their old Men,
as Affiftants to them. In Confequence of thefe Principles
of Government, they took all Opportunities of fhaking off
Poiuhatan's Yoke, whom they looked upon and hated, as
a Tyrant. And therefore, they had taken Advantage of
thefe late Times of Hoftility and Danger as well to the
Indians^ as to the Englijh^ to affert their Liberty. But
now, feeing Powhatan fo clofely linked with the Englijh^
both in Affinity and Friendfliip, they were in great Concern
and Dread, left he fhould bring them again to his Subjec-
tion. To prevent which, they fent Ambaffadors to Sir
Thomas Dale ; excufing all former Injuries, and promifing
ever after to be King James's faithful Subje6ls : That they
would relinquilh the Name of Chickahominies^ and be called
TaJJ'auteJJus^ or EngUjhmen^ and that Sir Thomas Dale fhould
be their Governor, as the King's Deputy. Only they de-
fired to be governed by their own Laws, under their eight
Elders, as his Subftitutes. Sir Tho7nas Dale^ hoping for
fome Advantage from this, willingly accepted their Offer.
At the Day appointed, with Captain Argall and fifty Men,
he went to Chickahominy ; where he found the People af-
affembled, expelling his Coming. They treated him kind-
ly ; and the next Morning, having held a Council, the
Peace was concluded on thefe Conditions :
I. That they fhould for ever be called EngUJhmen^ and
be true Subjeils to King James and his Deputies :
II. That they fliould neither kill, nor detain, any of
the Englijh^ or of their Cattle, but fhould bring them
home :
III. That
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 131
III. That they fliould be always ready, to furnifh the 1613.
Englijh with three hundred Men, againlt the Spaniards^ or' . '
any other Enemy : ^^ Thomas
IV. That they fhould not enter any of the EngUfi ^^^nor.
Towns, before fending in Word, that they were new En-
glijhmen :
V. That every fighting Man, at gathering their Corn,
fhould bring two Bufliels to the Store, as a Tribute ; for
which he fliould receive as many Hatchets :
VI. That the eight chief Men fhould fee all this per-
formed, or receive the Puniftiment themfelves ; and for
their Diligence, they fhould have a red Coat, a Copper
Chain, and King yames's Pi6lure, and be accounted his
Nobleman.
These Articles were joyfully aflented to and- ratified,
by a great Shout and Acclamation ; and one of their Elders
began an Oration, addrefling his Speech, firft to the old
Men, then to the Young, and then to the Women and
Children, to make them underfland, how flriftly they were
to obferve thefe Conditions, and that then the EngliJJ^ would
defend them from the Fury of Powhatan, or any other E-
nemy whatfoever. And thus was their Liberty once more
fecured ; which indeed had its ufual good Effe6ls, even a-
mong thefe wild and favage Nations. For altho' Chickaho-
miny is far from being famous for good Land, yet we are
told, that they had the largeft Fields, and mofl plentiful
Crops of Corn, and the greatefl Abundance of all other
Provifions and Necefl'aries, of any People then in the Coun-
try. Such a happy Influence had Liberty, and fuch vifible
Incitement did firm Property give to the Induftry of even
that lazy and improvident People.
And now the Englijh began to find the Miflake of for- ,
bidding and preventing private Property. For whilfl they I
all laboured jointly together, and were fed out of the com- !
mon Store, happy was he, that could flip from his Labour,
or flubber over his Work in any Manner. Neither had
they any Concern about the Increafe ; prefuming, however
the Crop profpered, that the publick Store muft ftill main-
tain them. Even the mofl honefl and induftrious would
fcarcely take fo much true Pains in a Week, as they
would have done for themfelves in a Day. The five Years
alfo, prefcribed in his Majefly's Inflruilions under the Privy
Seal, for trading all together in common Stocks, and bring-
ing the whole Fruit of their Labours into common Store-
houfes, were now expired. Therefore, to prevent this In-
conveniency and bad Confequence, Sir Thomas Dale allotted
K 2 each
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
each Man three Acres of cleared Ground, in the Nature
of Farms. They were to work eleven Months for the
Sir Thomas Store, and had two Bufhels of Corn from thence ; and only
vemor " ^^^ °"^ Month allowed them, to make the reft of their
Provifions. This was certainly very hard and pinching ;
but his new and favourite Settlement at Bermudas Hundred
had better Conditions. For one Month's Labour, which
muft neither be in Seed-time nor Harveft, they were ex-
empted from all further Service ; and for this Exemption
they only paid two Barrels and a half of Corn, as a Yearly
Tribute to the Store. However, the Profpe<5t of thefe Far-
mers Labours gave the Colony much Content ; and they
were no longer in Fear of wanting, either for themfelves,
or to entertain their new Supplies.
Sir Thomas Dale had been very a6five and induftrious
in ranging about and viewing the Country, and was vaftly
delighted with its Pleafantnefs and Fertility. Being there-
fore much vexed and concerned, to find the Poireflion of
fo noble a Territory fet fo light by at home, as even fome-
times to be debated, whether it fliould be farther profecu-
ted, or entirely abandoned, he wrote a Letter to Sir Tho-
mas S?nith^ the Treafurer ; wherein he allures them all,
and prays them to remember it, that if they fhould give
over the Enterprife, and lofe the Country, they would, in
their great Wifdom, commit an Error of fuch Prejudice
and Damage to England^ as had never happened to it, fince
the Lofs of the Kingdom of France. He defires them not
to be gulled and deceived, by the clamorous Reports of
bafe People, but to believe Caleb and Jojlma, And if the
Glory of God, and the Converfion of thofe poor Infidels,
had no Influence on the rich Mammons of the Earth ; yet
he advifes them to follow the Dictates of their own Avarice,
and only to confult their proper Intereft and Advantage.
For he protefts on the Faith of an honeft Man, that the
more he ranged and faw of the Country, the more he ad-
mired it ; and that having feen the beft Parts of Europe^
yet he declares, with a folemn Afleveration, that put them
all together, he thought, this Country would be equivalent
to them, if it were once well cultivated, and feated with
good and induftrious People.
1614. Early in the next Year, Sir Thomas Gates returned to
V ^ ■> England^ and left the Government again to Sir Thotnas
Sir Thomas Dale. Underftanding, that there was a Colony of French^
Dale, Go- in the Northern Part of Virginia., about the Latitude of
vernor. ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ Captain Argall thither, to Port Royal and St.
Croix., two Towns, lying on each Side of the Bay of Fun-
di., in Acadia. Finding the French difperfed abroad in the
Woods,
Book III. The History of VIRGINIA. 133
Woods, he furprifed their Ship and Bark, lately arrived 1614.
from France. In them was much good Apparel, with other ^'^~>''^~^
Furniture and Provifion, which he brought to fames-Town ■,^"^'-'°"^''^
but the Men efcaped, and lived among the Indians of thofe pernor.
Countries. The Pretence for this Depredation on the
French^ was founded on their Right of firft Difcovery ;
and therefore the EngliJJ?^ in Imitation of the Spaniards.,
laid Claim to the whole Continent, altho' they really pof-
fefled, and had feated fo fmall a Part of it. But it is cer-
tain, that we were, at that time, in profound Peace, not
only with France^ but the whole World. In his Return,
Captain Jrgali likewife vifited the Dutch Settlement, on
Hnd/hns River ; and he alledged, that Captain Hudfon., the
firft Difcoverer, under whole Sale they claimed that Coun-
try, being an Englijhman^ and licenfed to difcover thofe
Northern Parts, by the King of England., could not alienate
that, which was only a Part of Virginia., from the Englijh
Crown. He therefore demanded the PofleiHon ; and the
Dutch Governor, being unable to refift, peaceably fubmit-
ted both himfelf and his Colony, to the King of England.,
and to the Governor of Virginia under him. Soon after,
a new Governor arrived from Amjhrdam., better provided.
Under Colour of their Right of Purchafe, and becaufe the
Country lay void and unoccupied, and confequently open
to the hrft PolFeflor, he not only refufed to pay the Tribute
and Acknowledgment, which had been agreed upon, but
alfo began to fortify, and put himfelf into a Pofture of De-
fence. And the Claim of the Englijh., being either wholly
waved for the prefent, or but faintly purfued, they, this
fame Year, made a firm Settlement, which foon became
very flourifhing and populous. But Complaint being made,
fome Years after, to King Charles I. and by him reprefent-
ed to the States of Holland., they declared, by a publick
Inftrument, that they were no ways concerned in it, but
that it was a private Undertaking of the IVeJi-India Com-
pany of Amjhrdam ; and fo referred it wholly to his Ma-
jefty's Pleafure.
M R . Ralph Hamer., who was afterwards one of our
Council, and to whofe Relation we are indebted for this
Part of the Hiftory of Virginia., having refided fome Years
here, ever fince the great Supply 1609, and being now a-
bout to return to England., was very defirous to vifit Pow-
hatan and his Court, and to be able, when he went home,
to fpeak fomething of his own Knowledge. Sir Thomas
Dale alfo thought it advifeable, to have fome further Pledge
of Poivhatan\ Friendfhip, befides Pocahontas. It was there-
fore refolved, to fend this Gentleman, as his Ambaflador,
K 3 to
134 The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1614- to demand his other Daughter. Wherefore, Mr. Hamer^
' V 'taking Thomas Savage for his Interpreter, and two Indians
Sir Thomas f-Qj- j-jjg Quides, went off in the Morning trom Bermudas^
ve'rnor °"(Sir Thomas Dale'?, favourite Seat, and chief Place of Re-
fidence) and arrived the next Evening at Matchot. This
was a Seat of the King's, where he then was, a few Miles
higher up York River, than Weroxvocomoco. Powhatan
knew the Boy, Thomas Savage^ well, whom Newport had
prefented to him, in the Year 1607; and he faid to him:
My Child^ you were my Boy^ and I gave you Leave^ four
Tears ago^ to go and fee your Friends ; but I have never feen
nor heard of you, nor my own Man Namontack fince, altho'
many Ships have gone and returned. Then turning to Mr.
Hamer, he demanded the Chain of Pearl, which he fent
to Sir Thomas Dale, when the Peace was concluded ; and
which was to be a Token between them, whenever Sir
Thomas fent a Meffenger to him ; otherwife, he was to
bind him, and fend him back, as a Deferter. It was true,
there was fuch an Agreement ; and Sir Thomas Dale had
ordered his Page to deliver the Chain to Mr. Hamer, but
the Page either negle6led or forgot it. Mr. Hamer there-
fore replied, that he knew not of any fuch Order ; and if
there was fuch a Token, it was only intended, when Sir
Thomas, upon the fudden, fhould fend an Englifh Meffen-
ger, without an Indian Guide. But if his own People
Ihould condu6l the Meffenger, which was the Cafe at pre-
fent, that was a fufficient Teftimony and Credential. With
this Anfwer Powhdtan was fatisfied, and conducted them to
his Houfe, where a Guard of two hundred Bowmen atten-
ded. Firft he offered Mr. Hamer a Pipe of Tobacco, and
then afked after his' Brother, Sir Thomas Dale'?, Health ;
and how his Daughter, and unknown Son, lived and liked.
And being told, that his Brother was well ; and that his
Daughter was fo delighted with her Condition, that fhe
would not, upon any Account, return and live again with
him, he laughed heartily, and feemed much pleafed to hear
it.
After that, he demanded of Mr. Hamer his Bufinefs;
who telling him, that it was private, he inftantly com-
manded all out of the Houfe, except his two Queens, that
always fat by him, and then bad him fpeak on. Mr. Ha-
mer firft prefented him with feveral Toys, fent bv Sir Tho-
mas Dale ; and then he told him, that his Brother Dale,
having heard of the Fame of his youngeft Daughter, in-
tended to marry her to fome worthy Englijh Gentleman,
which would be highly pleafing and agreeable to her Sifter,
who was very defirous to fee her, and to have her near
her;
Book III. r/v History of VIRGINIA. 135
her; and that therefore, he defired, as a Teftimony of his 1614.
Love, that he would fend her to him. For fince they were "^ — .- — '
now become one People, and defigned to dwell together in S'"" J^""^"'
^ 1-11 111 r Date. Go-
the lame Country, he conceived, there could be no hrmer ^^^^^^r
Union, nor ftronger Allurance of Love and Friendfliip,
than fuch a natural Band of Intermarriage and Alliance.
Powhatan^ who often interrupted him, and betrayed many
Signs of Uneafinefs, the whole Time, he was fpeaking,
immediately returned this Anfwer, with much Serioufnefs
and Gravity,
/ gladly accept ?ny Brother's Salute of Love and Peace;
luhich^ wh'ilji I live^ I will pundually and exailly keep. I
likewlfe receive his Prefents.^ as Pledges thereof xvith no lefs
Thankfulnefs. But as to my Daughter., I fold her., a few
Days fince., to a great IVerowance., for two Bufhels of Roanoke.
Mr. Hamer told him, that the Roanoke was but a Trifle
to fo great a Prince ; and by returning it, he might recall
her, and gratify his Brother. And he further allured him,
befides Ihengthening the rtrift Band of Peace and Friendlliip
between them, that he fhould have three times the Worth
of the Roanoke for her, in Beads, Copper, and other Com-
modities. This extorted the Truth from him ; and he in-
genuoufly confelTed, that the Reafon of his Refufal, was
the Love, he bore his Daughter. Altho' he had many
Children, yet he delighted in none, he faid, fo much as
her ; and he could not poflibly live without often feeing her ;
which he could not do, if fhe lived among the Englifh.
For he had determined, upon no Terms, to put himfelf in-
to their Hands, or come among them. He therefore de-
fired him, to urge him no farther upon the Subject, but to
return his Brother this Anfwer : T^hat he held it not a bro-
therly Part., to endeavour to bereave him of his two darling
Children at once : That., for his Part., he defired no farther
JJJurance of his Friendfliip., than the Promife., he had given :
and., That from him., Sir Thomas already had a Pledge., one
of his Daughters., which., as long as fhe lived., would be fuf-
ficient \ but if fhe fhould happen to die., he promifed to give
another. And further., fays he, tell him., altho' he had no
Pledge at all., yet he yieed not dijiruft any Injury from me or
my People. There hath been enough of Blood and War. Too
Tuany have been fain already., on both Sides ; and., by my Oc-
cafion., there fhall never be more. /, who have Power to per-
form it., have faid it. I am now grown old., and ivould gladly
end tny Days in Peace and ^uietnefs ; and altho' I fhould have
juji Caufe of Refentment., yet my Country is large enough., and
I can go from you. And this Anfwer., I hope., will fatisfy
my Brother.
K 4 Whilst
'The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
Whilst Mr. Harrier ftaid here, by Chance there came
an Englijhrnan^ who had been taken, three Years before,
at Fort Henry^ on the Mouth of Hampton River. He was
grown fo like an Indian^ both in Complexion and Habit,
that he could be dillinguifhed from them by nothing but his
Language, He begged of Mr. Harrier^ to procure his Li-
berty ; which, with much Difficulty, he did. And now
being about to return, Poivhatan defired him, to put his
Brother Dale in Mind, to fend him feveral Toys and Tools ;
which, left he fliould forget, he made him write them down,
in a Table-Book, that he had. However he got it, it was
a very fair one ; and Mr. Harner defired, he would give it
to him. But he told him, he could not part with it : For
it did him much Good, in fhewing to Strangers. After
which, having furnifhed them well with Provilions, he dif-
miffed them ; giving each a Buckfkin, extremely well dref-
fed, and fending two more, to his Son and Daughter.
All this while. Sir Thomas Dale^ Mr. JVhitaker^ Mi-
nifter of Bermuda-Hundred^ and Mr. Rolfe^ her Hufband,
were very careful and affiduous, in inrtru6ling Pocahontas in
the Chriftian Religion •, and (lie, on her Part, exprefled an
eager Defire, and fhewed great Capacity in learning. After
fhe had been tutored for fome time, fhe openly renounced
the Idolatry of her Country, confeffed the Faith of Chrift,
and was baptized by the Name of Rebecca. But her real
Name, it feems, was originally Matoax \ which the Indians
carefully concealed from the EngliJJ)^ and changed it to Po-
cahontas., out of a fuperftitious Fear, left they, by the
Knowledge of her true Name, fhould be enabled to do her
fome Hurt. She was the firft Chriftian Indian in thefe Parts,
and perhaps the fincereft and moft worthy, that has ever
been fince. And now (lie had no Manner of Defire, to re-
turn to her Father ; neither could fhe well endure the bru-
tifh Manners, or Society, of her own Nation. Her Affec-
tion to her Hufband was extremely conftant and true ; and
he, on the other Hand, underwent great Torment and Pain,
out of his violent Paflion, and tender Sollicitude for her.
Whilst thefe things were tranfa6ling in Virginia.,
Captain Smith's reftlefs and enterprifing Genius could not
brook a Life of Indolence and Ina6livity at home. He there-
fore undertook a Voyage for fome Merchants, to that Part
of Virginia^ which had been difcovered by Captain Gof-
nold^ in the Year 1602. Having made an advantageous
Voyage for his Owners, and taken an exa6f Chart oi the
Coaft, he then firft called the Country New-England. This
Name was afterwards confirmed and eftabliihed by Prince
Charles., who likewife, at Captain Smith's Defire, gave
Names
Book III. rhc History of VIRGINIA. 137
Names to feveral Places and Rivers along the Coaft, from i6'4-
Cape Cod as far as the Bay oi Fundi. It was refolved, to '""■^^y^"""^
fettle the Country immediately, under the Condu6t of Cap-^"'^^"'"''^
tain Smith ; who was graced with the empty Title of Ad- pernor,
miral of New-England. But he meeting with many crofs
Accidents the next Year, and being at laft taken by a French
Rover, the Project became abortive ; and it was the Year
1620, before any Settlement was made there.
This Year alfo. Sir JValter Ralegh firft pubiiftied his
Hiftory of the World ; which was received with all due
Applaufe and Admiration by the Publick, but gave Um-
brage, we are told, to the King. Some Authors have in-
finuated, that that Royal Pedant was piqued, as an Author,
and jealous of him in that Capacity. As if it would ever
come into any Man's Head, to put that admirable Work
in the Ballance with his old-wiiifh Garrulities ; which are
now only to be found in the Collections of the Curious, as
a comic and ridiculous Entertainment, and a proper Sub-
ject for Laughter and Contempt. Others fay, that he was
fcandalized at the Freedom, which Sir Walter Ralegh had
taken with fome dead Princes, and particularly with Henry
VIII ; thinking it perhaps an unpardonable Infolence, and a
Kind of Blafphemy, that any, below a Crowned Head,
{hould dare to cenfure their AiStions. Whilft others tell us,
that, through the mifchievous Infinuations of fome Syco-
phants about him, he fufpe<5led, that it contained an artful
Expofure of himfelf and Miniftry. And thus truly, as Mr.
Oldys obferves, the General Hiftory of the World was turn-
ed into a fecret Hiftory, or oblique Satire, upon his Court ;
and Scotch Faces were to be feen in it, ftuck upon old 'Jew-
ijh^ Babylonian^ or AJfyrian Shoulders. Altho', as it is re-
marked by another Author, he might eafily be led to fancy,
he faw in the Face of Ninias^ the Son of Se?nirafnis, his
own Features, as Succeflor to the Britijlj Semiramis ; and
that his particular Injuftice, to the Writer, was well repre-
fented and cenfured, in the Story of Jhab's taking away
Naboth's Vineyard. But from whatever Caufe his Oftence
arofe, I thought, it would not be unacceptable to the Rea-
der, to make this ftiort Digreffion, to the Honour of that
immortal Work. For next to the Praife and Approbation
of the Wife, it hath been ever efteemed a fecondary Hon-
our to an Author, to be carped at, by the foolifli Cavils,
and vain Exceptions, of thofe of a contrary Character.
In yune, Captain Jrgall fet Sail for England^ and gave
an Account of the quiet and flourifhing State of the Colony ;
which Report was ftrengthened by the Teftimony of Sir
Thomas Gates., who had returned from Virginia^ the March
'' before.
Sir Thomas
Dale, Go-
vernor.
the History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
before. To back this Succefs with all Expedition, the
Council and Company refolved, that the great Virginia
Lottery ftiould be drawn, with all convenient Speed ; which
was accordingly done, the following Year 1615. The
fame Year, a Spanijh Ship was feen to beat to and fro, off
Point Comfort; and at laft, (he fent a Boat afhore, for a Pilot.
Captain Davies^ the Governor of the Fort, readily granted
one, and fent Mr. John Clarke ; who was no fooner on
board, but they fet Sail, and carried him off to Spain. He
was there ftrongly follicited, to become their Inftrument
and Pilot, to betray the Colony. But he bravely and ho-
neftly refifled all their Temptations ; and was, therefore,
obliged to undergo a long Captivity. At laft, after four
Years Imprifonment, he was, with much Suit, returned to
England. But the Spanijh Ship, by fome Accident, left
three of her own Men behind ; who were immediately
feized, and ftri6lly examined. They faid, that having loft
their Admiral, they were forced into thefe Parts ; and that
two of them were Captains, and in chief Authority in the
Fleet. But fometime after, one was difcovered to be an
EnglifJ)man ; who had been a Pilot in the Spanijh Armada.^
in the grand Expedition againft England., in the Year 1588.
And not content with this Perfidy and Bafenefs to his Coun-
try, he began here to plot, and perfuaded fome Malecon-
tents, to join with him, in running away with a fmall Bark.
But they were apprehended, and fome of them executed ;
and he, now lying at Mercy, readily confeffed, that there
were two or three Spanijh Ships at Sea, fent purpofely to
difcover the State of the Colony. But he faid, their Corn-
miflion was not to be opened, 'till they arrived in the Bay ;
fo that, of any thing further he was utterly ignorant. One
of the Spaniards died here, and the other was fent to En-
gland. But this Renegado was hanged at Sea, by Sir Tho-
mas Dale., in his Voyage homeward.
For Sir Thomas Dale had now been five Years in the
Country ; and he had been, for Ibme time paft, kept here,
and fupported under a longing Defire to vifit his own Affairs
and Family, by a juft Senfe of his Duty to God and his
Country, and out of Compaffion to the poor Creatures com-
mitted to his Charge. But now the Country being in per-
fect Peace, and having fettled all things in good Order,
and made Choice of Mr. George Teardley., to be Deputy-
Governor in his Abfence, he embarked for England., with
Pocahontas and Mr. Rolfe her Hufband ; and carrying with
them feveral young Indians of both Sexes, they ail arrived
fafe at Plimouth., the 12th of June., 1616. But at the time
of his Daughter's Departure, Powhatan had withdrawn
himfelf
Book III. rhe History of VIRGINIA. 139
himfelf to the King of Moy-umps^ on Patowmack River ; 161 6.
out of Fear, as it was fuppofed, of Opechancanough. For ^— ^-r '
he was then a Man very gracious and popular, both with Gco.Ycard-
the Indians and the EngliJJ} ; and as Opitchapan^ the fecond ^l\
Brother, was lame and decrepit, he was thought to look
upon Powhatan^ a Perfon of equal Ambition and Capacity
for Government, as the only Obftacle to his afpiring Hopes
and Defigns. And therefore, Powhatan fufpe6led at this
time, that he had entered into a Confpiracy with the En-
glijh^ to betray him into their Hands ; a Cafe, which he had
ever dreaded, and which, he had therefore turned the whole
Force of his Politicks, to prevent and avoid.
This worthy and honourable Knight, Sir Thomas Dale^
who may juftly be ranked among the firft and beft of our
Governors, had, by his fingular Vigor and Induftry, and
by his Judgment and Condu6l of the Affairs of the Colony,
put things into fuch an eafy and profperous Condition, that,
from this Time, an Alteration was made, in the Right of
Adventure for Land. For before this, every one, that had
adventured his own Perfon, or had fent, or brought others
over, at his own Expence, was entitled to an hundred A-
cres of Land, perfonal Adventure, for each ; which was
the utmoft that could be granted in any fingle Share, by
the King's Letters patent, and which are called, in the
Company's Journals, and other old Records, Great Shares,
or Shares of old Adventure. But now it was thought, all
Difficulties were fo far overcome, and the Country fettled
in fuch a Way of fubfifting and flourifhing, that, hence-
forward, fifty Acres only were allowed to thofe, who came,
or brought others over. This is the ancient, legal, and a
mofl: indubitable Method of granting Lands in Virginia^ and
was intended for a great and ufeful End, the encouraging
People, to come themfelves, and to bring or fend others
over, to inhabit the Country ; and that they might, imme-
diately upon their Arrival, have a Place, whereon to feat
themfelves and Families. And I likewife find, in the old
Records, that upon peopling and faving thefe hundred, or
fifty Acres (the Terms of which I can no where find) they
were entitled to the like Quantity more, to be held, and
feated at their Leifure. But befides this, there were two
other Methods of granting Lands. The one was upon Me-
rit : When any Perfon had conferred a Benefit, or done
Service, to the Company or Colony, they would beflow
fuch a Proportion of Land upon him. However, to pre-
vent Excefs in this Particular, they were reftrained, by his
Majefly's Letters patent, not to exceed twenty great Shares,
or two thoufand Acres, in any of thefe Grants. The other
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
was called the Adventure of the Purfe ; every Perfon, who
paid twelve Pounds ten Shillings into the Company's Trea-
fury, having thereby a Title to an hundred Acres of Land,
any where in Virginia^ that had not been before granted to,
or poflefled by others.
Sir Thomas Dale^ among the many Praifes, juftly due
to his Adminiftration, had been particularly careful of the
Supplies of Life ; and had, accordingly, always caufed fo
much Corn to be planted, that the Colony lived in great
Plenty and Abundance. Nay, whereas they had formerly
been conftrained, to buy Corn of the Indians Yearly, which
expofed them to much Scorn and Difficulty, the Cafe was
fo much altered under his Management, that the Indians
fometimes applied to the Englijh^ and would fell the very
Skins from their Shoulders for Corn. And to fome of their
petty Kings, Sir Thomas lent four or five hundred Bufhcls ;
for Repayment whereof the next Year, he took a Mort-
gage of their whole Countries. But as the Cultivation of
Tobacco began to creep in, and to obftruft their Crops of
Corn, he made a Law, that no Tobacco fhould be fet,
'till fuch a Proportion of Corn-Ground, for the Mafter and
each Servant, had been firft prepared and planted. And
this was the firft Beginning and Eflay, towards making
Tobacco here, which hath ever fince continued the Staple-
Commodity of our Country. But after his Departure, both
his Law and his Example were utterly laid by and forgot ;
and the new Governor himfelf, together with all the Peo-
ple, being tempted with the View of prefent Gain, applied
themfelves fo eagerly to planting Tobacco, that they neg-
leded the other neceflary Article of Life. And befides this
Neglect of their Corn, the Supplies of People, fent this
Year, came, as ufual, fo unprovided, that they foon eafed
them of the Plenty, left by Sir Thomas Dale^ and reduced
them to great Streights. Mr. Teardley therefore, fent to
the Chickahominies^ for the Tribute Corn. For there being
about two hundred and fifty, or three hundred, fighting
Men of the Nation, and each Man being obliged, by the
Treaty, to bring two Bufhels of Corn to the Store, fuch a
Quantity would have been a great Relief to their Neceffities.
But receiving a flight and affrontive Anfwer, he drew to-
gether an hundred of his beft Shot, and went to Chicka-
hominy.
The People there received him with much Scorn and
Contempt. They told him, he was only Sir Thomas Dale'?,
Man ; that they had indeed paid his Mafter, according to
Agreement ; but as for him, they had no Order, and lefs
Inclination, either to obey, or give him any Corn. And
being
Book.III. the History '
tended by the Lord, her Hufband, and divers other Perfons ^"■^^'"''^-
of f^afliion and Diftin6tion. The whole Court were charm- j^^^
ed and furpril'ed, at the Decency and Grace of her Deport-
ment ; and the King himfelf, and Queen, were pleafed,
honourably to receive and erteem her. The Lady Dela-
warr^ and thofe other Peribns of Quality, alfo waited on
her, to the Mafks, Balls, Plays, and other publick Enter-
tainments ; with which (he was wonderfully pleafed and de-
lighted. And fhe would, doubtlefs, have well defcrved, and
fully returned, all this Refpeft and Kindnefs, had fhe lived
to arrive in Virginia.
The Lord Rich was one of the Company in England-^
a great and powerful, but a moft defigning, interefted,
and fa(£lious Member. Not content with that lawful and
regular Advantage, which might be juflly expelled, in a
due Courfe of Time, from the Enterprife, but aiming at a
fudden and extraordinary Profit, altho' it fliould be, by the
Spoil of the Publick, and Oppreflion of the private Plan-
ters, and being likewife egged on and aflifted, by fome cor-
rupt and avaritious Perfons, he threw himfelf at the Head
of a Fa6lion in the Company, and drew over to his Party,
as many Creatures and Dependents, as he poflibly could.
By their Means and Support, he hoped and endeavoured,
to bear fuch a Sway, both in the Virginia and Somer-IJJands
Company, that the Management of all things at home, and
the Placing all Governors abroad, fhould be entirely in his
Power and Difpofal. And altho' he met with a Check in
his Defigns, from many great and worthy Members, and
a vaft Majority of the whole Companies, yet he did, at
this time, carry a very important Point. Captain Samuel
Jrgall^ a Friend and Relation of Sir Thomas Smith., the
Treafurer, was one of Lord Rich's fafteft Friends and Fa-
vourites. His Lordfhip therefore, having concerted Mat-
ters with him, and entered into a Partnerfliip, procured him
to be ele6led Deputy-Governor of Virginia. And altho'
Martial Law was then the Common Law of the Country,
yet the better to arm and ftrengthen him, with the Exer-
cife of fuch a defpotic Authority, and that no Man here
might dare to open his Mouth againfl: him, he obtained for
him the Place of Admiral of the Country and Seas adjoin-
ing.
With thefe Views and Powers, was Captain Argall 1617.
fitted out, and fent to Virginia., in the Beginning of 16 17. , — -^
And the Treafurer and Council took Care, for the proper -^aw. ^r^-a//,
Accommodation of Pocahontas and her Hufband, on board Governor.
21 L the
/
/
146
The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
i6»7- the Admiral Ship. Mr. Rolfe was alfo made Secretary and
"^ Y ^ Recorder-General of Virginia^ which Place was now firft
^'""•^'■^"^'''inftituted. But it pleafed God, at Grave/end^ to tzkc Po-
cahontas to his Mercy, in about the two and twentieth Year
of her Age. Her unexpe6led Death caufed not more Sor-
row and Concern in the Spe6lators, than her religious End
gave them Joy and Surprife. For (he died, agreeably to
her Life, a moft fincere and pious Chriitian, Her little Son,
Thomas Rolfe^ was left at Plimouth with Sir Lewis Steukley^
who defired the Care and Education of him. This Gen-
tleman was then Vice-Admiral of the County of Devon ;
but foon after, having feifed Sir Walter Ralegh^ and been
guilty of a notable Piece of Treachery towards him, he
drew upon himfelf the publick Scorn and Deteftation. For
however hard or unjuft Kings and Statesmen may be to
thofe Perfons of their Age, who are of the moft eminent
Parts and Virtues, the Publick is generally more candid in
it's Judgments, and apt to refent every Hardfhip or ill Ufage
to fuch Men. Sir Leivis Steukley therefore fell unpitied,
when he was afterwards detected in corrupt Practices ; for
which he was obliged to purchafe his Life at the Expence
of his whole Fortune, and at laft died, a poor, defpifed,
and diftraiSted Beggar. And as thefe Misfortunes happened
foon after this Time, it is not to be fuppofed, that young
Mr. Rolfe long enjoyed the Advantage of his Favour and
kind Intentions. However he was carried up to London^
and there educated by his Uncle Mr. Heyvy Rolfe^ and after-
wards became a Perfon of Fortune and Diftin6lion in this
Country. \ He left behind him an only Daughter, who was
married to Col. Robert Boiling ; by whom (he left an only
Son, the late Major ^John Boilings who was Father to the
prefent Col. John Boilings and feveral Daughters, married
to Col. Richard Randolph^ Col. John Fle?ning^ Dr. William
Gay^ Mr. Thomas Eldridge^ and Mr. James Murray. So
that this Remnant of the Imperial Family of Virginia., which
long ran in a fingle Perfon, is now encreafed and branched
out into a very numerous Progeny.
But Governor Argall., with his Vice-Admiral Captain
Ralph Hamer., purfued their Voyage to Virginia., where
they arrived in May. He found all the publickWorks and
Buildings in James-Toivn fallen to Decay ; not above five
or fix private Houfes fit to be inhabited ; the Market-place,
Streets, and all other fpare Places, planted with Tobacco ;
and the Colony difperfed all about, as every Man could
find the propereft Place, and beft Conveniency, for Plant-
ing. But foon after his Arrival, he wrote to England., that
the Colony was in great Peace and Plenty, and the People
bufily
Book III. The History ./VIRGINIA. 147
bufily employed, in preparing for their Crops of Corn and '617.
Tobacco. With him returned Tomocomo^ who, in our old ""■ — v '
Records, is called by a third Name, Tomakin. Captain ^^"'■^'S''li
Argall fent him immediately to Opechancanough^ who came
to 'James-Town^ and received a Prefent, with great Joy
and Thankfulnefs. Tomocomo railed violently againft En-
gland^ and the Etiglijlj ; and particularly, againft his beft
Friend, Sir Thomas Dale. But all his Reports were fo
clearly difproved before Opechancanough and his Grandees,
that much to the Satisfaction of the Grandees, he was re-
jelled and difgraced. But Powhatan^ all this while, leaving
the Care and Charge of the Government chiefly to Opechan-
canough^ went about from Place to Place, taking his Plea-
fure, and vifiting the different Parts of his Dominions.
However he ftill continued in good Friendfhip with the En-
gli/l}. He greatly lamented the Death of his Daughter ;
but rejoiced, that her Child was living. He alfo, as well
as Opechancanough^ exprelTed much Defire to fee him ; but
determined, that he ought not to come over, before he was
ftronger. And, this Year, one Mr. Latnbert made a great
Difcovery, in the Trade of Planting. For the Method of
curing Tobacco then was in Heaps. But this Gentleman
found out, that it cured better upon Lines ; and therefore
the Governor wrote to the Company, to fend over Line for
that Purpofe.
Captain Argall was a Man of Senfe and Induftry ; 1618.
and therefore, to fecure a Plenty of Provifions, he fent out,
the next Year, a Frigat and a fmall Bark to trade, which
brought near fix hundred Bufhels of Corn, to the great
Relief of the Colony. For the Company's Servants, that
worked for the Store, were reduced to fifty four. Men,
Women, and Children. But from the Farmers, who were
at Captain Argair% Arrival eighty one, and from the In-
dians^ as Tribute, they received annually above twelve
hundred Bufhels. But this Year, there was a great
Drought, with a dreadful Storm, that poured down Hail-
ftones, eight or nine Inches round, which did much Da-
mage to both Corn and Tobacco. However, what To-
bacco could be faved, was made up, the beft at three Shil-
lings a Pound, and the reft at eighteen Pence. The Go-
vernor alfo publiflied feveral Edids : That all Goods ftiould
be fold at twenty five per Cent^ and Tobacco allowed for
at three Shillings a Pound, and not under nor over, on the
Penalty of three Years Slavery to the Colony : That there
fhould be no private Trade or Familiarity with the Savages :
That no Indian fhould be taught to fhoot with Guns, on
Pain of Death to Teacher and Learner : That no Perfon
L 2 fhould
148 the History ^/VIRGINIA. Book III.
1618. fhould hunt Deer or Hogs, without the Governor's Leave :
'^ Y^-^That all Hogs, found a fecond time in yames-Town^ fhould
Sam.ArgaU\yQ forfeited to the Colony; and thofe at Bermuda^ ringed:
overnor. -pj^^j ^^ Man fhould flioot, except in his own neceffary
Defence againft an Enemy, till a new Supply of Ammuni-
tion came in, on Pain of a Year's Slavery : That none
fhould go on board the Ship, then at 'James-Town^ without
the Governor's Leave ; and that no Mafters of Ships fhould
fufFer their Sailers to go afhore, or talk with the People at
Kicquotan : That every Perfon fhould go to Church, Sun-
days and Holidays, or lye Neck and Heels that Night, and
be a Slave to the Colony the following Week ; for the fe-
cond Offence, he fhould be a Slave for a Month ; and for
the third, a Year and a Day.
The Lord Delawarr^ who had withdrawn from the
Government on Account of his Health, and whofe Com-
miflion, as Captain-General, was fupreme, and fuperfeded
all others, being ardently wifhed for by the Colony, was
now fent by the Council and Company, in a large Ship,
with a Supply of two hundred People. But meeting with
contrary Winds and much bad Weather, many fell fick,
and thirty died. In this Number was the Right Honoura-
ble, the Lord Governor himfelf ; a Perfon of a moft noble
and generous Difpofition, who had warmly embarked, and
expended much Money, in this Bufinefs, for his Country's
Good. Cambden tells us, that he had been feafled at the
IVeJiern-IJJands^ and that his Death was not without fufpi-
cion of Poifon. And I think I have fomewhere feen, that
he died about the Mouth of Delawarr Bay, which thence
took it's Name from him. But being not able, now to re-
collect the Authority, I fhall leave it, as I found it, and
not venture pofitively to affirm it. After his Death, they
were forced on the Coafl of Neiu-England ; where they
got a Recruit of Wood and Water, and took fuch an A-
bundance of Fifh and Fowl, as plentifully ferved them to
Vh'ginia. They likewife here met a fmall Frenchman^ rich
in Bever and other Furrs, who feafted them with fo great
a Variety of Fifli, Fowl, and Fruits, that they were all
amazed ; little fufpe6f:ing, that wild Defert could afford
fuch a wonderful Plenty of delicate and wholefome Food,
This Ship bringing News, that Multitudes were preparing
in England to be fent. Captain Argall called a Council,
and wrote to the Treafurer and Council in England the
State of the Colony ; and what Mifery muff neccffarily en-
fue, if they fent not Provifions, as well as People. And
he likewife reprefented their Want of fkilful Hulhandmen,
with Shares, Harnefs, and other Implements for Ploughing.
For
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 149
For their Land was exceeding good, and they had now i^'iS.
about forty Bulls and Oxen, which were wholly idle and ' y '
ufelefs, for want of fkilful Men to bring them to Labour, ^""'■f/l""
However, I find, in our old Records, that fome Ploughs,
by this time, were fet to work.
One Richard KiU'uigbeck^ this Summer, attempting a
fecret Trade with the Indians^ was, together with his whole
Company, flain by a Party of the Chickahominies ; who
fearing the Confequences, robbed the Matchacomoco Houfe
of their Town, and fled. This was their Temple and re-
ligious Treafury ; held, to the higheft Degree, facred and
inviolable by the Indians. And the Sunday after, they flew
two Boys and three young Children, within a Mile of
James-Town^ while their Parents were at Church. The
Governor therefore fent to Opechancanough^ who had the
Title of their King, and the Power too, as far as Neceffity
conftrained, or it fuited with their Humour or Intereft. But
he excufed the Nation from the Guilt, and laid the whole
Blame upon fome fugitive Robbers ; of whofe Town he
fent him a Bafket of Earth, as Pofleflion given ; and pro-
mifed, to fend their Heads alfo for Satisfailion, as foon
as they could poflibly catch them. But this he never per-
formed; and confidering the Perfidy of his Nature, and
the exterminating Hatred, he always bore to the Englijh^ it
is much to be queflioned, whether he was not privy to, or
perhaps the chief Author and Contriver of the whole Mat-
ter. However, by thefe A6ls of Hoftility and Barbarity,
the whole Nation was rendered obnoxious to the Englifh
Power and Refentment, and his Regal Authority thereby
firmly riveted and ellabliflied among them. Altho' the Go-
vernor, being fatisfied with this Pretence and Excufe, never
farther profecuted, or revenged, this perfidious Murder and
Breach of the Peace.
Captain Argall^ all this time, was not negligent or
forgetful of the grand End of his coming to Virginia^ but
pufhed on his unrighteous Gains, by all imaginable Methods
of Extortion and OpprefTion. For befides a Multitude of
private Wrongs to particular Perfons, he converted in a
manner wholly to his own Ufe and Pofleflion, whatfoever
remained, at that time, belonging to the Publick, being
the Fruits and Reli6ts of eighty thoufand Pounds Expence.
So that he was loudly charged, with many Ofi^ences in Mat-
ter of State and Government, with Depredation and Wafte
of the publick Eftate and Revenues of the Company, and
with great Oppreflion of the Colony in general, as well as
feveral private Men in particular. And the Cries of his
Outrages and Rapine at laft became fo loud and numerous,
and
150 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1618. and the Company in England was fo enraged at the Reports
"- — r-— and Informations, they received, that they could fcarce be
&m.^r^fl//j.eftrained from flying to the King, for the Redrefs of fo
Govervor. ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ Mifchiefs. But Sir rho?nas Smith, whe-
ther in Favour to Captain Argall, his Kinfman, or out of
his real Judgment, alledged, that imploring his Majefliy's
Aid might prove prejudicial to the Company's Power, and
of dangerous Confequence to their Liberties ; and might
alfo give Room to much publick Scandal and Refle6lion.
And therefore he propofed a milder and lefs clamorous Way
of Proceeding.
To this End, he himfelf. Alderman Johtifon, the De-
puty-Treafurer, Sir Lionel Cranfield, and others of the
Council, wrote Captain Argall a Letter, dated the 23d of
Auguji, 1618; charging him, in very (harp and fevere
Terms, with many Crimes and Mifdemeanors : That he
was exceedingly chargeable to the Company, and converted
the Fruits of their Expence to his own private Ufe : That
he was grown fo proud and infolent, as to fcorn the Title
of Deputy-Governor, declaring, that he would be no Man's
Deputy : That he wronged the Magazine, by his Negli-
gence and Connivency : That he had appropriated the In-
dian Trade to himfelf; ufing the Company's Frigat and
other Vellels, together with their Men, to trade for his
own Benefit, and prohibiting the Trade of Skins and Furs
to all others : That he took the old Planters, who ought to
be free, as well as the Company's Tenants and Servants,
and fet them upon his own Employments: That he expen-
ded the publick Store-Corn, to feed his own Men : That
he had, for fome private End and Purpofe of his own, in-
formed the Company, that Opechancanough and the Natives
intended to give their Country to Mr. Rol/e's Child, and
to referve it from all others, 'till he came of Age : That
he neither looked into, nor regarded, their Inftru6tions ;
but had, under Pretence of their Commiffion, difpofed of
all the Company's Cattle, againft their Exprefs Orders and
Directions, and had converted the Profits thereof to his own
Ufe : That he had, under Colour of his Right, as Admiral,
feifed and detained fome Hides, unlawfully taken or pur-
chafed, for which the Company had compounded, with the
Lord High Admiral and the Spanijh AmbafTador, at the
great Expence of four hundred Pounds : And in fhort, that
all his Actions and Proceedings feemed to be, as if the Co-
lony was wholly intended for his private Gain and Advan-
tage, and as if he was fo great, and they fo mean and in-
fenfible of Reafon, as to let things, of this publick and no-
torious Nature, pafs ofF without a ftriCl and exa6l Account ;
up-
Book III. rke History of VIRGINIA. 151
upbraiding him alio with thefe ungrateful Returns to their ^618.
Favour and Friendfliip, in procuring him the Government. ' y '
At the fame time, they wrote a Letter to my ^'^^^%'^^^^lf^
Delawarr^ whofe Death was yet unknown in England^
containing the like Heads of Complaint and Accufation a-
gainll Captain Argoll\ and informing him, that by the
llrange Infolence of his laft Letter, and by the Informations
of fundrv Witnefles, lately come from Virginia^ there was
more Difcontent raifed in the Adventurers, and more Dan-
ger feared to the Colony, than had ever happened, by any
other thing, fince the firft Beginning of the Enterprife. So
that the Adventurers could hardly be reftrained from going
to the King, altho' far off on a Progrefs, and procuring his
Majefty's Command, to fetch him home as a Malefailor.
But to avoid farther Scandal to their Management and Ad-
miniftration, they befeech his Lordfliip, to fend him forth-
with to England^ to make his perfonal Appearance, and to
give his Anfwers to fuch things, as fliould be laid to his
Charge. And forafmuch as it was conceived, that there
would be many things, for which he muft make Satisfaction
to the Company, they defired his Lordfliip, to feife upon
his Tobacco, Skins, Furs, and other Goods, to be fent to
them as a Depofite, till all Matters fliould be fatisfied and
adjufted ; and that he would likewife return the Cattle, and
other publick Goods, which he had embezzled, to their
proper Places and Owners. And at the fame time, there
was an Order of Court paffed in Etigland^ to fequefter all
Captain Argalts Effe6ls, which fliould be fent home, to
make Reftitution to the Company for his Rapines and Ex-
tortions.
These Letters, coming, by Lord Delawarr's Death,
to Captain ArgaWs, Hands, were fo far from diverting or
repreffing his Exhorbitances, that they feemed, only to put
him upon his Guard, and to render him the more ea-
ger and ftudious to make the beft Ufe of his Time. For
my Lady Delaxvarr complained, that he wrongfully took
fome of her Goods from her late Hufband's Servants, with-
out rendering any Account of them. And indeed he had,
in general, affumed to himfelf a Power, of ordering and
difpofing of his Lordfliip's Eftate, fetting his Tenants and
Servants to his own Work, and thereby ruining and depo-
pulating a very large and hopeful Plantation, begun by his
Lordfhip. But one Captain Edward Brewjier^ alledging
Lord Delawarrs Order, for their being under his Manage-
ment and Direction, endeavoured to withdraw them from
the Governor's Work, and to employ them, for the Main-
tenance of themfelves, and for the Benefit of his Lordfliip's
Heirs,
152 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1618. Heirs and Fellow-Adventurers. But one of them refufed
^ — ' 'to obey him, which drew from him fome threatening Ex-
Sam.Argall ^^^^^^^^ againft the Fellow. This he immediately ran with
to the Governor ; who being drunk with Power, and im-
patient of Oppofition, (a Dillemper, very incident to our
American Viceroys) and being alfo vexed perhaps, to find
any one dare to withftand his arbitrary Schemes of Gain,
he caufed Captain Brew/ier to be feifed, tried by a Court
Martial, and condemned to Death.
The Legality of this Proceeding was founded on an Ar-
ticle of the Martial Laws of the Low Countries, intro-
duced among thofe Articles, fent over by Sir Thomas Smith.
This decreed, " That no Man fliould offer any Violence,
" or contemptuoufly refift or difobey his Commander, or
" do any A61, or fpeak any Words, which might tend to
" breed Diforder or xMutiny, in the Town or Field, or
" difobey any principal Officer's Dire6lions, upon Pain of
" Death." But altho' it was evident from his Majefty's
Charter, that the Governor had Power to execute Martial
Law only in Times of Mutiny and Rebellion, in like Man-
ner as Lords Lieutenants in England had, and that in all
other Cafes, as well civil as criminal, their Proceedings
were to be as agreeable, as conveniently might be, to the
Laws, Statutes, Government, and Policy of the Realm of
England; and altho' it was as evident, that there was at
that time no Pretence of Rebellion or Mutiny, but the Co-
lony enjoyed an univerfal Peace and Tranquility ; yet was
this innocent Gentleman's Condemnation moft unmercifully
driven on, and his Life fubje6ted to the Pleafure of a furi-
ous and enraged Enemy. And this, not in an Affair of
publick Concern, but in a Dispute of private Right ; and
when it did not appear, that he had uttered any thing a-
gainft: the Governor, but only fome threatening Lan-
guage againft a Servant, that difobeyed his lawful Com-
mands. And the whole was carried on and tranfa6led, un-
der Colour and Pretence of a Law, which could have no
legal Force or Validity in the Britijh Dominions. Altho'
it muft be confeffed, that Martial Law was then the reign-
ing Law of Virginia^ to the great Difcouragement of the
Colony, and to the manifeft Infringement of the Rights and
Liberties of the People, as Britijh Subjects. And this
Courfe, at times introduced and ufed from the firft, as be-
ing in a State of War and Danger, was firmly riveted and
confirmed by thofe bloody Articles, fent in by Sir Thomas
Smithy which were unfortunately, at their firft coming, ap-
plied to a good Purpofe and Effe£l by Sir Thomas Dale^ in
quelling the diforderly and mutinous Humours of the Peo-
ple.
Book. III. rbe History of VIRGINIA. 153
pie. And thus, by this Example and Authority, and by 1618.
eafy Acquielcence and Ignorance in the People of their na-^"-^.-^"^
tive Rights and Privileges, it was made the {landing Rule Sam.Argnll
of Proceeding, and became the Common Law and Cuftom
of the Country.
But fome of the Court, reflecting on the extreme Se-
verity of thefe Martial Laws, and being alfo moved per-
haps by the particular Hardfhip and Unrighteoufnefs of the
prefent Cafe, prevailed on the reil, to go in a Body, and
intercede for Captain Brewjier^s Life. And being alfo joined
by fuch of the Clergv, as were at Hand, they did, with
much Intreaty, and after many Repulfes and Allegations of
Captain Argall^ at laft prevail to fave his Life. But it
was upon this exprefs Condition, that he (hould take a fo-
lemn Oath, neither dire£lly nor indirectly, in England or
elfewhere, to utter any contemptuous Words, or do any
thing elfe, that fliould turn to the Diflionour or Difparage-
ment of Captain Argall\ and that he (liould never return
more to Virginia^ by any dire6l or indire6l Means. All
which was this poor Gentleman, a Perfon of fome Figure
and Confideration, obliged to fubmit to, to refpite and put
off an immediate Execution. But after his Return to
England^ being deeply fenfible of this oppreilive and in-
jurious Treatment, as alfo to clear his Reputation, and to
wipe off the Stain of being a condemned Man, he appealed
from the Sentence of the Court Martial in Virginia^ to the
Treafurer and Company in England. And the Profecution
of this Appeal did greatly contribute, to fiiew and expofe
the extreme Rapicioufnefs and tyrannical Adminiftration of
Captain Argall.
A Ship, called the Treafurer., was alfo, this Year, fent
from England by the Lord Rich., who was now become
Earl of Warwick., a Perfon of great Note afterwards in the
Civil Wars, and commander of the Fleet againft the King.
He had afpired to the Title of Earl of Clare ; but that
being then efteemed the fame with Clarence., and a Royal
Title, it was judged too high an Honour for a Family in a
Manner nev/ and upftart, and that of Warivick conferred
upon him. This Ship was here new victualled, and manned
with the ftouteil: and ableff Recruits, that could be picked
out of the whole Colony. And then, under Colour of an
old Commiflion of Hoftiility from the Duke of Savoy., againft
the Spaniards., which they had by fome Means procured,
{lie was fent to rove on the Spanijli Dominions in the //-^y/-
Indies ; where {lie committed much Ravage, and gained
fome Booty. But they had the Confcience even to detraud
the Mariners, who afterwards made Complaint to the
'^^ Com-
154 "^^^ History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1618. Company, that they had cheated them of their Share of
^— — r— -^the Negroes taken ; all which were placed on the Earl of
Sam.ArgaH Jf^arwick'' s Lands in Bermudas, and there kept and detained
ove.nor. ^^ j^.^ Lordftiip's Ufe. And this Proceeding was efteemed,
not only a manifeft A61 of Piracy, but alfo a thing of great
Danger to the Colony, confidering our weak Condition at
that time, and the great Strength of the Spaniards in the
Weft-lndies. Mr. Beverley alfo gives a particular Account
of an Expedition, made this Year by Captain Argall in Per-
fon, to diflodge the French at St. Croix and Port-Royal in
Acadia. But as I cannot find the leaft Mention of it, in
any contemporary Writer, or in any of the old Records,
that I have perufed and examined, I am apt to think, he is
miftaken in the Time, and confounds this with the Expedi-
tion, he made under Sir Thomas Dale., in the Year 16 14.
But the Company in England., receiving Advice of
Lcrd Delawarr\ Death, and finding, that Sir Thomas
S7nith\ Proje6l had thereby failed of Succefs, came to a
Refolution of fending over a new Governor, with. Power
to examine all Complaints and Accufations againft Captain
Argall upon the Spot. And therefore Captain Teardley,
who was upon this Occafion knighted, was chofen Go-
vernor and Captain-General, and fent upon this Bufinefs.
But Captain Argall., in the mean while, was fully apprifed,
by the Earl of Warwick and others, his. Aflbciates in En-
gland., of every thing, that had pafied in their Courts con-
cerning himfelf. Wherefore, to prevent the Seifure of his
Goods, he configned all his Effedls, under other Men's
Names, and into the Hands of great and powerful Perfons.
And as to thofe Goods, which were fent home, before he
knew of the Order to fequefter them, the Earl of Warwick.,
by his Intriguing and Intereft, got them all into his own
Hands, under Pretence of taking out the Share, which be-
longed to him by his Right of Partnerfhip, and upon ex-
prefs Promife, to return the reft into the Company's
Hands. But this Promife he could never be brought to per-
form ; fo that the Company were deprived of the Means to
right themfelves, and defrauded of that juft Reftitution,
which they had great Reafon to expe61: and demand.
This Year 1618 is likewife memorable, for the Death
of two Perfons of principal Figure in the Virgniian Hiftory.
The firft of thefe was Poivhatan., Emperor of the Indians.,
a Prince of excellent Senfe and Parts, and a great Mailer
of all the Savage Arts of Government and Policy. He
was penetrating, crafty, infidious, and cruel ; and as hard
to be deceived by others, as to be avoided in his own Stra-
tegems and Snares. But as to the great and moral Arts of
Policy,
Book III. T/:c History ?/ VIRGINIA. 155
Policy, fuch as Truth, Faith, Uprightnefs, and Magnani- 1618.
mity, they feem to have been but Httle heeded or regarded ' ■, '
by him. He was fucceeded in his Dominions, according to S^m.Argall
the regular Order of Succeffion, by his fecond Brother, "^'^'■"°''-
Opitchapan ; who is fometimes called Itopat'in^ and Oeatan.
And now upon his Acceffion to the fupreme Power, he
again changed his Name to Safawpen^ as Opechancamugh
did his to Mangopeeomen. Upon what Reafon of Cuftom,
or Dignity, or Humour, thefe Changes were made in their
Names, I cannot fay ; but to avoid Confufion, I fliall take
no Notice of fuch nominal Differences, but fhall always
fpeak of the fame Perfon by the fame Name. Opitchapan^
being an eafy, decrepit, and unaftive Prince, was foon
obfcured by the fuperior Parts and Ambition of his younger
Brother, Opechancaiiough ; whofe Figure and Activity firft
drew the Attention, and at laft, by degrees, engrofled the
whole Power of the Government ; altho' for fome time,
he was content with, and feemed chiefly to afFe£t, the Title
of King of Chickahominy. However they both renevv'ed
and confirmed the League with the Englijh ; under the Pro-
teftion of v/hich, every Man peaceably followed his Build-
ing and Planting, without any remarkable Accidents or In-
terruption.
The other Perfon was Sir Walter Ralegh^ the Father
and firfl Mover of thefe American Colonies ; to whom we
owe our Name, as we do our Settlement alfo to the Profe-
cution of his Defign. In OBober this Year, he ended a
Life of much Glory and Adverfity, on the Scaffold, to the
everlafting Infamy and Reproach of King fames. For he
was a Perfon of very great Worth, and of a vaft and moft
extenfive Genius ; being equally fitted, to fhine in every
Part of Life, or Branch of Art, to which he applied him-
felf. And he was accordingly alike famed, as a Seaman,
a Soldier, a Statefman, and a Scholar. He was therefore
univerfally pitied and lamented, and even interceded for by
feveral Princes ; by the Queen, Prince Henry., the King of
Denmark., and King of France., whofe Agent in England.,
even at the laft, endeavoured to contrive his Efcape. But
King fames., perverfely bent on the Wrong, could, by no
means, be prevailed upon, to fpare the greatcft and wifeft
Head in his Dominions ; but foamefully made him a Sacri-
fice to his darling Dotage, the Spani/lo Match, a Meafure
weak in itfelf, but profecuted and carried on, with ftill
greater Weaknefs and Indifcretion. But his Death hath
been fo often deplored and condemned, that I (hall not add
to the general Complaint any farther, than by making fome
brief Extra6ts out of a Letter, preferved by Mr. Rujhworth
in
156 The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1618. in his CollecSlions, to fliew the fliameful Cruelty and In-
^— Y 'juftice of the A61.
Sam.Argair ^ H I s Letter IS Written, by a great Minifter of State in
Governor. £^^^i^^^^ j.^ ]y[j._ Cotthigton^ afterwards Lord Cottington^
the BritiP) Refident at the Court of Spain. In it he com-
plains, as by Order from the King, of the Infincerity and
Chicanry of the Spanifi Court in that Affair, and fets forth
the upright and fincere Intentions of his Majefty. And he
fays, that he is particularly commanded by his Majefty, to
advertife him of the Execution of Sir Walter Ralegh^ who
was lately put to Death, chiefly for their Satisfaftion, and
concerning whom he promifes fpeedily to fend a Declara-
tion: That, to pleafe them, his Majefty of late had, in
many things, ftrained upon the Affe6lions of his People;
and moft efpecially, in this laft of Sir Walter Ralegh., who
died with great Courage and Conftancy, and had raifed
much Remorfe and Compaffion in the People, who all at-
tributed his Death, to the Spani/h Machinations, and his
Majefty's Defire to do them a Pleafure : And further, he
orders him, ftrongly to infift upon and reprefent, how able
a Man Sir Walter Ralegh was to have ferved his Majefty, if
he had been pleafed to have employed him : And that yet,
to give them Content, he had not fpared him, altho' he
might, by faving his Life, have given infinite Satisfa6lion
to his People, and have had at Command, upon all Occa-
fions, as ufeful a Man, as ferved any Prince in Chriften-
dom.
Thus fell one of the laft-furviving, and the brighteft
of all the Commanders, bred under Queen EUfabeth., and
by her flefhed in SpaniJJj Blood and Spoil. And what is the
moft reproachful Part of it, he fell a Vi6lim to his own
great Merit and Abilities, the Memory and Danger of
which, to the SpaniJJo Nation, had been revived, by his late
Expedition to Guiayia ; as alfo, out of the old Grudge, for
his many eminent Services, under his former Royal and
illuftrious A/Iiftrefs, Queen Elifaheth., and to place him be-
yond a Poflibility of ever rendering the like Services, to
King James or his Son. As the King's whole Condu^^c to-
wards him was a ftrange Medley of Injuftice amJ Incon-
fiftency, fo was it fmartly obferved by his Son, Carew Ra-
legh \ That his poor Father was firft condemned, for being
a Friend to the Spaniards., and afterwards loft his Life, by
the fame Sentence, for being their Enemy. Fie died, as he
had lived, with great Luftre and Honour ; with the Cha-
rity, Serenity, and Refignation of a Chriftian, joined to
the Magnanimity and intrepid Courage of an old Roman.
In
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 157
I N the Beginning of the Year 1619, Sir George Tcardley v/as 1619.
difpatched and lent Governor, with divers Commiffions and "-; — v '
Inftrudions for proceeding againft Captain Jrgall \n ^^'^^T-^yc^/J'/'/' '■
nia^ were the Fa6ls were committed, and where the Proofs, Qgyg^nor^
on both Sides, might readily be had. The Earl of War-
tvick and his Faftion had violently oppofed this, but not be- /
ing able to prevail, he was obliged to betake himfelf to /
other Meafures. Mr. Roi/e's Commiffion was either now '
expired ; or elfe, as I rather believe, he had given Offence
to the Companv, and was turned out of his Place of Se-
cretary. And this, I find fome Reafon to fufpe6l, pro-
ceeded from his too great SubmifTion and Subferviency to
Captain Jrgnll's male Practices. But however that was,
the Earl of IFarivick obtained that Place from Sir Thoinas
Smithy for Mr. John Pory^ who now went over with the
Governor. For the Nomination to that Office was a Com-
pliment, made by the Company to their Treafurer ; till af-
terwards the Earl of Southampton^ in the Time of his Trea-
furerfliip, returned it back to the Company, and referred it
wholly to their Choice. By the Means of this Pory^ as it
was vehemently fufpe6led, the Earl of Warivick got the
Ship fo long Hopped and retarded on the Coaft of England^
that he difpatched a fmall Bark, before from PUmouth^ to
fetch away Captain Jrgall^ with all his Goods and Booty.
This Bark arriving the Beginning of Aprils Captain Argall
took immediate Order for his Affairs, and within four or
five Days, embarked in her for England. He left Captain
Nathaniel Powel Deputy-Governor ; a worthy Gentleman,
who had come in at the firfi: with Captain Smith., and ever
fince continued, an honeft and ufcful Inhabitant. But his
Government was of very fhort Duration. For in ten or
twelve Days after Captain ArgaW?, Departure, Sir George
Teardley arrived ; and was received with the greater Joy and
Welcome, as he brought with him feveral Charters from
the Company, of Grants and Liberties to the Colony. For
the honefter Part and Majority of the Company, being
alarmed at thefe late Proceedings, refolved to be more atten-
tive to the Affair, and to prevent all fuch Exorbitancies for
the future. One of thefe Charters only have I feen, con-
taining Directions to the Governor and Council of State, to
lay ofl" Lands for feveral publick Ufes ; and likewife con-
firming Titles, and afcertaining the Methods of obtaining
Lands in Virginia., and for preventing fraudulent and fur-
reptitious Grants ; two of which, of a very extraordinary
and inconvenient Nature, had been obtained by Captain
Martin and Captain Argall. But Sir George Teardley., hav-
ing thus narrowlv miffed of the Quarry, applied himfelf to
the
158 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1619. the Affairs of Government. And .firft he added the fol-
^^ Y^— ^lowing Gentlemen to the Council; Captain Francis JVeft^
&r George Captain Nathaniel Poiuel, Mr. John Pory^ Mr. John Rolfe^
Governor, ^r. William Wickham, and Mr. Sainuel Macock. For al-
though Captain Powel had been appointed Deputy-Gover-
nor, yet was he not of the Council. For, till this time,
the Governors, in Cafe of their Abfence, always affumed
to themfelves the Power of naming their Deputies. Soon
after Sir George publifhed his Intention, of holding a Gene-
ral Affembly in a ftiort time ; which, I fuppofe, was one
of the chief Privileges and Powers, granted and fent over
with him. And I likewife find, by an Inftrument of Wri-
ting to one Richard Kingf?nil^ that he had a Power to grant,
and accordingly did grant, to all the ancient Planters, who
had been here before Sir Thojuas Dale''s Departure, a full
Releafe and Difcharge from all further Service to the Co-
lony, excepting only fuch Services, as they fhould willing-
undertake, or were bound in Duty to perform by the Laws
of all Nations ; together with a Confirmation of all their
Eftates real and perfonal, in as full and ample Manner, as
the Subjecfts of England held and enjoyed them. And this
Precaution was undoubtedly occafioned by Captain JrgalPs
Rapines, and many perfonal Impofitions on the ancient Plan-
ters and Freemen of the Colony.
The Earl of IVartvick was highly incenfed at thefe late
Proceedings againft Captain Argall ; and finding Sir Thomas
Smith not ftanch, and fit for his Purpofe, he purfued, with
great Vehemence, the Removal of him and Alderman John-
fon^ the Deputy, from the Government of the Company.
Thofe two Gentlemen had alfo given much Offence, to
the greater and better Part of the Adventurers ; and lay un-
der a ftrong Sufpicion, as well of Negligence in their Office,
as of Collufion and unfair Dealing. Sir Thomas Smith too
himfelf, being far advanced in Years, of tender Health,
and very rich, was willing to furrender a Place, of fo great
Trouble and Fatigue, and fo little fair Profit. And there-
fore, being already Governor of the Eajl-lndia Company,
and lately appointed a Commiffioner of his Majefty's Navy,
he declared, at a Quarter Court, held the 28th of April^
that he was unable to give that Attendance, which he de-
fired, and which the Affairs of the Company demanded ;
and for that reafon, requefted the Favour of them, to be
difcharged from his Office. And altho' he was afterwards
named by fome to be a Candidate, yet he was fixed in his
Refolution, and abfolutely refufed to ftand in Eledfion. In
his Room, Sir Edwin Sandys^ Sir John Wolftenhohne^ and
Alderman John/on^ were propofed ; and the Choice fell on
Book III. rhe History of VIRGINIA. 159
Sir Edwin Sandys^ he having fifty nine Voices, Sir yobn 1619.
TVol/ienhobne twenty three, and Alderman yohnfon eighteen. ^'■" — v^-^
Sir Edwin was a Gentleman of Kerit^ and a Member of ^"' ^^°''S.'
Parliament ; a Perfon of excellent Underftanding and Judg- Governor
ment ; of great Induftry, Vigor, and Refolution ; and in-
defatigable in his Application to the Bufinefs of the Com-
pany and Colony. He had, before this, on Account of his
Iduftry and Knowledge of their Affairs, been often joined,
by the Courts, with Sir Thomas Smithy in the Management
of feveral weighty things, relating to the Colony. So that
fcarce any thing, whilll he was in Town, paffed without
him. But he afterwards complained, that what was done,
during his Abode in Town, was commonly undone, when
he was abfent in the Country. Mr. John Farrar^ an emi-
nent Merchant of London^ with a like Majority, was chofen
Deputy-Treafurer ; a worthy Second to Sir Edwin Sandys^
and every way fit for the Poft, conferred upon him.
But not to caft off an old Servant with Difregard, who
had, in the Time of greateft Trouble and Difficulty, con-
tinued above twelve Years in the principal Office of the
Company, at the Motion of Sir Ediuin Sandys^ twenty
great Shares, or two thoufand Acres of Land, were be-
ftowed, as a Gratuity, upon Sir Thomas Smith. But there
was not the leaft Notice taken, or Reward given, to Al-
derman yohnfon. And thefe Alterations in the Govern-
ment of the Company gave not only much Satisfa6lion in
England., but were alfo received with great Joy in Virginia ;
where the old Officers had been long and bitterly exclaimed
againft, by the general Voice of the Colony. But the
Earl of Warwick was fo far from gaining by the Change,
that he had now a Perfon of much greater Honour and In-
tegrity, and a Gentleman of principal Figure and Intereft
in the Nation, to oppofe his Schemes and Defigns. For
altho' Sir Edwin Sandys was much wronged in the Execu-
tion of his Office, and even fought to be deterred by Threats
of Blood, yet they could no way turn him, from a vigorous
Profecution and Enquiry into the late Diforders in Virginia.
At the Expiration of Sir Thomas Smith's Government, af-
ter fourfcore thoufand Pounds Expence and twelve Years
Labour, the Colony confifted of about fix hundred Perfons,
Men, Women, and Children. And they had about three
hundred Head of Cattle, fome Goats, and infinite Num-
bers of Hogs, both wild and tame. But all the Compa-
ny's Lands and Plantations were utterly ruined and depo-
pulated by Captain Argall., there being only three Tenants
left thereon, and fix Men of what he called his Guard.
And notwithftanding Sir Thomas Smith's Boaft, that he had
left
i6o "The History ^/VIRGINIA. Book III.
1619. left four thoufand Pounds, for the new Treafurer to proceed
■ — -Y— ^ upon, yet it was found, upon Examination, that the Com-
Sir George pany was above that Sum in Debt. However Sir Edwin
Governor Sandys^ and all the founder and more publick-fpirited Part
of the Company, applied themfelves, with a laudable Dili-
gence and Induftry, to reform the Abufes, and by all the
Methods, they could devife, to fet forward and advance the
Plantation.
Sir George Teardley^ upon his Arrival in Virginia^ find-
ing a great Scarcity of Corn, made it his firft Care to fup-
ply that Defe6l. And therefore he wrote to the Treafurer
•and Company in England^ to excufe him, if he made not
fuch Returns in Tobacco, this Year, as might be expefted.
For he was determined, by the Bleffing of God, to raife
such a plentiful Crop of Corn, that the Colony fhould not,
in hafte, be in any further Danger of Want. And about
the latter End of 'June^ he called the firft General All'em-
bly, that was ever held in Virginia. Counties were not yet
laid off, but they ele6led their P,.eprefentatives by Town-
fhips. So that the Burroughs of 'James-'Totvn^ Henrico^
Berynuda Hundred., and the reft, each fent their Members to
the Affembly. And hence it is, that our Lower Houfe of
Affembly was firft called the Houfe of Burgeffes, a Name
proper to the Reprefentatives of Burroughs or Towns ;
and it hath, by Cuftom, ever fince retained that Appella-
tion, altho' the Burgeffes, or Members for Towns and Cor-
porations, are very few and inconfiderable at prefent, in
Comparifon of the Reprefentatives for Counties. Mr. Be-
verley fays, they fate in the fame Houfe with the Gover-
nor and Council, after the Manner of the Scotch Parlia-
ment ; and we are told by Smith., that they debated all
Matters, thought expedient for the Good of the Colony.
The Afts of this General Afl'emblv were remitted to En-
gland., and prefented to the Company, to be read in their
Court, the 20th of March following; For the Company
then had the regal Power of confirming, or difanulling our
A6i:s of Affembly. I can no where find, among the Re-
cords now extant, any Account of the Particulars, that
paffed. Only Sir Edwin Sandys., upon Perufal of them,
affures the Company, that they were very well and judi-
cioufly formed -, but they were very intricate, and difficult
to be reduced into diftin6l and proper Heads.
HowKVER we may be certain of this happy Effe£l, that
by the Introdu6tion of the Britifl) Form of Government,
by Way of Parliament or Aflembly, the People were again
reftored to their Birthright, the Enjovment of Britijh Li-
berty ; and that moft grievous and oppreflive Cuftom of
Trial
Book. III. rZv History of VIRGINIA. 161
Trial by Martial Law was thereby, if not at once, yet by 1619.
Degrees, entirely baniflied and abolifhed. It is true indeed, ^ ^ '
that before, both by the Royal Charters, and by all other sir George
Law and Reafon, the Englijl\ tranfplanted hither, had a 'i'^'^'-dicy,
Right to all the Liberties and Privileges of Englifh Subjects.
And certainly no Perfon, in his Senfes, would haye left the
Liberty of England^ to come hither (in order to improye
the Commerce, and increafe the Riches of the Nation) to
a State of Slavery ; when without that, it was natural to
fuppofe, that they muft undergo much Hardfhip and La-
bour. Yet by the Neceffity of the Times, by the Igno-
rance of the People, and by the Oppreflion and Tyranny of
Governors, they had, thus far, been deprived of that their
native Right. But with the Engl'ijh Form of Government,
the Englijh Liberty again revived and flouriflied \ and to-
gether with the Nation, they now tranfplanted and diffufed
into America their moft happy Conftitution. From this
Time therefore, we may moit properly date the Original
of our prefent Conftitution, by Governor, Council, and
BurgefTes ; which altho' defe6live perhaps in fome material
Points, yet comes fo near to the excellent Model of the En-
gl'ijh Government, that it muft be the hearty Prayer and
Defire of all true Lovers of their Country, that it may
long flourifh among us and improve. For this happy Change,
we are chiefly indebted to the Change of the Officers and
Governors of the Company in England^ and to the Activity
and Attention of Sir Edwin Sandys^ and many other worthy
Members of the Company, to the Affairs of the Colony.
This Summer, they laid off four new Corporations;
which encreafed the Number of their Burroughs, that had
Right to fend Members to the Aflembly, to eleven in all.
And "Japa-zaius^ the King of Patowmack^ came to faines-
Town^ and invited the Englifl) into his River to trade ; for
a more plentiful Year of Corn had not been known, in a
long time. But Captain IVard^ being fent thither, was
treacheroufly dealt with by the Natives ; and the thing
coming to open Hoftility, he took from them eight hundred
Bufliels by Force, and fo returned to James-Toiun. One
Captain Stallings^ this Year, had the Misfortune, firft to
have his Ship caft away, and not long after to be flain, in
a private Quarrel, by TFilliatn Eppes. And the whole
Colony laboured under fo great a Mortality, that no lefs
than three hundred of the Inhabitants died within the Year.
But in Mitigation of this, they had the moft plentiful Crop
of Grain, that had ever yet been raifed, fince the firft Plan-
tation of the Country. And indeed the Company received
fuch an Account of it, as will not eafily gain Credit ; which
23 M I there-
i62 rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1619. I therefore leave entirely to the Reader's good Pleafure, to
"'^ Y-"~^ believe or diltelieve, as he thinks fit ; neither fliould I have
Sir George related it, had I not found it authentically recorded, in the
Governor Company's Journals. For by Letters from Vh-ginia^ they
were informed, that they had had two Harvefts of Wheat,
the firft being fhaken by the Wind, and producing a fecond ;
and their Ground was fo extraordinary fat and good, that
they planted Indian Corn upon the Stubble, and had an ex-
cellent Crop of that. But it muft be remembered, that
rare-ripe Corn was the Corn of thofe Times, and that they
ufually had two Crops of it in a Year.
Whilst things were in this State in Virginia^ Sir Ed-
win Sandys was, by no means, idle or negligent of his
Charge in England. For turning the whole Bent of his
Thoughts, towards the Improvement and Furtherance of
this noble Enterprife, he got a Committee appointed, con-
fiding of Sir Dudley Digges^ Sir Ediuard Harwood., and di-
vers other Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and Citizens,
as well tor compiling and reducing the (landing Rules and
Orders, for the Government of their own Company, into
one entire Body, as more efpecially for conftituting Laws,
and fettling a Form of Government for Virginia., appoint-
ing Magiltrates and Officers, and declaring their feveral
Fun61:ions and Duties. And this was one of the chief Powers
and Injunctions of his Majefty's Letters patent and Inftruc-
tions to the Company. As to the former Part, concerning
the Government of themfelves, it was eafily brought to a
tolerable Head. But the latter being a vaft Defign, of very
great Weight and Difficulty, and comprehending no lefs,
than a Project for rearing, conltituting, and forming a com-
pleat Commonwealth, in all its Parts, it never could, not-
withftanding Sir Edwin Sandys^s great Pains and Diligence,
be brought to any fatisfaftory Conclufion. So that Virginia
was left to the befl: Means of forming its Government ; that
is to fay, to work after the Englijh Plan, with the Affifl:ance
of Time and Experience, and the united Senfe and Endea-
vours of its Reprefentatives and Officers of State.
The King had formerly iflued his Letters to the feveral
Bifhops of the Kingdom, for collecting Money, to ere6t
and build a College in Virginia., for the training up and
educating Infidel Children in the true Knowledge of God.
And accordingly, there had been already paid near fifteen
hundred Pounds towards it, and more was expedled to come
in. For befides other Particulars, Sir Edwin Sandys., upon
fome Conference with the Bifhop of Litchfield., found, that
he had never heard of any Colle6lion in his Diocefe ; but
he promifed, as foon as he iliould have a Warrant, to fur-
ther
Book III. rZr History of VIRGINIA. 163
ther fo good a Defign, with the utmoft DiHgence. Sir '619.
Edwin therefore recommended it to the Company, as a ^y — >- '
thing moft worthy of their Confideration, both for the ^^^'^Ye^'Jie^'
ry of God, and their own Honour. And he told them, Q^^ygj^j^oJ
that it was an Affair of that Weight and Dignity, that they
muft expert to render an Accout of their Proceedings to the
State ; and that NegHgence therein could never efcape pub-
lick Notice and Cenfure, efpecially of thofe, who had ge-
neroufly contributed towards it. He therefore had Sir Dud-
ley Digges^ Sir Nathaniel Rich^ Sir fohn IVol/lenholme^ Mr.
Deputy Farrar^ Dr. Anthony^ and Dr. Guljione^ appointed
a Committee, to meet, as he fliould order and dire6l, and
to confult thereupon. And he likewife moved and obtained,
that ten thoufand Acres of Land Ihould be laid off for the
Univerfity at Henrico^ a Place formerly refolved on for that
Purpofe. This was intended, as well for the College for the
Education oi Indians^ as alfo to lay the Foundation of a Se-
minary of Learning for the Englijh. In Confequence of
thefe Refolves, Sir Edwin procured fifty Men to be fent this
Summer, and fifty more the Beginning of the next Year,
to be feated on thefe College Lands, as Tenants at Halves.
They were to have half the Profit of their Labour to them-
felves, and the other half was to go, towards forwarding
the Building, and the Maintenance of the Tutors and Scho-
lars. And as a Man's Labour was then computed at ten
Pounds Sterling a Year, it was intended, hereby to effablifli
an annual Revenue of five hundred Pounds, for this good
and pious Work. Mr. George Thorpe alfo, a Kinfman of
Sir Thomas Dale's,^ being a Gentleman of his Majefty's Pri-
vy Chamber, and one of the Council in England for Virgi-
nia^ accepted ot the Place, and was fent over the next Spring,
as the Company's Deputy and Superintendent for the Col-
lege. And for his Entertainment and Support, they granted
three hundred Acres of Land, to be for ever annexed and
belonging to that Place, with ten Tenants thereon.
In a great and general Qiiarter Court of the Company,
held in November this Year, Sir Edwin Sandys told them,
that his Duty and Inclination running equally for the Ad-
vancement of this good A6lion, he had many things to lay
before them. And accordingly, he reminded them, that
the Maintenance of the Publick, in all States, was of no
lefs Importance, even for the Benefit of private Men, than
the Root and Body of a Tree are to the particular Branches.
And he recalled to their Remembrance, how by the admi-
rable Care and Diligence of two worthy Knights, Sir Tho-
mas Gates and Sir Thomas Dale, the publick Eltate and Re-
venue of the Company had been fet forward, in a Way to
great Perfedion : That the former. Sir Thomas Gates^hzd
M 2 the
164 The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1619. the Honour to all Pofterity, to be the first named, in his
"^ Y 'Majeftv's Patent and Grant of /^/r^/«/(?, and was alfo the
rL?i/7' firft, that by his Wifdom, Induftry, and Valour, accom-
Governor. P^^ied with exceeding Pains and Patience, in the Midft of
many Difficulties, had laid the Foundation of the prefent
profperous State of the Colony: And the latter. Sir Thomas
Dale^ building upon thofe Foundations, with great and
conftant Severity, had reclaimed, almoft miraculoufly, thofe
idle and diflblute Perfons, and reduced them to Labour and
an honeft Fafliion of Life : That proceeding with great
Zeal for the good of the Company, he had laid ofF publick
Lands, to yield them a ftanding Revenue, placed Servants
thereon, as alfo upon other publick Works, for the Com-
pany's Ufe ; eflabliflied an annual Rent of Corn from the
Farmers, and of Tribute from the Barbarians ; together
with a great Stock of Cattle, Goats, and other Animals :
That this had fince been the Occafion of drawing fo many
private Plantations, to feat in Virginia \ upon Hope and
Promife of Plenty of Corn and Cattle, to be lent them by
the Publick, for their Eafe and Benefit, at their firft Arri-
val : But that fince their Times, all this publick Provifion
had been utterly laid wafte and deftroyed : And that befides,
for about an hundred Perfons, which appeared to have been
fent, at the Company's Charge, within the two or three
laft Years, Sir George Teardley wrote Word, that, at his
Arrival, only three could be found, remaining to the Publick:
That as to the Means and Caufes of thefe Dilapida-
tions, he doubted not, but that hereafter, in due time, they
would be made fully manifeft ; but that he forbore, at pre-
fent to touch upon them, left he ftiould, by Glance of
Speech, give Offence to any Perfon prefent (for Captain
Argall^ the known Author thereof, was then in Court )
But as to the Remedies of thefe Mifchiefs, he related to
them, what Methods had been already taken. For where-
as, not much above three Years before, there had been re-
mitted from Virginia twelve feveral Commodities, fold
openly in Court, to the great Honour of the A6lion, and
Encouragement of the Adventurers ; yet fince that time,
there had been little returned, worth fpeaking of, except
Tobacco and Saftafras ; to which the People there applied
themfelves fo entirely, that they would have been reduced
to the Neceffity of ftarving, the laft Year, had not the Ma-
gazine fupplied them with Corn and Cattle from England:
That this had been the Occafion of ftopping and difcourag-
ing many Hundreds of People, who were providing to re-
move themfelves thither : That frequent Letters had there-
fore been fent, from the Council there to the Governor in
Virginia^ to reftrain that immoderate planting of Tobacco,
and
Book III. The History of VIRGINIA. 165
and to caufe the People to apply themfelves to other and 1619.
better Commodities: And that he had alfo, by the Advice^'— ^r '
and Confent of the Council, and according to an Order now ^''' George
to be propofed, caufed to be drawn a new Covenant, to be Governor
inferted in all future Grants of Land, that the Patentees
fhould not apply themfelves, wholly, or chiefly, to To-
bacco, but to other Commodities, therein fpecified ; an
Example whereof they would now fee, in a Patent, lying
before them for their Approbation.
But altho' they had been, by no means, negligent in
thefe Affairs, yet he faid, that his principal Care and Study
had been employed, to fet up again and reftore the publick
Stock and Revenue, to as great, or a greater Degree of
Perfe6lion, than they had heretofore been at. And to that
End, he recounted, how three thoufand Acres of Land
had been laid off, for the Governor ; twelve thoufand for
the Company ; and ten thoufand, for the Univerfity at Hen-
rico. And that feventy two Perfons had already been placed
on the Company's Land, fifty three on the Governor's, and
fifty on the College's ; an hundred and feventy five in all.
But not content with this, he told them, that he had ftill
fome farther Propofitions to make to them.
And firft, he propofed to them, that thefe Tenants for
the publick might, the next Spring, be encreafed to the
Number of three hundred ; an hundred for the Company's
Land, an hundred for the College, and an hundred for the
Governor, who fhould be obliged, at the Expiration of his
Office, to leave the fame Number to his Succeffor ; which
would thereby raife a ffanding Revenue of a thoufand Pounds
a Year, and eafe the Company of all further Expence for
his Provifion and Entertainment. And whereas Care had
been, and ftill fhould be taken, during his Office, to fend
over to thefe Lands, divers ftaid and difcreet Perfons, he
propofed, in the fecond Place, that an hundred Boys and
Girls, of about twelve or thirteen Years of Age, might be
fent to be their Servants and Apprentices ; in the Charge
whereof, he hoped, that the honourable City of London
would partake with the Company, as they had formerly
done. And becaufe he underflood, that the People in' plr-
ginia, tho' feated there in their Perfons for fome few Years,
yet were not fettled in their Minds, nor intended to make
it their Place of Reft and Continuance, but propofed, after
having got fome Wealth, to return again to England^ which
tended to the utter Overthrow and Diflolution of the Plan-
tation 5 he therefore advifed, and made it his third Propo-
fition, that there fhould be fent over one hundred Maids,
young and uncorrupt, to make Wifes for the Inhabitants ;
M 3 that
i66 rbc History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
1619. that Wives, Children, and Families, might render them
^ ^ 'lefs moveable, and fix and fettle them, together with their
Sir George Pofterity, in that Soil : And that fuch of thefe Maids, as
olvemor ^^''^ married to the publick Farmers, fhould be tranfported
at the Company's Expence ; but if any were married to
others, that then thofe, who took them to Wife, {hould
repay the Company their Charges of Tranfportation. And
in Confequence of this Propofition, ninety Maids were ac-
cordingly fent the following Spring. As to the Manner of
tranfporting thefe Perfons, to make up five hundred in all
for the Publick, he propofed, in the fourth Place, that they
fhould not hire Shipping, as heretofore, fince each Ship,
at its Return, in bare Freight and Wages, emptied the
publick Cafh of eight hundred, and fometimes a thoufand
Pounds -, but that they fliould, as he had already done this
prefent Year, take the Advantage of the Ships trading to
Nexvfoundland^ and fo tranfport them, at fix Pounds a Per-
fon, without any after Reckonings. Fifthly, he propofed,
the fending twenty Heifers, for every hundred Tenants,
threefcore in the whole •, which, with their Breed, might
foon raife them a tolerable Stock ; and which he had Hopes
of having tranfported, taking the Opportunity of Shipping
in the IVeftern Parts, at ten Pounds a Head, to be delivered
in Virginia.
Lastly, as to the Charges, he obferved to them, that
there never could be a more proper Time, for fuch large
Tranfportations, than the prefent ; Corn being fo exceedingly
cheap and plentiful at home, and there being, by their Ad-
vices from J^irghua^ fo great Promifes of an excellent Crop
there. And he alfo {hewed, how much the Company was
bound to give Thanks to Almighty God, for all his Blef-
fings, who continually raifed Means, to fupport and carry
on this great Work ; and he particularly mentioned one un-
known Gentleman alone, who promifed five hundred Pounds,
on, Demand, for the Conversion and Education of three-
fcore Indian Children ; and that he had likewife, upon his
Letters, received Afiurance from fundry Parts, and fome
of them very remote, that if they proceeded with the Un-
dertaking, they fhould not want for Money. But not to
rely upon fuch precarious Funds and Hopes, he related to
them, particularly, the feveral Ways and Means, by which
the Money would arife. And he efl:imated the whole
Charge, at four thoufand Pounds, to be done fparingly ;
and bountifully, at five thoufand. He alfo promifed, not
to leave the Company one Penny in Debt, for any A61 or
Thing, to be performed within his Year ; and that he
would moreover difcharge three thoufand Pounds of former
Debts,
Book III. rbe History of VIRGINIA. 167
Debts, according to the Stock, left at the time of his com- 1619.
ing to his Place. And thefe things done, he hoped, the^'" v '
Publick would again be fully reftored, a Foundation laid ^'^2/7'
for a future great State, the Adventurers and Planters well Governor.
comforted and encouraged, and all Matter of Scandal and
Reproach to them and the Enterprife removed. And fo
he concluded, by recommending thefe Points to their moft
ferious Confideration, and the whole Enterprife to the Blef-
fing of Almighty God. Thefe Propofitions, which had
been before made in two feveral Courts, and were now re-
peated at the particular Defire of fome noble Lords prefent,
were received with that Applaufe, they well deferved ; and
they pafled, upon the Queiiion, with an unanimous Ap-
probation, altho' Sir John Woljienhobne^ in a former Court,
had made fome vain Exceptions againft them. And Sir Ed-
win Sandys^ with an extreme Care and Diligence, faw them
all afterwards put effecflually into Execution.
But befides thefe reputable People, to be tranfported at
the Company's Charge, the Treafurer and Council received
a Letter from his Majefty, commanding them, forthwith
to fend away to Virginia an hundred diflblute Pcrfons, which
Sir Ediuard Zouch^ the Knight Marfhal, would deliver to
them. In Obedience to his Majefty's Command, it was
refolved, to fend them over with all Conveniency, to be
Servants, which Mr. Treafurer underftood, would be very
acceptable to the Colony. But as it was November^ and
Shipping, at that Seafon, not eafily procured,' it was thought
they could not be fent off before January at fooneft. But
to fatisfy his Majefty, the' Company agreed to be at the Ex-
pence of their Maintenance, in the mean while. The
Treafurer was therefore defired, to deliver this their An-
fwer to his Majefty, by Secretary Calvert. But he was
told, that the King's Command was urgent, and admitted
no Delay -, and that fifty, at leaft, muft with all Speed be
fhipped off. And notwithftanding his juft Reprefentations,
how great Inconveniency and Expence would thence accrue to
the Company ; that they could not well go in lefs than four
Ships, left, being fo many together, they fliould mutiny,
and run away with the Veffel; that thofe four Ships, to be
got thus fuddenly, without taking Advantage of the Veffels
trading to America^ would not ftand the Company in lefs
than four thoufand Pounds ; and that, notwithftanding all.
Ships were not to be procured fo fpeedily, at that Time of
the Year. Yet nothing, he could alledge, giving Satisfaction,
the Company were obliged to appoint a Committee of the
Deputy and other fele6l Merchants, to employ all their En-
deavours, for compafling Shipping, with all poftible Speed.
M 4 And
"The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
And by good Fortune, for the additional Premium of an
hundred Pounds, they procured a large Ship, to carry
them off; but which neverthelefs could not fail before
February.
Those, who are acquainted with Hiftory, and know,
with how high and magifterial a Hand, this King fometimes
carried it, even with his Parliaments, will not be furprifed,
to find him thus unmercifully infult a private Company, and
load them, againft all Law, with the Maintenance and ex-
traordinary Expence of tranfporting fuch Perfons, as he
thought proper to banifh ; and that perhaps, without any
colourable Pretext, or fufficient Warrant of Law at that
time. And I cannot but remark, how early that Cuftom
arofe, of tranfporting loofe and dilFolute Perfons to Virgi-
nia^ as a Place of Punifliment and Difgrace ; which altho'
originally defign'd for the Advancement and Increafe of the
Colony, yet has certainly proved a great Prejudice and
Hindrance to it's Growth. For it hath laid one of the
fineft Countries in Britijh Jmerica^ under the unjuft Scandal
of being a mere Hell upon Earth, another Siberia., and only
fit for the Reception of Malefa6lors and the vileft of the
People. So that few People, at leaft few large Bodies of
People, have been induced, willingly to tranfport them-
felves to fuch a Place ; and our younger Sifters, the Nor-
thern Colonies, have accordingly profited thereby. For
this is one Caufe, that they have outftripped us fo much,
in the Number of their Inhabitants, and in the Goodnefs
and Frequency of their Cities and Towns.
His Majefty had, by his Letters patent, bearing Date
the 23d oi May 1609, granted the Company a "Freedom
" from all Cuftom and Subfidy, for twenty one Years, ex-
" cepting only five per Cent, upon all fuch Goods and
" Merchandifes, as fhould be imported into England., or
" any other of his Majefty s Dominions, according to the
" ancient Trade of Merchants." Notwithftanding this,
which was intended for the Eafe and Encouragement of the
Infant Colony, the Farmers of the Cuftoms, upon a gene-
ral Rate made of Tobacco, both SpaniJJy and Virginia., at
ten Shillings the Pound, demanded fix Pence a Pound, e-
qually upon all ; altho' Spanijh Tobacco was ufually fold
at eighteen Shillings a Pound, and fometimes more, and
Virginia would feldom bear above three or four Shillings.
Mr. Jacob alfo. Farmer of the Impoft upon Tobacco, did
moft oppreflively impofe another fix Pence a Pound, con-
trary to the clear and indubitable Tenor of his Majefty's
Grant. And the Companv, in June this Year, importing
twenty thoufand Weight, the whole Crop of the former
Year,
Book III. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 169
Year, had delivered i.t all into the Cuftom-Houfe, as they 1619.
were required, that the Tobacco might be weighed, and^'" — y-~^
the Cuftom anfwered. But Mr. Jacob^ of his own Au- ^ir^^jjj-^'
thority, ftopped and feifed the Tobacco, till that Impoft of Qgyg^^^^^
fix Pence a Pound fliould be difcharged. And this alfo will
foon be perceived by thofe, who are any thing verfed in the
Hiftory of thofe Times, to be entirely confonant to the
Behaviour of the Cuftomers then ; whofe Infolence and
arbitrary Proceedings, fupported by the Royal Authority,
and even encreafed and carried to a greater Height in the
next Reign, was one of the chief and moft vifible Caufes
of the general Difcontent of the Nation, and of the unhappy
Civil War, which enfued.
The Company, being thus wronged and abufed, ap-
plied themfelves to the Lords of his Majeftv's Privy Coun-
cil, and obtained their Letter to Mr. Jacob^ to deliver the
Tobacco, upon their entering into Bond to pay him, what-
foever fhould appear to be his due, upon Certificate from
his Majefty's learned Council, within a Month. But Jacob
rejedling this, and all other Conditions offered by the Com-
pany, and likewife exa6ting twelve Pence a Pound at Pli-
mouth^ upon the Somer-IJlands Tobacco, it was refolved to
try the Strength of their Charter, and to enter an A6lion
againft him for the Damage, which was already computed
at two thoufand five hundred Pounds Sterling. But after-
wards, confidering, that their Commodity was very perifli-
able, and that their Suit could not be determined that
Michaelmas Term, they altered their Method of Proceed-
ing, and by the Advice of a ^reat Lord of the Privy Coun-
cil to Sir Edwin Sandys., they brought the Matter before
the Council Board ; where, upon the Attorney-General's
delivering his Opinion clearly, that the Company, by their
Letters patent, were free from all Impofition, and after
fome Delay and Chicanry of Mr. Jacob., it was ordered,
upon a full Hearing of the Allegations on both Sides, that
he Ihould deliver the Tobacco to the Company, paying all
lawful Duties appertaining thereto. And thus, at length,
they regained their Goods out of the Hands of this Harpy ;
but were obliged to fit filently by the great Lofs and Da-
mage, occafioned partly, by impairing it's Worth through
Drying and other Corruption, and partly by the Fall of the
Price, upon the Sale of EngliJ]} Tobacco, made fince it's
Importation. To which was added the daily Expectation
of more, both from Virginia and the Somer-IJlands., which
rendered the Market fo mean and dead, that they were fadly
puzzled and perplexed, how to difpofe of it. And at laft,
after many Schemes and Efforts to raife the Price, they were
24 obliged
"The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
obliged to fell it very low, and were confiderable Lofers
by it.
I T was one peculiar Mark and Property of this Family
of our Kings, that they were always craving, and for ever
poor and in Want, notwithftanding the frequent Contribu-
tions of the People, to fome of them efpecially ; the Reafons
of which, it lies not within my Province at prefent, to
open and explain. And accordingly King fames^ notwith-
ftanding his natural Antipathy to Tobacco, began now to
tafte the Sweets of the Revenue, arifing from it ; and was
therefore very ill fatisfied, with this Determination of the
Privy Council. For in the very Beginning of the next
Year, within a Month after, under Colour, that fome
Spanijh Tobacco had fold at twenty Shillings a Pound, he
demanded of the Company twelve pence a Pound, Cuftom
and Import, for theirs. But it was unanimoufly agreed, to
ftand refolutely upon the Privilege of their Charter, which
they could not give up or betray, without the greateft
Breach of their Truft and Duty. And therefore, as Vir-
ginia Tobacco had never been adlually fold for more, than
five Shillings a Pound, but generally much lower, they fub-
mitted to pay three Pence a Pound Cuftom, which was full
five per Cent, on their higheft Price, But however, to avoid
all Conteft with the King, as his Majefty had given Order
for prohibiting, by Proclamation, the planting EngUJh To-
bacco, for five Years enfuing, they agreed, in Return to
that his Majefty's Favour, during the faid Term of five
Years, if the Proclamation took Effe6l, and continued fo
long, to add nine Pence a Pound more, and thereby to make
it up twelve Pence ; which was the Full of his Majefty's
Demand, tho' not in the fame Form. But it was con-
ceived, unlefs this Offer, and the true Meaning thereof,
ftiould be entered, as an A61, in the Lords Commiflioners
of the Treafury's Books, it would be very difficult, at the
Expiration of the five Years, to withdraw the Payment,
but continuing fo long, it might be demanded for ever, as
due from the Company to the King. They therefore ap-
pointed a Committee, to repair to the Clerk of the Coun-
cil, and to take Care, that this Bargain be exa6lly recorded,
and alfo to procure a Copy of the faid Record, to be en-
tered in the Company's Journals. But as to the Farm of
the Impoft on Tobacco, the Refufal whereof the King, at
the fame time, offered them, they held it inconvenient at
prefent to be undertaken ; but not entirely to reje£l his
Majefty's Offer, they permitted fome of their Society, to
join for a Part, in the Company's Name, but in reality,
for their own proper Ufe and Behoof.
The
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA.
The Trade of Virginia had been thus far reftrained,
and kept in the Adventurers Hands, except a few Inter-
lopers, that ftragaled in by Chance ; and the Method of ^j.'' '^"''^'
carrying on this 1 rade was thus, bvery Adventurer, that Governor,
pleafed, fubfcribed, what he thought proper, to a Roll ;
which Money, together with a certain Sum perhaps, con-
tributed out of the publick Cafli of the Company, made
their Capital or Stock. With this they bought Goods, and
fent them to the Cape-Merchant in Virginia^ who had,
long before this, loft his original Office of being Keeper of
the publick Storehoufes, and was become the Company's
chief Failor. The Cape-Merchant, having fold thefe
Goods to the Inhabitants, for Tobacco or other Commo-
dities, remitted the EfFe£ls to England. This Society for
Trade, called the iVIagazine, was a diftin6l Body from the
publick Company ; but always under its Controle, as it re-
ceived its Being and Authority from the Company, and as
the Joint-Stock of the Company was always the greateft
and principal Adventurer in it. Alderman Johnfon had
ever been at the Head of this Magazine, under the Title of
Direftor ; and fince the Removal of himfelf and Sir Thomas
Smith from their Offices, it had been the Subjeft of much
Fa6lion and Difcord. For they had made many Difficulties,
in fubmitting to the Orders of the Company, concerning
the Place of their Meetings ; had neglected to bring their
Accounts to an Audit, tho' very clear and fairly kept ; and
had delayed and kept off the making any Dividend ; which
things had caufed much Difturbance and Diffenfion. To
remove therefore fuch a Block of Offence, it was now a-
greed to diffolve this Magazine, and to leave the Trade free
and open to all ; only with this Provifo, that the Goods of
the Magazine, then upon hand in Virginia., fhould be firft
fold off, before any of the fame Kinds fhould be vended.
But the Diligence, Vigor, and Fidelity of Sir Edwin
Sandys.^ and of others of the Company, had now raifed the
Reputation of the Action very high. And accordingly there
had been prefented, by an unknown Perfon, the former
Year, a Communion Cup, with a Cover and Cafe, a
Trencher Plate for the Bread, a Carpet of Crimfon Velvet,
and a Damafk Table-Cloth, for the Ufe of the College ;
and another had given a fair Set of Plate, with other rich
Ornaments, to Mrs. Mary Robinfon's Church, who had,
the Year before, bequeathed two hundred Pounds, towards
the Building of it. And now, in the Beginning of this
Year, another unknown Perfon fent five hundred Pounds,
dire6led ; To Sir Edwin Sandys, the faithful Treafurer of
Virginia. This was for the Maintenance of a convenient
Number
The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
Number of young Indians^ from feven or under, to twelve
Years of Age, to be inftru6led in Reading and the Prin-
ciples of the Chriftian Religion ; and then to be trained and
brought up in fome lawful Trade, with all Gentlenefs and
Humanity, till they attained the Age of twenty one ; and
after that, to have and enjoy the like Liberties and Privi-
leges, with the native Englifh in Virginia. And he likewife
fent fifty Pounds, to be given into the Hands of two reli-
gious and worthy. Perfons, who fhould, every Quarter, ex-
amine and certify, to the Treafurer in England^ the due
Execution of this Defign, together with the Names of the
Children, and of their Tutors and Overfeers. This Cha-
rity, the Company thought not proper, to entruft to private
Hands, but committed the Management of it to Srnith'^
Hundred chiefly. This lay in the Parts above Hampton.,
up into Warwick., and was fo called, in Honour to Sir Tho-
mas Smith. But after this, Sir Thomas., with the Earl of
Warwick., and the reft of that Fa(5tion, fold out their Shares
in this, and other private Plantations, and only referved
their Part in the Company's publick Stock, in order to be
prefent, and to have a Vote at their Courts. Wherefore,
this was afterwards changed to the Name of Southampton
Hundred ; either in Honour to the Earl of Southampton.,
their next Treafurer, or rather, as that Nobleman became
the chief Adventurer , in the Plantation. And further, for
the better procuring and retaining the Indian Children, the
Company ordered a Treaty and Agreement to be made with
Opechancanough., and authorifed Sir George Teardley., to
make him fuch Prefents, out of the Magazine, as would
be moft grateful to him, and beft promote the Defign. Mr.
Nicholas Farrar., the Elder (Father, as I take it, to the
prefent and fucceeding Deputy-Treafurer of the Company)
alfo bequeathed three hundred Pounds, for converting In-
fidel Children in Virginia. He ordered this to be paid into
the Hands of Sir Edivin Sandys and Mr. John Farrar., at
fuch time, as it fhould appear by Certificate, that ten In-
dian Children were placed in the College ; and then, by
them to be difpofed of, according to his true Intent and
Meaning, And in the mean time, he obliged his Executors
to pay eight per Cent, for the Money, to be given to three
feveral honeft Men in Virginia., of good Life and Fame,
and fuch as Sir Edwin Sandys and Mr. John Farrar fhould
approve of, each to bring up one of the faid Children, in
the Grounds and Principles of the Chriftian Religion.
There was, at this time, a great Scarcity of Clergy in
Virginia ; there being but five Minifters and eleven Bur-
roughs, each of which, being fome very diftant from each
other.
Book III. 'The History of VIRGINIA. 173
other, was ere6led into a diftin6t Parifli. The Company 1620.
indeed had before, in their Charter by Sir George Teardley^ ^^ \^ '
taken Care of a handfome Provifion for the Clergy. Y ox"^^ ^'^°JZ'
they had ordered an hundred Acres of Land, in each of the Governor-
Burroughs, to be laid off for a Glebe ; and that there
{hould, for their further Maintenance, be raifed a {landing
and certain Revenue, out of the Profits of each Parifli, fo
as to make every Living, at leaft two hundred Pounds Ster-
ling a Year. And this Stipend I find, two Years after, fet-
tled in the following Manner : That the Minifter (hould re-
ceive Yearly fifteen hundred Weight of Tobacco, and fix-
teen Barrels of Corn, which was then efl:imated at two
hundred Pounds Sterling : That this fhould be raifed by ten
Pounds of Tobacco and a Bufhel of Corn a Head, for every
labouring Man or Boy, above fixteen Years of Age ; pro-
vided, it did not exceed fifteen hundred Weight of To-
bacco and fixteen Barrels of Corn : But if any Plantation
was not able, to make up that Quantity, by ten Pounds of
Tobacco and a Bufhel of Corn a Head, that, in fuch Cafe,
the Minifter fhould be contented with lefs, according to
the Number of Tithables. And now, for a farther En-
couragement, that pious, learned, and painful Minifters
might be invited to go over, the Company ordered fix Te-
nants to be placed on each of thofe Glebes, at the publick
Expence ; and they applied to the Bifhop of London^ for his
Help and Afliftance in procuring proper Minifters, which
his Lordfhip readily promifed, and undoubtedly performed.
For he had ever been a great Favourer and Promoter of the
Plantation, and had himfelf alone colle6led and paid in a
thoufand Pounds towards the College ; which he would not
permit the Company to diminifh, by a Prefent to his Re-
gifter, who had been very a6live and ufeful in the Colle6tion.
And for this, and other his Deferts towards them, he was
made free of the Company, and chofen one of his Majefty's
Council for Virgiyiia.
As the Country was very defencelefs and unfortified,
and as the Interefts and Improvements of the Inhabitants
were now much encreafed, and become confiderable, they
began to grow uneafy in that Particular ; and they wrote
to the Treafurer and Company in England^ to procure them
fkilful Engineers, to raife Fortifications ; promifing, them-
felves to bear the Charge of it. Wherefore, to give them
prefent Satisfa6lion, and as regular Fortifications, to endure
Aflault and Battery, were not fo needful, as the chufing
and improving fome Places of natural Strength and Advan-
tage, Sir Thomas Gates was entreated by the Company, as
well in Regard of his military Skill, as of his Knowledge of
the
The History of VIRGINIA. Book III.
the Country, to write them his private Letters of Advice
and Diredtion. And he was alfo defired, together with Sir
Nathaniel R'lch^ to confer with General Cecil about it, a-
nother eminent and military Member of their Society, and
youngeft Son to the famous Lord Treafurer Burleigh^ who
likewife promifed, if other Methods failed, to write them
fuch particular Dire6tions and Inftru6lions, that they might
eafily themfelves proceed. To them was afterwards added
Sir Horatio Vere^ who was efteemed the Perfon of the
greateft military Skill and Reputation of any in that un-
warlike Age. He was therefore, this Summer, fent Com-
mander of the fingle Regiment, which King James^ in his
great Wifdom, thought fit to furnifli out, for the Relief
and Support of his diftrefled Son in Law, the Palatine of the
Rhine. For altho' General Cecil had been firft defigned for
that Service, yet he was afterwards laid afide, and this Gen-
tleman appointed in his Room,
The Governor and Council, in Virginia^ had fettled
and allowed certain Fees to the Secretary, which were, this
Year, fent to England for Confirmation. But the Treafu-
rer and Company were become, from the late Exa6tions,
very jealous and cautious in that Point ; and did moreover
judge thofe Fees to be very oppreflive and intolerable. And
therefore, for the Eafe of the Colony, they declared, that
the Secretary fliould receive no Fees at all ; but in Recom-
pence of all Services, they allotted five hundred Acres of
Land, for him and his Succeflbrs, with twenty Tenants
thereon. This was laid off on the Eajiern Shore, and the
Grant was afterwards enlarged. But whereas Captain Ar-
gall^ in the time of his Sufpenfion from the Place of Admi-
ral, had deputed Abraham Peirfey^ the Cape-Merchant, to
be his Vice-Admiral, the Company declared that Deputa-
tion, to be utterly void and unlawful, and committed the
Execution of that Office, to the Governor and Council of
State, and to fuch under them, as they ftiould authorife
and appoint.
There had been many fcandalous Reports fpread (as
was intimated in a private Letter to Mr. Bland^ a very con-
fiderable Merchant of the Company) of the Barrennefs and
Infertility of the Soil in Virginia. And it alfo had been one
efpecial Piece of Captain Argall's Policy, in order to dif-
hearten and difgrace the Company, to vilify the Country,
both by himfelf and his Engines, and to reprefent it as lefs
fertile, than the moft barren arable Lands in England. And
altho' thefe Afperfions were fufficiently contradicted by his
own former Letters and Reports, yet, for a fuller Anfwer
to them, a Commiflion was fent to Virginia., and a Return
made
Book III. "The History of VIRGINIA. 175
made upon Oath, of the Strength and Goodnefs of the Soil. 1620.
But as Malice is more induftrious than Truth, thefe un-^ v '
juft Scandals prevailed but too much, and difcouraged many ^"^ ^"''i'
Adventurers from making their Tranfportations. To ob- Governor,
viate therefore all fuch ill Confequences, it v/as refolved
upon the Motion, and committed to the Care, of Sir Ed-
win Sandys and Dr. Winjlone^ to prepare and publifh a fmall
Book, containing a Refutation of all fuch flanderous Re-
ports ; and to adjoin, at the End, an alphabetical Index of
the Adventurers Names. This laft had a double Ufe. For,
in the firft Place, it did great Honour to the Enterprife,
by (hewing, that many of the chief Perfons in the Nation,
for Wifdom, Fortune, and Dignity, were deeply concerned
in, and great Encouragers of it. And next, as this Index
was drawn from Sir Thomas Smith's Books, which were
very carelefly kept and incorrect, it .gave the Alarm to all
fuch, as had paid in their Monies to him, and found them-
felves omitted in this Lift. And it accordingly made them
bring in his Receipts, or Bills of Adventure ; whereby ma-
ny Sums of Money appeared to have been received by him,
which could otherwife never have been made out by his
Books, or proved by any other Method.
THE
176
v^-^Q?5Q<
•58?^2
THE
HISTORY
OF
VIRGINIA,
BOOK IV.
H E Time of Sir Edivin Sandy s^s Office being
expired, there was held a great and general
Quarter Court of Election, at Mr. Deputy
Farrar'% Houfe, in St. Sithe's Lane, on the 17th
of May^ confifting of three Earls, one Vifcount,
four Lords, thirty Knights, feveral Doftors and Efquires,
and largely above an hundred other Gentlemen, Merchants,
and Citizens. To this fplendid Meeting, Sir Edwin Sandys
made a long and very handfome Speech, laying before them
the State of their Affairs, at the time of his Acceflion to the
Office of Treafurer, and then. In this he was naturally led
to fet forth, as well the Negligence and bad Government
at home, as particularly the vaft Lofs and Damage, which
the Company had fuftained, in the Time of their Deputy
Governor, Captain Argall. And he informed them, that
there had, within his Year, been fet out eight Ships at the
Company's Expence, and four others by private Adventu-
rers ; and that thefe Ships had tranfported twelve hundred
and fixty one Perfons, whereof fix hundred and fifty were
for the publick Ufe, and the other fix hundred and eleven
for private Plantations. He alfo gave them an Account of
the feveral Gifts, which had been made, this Year, for
pious Ufes; and of the many Patents, that had paffed to
various private Adventurers and their Affociates, who had
under-
Book IV. rhe History ?/" VIRGINIA. 177
undertaken, to tranfport to Firginia great Multitudes of 1620.
People, with much Cattle. And he recounted to them '^" — y — -^
the feveral Methods, which had been taken, to draw the^'' ^^°''^'
People off from their greedy and immoderate Purfuit of To- Governor
bacco, and to turn them to other more ufeful and neceflliry
Commodities : That for this Purpofe, an hundred and fifty
Perfons had been fent, to fet up three Iron Works : That
Directions had been given for making Cordage, as well of
Hemp and Flax, as more efpecially of Silk-grafs, which
grew there naturally in great Abundance, and was found,
upon Experience, to make the beft Cordage and Line in
the World ; and that therefore each Family had been or-
dered and obliged, to fet an hundred Plants of it, and the
Governor himfelf five thoufand : That, befides, it had been
recommended to them, to make Pitch and Tar, together
with Pot and Soap-Afhes, and to provide Timber of all
Sorts, for Shipping, and other Ufes; to which End, fuffi-
cient Men and Materials had been fent over, for creeling
fundry Sawing-Mills : That the Country abounding in Mul-
berry Trees of the befl Sort, whereon fome Silkworms had
been found naturally, producing excellent Silk, they had
therefore preffed upon them the Culture and Improvement
of that Manufacture ; and that his Majefty, now the fecond
time, after the Mifcarriage of the former, had beftowed
upon the Company Plenty of Silkworm Seed, of the beft
Sort, out of his own Store : That moreover, as the Coun-
try yielded naturally a wonderful Variety of excellent Grapes,
there had been fent divers fkilful Vignerons, together with
Store of Vine Slips, of the beft European Kinds : And laft-
ly, that the Salt- Works, which had been fuffered to run
to Decay, were again reftored and fet up ; and that
there were now Hopes of fuch Plenty, as not only to ferve
the Colony for the prefent, but alfo ftiortly to fupply the
great Fifhery on thofe American Coafts.
H E then exhibited to the Court the Book of his Accounts,
examined and approved by five of the feven publick Auditors
of the Company, the other two being abfent. And he fur-
ther declared, that for any Bufinefs, done within his Year,
he had not left the Company, to his Knowledge, one Pen-
ny in Debt, except perhaps the Remain of fome Charges,
which had not been delivered in, or were not yet become
due \ and that he had alfo left in Stock twelve hundred
Pounds more, than had been left to him the former Year.
And next, he proceeded to inform the Company of the De-
puty's Accounts, who himielf prefented them, exa<£fly kept,
after the Manner of Merchants, in three Books, fubfcribed
and approved, as well by the Company's Committees, as
25 N all
r/je History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
all the Auditors. And then Sir Edwin Sandys went on, and
told the Court, that he could not but greatly commend Mr.
Deputy-Treafurer's Fidelity, Care, and Induftry ; who, to
the Negle6t of his own private Affairs, had beftowed his
whole Time, together with the great Help and Afliftance
of his Brothers, on the Bufinefs of his Office, which he had
difcharged, with wonderful Exadnefs, and an incredible
Diligence and Labour. And laftly, he concluded, with his
refpe6live Thanks to the feveral Orders of the Company :
Firft, to the Company in general, for their good Opinion
and Affe6l.ion, in chufing him their Treafurer : Then, par-
ticularly to the Lords, for their frequent Prefence, to the
great Grace and Honour of the Court, and Furtherance of
the Enterprife : Next, to the Officers, for their Fidelity and
Diligence, in joining with him to fupport the great Burthen
of the Company's Bufinefs: And laftly, to the Court, for
their Goodnefs and Patience, in bearing with his involuntary
Errors and other Infirmities. After which, delivering up
his Office, together with the Seals, he defired them to pro-
ceed to their Ele61:ion, according to the Meflage, lately re-
ceived from his Majefly ; and thereupon withdrew himfelf
out of Court.
For at the Beginning of this Court, before they had en-
tered upon any Bufinefs, a Gentleman from the King pre-
fented himfelf to the Board, and fignified ; that it was his
Majefty's Pleafure, out of his efpecial Care and AfFe6tion for
the Colony, that the Company fhould ele6l one of the four,
which he fhould name to them, and no other, to be their
Treafurer. Thefe were Sir Thomas Smithy Sir Thomas Roe^
Mr. Alderman Johnfon^ and Mr. Maurice Abbot. Sir Tho-
mas S?nith and Alderman Johnfon had before been in their
chief Offices, and the Company conceived themfelves to
have little Reafon, to be fatisfied with their Condud: and
Proceedings. But in Firginia more efpecially, where the
Effects of their Management had been more fenfibly felt,
they were notorioufly infamous, and utterly detefted and
curfed by the whole Colony. So that this may be looked
upon, as an additional Inflance of the unhappy Turn of that
Monarch, in his Choice of publick Officers. Sir Thomas
Roe was indeed an eminent Perfon, a Man of Letters, and
a very great Traveller, and is well known to the Learned, by
the Intimacy and Dearnefs, that was between him and Dr.
Donne, Dean of St. Paul's; who was himfelf afterwards
one of the Company, and of his Majefty's Council for Fir-
ginia. But Sir Thomas Roe is moft noted, for his Embafty
from King James to the Court of the Great Mogul, and for
his Journal of that EmbalFy, a moft judicious and exquifite
Book
Book IV. rZv History of VIRGINIA.
Book of Travels. But fince his Return from the Great
Mogul's Court, he had been concerned in the Cuftoms, and '
was Hkewife well known, to have had a long and intimate ^^ *^j/'^'
Friendfliip with Sir Thomas Smith \ both which, being fuf- Governor,
picious Circumftances to the Virginia Company, would but
little contribute towards recommending him to their Choice.
As to A-lr. Abbot ^-^xViXz is known of him ; only that he was
a Merchant, and may feem, from fome obfcure Circum-
ftances, to have been of Kin to his Grace, Dr. George Ab-
bot^ then Archbifhop of Canterbury.
But the greateft Obftacle, to the Ele6lion of either of
thefe Gentlemen, was, that the Company had, almoft una-
nimoufly, caft their Eye upon the Earl of Southampton for
their future Treafurer, a Nobleman of eminent Quality,
Grandfon to the Lord Chanceller Wrlothejly (one of King
Henry VIII's Executors, and of the Regents during the
Minority of Edward VI.) and Father to the great and vir-
tuous Earl and Duke of Southa7npton^ in the Reigns of
Charles the Firfl: and Second. He is alfo famed in Hiftory,
for his Friendlhip to the unfortunate Earl of .£^x, by whofe
Rafhnefs and Impetuofity, he was betrayed into fome un-
warrantable A6tions ; and was therefore, at the fame time
with that Nobleman, condemned to Death, but pardoned
by Queen Elifabeth^ and kept in Prifon, during her Life.
He was, in Truth, an early, conftant, and great Encou-
rager of this Settlement of Virginia., as well as of all other
noble Works and Enterprifes ; and is particularly memora-
ble, for his generous Patronage, and fingular Munificence,
to Shake/pear., the Glory and Prodigy of the Englijh Stage.
For he is faid, to have given him, at one time, a thoufand
Pounds, to enable him to go through with a Purchafe,
which he underftood, he had an Inclination to make. But
altho' he had been a ftrenuous Friend of EJfex'%.^ to all
whom King fames declared a particular Regard and Obli-
gation, as that Lord was thought to have aded for his In-
terefts, and altho' he was admitted of the Privy Council,
yet was he but little affected or liked at Court. For his
Friendfliip to the former Earl of EJfex was continued down
to his Son ; whofe hard Ufage, in fome Meafure from the
Court, in the Cafe of his Wife, could not but have been
muchdifapproved and difgufted by him. And befides, a-
bout this Time, the Encroachments of the Prerogative,
and the avowed Principles of arbitrary Power, began to
raife a Spirit of Liberty in the Nation ; and the Earl of
Southampton., together with the Earls of EJfex and Oxford.,
were foon diitinguiihed, as the undoubted Heads of the
patriot Party in the Houfe of Lords ; whilft Sir Dudley
N 2 Digges.,
The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
Digges^ Sir Nathaniel Rich^ Mr, Selden^ and others of
the Firginia Company, as well as divers Members not of
that Company, appeared with equal Vigor and Refolution,
in the Houfe of Commons.
But however the AfFe6lions of the Company might
ftand, they were much troubled and perplexed, by this
Meflage from the King. For {hould they proceed accord-
ing to that Nomination, they would certainly admit a very
great and evident Breach, in their Privilege of free Ele6tion.
And fhould they reje(5l it, they might incur the Sufpicion
of Defe6l in Point of Duty and Obedience ; an Imputation,
ever hateful and eafy of Accefs to the jealous Minds of weak
and pufillanimous Princes, and which many of their own
difaffe6led Members would be too ready to improve, to the
Difadvantage of the Company. Having therefore confulted
the Letters patent, it was at length agreed to adjourn to
Eleftion to the next Quarter Court ; and after much and
earnefl; Refufal, they prevailed on Sir Edwin Sandys^ to
continue in his Office, till that time. In the mean while,
as it evidently appeared, that the King had been much a-
bufed and mifinformed, concerning the Management of
their Affairs, they appointed the Earl of Southampton^ the
Vifcount Doncajhr^ Lord Cavendijh^ Lord Sheffield^ Sir
yohn Davers^ Sir Nicholas Tufton^ Sir Lawrence Hyde^ with
others. Gentlemen and Merchants, to deliver in, to his
Majefty, a full and true Account, as well of the former, as
of the laft Year's Adminiftration of their Affairs ; and to
befeech his Majefty, not to take from them the Privilege of
their Charters, but to leave it to their own Choice, to have
a free Ele6lion. To which Requeft, his Majefty readily
condefcended ; and farther fignified, that it would be highly
pleafing and agreeable to him, if they made Choice of fuch
a Perfon, as mighc^ at all times, and on all Occafions, have
free Accefs to his Royal Prefence. And he likewife de-
clared, that the Meffenger, in excluding them from the Li-
berty of chufing any other, but one of the four nominated,
had miftaken his Intention ; which was indeed, to recom-
mend thofe Gentlemen to their Choice, but not fo, as to
bar the Company from the Eleilion of any other.
This Anfwer being received by the Company with great
Thankfulnefs, Mr. Herbert obferved to them, that [their
Bufinefs had, of late, fuffered much, as well in Reputation,
as otherways, by Reafon of fome unhappy Diffenfions a-
mong them : That they ought, therefore, ferioufly to think,
of applying a prefent and effectual Remedy to this Evil :
That the late Treafurer was a Gentleman of fuch acknow-
ledged Sufficiency, and of fo great Integrity and Induftry,
that
Book. IV. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 181
that of his Rank, there could not certainly be any found to ^620.
furpafs him : That therefore, there feemed to him no Hope " r"-^
left, except fome of thofe honourable Perfonages, then ^}^ Geo'-ge
prefent, would vouchfafe to accept of the Place of Trea- Governor.
furer ; who, by the Addition of Nobility, and by the Luf-
tre and Influence of their high Station, might efFeit that,
which, they had found by Experience, could not be efFe6t-
ed, by mere Dint of Ability and Induftry. Hereupon, the
whole Court, befeeching his Lordfhip to redeem this noble
Enterprife from imminent Danger and Defl:ru6tion, did,
with univerfal Joy and Applaufe, nominate the Earl of
Southampton ; and to teftify their Thankfulnefs and Refpe6l,
they eleded him Treafurer, without the Ballot, by a gene-
ral Acclamation and Erection of Hands. And his Lordfliip,
after a (hort Paufe, declared his Acceptance ; and exhorted
them all, to put on the fame Mind, with which he accept-
ed that Place, and laying afide all private Feuds and Animo-
fities, to labour chearfuUy and unanimoufly, for the Promo-
tion of the publick Good, and the Advancement of the Co-
lony. But as his Lordfliip's Attendance in Parliament, and
other weighty Affairs, might not always permit him, to be
fo conftant at their Courts, as might otherwife be wiftied,
they voluntarily, and without his Motion, difpenfed with
him, in that Particular. And they alfo re-ele6led Mr.
John Farrar^ to the Place of Deputy-Treafurer ; whofe
Experience, and known Integrity and Diligence, might
well fupply the occafional Abfence of their Treafurer. Sir
Ediuin Sandys likewife, who was in a clofe and intimate
Friendfhip with the Earl of Southampton^ was afterwards
authorifed, at his Lordfliip's Defire, to fet his Hand, upon
Occafion, to Receipts of Money, for the Company's Ufe ;
and did otherwife, by his private Diligence and A6tivity,
give him great Eafe and AlTiftance, in the Execution of the
Office.
Captain BrewJIer's Appeal from the Sentence of the
Court-Martial, in Virginia^ had, all this while, hung in
Sufpence ; and it had even been declared, by a Meeting of
the Council at the Earl of tFarwick's Houfe, the former
Year, that Trial by Martial Law was the nobleft kind of
Trial, being judged by Soldiers and Men of Honour. But
now, proper Certificates and attefted Copies of the Proceed-
ings being returned from Virginia^ the Caufe came to a final
Hearing and Determination, in an extraordinary Court,
held for that Purpofe, and compofed of feveral Lords and
others of eminent Quality and Difl:in61:ion. But here there
feems to have reigned a quite different Spirit from that,
which appeared at the Earl of Warwick's. For they were
N3 ^ no
[82 'The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1620. no way inclined, to give up the many Rights and Advan-
■: ' tages of Juries and the Laws of England^ for the extraordi-
jir George j^^j-y Privilege of being fummarily tried by Martial Law,
governor- ^"^ ^Y'^g honourably by the Verdi6l of Gentlemen of
the Sword. And therefore, being fhocked at the Cruelty
and Terror of the Proceedings againft Captain Brewjier^
they declared them to be unjuft and unlawful, and not war-
rantable, either in Matter or Form, by the Laws of En-
gland^ or by any Power or Authority, derived from his Ma-
jefty's Charters : That Captain Brewjhr had committed
nothing, any way worthy of the fevere Penalty of Death :
That the Manner of Trial by Martial Law, in time of
Peace, and when there was no Mutiny or Rebellion, was
utterly unlawful and of no Validity : And confequently,
that Captain Breiujier was to be held a legal Man, and not
lawfully condemned. And all this then paffed and was ra-
tified by the univerfal Aflent of the Court ; altho' Sir Thoinas
Wroth^ who had married the Earl of Wariuick's Sifter, did,
in a fubfequent Court, declare his Diflent, on fome falfe
and frivolous Pretences. Captain Brewjler had alfo, upon
his Requeft, a Copy of this A61 of Court granted him, ex-
emplified under the legal Seal of the Company ; of which
he fent a Duplicate to Firginia.
I N May this Year, there was held another General Af-
fembly, which has, through Miftake, and the Indolence and
Negligence of our Hiftorians, in fearching fuch ancient Re-
cords, as are ftill extant in the Country, been commonly
reputed the firft General Affembly of Virginia, But that
Privilege was granted fooner, immediately upon the Difguft
taken, by the worthier Part of the Company, at Sir Thomas
Smith's ill Government, and the infufFerable Tyranny and
Iniquity of Captain ArgaWs Proceedings. And upon Sir
George Teardley's Reprefentation of the Want of more
Counfellors, the Company appointed the following Gentle-
men to be of the Council j Mr. George Thorpe^ Deputy for
the College ; Mr. Thomas Newce^ who had alio been fent
over Deputy for the Company's Lands, with the Allow-
ance of twelve hundred Acres, and forty Tenants ; Mr.
Tracy; Mr. Pountis ; Mr. Middleton ; Mr. Bluet; and
Mr. Harwood^ the Chief of Martin's Hundred. And we
are likewife told by Mr. Beverley,, that a Dutch Ship, put-
ting in this Year, fold twenty Negroes to the Colony,
which were the firft of that Generation, that were ever
brought to Virginia.
Tobacco, a ftinking, naufeous, and unpalatable Weed,
is certainly an odd Commodity, to make the Staple and
Riches of a Country. It is neither of Neceflity nor Orna-
ment
Book IV. The History of VIRGINIA.
ment to human Life ; but the Ufe of it depends upon Hu-
mour and Cuftom, and may be looked upon, as one of the
moft fingular and extraordinary Pieces of Luxury, that the ^"^ '^^j''^^
Wantonnefs of Man hath yet invented or given into. It is Governor.
not therefore to be wondered, that the Colony's Eagernefs
and Application, almoft folely, to Tobacco, was much
diftafted and oppofed by the Company ; efpecially in thofe
early Times, before it had yet obtained fuch a general Re-
ception and Dominion in the World. To which may be
added, that the King himfelf, to whom the Age in general,
and the Company in particular, did, on many Occafions,
pay great Deference, had a Sort of natural Antipathy to it,
and was perpetually haranguing, railing, and even writing
againft it. For that Solomon of England thought it not be-
low his Royal Wifdom and Dignity, to write a Treatife,
entitled ; A Counter-Blaji to Tobacco. The Company there-
fore entered into and admitted various Proje61:s, for railing
other things of more immediate Neceffity and Benefit to
Mankind; fuch as the feveral Commodities, mentioned and
recommended by Sir Edivin Sandys^ in his late Speech, at
the delivering up of his Office, with many others. For this
Purpofe, they procured plenty of Silkworm Seed out of
France^ Italy., and Spain ; and fent over a Perfon, who had
been brought up, many Years, in tending the King's Silk-
worms at Oatlands., and was thereby become very fkilful,
in breeding the Worms, and winding the Silk, and under-
took to inftru6l others therein. And they alfo laid out for,
and had Hopes of procuring, many more fuch fkilful Artifts
from France. And as the Inhabitants were very eager, to
have the Servants and Apprentices, fent over by the Com-
pany, they made an Order, for the greater Encouragement
of thefe Commodities, that fuch Planters, as had excelled,
in building fit Rooms for Silkworms, and in planting Mul-
berry Trees and Vines, (hould have the firft Choice of fuch
Apprentices and Servants ; and that the Company would
be paid for them, not a Whit in Smoke and Tobacco, but
in Corn, Silkgrafs, Silk, and other fuch ufeful Commo-
dities. At Sir Edwin Sandys'^ Motion, there was likewife
tranflated, by fome of the Company, a French Treatife (re-
commended, as excellent in that Kind) concerning the
Management of Mulberry Trees and Silk ; which was print-
ed at the Company's Expence, and fent over in fufficient
Numbers, and diftributed among the People. And they
alfo appointed a fele6l Committee of Merchants, to rate all
thofe feveral Commodities at fuch a juft Price, that the
Company and Merchants might be no Lofers thereby, and
yet that the Planter might have good Encouragement to
raife them. N 4 Be-
The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
Besides thefe, they entered into Proje(3:s and Con-
tracts, for raifing various other Commodities. And Sir
Edwin Sandys in particular, who was ever ftudious and in-
defatigable in the Company's Bufinefs, prefented a long and
judicious Writing, containing many ufeful Inftru6lions and
Projects, for the Peace and better Government of the Com-
pany at home, and for the Advancement of the Colony
abroad ; all which, in its feveral Parts and Branches, was
entrufted to proper Committees, to ripen and bring into
Execution. Sir WiUiam Monfon alfo, a Perfon of great E-
minence and Note (being Admiral in the Reigns of Queen
EUfaheth^ James I. and Charles I. and Author of the Naval
Tradts) together with his AfTociates, offered to the Com-
pany, if they would, for feven Years, grant them the fole
Benefit and Importation, from Virginia^ of two fuch new
Commodities, as had not yet been difcovered or planted by
any other, to pay them an hundred Pounds per Anniim^ to
plant twenty five Men, every Year during the faid Term,
and then to refign the Whole up into the Company's Hands.
A Patent was therefore accordingly granted, with proper
Reftri6tions ; but what thefe Commodities were,- or what
was the Succefs or Confequence of this Undertaking, I do
not find.
This Year 1620, Count Gondomar^ the Spanijh Am-
baflador, who had a great Afcendant at Court, and governed
the King, as he pleafed, prevailed with him, to fit out a
Squadron, of fix Ships of War and twelve ftout Merchant-
men, in order to humble the Algerines^ who then infefted
the SpaniJJj Coafts and Trade, but were not any way parti-
cularly troublefome to our Nation. And thus was this weak
and timorous Prince, who could not be drawn to make any
Steps, towards the Vindication of his own Honour, or to
fupport the Rights of his Family, or the Interefts of his
Subjects, ftrangely engaged in a warlike Expedition, in De-
fence of a treacherous and delufive Ally. This Squadron
was put under the Command of Sir Robert Manfel^ as Ad-
miral ; together with whom. Sir Richard Hawkins^ Vice-
Admiral, Sir Thomas Button^ Rear-Admiral, Sir Henry
Palmer^ Arthur Manwaring^ and Thomas Love^ Efqrs.
Captains of the other Men of War, and Samuel Argall^ Efq;
who commanded one of the ftouteft Privateers, were ap-
pointed a Council of War. But this Enterprife was very
weakly managed ; and to ufe Sir William Monfon % Remark,
altho' it was defigned to find out and deftroy the Pirates of
Algiers^ yet the fleet did not fpend twenty Days at Sea, the
whole time, they continued in the Mediterranean! ; but re-
tired into Harbour, where the Pirates might find them, but
not
Book IV. rhc History of VIRGINIA. 185
not they the Pirates, So that, this ill-condu6ted A6lion 1620.
afforded fufficient Subje6i: of Scorn and Laughter to all Na-''" v '
tions ; efpeciallv confiderino- the 2;reat Reputation, the £'?z-^'' ^';f^^
ghjl) had jultly gamed, \n their former Expeditions at bea. Governor.
But Cambden tells us, that, in Revenge for this Injury and
Aflault, the Algerines took, by the 9th of Odoher follow-
ing, thirty five Sail of Engl'iJ]) and Scotch Ships.
About this time, there arofe a warm Difpute between
the two Colonies, concerning the Virginia Company's Right
to filli at Cape Cod^ within the Limits of the Northern Colo-
ny ; and upon Reference to the Letters-patent, it was found
clearly, that their Pretenfions were juftly grounded. But
Sir Ferdinando Gorges^ with others principally concerned in
the Northern Grant, endeavoured privately to obtain a new
Patent, whereby the Southern Colony fliould be utterly ex-
cluded from fifhing upon that Coaft, without their Leave
and Licence firfl obtained. This gave a jufl Alarm to the
/7r^/w',7 Company. Forbefides fix thoufand Pounds, which
they had already expended upon that Fifliery, it was at pre-
fent of main Confequence to them, as well for the Support
and Sustenance of the Plantation, as for defraying the vaft
Charge of Shipping and Tranfportation of People, by Re-
turns made from thence in Fifh. They therefore applied
to his Majefty, and got this Patent of Sir Ferdinando Gor-
ges flopped and fequeftered, in the Lord Chancellor's Hands.
And finding, how precarious their Privileges were, upon his
Majeftv's ibleGrant,and how liable to be perpetually violated
and impeded, it was refolved, upon the Motion of Mr.
Smithy a fenfible, worthy, and ufeful Member of the Com-
pany, to obtain a new Grant, with all fuch further Immu-
nities, and larger Privileges, as were fitting and requiiite,
and to have it ftrengthened and confirmed in the Parlia-
ment, which was to meet foon after ; and upon the Earl
of South afuptoii^s. Application to his Majefliy, he readily gave
his Confent to it. But notwithstanding the Earl of Sou-
tha?npton''s. Intereft and Endeavours, and Sir Edwin Sandys's
great Pains and Induftry therein, it was never brought to
any final IfTue or Conclufion.
But the Remedy, propofed by Mr. Herbert^ iox curing
the Fa6i:ions and Difcords of the Company, by fetting a
Nobleman of eminent Diftin6lion and Authority at. the Head
of their Affairs, was far from having the intended Effeii:.
For their Animofities and Diffenfions grew higher, towards
the latter End of this Year, and never ended, but with the
Diffolution of the Company. As therefore they were the
chief Occafion and Pretence of that Diffolution, it will not
be improper here, to give a fuller and more diftindl Ac-
count of them. Be-
-The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
Besides the Affairs of the Magazine, which, notwith-
ftanding its Diffolution, ftill afforded Matter of Contention,
Sir George j-j^gj-g vv^ere two Other principal Subjects of Difpute and Con-
Governor, fufion in the Company ; the fettling Sir "Thomas STnith's Ac-
counts, and the Profecution of Captain Argall^ for his many-
Outrages and exorbitant Proceedings in Virginia. Sir Tho-
mas Smith had been Treafurer, from the firft Conftitution
of the Company in the Year 1606, till April 28, 1619;
and in that time, there had paffed through his Hands about
eighty thoufand Pounds. He had, in thofe Days, a very
great Intereft and Sway in the Company ; and to put the
beft Conftruftion upon the Matter, he never expefted to
be called to a ftri6l and rigorous Account, and his Servants
had been very carelefs and remifs, in keeping his Books.
But feveral of the Company fufpe6led, that he had embez-
zled and converted much of the publick Money, to his
own private Ufe ; and were therefore very eager, to bring
him to an Account. Sir Thomas., on his Side, was very fair
in his Profeffions, and preffed, with much Warmth, the
full Settlement and finifhing the Affair; offering to pay, not
only what fhould appear due from himfelf, but whatever
Wrong or Damage fhould have happened to the Company,
from his Under-Officers or Servants. But then his Receipts
were fo very faulty and deficient, and his Difburfements fo
I void of all Warrant and proper Vouchers, that the Com-
pany's Auditors, although they took much Pains, could
bring nothing to a Head ; and the whole only ferved, to
adminifter frefli Fuel to Animofities and Quarrels, without
any Profpe£l of coming to a fatisfa6lory Conclufion.
; As to Captain Jrgall^ altho' he was under Profecution
from the Company, yet by his Craft and Management, by
;the Power and Influence of his Friends, by his (hifting and
turning, and by going on the Expedition againft the Alge-
rines^ he fo fhuffled and perplexed the Company, that he
at laft efcaped, without any Punifliment or Reftitution at all.
And altho' Sir Thoinas Smith., overpowered with the Juftice
and Neceffity of the thing, had :|i^jte|j;ommenced the Profe-
cution againff him, yet beiagj^^J^" Fellow-Sufferers, and
equally aggrieved at the prefent upright and vigorous Ad-
miniftration of the Company's Affairs, they joined Forces,
and did every thing in their Power, to difgrace, and vilify,
and retard the Succefs of the Enterprife. The principal
Perfons of their Fa6lion were, the Earl of Warwick \ Sir
Nathaniel Rich., the Earl's Brother ; Sir Tho?nas Wroth., who
was nearly allied to them by Marriage ; Sir John Woljien-
holme., a wealthy Merchant and a Farmer of the Cuftoms ;
with Alderman Johnfon., Mr. Canning., and Mr. Ejjington.^
three
Book IV. TZv History of VIRGINIA.
three fadlious Citizens, and others of lefs Note, to the
Number of twenty fix in the whole, when their Faftion'
was ftrono-efl: ; a very inconfiderable Party, had they not '^^ George
I 1 T- in ,- IT-- 111 leardUf,
gained the Lar and Support of a weak King, who had a Qgygrnor.
wonderful Inftine't and Propenfity to the wrong Side of every
Qiieftion, and with much Formality of Wifdom and Learn-
ing, for ever mirtook the true Intereft of himfelf and his
Subje6ls. On the other Side appeared the Earl of Southamp-
ton^ the Earl of Dorfet^ the Earl of Devonjhire^ the Vif-
count DoncaJIer^ Lord CavendiJJ)^ Lord Sheffield^ Lord
Paget^ Sir Edward Sackvil^ Sir Dudley Digges^ Sir Edwin
Sandys^ Sir yohn Davers^ Sir Samuel Sandys^ with a long
Roll .of others, and in fhort, the whole Body of Adventu-
rers in general, which confifted of near fifty Noblemen, fome
hundreds of Knights, and many hundreds of Gentlemen,
eminent Merchants, and Citizens, to the full Amount of
a thoufand Perfons in all. But none a6led in the Support of
Truth and Jullice, with greater Spirit and Vigor, than the
Lord Cavendijh^ afterwards Earl of Devonjlnre^ and Sir
Edward Sackvil. The former was a young Nobleman of
much Generofity, Spirit, and Eloquence ; and he fucceeded
Sir Thomas S)nith^ in the Place of Governor to the Somer-
IJlands Company. The latter, who afterwards became
Earl of Dorfet^ was the Perfon of the greateft Fame in that
Age, for a facetious Vivacity, fparkling Wit, and undaunt-
ed Courage, joined to a found and comprehenfive Under-
ftanding, and an excellent Turn for Bufinefs. He was one
of the firft, that raifed the Reputation of the Dorfet Family,
for Wit and Exaftnefs of Tafte and Difcernment ; but is
beft known to common Readers, for his Duel with Lord
Bruce, which is related in my Lord Clarendon and the Guar-
dian, Books defervedly popular and in the Hands of every
Body. And as he appeared thus early in the Caufe of the
Colony (for fuch is it owned to be by our Aflemblies of thofe
times) fo did he continue, to the laft, a conftant Friend and
Favourer of Virginia.
As Sir George Teardley had exprefled his Defire to leave 1621.
the Government, at the Expiration of his CommifTion,
which would be in the November following, the Earl of
Southampton recommended to the Company the Confidera-
tion of a proper Perfon, to fucceed him. His Lordfhip pro-
pofed to their Choice Sir Francis JVyat, a young Gentleman,
thought every way fufficient and equal to the Place, and
highly efteemed, as he faid, on Account of his Birth, Edu-
cation, Integrity of Life, and fair Fortune, However, he
earneftly prelfed on the Company the Nomination of fuch
other Perfon or Perfons, as they (hould think proper, to
ftand
rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
{land in Election with him. But no other being fo much
as named, Sir Francis Wyat was chofen Governor, to take
his Place at the Expiration of Sir George Teardley'% Com-
miflion, and not before. And to do him the greater Grace
and Honour, as well as the better to enable and encourage
him in the Execution of his Office, they elected him' one
of his Majefty's Council in England for Virginia. They
alfo allowed him two hundred Pounds, for all necellary
Provifions for his Voyage, with the free tranfport of him-
felf and Attendants, provided they did not exceed the Num-
ber of twenty Perfons.
Dr. Lawrence Bobiw., who had left Virginia in the Year
i6ii, with the Lord Delazvarr., had now obtained a large
Grant of Land, for the Tranfportation of three hundred
Perfons. He was alfo appointed the Company's Phyfician-
General to the Colony, with the Allowance of five hundred
Acres of Land and twenty Tenants ; under Covenant, to
maintain and miake them good, from time to time, and at
his Deceafe, or other Removal, to leave the like Number
of Men and Stock of Cattle, as was allowed by the Compa-
ny, and by them annexed to the Place. He accordingly fet
fail, in the Beginning of February., with eighty Paflengers,
in a Ship of an hundred and fixty Tons and eight Iron Guns
and a Falcon, commanded by Captain Anthony Chejier.
But about the Middle of March., they were attacked, near
Nevis in the J V eft-Indies., by two Spanifi Men of War, of
three hundred Tons and fixteen or twenty Brafs Cannon
apeice. The Fight was fliarp and defperate ; but the En-
gliJJ) fo beftowed their Shot, and managed the Engagement
with fuch Dexterity and Bravery, that the Spaniards were
glad to ftand aloof, and after following them a Day or two,
without any other remarkable Annoyance, at laft fell aftern,
and left them. There was made a very great Slaughter of
the Spaniards., fo that their Scupples ran with Blood ; and
the Captain of the Admiral-Ship, who acSled the Part of a
brave Commander, was flain. On the Engli/I) Side, ten
were killed ; among whom was Dr. Bohun., whofe Death
was greatly lamented. He had ftudied long among the
learned Phyficians of the Loxv -Countries., and behaved him-
felf in this Battle, like a worthy and valiant Gentleman.
In his Room, Mr. "John Pot was elefted, by the Company,
Phyfician-General to the Colony. He was recommended
by Dr. Guljione., an eminent Member of their Society, as
a Mafter of Arts, well practiced in Chirurgery and Phvfic,
and expert in Chym.ical Proceffes and other ingenious Parts
of his Profelfion ; whofe Service, he therefore conceived,
would be of great Ufe to the Colony. He was accordingly
■lent,
Book IV. "The History of VIRGINIA. 189
fent, upon the fame Foot, as Dr. Bohun ; and was allowed i6ai.
his own, his Wife's, and two Servants Paflages. Dr. Gul-' y '
Jo?ie was likewife defired, to buy a Cheft of Phyfic of twen- ^"^2/7^"
ty Pounds Value, and ten Pounds of Books, proper for the Governor.
ProfeHion, which Ihould always belong to the Place.
Captain IVilliam Neiuce offered, to tranfport and fet-
tle a thoufand Perfons in Virginia^ by Midfummer, 1625 ;
and defired to be appointed their General, and to have a
Patent, with that Proportion of Land, and fuch other Pri-
vileges, as were ufually granted on the like Occafion. A
Patent was readily granted, in the largeft and moft ample
Manner. But as to the Title and Command of General,
they refufed to grant it him ; becaufe it was a Power, pro-
perly belonging to the Governor only. Befides, it gave
fuch an Independency, as was deftru6i:ive of all Order and
good Government ; and had therefore been loudly cried out
againft, in Captain Alartin's extravagant Patent, and in a
Grant furreptitioufly and illegally obtained by Captain Ar-
gall^ and therefore exprefly flopped, by the Company's Or-
ders to the Governor in Virginia. But Captain Neiuce far-
ther requefled, in order to enable him the better to go
through the Charge of fo great an Undertaking, to be ap-
pointed Marflial of Virginia ; for which Poft he was emi-
nently qualified, having ever been exercifed in military Af-
fairs and Arms, and of noted Experience and Skill in Martial
Difcipline ; as appeared by his many Services in Ireland^ and
by the Teflimony of divers honourable Perfons, upon their
own Knowledge. He was therefore conflituted Marfhal of
Virginia ; to take into his Charge, as well the Fortifica-
tions, Arms, and Forces of the Colony, as to caufe the
People, to be duly trained up in Military Difcipline, and to
the Ufe and Exercife of Arms. And they annexed fifteen
hundred Acres of Land and fifty Tenants to the Place, to
be tranfported and furnifhed by himfelf, at eight Pounds
Charge to the Company a Man. And the King alfo, being
highly pleafed at the Nomination of this Gentleman, con-
ferred the Honour of Knighthood upon him ; calling him
his Knight-Marfhal of Virginia., and expreffing great Hopes
from the Management of a Perfon of his acknowledged Ca-
pacity and Skill. However, he did not long furvive his Ar-
rival in Virginia ; but died, two Days after the reading his
Patent and Commiflion.
There was, at this time, above a thoufand Pounds,
due in Virginia to the Company, for Rents and Duties ;
and they were likewife greatly fcandalifed and offended, to
find their frequent and prefTmg Orders, for raifing good and
flaple Commodities, entirely flighted and negledted. It was
therefore
190 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1 621. therefore thought neceffary, to appoint a particular Officer,
^ Y 'by the Name of Treafurer ; who fhould have the Charge,
^r George j^qj Q^jy ^f ^.j^gj,. Rgntg and Duties, but fhould alfo take
Governor. '"^° ^'^ more efpecial Regard and Care, to fee all Orders
and Direftions, fent from England^ duly and faithfully exe-
cuted, from time to time ; or otherwife to render a fuffici-
ent Reafon to the contrary. To this Office Mr. George
Sandys^ the noted Poet and Traveller was unanimoufly
ele6led, as a Perfon every way fit, on Account of his Abi-
lity and Integrity. And they likewife allotted fifteen hun-
dred Acres of Land, perpetually to belong to the faid Place
of Treafurer, with fifty Tenants thereon ; and allowed
Mr. Sandys an hundred and fifty Pounds, to furnifh himfelf
for the Voyage, with the free Paflage of his Family, not
exceeding the Number of ten Perfons. And it was thought
proper, that two fuch eminent Officers as Marfhal and
Treafurer, to which Places fuch worthy Gentlemen had
been preferred, fhould be admitted of his Majefly's Coun-
cil in England^ and appointed of the Council of State in
Virginia.
Soon after, Mr. Richard Norwood^ a Man famous, in
thofe Days, as a Mathematician, who had laid off the
Tribes and Lands, and made an exa6l Plot of the Iflands
of Bermudas^ was recommended to the Company for Sur-
veyor of Virginia^ and was accordingly ele6led to the Place.
But I know not, how the Change came to be made, yet I
find, very foon after, Mr. William Clayhorne appointed and
fent Surveyor. The Company allowed him thirty Pounds
a Year and a convenient Houfe, for his publick Service in
laying off their Lands ; with twenty Pounds paid in Hand,
to furnifh himfelf with Inflruments and Books, which he
was obliged to leave to his SuccefTors. They likewife al-
lowed him the Tranfport of three Perfons, and gave him
two hundred Acres of Land in Fee-fimple ; and in cafe he
was employed in any private Survey, he was to receive fix
Shillings a Day, and to be found in Diet and Lodging. ^
M R. Pory\ Commiffion of Secretary was to determine, at
the fame Time, as Sir George Yeardley\. He had given the
Company little Satisfa6lion in that Office, but had been
plainly dete6led, although a fworn Officer, of betraying
the Proceedings, and fecretly conveying the Proofs, againft
Captain Argall^ to the Earl of Warwick. And as he was
befides known, to be a profefTed Tool and Inflrument to
that Faction, the Company was at no Lofs or Hefitatibn,
about renewing his Commiffion. But four Gentlemen be-
ing flrongly recommended to them, as fully qualified for
that Pofl, in Point of Learning, Honefty, and Experience,
they
Book IV. rhe History of VIRGINIA. 191
they made Choice of Mr. Chrijiopher Davifon^ and ad- 1621.
mitted him a free Brother of the Company, and one of the ' r- — ■
Council of State in Virginia. And as the Company's "^^ George
Ships were often delayed in the Country, through . Neg- Q^'^gj.^-^^
ligence and Mifmanagement, it was refolved, to appoint
an Officer, by the Title of Vice-Admiral, who fliould
take into his Charge the Care and Difpatch of them.
Mr. 'John Pomitis therefore, one of the Council, who
had deferved well of both the Company and Colony,
was, this Summer, appointed to that Place provifionally,
and afterwards confirmed by the Quarter Court in Novem-
ber^ with the Allowance of three hundred Acres of Land
and twelve Tenants.
The late large Tranfportations of People, the furnifli-
ing and fitting out the new Governor and thefe other Offi-
cers, with the vaft Charge of providing them with Tenants
and Servants, and other needful and well-defigned Expences,
did fo entirely exhaufi: the publick Treafury of the Compa-
ny, that it never afterwards recovered itfelf to any tolerable
Degree of Affluence or Wealth. And befides, the Lotte-
ries were now at an End, which were the only Means of
raifing a Fund again, and which alone had brought twenty
nine thoufand Pounds Sterling into the Company's Stock.
Wherefore Mr. S?nith obferved to them, that the Lotteries,
which had thus far fupplied the real and fubftantial Food,
by which Virginia had been nourifhed, did now no longer
fubfift. To the End therefore, that flie might ftill be pre-
ferved, by divulging Fame and good Report, he propofed,
in the Name of himfelf and many others of the Society,
to have a fair and perfpicuous Hiflory compiled of the Coun-
try, from the firft Difcovery to that Time ; wherein the
Memory and Deferts of many of her worthy Undertakers,
as Sir Walter Ralegh^ Sir George So?ners^ the Lord Dela-
warr^ Sir Thomas Dale., and Sir Thomas Gates (for both
thofe Knights, after their Return from Virginia., had gone
to the Eaji-Indies., and there died) together with divers
others then living, might be commended to eternal Thank-
fulnefs. He regretted their prefent Inability, in having no
other Coin, wherewith to recompence the great Pains and
Merit of the well-deferving. But he affirmed, that the beft
planted Parts of America., under the Spanifh Government,
at the like Age, afforded not better Matter of Relation,
than Virginia then did. And he faid, that the Efi^e61:, which
fuch a general Hiftory, deduced to the Life, would have,
throughout the Kingdom, on the popular Opinion of the
common SubjecSl, might be gathered, from the Succefs of
the little Pamphlets or Declarations, lately publifhed. And
he
rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
he further urged the immediate Performance thereof, be-
caufe a few Years would confume the Lives of many,
Sir George vvhofe Memories retained much, and might alfo devour
Governor ^hofe Letters and Intelhgences, which yet remained in loofe
and negle6led Papers.
This Speech was received by the whole Court, with
very great Applaufe, as fpoken freely, and to an excellent
Purpofe ; and it v/as refolved, to have it confidered, and
put in Prailice, in due Time. Mr. Smith was alfo exceed-
ingly commended, as well for this, as for always preferring
Motions of efpecial Confequence. And it was from this
Motion, I fuppofe, that Captain Smith was requeued, in
the Company's Name, to write his Hiftory of Virginia j
as he himfelf tells us,/). i68. However the Captain's De-
ferts feem not, about this Time, to have been fully under-
ftood or regarded. For I find him, foon after, preferring
a Petition to the Company, fetting forth ; That he had
not only adventured Money, but had alfo twice built James-
Toivn^ and four other Plantations ; and had difcovered the
Country, and relieved the Colony, three Years together,
with fuch Provifions, as he got from the Savages, with great
Peril and Hazard of his Life ; and therefore he defired, in
Confideration thereof, that the Company would be pleafed
to reward him, either out of their Treafury at home, or
their Profits in Virginia. And certainly, confidering his
many great and extraordinary Services, he was highly wor-
thy their Regard. But the Court referred him to the Com-
mittee, appointed for rewarding Men upon Merit ; and from
whatever Caufe it happened, I find nothing farther done
in the Matter. So that he, with a Fate very ufual to pub-
lick Spirits, had Reafon to complain, that every Shilling,
which he had gained by thefe Enterprizes, had coft him a
Pound ; and that what he had got, in fome fuccefsful Cam
paigns at War, had been chearfully fpent on Virginia and
New-England., for the publick Good. Yet he begrudges
it not, but fliould think himfelf happy, to fee their Prof-
perity and Advancement.
At the Court of Election, the Earl of Southatnpton was
again chofen Treafurer for the enfuing Year, with an una-
nimous Voice. His Lordfhip was then abfent, having been
long detained, that Day, in Parliament. But at his coming
to Court, he was pleafed to accept the Place, in a very no-
ble Manner ; and he had the hearty Thanks of the whole
Court returned him, for his honourable Care and Pains,
ever fince his Entrance into that Place of Government, to
uphold and advance the Plantation. And at his Lordfliip's
Requeft, Mr. yohn Farrar^ of whofe Fidelity and Suffi-
ciency
Book IV. the History of VIRGINIA. 193
ciency they already had To much Experience, was moft wil- ^^-i-
linglv continued in his Office of Deputy. — '
T H E Earl of Warwick was highly offended at Sir George ^i"; ^^°''^''
Teardley^ for intercepting a Pacquet of Letters, and difco- Governor.
vering the Correfpondence between Secretary Pory and
himfelf. He therefore loudly declared his Difpleafure, and
took all poffible Methods to daunt and difcourage him, from
proceeding vigoroufly in ArgaW'i Profecution. To this End,
he caufed it to be rumoured over all Virginia^ even to Ope-
chancanough^ and had it confirmed by Letters from England^
that he himfelf was coming over fhortly, in Perfon, to be
their Governor, with Captain Argall for his Pilot ; and that
then he would call Sir George Teardly feverely into Qiieftion,
for his own Government, and would take a fliarp and full
Revenge. Thefe Reports much weakened the Strength and
Authority of the Government ; and they likewife fo affected
Sir George Teardley^ a Man of a meek and gentle Nature,
and threw him into fuch a Dejeftion of Spirit, that he fell
into a long and languifliing Sicknefs, to the general Hurt
and Negle6t of the publick Bufinefs, as well as Captain Ar-
gaWi Affair in particular.
The Company alfo, this Year, entertained fome Pro-
jeils for producing ufeful Commodities ; and as three of the
Mafter Workmen of their Iron Works were dead, they
fent over Mr. John Berkeley^ and Maurice^ his Son, who
were commended, as very fkilful in that Way, with twenty
other experienced Workmen. They likewife ordered a
Bill to be prepared for the Parliament, for fending over the
Poor, which were now become very numerous and burthen-
fome to the feveral Pariflies, to be fet to work, and ufefully
employed, in Virginia. Sir George Yeardley complained,
that the Council of State lived very diftant and diiperfed ;
and having no Allowance for their Attendance, could fcarce
be got together. Whereupon the Company ordered, that
the Council fliould meet, four times a Year, and fliould
hold Qiiarter Seffions, a whole Week together ; to affift
the Governor, from time to time, as well in Matter of
Counfel and of State, as in all Caufes of Importance, and
for Redrefs of general and particular Grievances. And that
their Number might make their Meetings the more eafy,
befides the feven, laft Year appointed, and the new Officers
of State, now going over, they alfo added, in the Room of
Dr. Bohun and two others, that were dead, Mr. Pot^ the
Rev. Mr. Robert Paivlet^ Captain Roger Smitb^and Mr. Leech.
This laft Gentleman was going over, to view the Country,
and to pitch upon a proper Place of Settlement, for the fa-
mous and munificent William Earl of Peynbroke ; who had
'"'' O under-
194 -^v History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
•62.1. undertaken, with his Afiociates, to plant thirty thoufand
^''^'^ ' Acres oi Land, and conl'cquentlv to tranfport fix hundred
?W?' Perlbns.
GoTCinof. The latter End of y«A', or Beginning of Auguft^ Sir
Francis Wyat fet out for his Government, with the Trea-
furer, Secretary, Phyfician-General, and Surveyor, in Com-
pany wnth nine Sail of Ships ; all which arrived fafe in Vir-
ginia^ about OSioher^ without the Lofs of one fingle Paf-
i'enger. With him, was fent a Body of Inftrudions to the
Governor, for the time being, and the Council of State in
Virginia ; confifting of forty {^v^n Articles, and figned by
the Earl of Southampton^ Sir Edwin Sandys^ Sir Joh?i Da-
vers^ and others of the Council. In thefe, it was firft re-
commended to them, to take into their efpecial Regard the
Service of Almighty God, and the Obfervance of his divine
Laws ; and that the People fhould be trained up, in true
Religion and Virtue. And fince their Endeavours, for the
Eftablifhment of the Honour and Rights of the Church and
Miniftry, had not yet taken due Effect, they were required,
to employ their utmoft Care, to advance all things apper-
taining to the Order and Adminiftration of Divine Service,
according to the Form and Dii'cipline of the Church of
England ; carefully to avoid all factious and needlefs Novel-
ties, which only tended to the Difturbance of Peace and
Unity ; and to caufe, that the iVLinillers Ihould be duly re-
fpecSted and maintained, and the Churches, or Places ap-
pointed for Divine Service, decently accommodated, ac-
cording to former Orders in that Behalf. They were, in
the next Place, commanded, to keep the People in due
Obedience to the King ; to provide, that Juftice might be
equally adminiftered to all, as near as could be, according
to the Forms and Conftitution of England ; to prevent all
Corruption, tending to the Perverfion or Delay of Juftice ;
to protecSt the Natives, from Injury and Oppreflion ; and to
cultivate Peace and Friendfhip with them, as far as it fhould
be confiftent with the Honour of the Nation and Safety of
the People. They were likewife required, to make the
People apply themfelves to an induftrious Way of Life ;
and to fupprefs all Gaming, Drunkennefs, and Excefs in
Apparel. To this End it was ordained, that no Perfon,
except the Council, or the Heads of Hundreds and Planta-
tions, with their Wives and Children, fliould wear Gold
'on their Cloaths, or any Apparel of Silk, except fuch as
had been raifed by their own Induftry. But the Governor
and Council anfwered to this, that they knew of no Excefs
in Apparel, except in the Price of it ; and had it not come
from them, they fhould have thought it z' Plout upon the
Colony, for their Poverty and Nakcdneis. They
Book IV. The History of VIRGINIA. 195
They were alio enjoined, to ufe great Care, that no ''■'--'''■■
juft Caufe of Offence be given to any other Prince, State, or ^-;- — v-—- '
People; to permit no Captain, or other Perfon, under P^^" j-^^^J/J^^
tence of Trade, to fail to the I Feji- Indies^ to rob and fpoil ; Governor,
not to give Harbour or Refuge, on the Coafts or in the
Country, to any Pirates or Banditti, but feverely to profe-
cute and punifli them ; and to take better Care, for proper
and effe6i:ual Fortifications. They further prefied upon
them, in a particular Manner, the ufing all probable Means
of bringing over the Natives, to a Love of Civility, and to
the Knowledge of God, and his true Religion. To which
Purpofe, they obferved to them, that the Example, given
by the EngUfl} in their own Perfons and Families, would be
of fingular and chief Moment : That it would be proper,
to draw the beft difpofed among the Indians^ to converfe
and labour with our People, for a convenient Reward ; that
thereby, being reconciled to a civil Way of Life, and
brought to a Senfe of God and Religion, they might after-
wards become Inftruments in the general Converfion of their
Countrymen, fo much defired : That each Town, Bur-
rough, and Hundred, ought to procure, by juft Means, a
certain Number of their Children, to be brought up in the
firft Elements of Litterature : That the moft towardly of
thefe fliould be fitted for the College ; in building of which,
they purpofed to proceed, as foon as any Profit arofe from
the Eftate, appropriated to that Ufe ; and they earneftly
required their utmoft Help and Furtherance, in that pious
and important Work ; not doubting the particular Bleffing
of God upon the Colony, and being aflured of the Love of
all good Men, upon that Account.
They next proceeded to give Inftrucfions, for the
Reception and Accommodation of the new Governor,
and of the other Officers and People, then fent. And
they prefled upon them the raifing feveral ufeful Com-
modities ; as well Corn, Wine, Silk, and others here-
tofore frequently mentioned, as alfo the making Oil of
Walnuts, employing their Apothecaries in Diftillation, and
fearching the Country for Minerals, Dyes, Gums, Drugs,
and the like. And they ordered them particularly, by the
King's Advice and Defire, to draw the People off of their
exceflive planting of Tobacco. To that End, they were
commanded to permit them, to make only an hundred
Pounds of Tobacco a Head ; and to take all poffible Care,
to improve that Proportion in Goodnefs, as much as might
be, which would bring their Commodity into Requeft, and
caufe a more certain Benefit to the Planter. They likewife
added many other Advices and Inftruftions, for the Admini-
O 2 ftration
196 V:c History of VIRGINIA. Book IV
1621. ftration of Juftice, the good Government, and happy Ad-
' ^.^^"^ vancement of the Colony.
^n- George J jj Cafe of the Death, Removal, or Sufpenfion of the
Governor. Govcrnor, the Council, or major Part of them, then refi-
dent in Virginia^ were ordered, immediately to aflemble
themfelves, within fourteen Days, or fooner, and out of
their own Body, to ele6l a Perfon, to fupply the Place, for
the Time. But if the Voices fliould happen to be equal,
then Ele6lion was to be made of the Lieutenant-Governor ;
and in his Abfence, or neceflary Caufe of declining it, the
Marfhal fliould fucceed ; next, the Treafurer ; and then
one of the two Deputies, for the College and Company's
Lands ; till the Government fhould be fettled in one of thofe
chief Officers. And the Governor was authorifed, to de-
termine and punifli, at his Difcretion, any fudden and emer-
gent Bufinefs, and all Negleft or Contempt of Authority,
in any Kind or Perfon whatfoever ; except only the Coun-
cil in their own Perfons, who were, in fuch Cafes, to be
fummoned to appear, at the next Qiiarter Seffion of the
Council, and there to abide their Cenfure. But if the Go-
vernor thought, it concerned the Peace and Welfare of the
Colony, to proceed more fpeedily with fuch Offender, that
then it fliould be lawful for him, to fummon an extraordi-
nary Council, at which fix of the Council, at leafl:, fliould
be prefent with the Governor ; and by Majority of Voices,
any Counfellor might be committed, or obliged to give Bail
for his Appearance.
Sir Francis IVyat alfo brought over with him an Ordi-
nance or Charter, from the Treafurer, Council, and Com-
pany in England^ for fettling the Conftitution and Govern-
ment of Virginia^ in the Governor, the Council of State,
as his Affifl:ants, and the General Aflembly. This Alfem-
bly was to confifl: of the Governor, Council of State, and
two Burgelfes, chofen by every Town, Hundred, or par-
ticular Plantation. All Matters were to be decided, deter-
mined, and ordered in it, by the Majority of Voices, then
prefent ; referving to the Governor a Negative upon the
Whole. And they were empowered, to treat, confult, and
conclude, as well concerning all emergent Occafions, re-
lating to the publick Weal of the faid Colony, and every
Part thereof, as alfo to make, ordain, and ena6i fuch gene-
ral Laws and Orders, as fliould, from time to time, appear
neceflkry : Provided neverthelefs, that no Law, or Ordi-
nance, made in the faid General Aflembly, fliould be ot
Force or Validity, unlefs the fame fliould be folemnly con-
firmed and ratified, in a General Quarter Court of the
Company in England^ and returned under their Seal : As
alfo.
Book. IV. 'Tbc History of VIRGINIA.
alfo, when this Form of Government fliould be once well
framed and fettled, that no Orders, of the Court in Englaiid^
fliould bind the Colony, before they were ratified and con-^"" <^«',§:^
firmed, in like Manner, by the General Aflembly in /^^'''.g"'- Governor
n'la. But in all other things, they were commanded, to
follow the Policy, Form of Government, Laws, Cuftoms,
Manner of Trial, and other Adminifirration of Juftice, ufed
in England.
The Company's Treafury was fo reduced, that it could
not now fuffice tor feveral things of the utmolt Neceflity and
Ad\antage. Wherefore, to fupply this Deficiency, they
entered into a Method of preparing Rolls, and offering them
to the voluntary Subfcription of the Adventurers. What-
ever was fent to Virginia upon thefe Rolls, was there fold,
by the Cape-Merchant or fome other Failor, at fuch a mo-
derate Price, as fliould indemnify the Subfcribers for their
Money advanced, and for all Charges incident thereupon.
At this time, four Rolls were prepared and brought into
Court, for the Company's Subfcription. The firft was for
Apparel, and other neceffary Provifions and Utenfils, for
the Colony. The fecond, for fending an hundred more
Maids, to make Wives ; and fixty were accordingly fent,
) oung, handfome, and well recommended to the Company,
for their virtuous Education and Demeanor. With them
was fent over the feveral Recommendations and Teftimo-
nials of their Behaviour, that the Purchafers might thence
be enabled to judge, how to chufe. The Price of thefe
Wives was ftated at an hundred and twenty Pounds of To-
bacco, and afterwards advanced to an hundred and fifty, and
proportionably more, if any of them fliould happen to die ;
fo that the Adventurers might be refunded their original
Charge. And it was alfo ordered, that this Debt for Wives
fliould have the Precedency of all others, and be firft re-
coverable. And it was ftri6fly enjoined, that they fliould
be well ufed, and not married to Servants, but to fuch Free-
men and Tenants, as could handfomely fupport them ; that,
by their good Fortune, Multitudes of others might be al-
lured to come over, on the Profpe6l of advantageous Mat-
ches. And the Company likewife declared their Intention,
that, for the Encouragement of fettled Families, and fecu-
ring a Pofterity, they would prefer and make Confignments
to married Men, before fingle Perfons ; and that as many
Boys fliould be fent, as there were Maids, to be 'Prentices
to thofe who married them. They alfo granted the Ad-
venturers, who fubfcribed to this Roll, a ratable Proportion
of Land, according to the Number of the Maids fent, to be
laid off together and formed into a Town, by the Name of
O 3 Maid/iotun.
198 '-The History < VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1 621. Maidjiowfi. The third Roll was for a Giafs Furnace, to
^"^ ^make Beads, which was the current Coin in the Indian
^Y w^r Trade ; and one Captain Norton^ with fome Italian Work-
GoveVnor. "^^"^-t was fent over for that Purpofe. The fourth was for
fetting out a trading Voyage with the Indians^ for Skins and
Furs. For, the Company was informed from feveral Hands,
that the French and Dutch carried on a very profitable Trade
of that fort, in Ddawarr and Hudfon\ Rivers, which were
within the Limits of their Grant, and then efteemed Parts
of Virginia. They therefore refolved, to vindicate their
Right, and not to permit Foreigners to run away with fo
lucrative a Branch of their Trade. One Captain "Jones
was accordingly fent upon the Voyage 3 but by the Wick-
ednefs of him and his Mariners, the Adventure was loft,
and the whole Project: overthrown. To thefe Rolls,
the Earl of Southampton and Sir Edwin Sandys., each fub-
fcribed two hundred Pounds ; and fuch was the Zeal and
Refolution of the Adventurers to advance the Colony, that
they were foon compleated, and put into Execution. At
the fame time, the Company, in their Letters to the Go-
vernor and Council, recommends to them the Prevention
of Fraud and Deceit in Tobacco ; and that fome Provifion
fhould be made, for burning all bafe and rotten Trafh, and
none fufi-ered to go home, but what was very good ; where-
by, they faid, there would certainly be more advanced in
the Price, than loft in the Quantity.
But Tobacco was, at this time, a very finking Com-
modity. For altho' the Planters magifterially forced it on
the Company and others, at the current Price of three Shil-
lings a Pound, yet it would not turn oiit at home, after
Shrinkage and Wafte, and the Difcharge of the Duty and
Freight, (which laft alone was three Pence, and fometimes
four Pence, a Pound) at above two Shillings for the beft,
and the inferior Sort at fcarce eighteen Pence a Pound. And
befides, the Trade was ftrangely hampered and perplexed,
by the weak and unfteady Counfels of the puny Monarch,
then on the Throne. For altho', in the Beginning of the
former Year, the Company had yielded to his unreafonable
Demand of twelve Pence a Pound, yet foon after, in the
fame Summer, he ifl'ued a Proclamation, prohibiting a ge-
neral Importation of Tobacco, and reftraining the Quantity
from Virginia and the Somer-IJlands., to fifty five thoufand
Weight. At the fame time, taking Advantage of an Oifer
of Sir Thomas S?nith and Alderman John/on., in the Name
of the Company, but without their Knowledge or Autho-
rity, and fo utterly difclaimed by them, he granted a Mo-
nopoly of Tobacco ; the fole Importation whereof was
granted.
Book IV. rir History ^/VIRGINIA. 199
granted by Letters patent, firft to Sir Thomas Roe and his ^^zj.
Aflociates (at whofe Defire and Inftigation the Proclamation, ^""^ y ^
above mentioned, was iflued) and the Year after, to Mr. '^'' ^^'^''S'^
yacob and certain other Patentees. They proceeded moft Governor
injurioufly againft both Companies, not only (tinting them
to too fcant a Proportion, but alio reftraining them from
lelling their Tobacco, without their Seal and AUov/ance
firft had ; for which, under the Pretence and Title of Garb-
ling, they were obliged to pay four Pence a Pound. This
Garbling was an ancient Cuftom of the City of London \ and
an Officer was appointed, who had Power to enter into any
Shop or Warehoufe, to view and fearch Drugs and Spices,
and to garble the fame ; that is, to make them clean from
all Garbles or Trafh. And it was now put into Execution,
and arbitrarily applied to Tobacco (a new Commodity in
England., and therefore not legally fubje6l to Garbling,
without an exprefs Law) in order the more effectually to
opprefs the Companies and Plantations, and to fqueeze the
greater Gain out of them.
Thus injured and diftreffcd, the Company prefented
their Petition and Reprefentation to his Majeity, to which
they received a gracious Aniwer, with large Profeffions of
his Love to the Colonies, and that it never was his Intention
to grant any thing to their Prejudice; but without any Re-
drefs of their Grievance. It was therefore at laft reiblved,
to prefer a Petition to the Houfe of Commons, and therein
to complain of thefe Oppreffions, which tended to the utter
Deftruction and Overthrow of the Colonies ; and as that
Houfe had called into Queftion, and intended to fupprefs,
other Monopolies (a great and crving Grievance of thofe
Times) they doubted not, to receive from them a full and
ample Redrefs. They likewife, at the Motion of Sir Ed-
tvin Sandys^ prefented Mr. Edward Bennet^ a Citizen of
Loudon^ with the Freedom of their Company ; becaufe he
had written a Treatife, fetting forth, in a clear and lively
Manner, the great Inconvenience and Damage to the Na-
tion, by the Importation of Spanijh Tobacco ; and becaufe
he had frequently attended the Committees of the Houfe of
Commons, who were well inclined, to afford their utmoft
Afliftance, for the Prohibition of foreign Tobacco. This
Mr. Bennet immediately became the moft deeply engaged,
and was far the largeft and moft confiderable Adventurer
of anv, then known, in the Affair of Virginia ; whofe
Foundations, in that early time, have continued down to
the prefent. For his Nephew, Richard Bennet., Efq; was
the firft Governor of Virginia., by the Ele6tion of the Co-
lony, in the time of CromweW^ Ufurpation ; and the Re-
O 4 main
200 rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1 621. main of the Family, now feated in Maryland^ is ftill the
^""-y— richeft and moft wealthy, in all Kinds of Fortune and E-
Sn- George fl;ate, of any in this Part of America. However, fince the
Governor Somer-Iflands could not well fubfift without the Profits of
their Tobacco, and as the Territory of Virginia was large,
their Soil good, and great Hopes conceived, that many other
valuable Commodities would fcon be produced and returned
from thence, it was agreed, that the whole 55,000 Weight
fliould be imported from thofe Iflands ; and the Virginia
Company procured Storehoufes, and appointed Fa6lors, at
Middlehurg and FluJ])ing^ and compounded with the States
of thofe Cities, for a Half Penny a Pound Cuftom, for the
Import, and the fame Rate for the Export, of their To-
bacco. So that no Virginia Tobacco was imported into
England.^ this Year, but all was carried and difpofed of in
Holland.
The News of this State of their Affairs coming to Vir-
ginia., the Colony was greatly alarmed, and drew up an
humble Petition to the King, fetting forth : That his Ma-
iefty, out of his religious Defire to fpeed the Gofpel of
Chrift, and princely Ambition to enlarge his Dominions,
had given Encouragement to fuch, as would go to Virgi-
nia., and granted them many goodly Privileges and Liberties,
under the great Seal of England.^ than which they thought
no earthly Affurance more firm and inviolable : That in
Confidence hereof, they, his Majefty's poor Subjects, had
adventured their Lives and Fortunes thither ; and in the
Profecution of the Enterprife, had undergone fuch incredi-
ble Difficulties and Sufferings, as would be {hocking, in the
Relation, to his Majeffy's facred Ears : That they had now,
by the Divine Affiftance, in fome Meafure, overcome thofe
Difficulties, and brought themfelves to an Ability of fubfifl:-
ing, without any other Help from England., than the ufual
Courfe of Commerce ; but that they had, of late, been
brought into Danger, of returning into their former, or even
worfe Circumftances, by the finiffer Pra6lices of fome Mem-
bers of the Company at home ; who, pretending his Ma-
jefty's Profit, but really aiming at their own exorbitant
Gain, had obtained a Proclamation, to prohibit the Impor-
tation of Tobacco into England: That other things, of
greater real Value, required more time, than their preffing
Neceffities would allow, and mor& Help, to bring them to
Perfection, than they had, till of late, been furniflied with-
al ; and that, therefore, Tobacco was the only Commodity,
they had yet been able to raife, in order to fupply themfelves
and Families with Apparel, and other needful Supplements
of Life : That, if it fliouId be thus fuppreffed and prohi-
bited,
Book IV. "The History of VIRGINIA. 201
bited, they muft all, of Neceflity, perish, for Want of 1621.
Cloathing, and fuch Neceilaries, as both their Nature and^^- — v— ^
Education required : That his Majefl:y would, thereby, not ^^ ^"''S'
only lofe fo many good and loyal Subjects, as had adventu- Governor
red their Lives and Subftance to Virginia^ for the Promo-
tion of thofe great Ends, the Glory of God, and his Ma-
jefty's Service, but muft likewife be deprived of the Hope
and Profpe6l, of acquiring a Territory, as large, and capa-
ble of becoming as opulent, as any of thofe Kingdoms, he
at prefent poflelled : Since therefore they were allured, that
his Majefty tendered the Lives and Welfare of his Subjeils,
above Thoufands of Gold and Silver, and fmce his Royal
Word was engaged, and even ratified under the great Seal
of England^ they befought him, out of his princely Com-
paffion, either to revoke that Proclamation, and to reftore
them to their ancient Liberty, or elfe to fend for them
home, and not fufFer the Heathen to triumph over them.
This Petition was tranfmitted to the Treafurer and Com-
pany, and was feconded by a Letter, from Sir George Teard-
ley and the Council, to the Company ; defiring, that it
might be prefented to his Majefty, in as humble and effec-
tual a Manner, as poffible ; becaufe, as they conceived, the
very Life of the Colony depended upon the Succefs of it.
But before it came to hand, the King was become fenfible
of the Damage, that hence accrued to himfelf, by the Di-
minution of his Cuftoms. The Deputy therefore, and fome
others of the Company, were fent for, in Odober this Year,
and received an angry Rebuke from the Lords of the Privy
Council ; importing, that Complaint had been made to that
Board, that the Company had fet up a Trade in Holland^
and carried all their Commodities thither ; and requiring an
Anfwer, whether they would bring all their Commodities
into England^ or continue their Trade in the Low- Countries.
To the former Part of this, the Anfwer was ready and ob-
vious ; that they had indeed carried their Tobacco to M'ld-
dleburg^ not out of Choice, but being conftrained thereto
by his Majefty's Proclamation, and an Order of their own
Board. And as to the latter Part, concerning bringing all
their Commodities into Englayid., as it was a new and un-
expe6ted Propofition, and a Point of great Weight and fu-
ture Confequence, they took fome time to confider of it,
and then returned a long and very refpe6lful Anfwer :
That it was a Liberty and Privilege, generally taken
and enjoyed, by all his Majefty's Subjects, to carry their
Commodities to the beft Markets : That many Commodi-
ties were now fet on Foot, and expe£ted foon to be returned
frdm Virginia^ which, altho' in fome Demand in other
2^ Countries,
ne History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
Countries, yet would not be vendible in England^ nor pay
the Expence of Freight and Cuftom : That neither the
Mufcovy Company, nor any other ancient Corporation, was
under iuch a Reftraint, to whofe greateft Privileges and Im-
munities, they were entitled, by the exprefs Words of his
Majefty's Charter : That the Company had granted feveral
Patents, with the fame Privileges, as they themfelves en-
joyed, to divers Perfons of noble and worthy Families, who
had thereupon expended great Sums of Money, and fome
their whole Eftates in the Plantation ; and that it was not
in their Power, nor would it be confonant to Law or Equi-
ty, now to revoke or reftrain them: That they conceived
themfelves to have no Right or Authority, to difpofe of the
Goods of the private Planters in Virginia^ who are declared,
by his Majefly's Charter, to be as free, as any other his Sub-
jects, and who had merited, by their long and hard Services,
all Manner of Immunity and Encouragement : That they
could not forbid or reftrain them, from trading and barter-
ing their Commodities freely, with fuch Ships, as carried
Paflengers, moft of which proceeded on trading Voyages,
and returned not directly to England : That a Trade had
lately begun between Ireland and Virginia^ for Cattle and
other Neceflaries, for which Contra6ls were made in To-
bacco ; and that this Trade would hereby be nipped in the
Bud, to the exceeding great Prejudice, and the Hazard of
the utter Ruin of the Colony : And laftly, That it was not
in the Power of the few Members of the Company, then in
Town in the time of Vacation, to conclude any thing pofi-
tive, in an Affair of that vaft Importance ; wherein above a
thoufand Adventurers in England^ and near four thoufand
Inhabitants of Virginia^ were deeply interefted and concern-
ed. After which they concluded, with affuring their Lord-
fhips, that they affected no foreign Trade, but in Cafes of
mere Neceflity, and for the better Support and Advance-
ment of the Colony ; that they {hould always endeavour at
fuch a mutual Commerce between England and Virginia^
as fhould be confiftent with the Honour and Benefit of both ;
and that, next to God's Glory, they chiefly aimed at the
Good of their Country, his Majefty's Honour, and the Ad-
vancement of his Profit and Revenue ; for which Ends,
they had, out of their own private Eftates, befides their
Labour and Time, expended above an hundred thoufand
Pounds, without any Return, not only of Profit, but even
of the leaft Part of the Principal itfelf, to any one of the Ad-
venturers, that they knew of.
This Anfwer gave no Satisfaction to their Lordftiips ;
but they were referred to Mr. Jacob^ their old Antagonift
and
Book IV. rZv History of VIRGINIA. 203
and Oppreflor ; and were likewife ordered, to give in their i<^-'-
peremptory Anfwer, whether they would import, not all ' v '
their Commodities, but all their Tobacco only, into En-^^'' (^"''S'
gland. With Mr. Jacob^ they could come to no fatisfac- q^^^^j^^^
tory Accommodation ; and as to importing all their Tobac-
co into Engla7id^ they befought their Lordfliips, to be left
at Liberty, either to import, or not import it into England^
as they fhould find it moft beneficial to the Colony. But
if they muft be obliged to import all or none, they declar-
ed, it was their Choice, to import none into England^ the
enfuing Year. But their Lordfhips termed this an unduti-
ful Anfwer, and commanded them, at their Peril, to bring
all their Tobacco into England. And the Deputy and Com-
mittee, appointed to attend their Lordfhips, offering fome
Reafons, they were told, that they were not to difpute at
that Board, but to obey ; and fo were difmiffed, with high
Marks of their Difpleafure and Indignation.
These Proceedings, being reported to the Company,
caufed great Grief and Dejection among them. For the
Importation of Spani/h., and all other Tobaccoes, was then
free ; and altho' the Houfe of Commons, in their lafl Sef-
fion, had entered into fome Confideration about it, yet I
cannot find, that any thing material was done in the Mat-
ter. And as to the King, out of his doating Fondnefs for
the Spani/h Match, and his eager Defire, to give all pofTible
Pleafure and Advantage to his good Friend and Brother, the
King of Spain., he was even a6five and diligent, to protect
and advance the Importation of Spanijh Tobacco. How-
ever the Deputy exhorted the Company, not to be difcou-
raged at thefe Difafl:ers. For he hoped, that God would
flill exert himfelf in the Prote6lion of Virginia.^ who had
turned for the beft, divers former Projects, which threatned
the Ruin and Deffruition of the Colony. And he defired,
that having put their Hands to the Plough, they would not
now look back, or be weary of well-doing. For the Ac-
tion was univerfally confefled, to be moft chriflian, ho-
nourable, and glorious, and of extreme Confequence to the
Commonwealth and Realm of England; and altho' they
might feem to have cafl their Bread upon the Waters, yet
after many Days, he doubted not, but they fliould find it
again, to their great Comfort and Advantage. And he far-
ther told them, that altho' their exhauffed Treafury had
been able to do little, that Year, for fending People to /^/r-
ginia., yet it had pleafed God, to flir up To many worthy
Minds, for the Advancement of the Colony, that no lefs
than twenty Ships were already gone, or ready to go, in
which would be tranfported above a thoufand Perfons. But
bv
The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
by Captain Smith''?, Account, there were twenty one Sail
of Ships fent this Year, with thirteen hundred. Men, Wo-
Sir George ^len, and Children ; which mio;ht likewife be true, as it
Governor ^^^ ^'""Iv O^tober^ and the Year not concluded, when Mr.
Deputy Farrar made this Report to the Company.
M R . Copeland^ Chaplain to the Royal James^ an Eaji-
India Ship juft returned to Englayid^ by his Example and
Perfuafions, prevailed on the Ship's Company, to contribute
feventy Pounds, towards building a Church or a Free-fchool
in Virginia \ and . an unknown Perfon gave thirty Pounds
more, to make the Benefa6lion an hundred ; to which twen-
ty five Pounds were afterwards added, by another unknown
Perfon. It was therefore determined, to build a School at
Charles-City (which was judged the moft commodious Place,
and moft convenient to all Parts of the Colony) by the Name
of the Eaji-India School ; and the Company allotted, for
the Maintenance of the Mafter and Uflier, a thoufand A-
cres of Land, with five Servants and an Overfeer. This
School was to be collegiate, and to have Dependence upon
the College at Henrico ; into which, as foon as the College
was fufficiently endowed, and capable to receive them, the
Scholars were to be admitted and advanced, according to
their Deferts and Proficiency in Learning. Mr. Copeland
was alfo pr'^fented with the Freedom of the Company, and
with three hundred Acres of Land in Virginia. And Car-
penters were accordingly fent over for this Purpofe, early
the next Year.
Sir Frav.ch On the 1 8th of November^ Sir Francis IVyat entered
Wyat, Go- upon his Government ; but inftead of his hundred Tenants,
vernor. j^^ received only forty fix from Sir George Teardley., who
refufed to make the Number good, as he was under no
fuch Contract with the Company, when he came Gover-
nor, and as he had even offered to furrender them all back
again, into the Companv's Hands. Sir Francis fent Mr.
Thorpe immediately, to Opitchapan and Opechancanough^ to
confirm all former Leagues, between the Englijh and them.
They both exprefled great Satisfaftion at the Arrival of this
new Governor, and were content, that the Englijh {hould
inhabit the Country ; and Mr. Thorpe thought, that he per-
ceived more Motions of Religion in Opechancanough., than
could eafily be imagined, in fo great Ignorance and Blind-
nefs. He acknowledged his own ReHgion, not to be the
right Way ; and defired, to be inftruded in the Chrijiian
Faith. He confefled, that God loved the Englijh better
than them ; and he thought, the Caufe of God's Anger
againft them was their Cuftom of conjuring their Children,
and making them black Boys. He had alfo fome Know-
ledge
Book IV. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 205
ledge of the Heavens ; had ohferved the North Star and 1621.
the Courfe of the Conftellation about it ; and called the^"" — y '
Great Bear, Mangiiahalan^ which, in their Language, fig-^"" ^''^""^
nified the fame. He gave Mr. Thorpe Hopes of their en- y^l^^r.
tertaining fome EngUJJ) Families among them, and their
fending fome of theirs to cohabit with the Engli/}} ; and
confirmed a former Promife, of fending a Guide with the
EtigliJ}) to fome Mines beyond the Falls. But all thefe fair
Profeflions and Promifes feem to have been only Diflimula-
tion and Policy. For that favage Prince certainly never
had any real Friendfliip or Love for the Engli/Jj ; but
watched all proper Opportunities and Pretences, to do them
Mifchief, or even utterly deftroy them. It was likewife
ordered, upon the Acceflion of this new Governor, that the
Colony fliould only tend a thoufand Plants, for every Head,
with nine Leaves on each Plant ; which, by their Compu-
tation, would amount to about an hundred Weight, ac-
cording to the Company's exprefs InftrucStions, in Confe-
quence of his Majefty's Defire and Advice. Mr. Gookin
too, who was under Contract with the Company for Cat-
tle, arrived with them out of Ireland^ on the 22d of No-
vember \ and he brought with him fifty Men of his own, and
thirty PafTengers, exceedingly well furnifhed with all Kinds
of Provifion, and feated himfelf at Newporf s-Nexus . The
Inhabitants alio made a Contribution of fifteen hundred
Pounds, to build a Gueft-Houfe, for the Reception and
Entertainment of New-Comers ; which was accordingly
undertaken, and in a Way of being well executed, by
Lieutenant Jabe% Whitaker^ to his own great Commenda-
tion, and to the general Satisfadlion of the People here, and
the Company in London.
Before I finifti this Year, it will not be improper,
" briefly to remark, what then paffed in the Parliament of
England. There were two Seffions . of Parliament, this
Year. The firft began in January., and pafled oft' peace-
ably. They granted the King Money, to fupport the Pa-
latine of the Rhine., againft the Houfe of Aujhia ; and
were content to fupprefs fome Monopolies, without touch-
ing on their Author, the Marquifs of Buckingham., altho'
he was generally known, and even plainly accufed of it, by
Sir Henry y'elverton., the late Attorney General. However
I do not find, that the Monopoly of Tobacco came under
their Reftraint. Only the eminent Lawyers of the Houfe
of Commons declared the Patent for Garbling utterly ille-
gal, and a great Grievance in the Ereftion, but much more
fo, if it fhould be brought into Execution. And this Seflion
had alfo another good Eff^eft : For at their very firft Meet-
rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
ing, the Reftraint on Tobacco was taken ofF, and Liberty
jiven, at leaft by Connivance, freely to import it into En-
Sivc Francis gi^^^ .^ which indeed, I fuppofe, was the Reafon, that nei-
verm)' "' ^^^^ ^^^ Company's Petition was deHvered, nor any thing
elfe done in the Houfe of Commons, with Relation to that
unlawful, unjuft, and oppreffive Monopoly.
The fecond Seffion began the 20th of November^ and
was hot and angry. The Difpute between the King and
the Houfe of Commons, concerning the Extent of the
Royal Prerogative, and the Rights, Franchifes, and Privi-
leges of Parliament, rofe fo high, that the King firft ad-
journed, and then diflblved them, in a Paflion. However,
before that could be done, the Commons entered upon
their Journals a Proteftation, afferting their Parliamentary
Rights and Privileges. But the King, eleven Days after
the Adjournment, called for the Clerk of the Houfe of
Commons ; and demanding the Journals, he declared, in
full Council, and in the Prefence of all the Judges then in
Town, that it was invalid, annulled, void, and of no Ef-
fect ; and did moreover, with his own Hand, take the faid
Proteftation, out of the Journal-Book of the Houfe of
Commons. And not content with thefe Marks of his Dif-
pleafure, he proceeded farther againft fome of the warmeft
of the Houfe of Commons ; whom he stiled fiery, popu-
lar, and ill-tempered Spirits. Sir Edwin Sandys was im-
priibned, during the Seflion, which caufed a great Tumult
•in the Houfe. And altho' the King, upon the Houfe's
fending a Mefl'age to Sir Edwln^ to know the Reafon of his
Confinement, declared, in a Letter to the Speaker, that it
was not for any Mifdemeanor in Parliament, yet I fufpe6l,
his Imprifonment was defigned, to prevent him from a6l-
ing with Vigor, in the Cafe of the Monopoly, and other
illegal Oppreftions on Tobacco ; and this the more efpe-
cially, as I can no where find, that any Reafon or Pretence
was given for his Commitment. However the King's
Opinion, concerning his Power over the Members, was
plainly exprelled in that Letter. For he orders the Spea-
ker, to tell the Houfe, in his Name, that he conceived
himfelf, to have both Right and Ability, to punifh any
Man's Mifdemeanors in Parliament, as well during their
fitting, as after ; which Power he meant not hereafter to
fpare, as Occafion fhould be adminiftered, by the infolent
Behaviour of any of their Members. And agreeably to
this Declaration, Sir Edward Coke^ the great Lawyer, Sir
Robert Philips^ Mr. John Selden^ another Prodigy of Law
and all Kinds of Knowledge, Mr. Pym^ and Mr. Mallery^
were imprifoned, after the Recefs, profefledly for their Be-
haviour
Book IV. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 207
haviour in Parliament. And Sir Dudley D'lgges^ Sir Thomas 162,1.
Creiu^ Sir Nathaniel Rich^ and Sir 'James Perrot^ were fent '—'> '
into Ireland^ under Pretence of enquiring into fundry Mat-^ Framn
ters, relating to his Majefty's Service in that Kingdom, but, ^^l^^^
in reality, by Way of Banifhment. The Earls of Oxford
and Southa?npton were likewife fent to the Tower, soon af-
ter the Diirolution, on fome far-fetched, Pretences. But the
true Reafon was eafily and publickly perceived, and that
their real Crime was, having fpoke too freely in Parliament,
concerning the King's Condu6l.
I have made this Relation, not fo much as it is a remark-
able I¥jVZ. in the EngUf Hillory, which gave Rife to two
profefl'ed Parties, the one for the King's Prerogative, and
the other for the Rights of Parliament and the Liberty of
the Subje6l ; nor as it was alfo the firft open breach, be-
tween the King and the People, which, by fubfequent Pro-
vocations and Heart-burnings, at laft broke out, into a moft
unhappy and virulent Civil War. But I have mentioned
thefe things chiefly, as they relate to my Subjeft, and will
contribute to let the Reader more fully, into the Springs
and Motives of fome future Tranfa6tions. For it will be
readily perceived, that many of the moft eminent and a6live
Oppofers in Parliament, of the King's arbitrary Views,
were alfo principal and leading Members of the Virginia
Company ; and it is well known, with what an Eye of
Jealoufy and Difpleafure, that Prince ever looked upon fuch,
as dared to ftand up for the Liberty of their Country, or
were fo far infected, with the mortal Taint of a publick
(or as he thought it) a republican Spirit, as to oppofe his
Claim to an unlimited and defpotic Power. It will not
therefore be furprifing, to find him hereafter, notwithfland-
ing his many affe6led and anile Profeflions of Love and Af-
feftion to the .Colonies, not only much difgufted at the
Company, and little inclined to do them any Favour, but
even, in their Diflolution, making a Stretch of that Prero-
gative, which many of them had the Boldnefs, to queftion
and withftand.
B UT the Colony being now much enlarged and en- 1622.
creafed, it was found very troublefome, to bring all Caufes
to fames-Town. Inferior Courts were therefore, in the
Beginning of the Year 1622, appointed in convenient Places,
to relieve the Governor and Council from this vaft Burthen
of Bufinefs, and to render Juftice the more cheap and ac-
ceffible. This was the Original and Foundation of our
County Courts ; altho' the Country was not yet laid off in
Counties, but ftill continued in Townfhips and particular
Plantations, as they called thofe Settlements, which were
not
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
not confiderable enough, to have the Title and Privileges of
Burroughs.
But this Year is rendered mofi: memorable in our An-
nals, by a cruel and bloody Maffacre, concerted by Ope-
chancanough and the Indians^ and executed on the Englifh
Colony, upon the 22d of March^ on the following Occa-
fion and Manner. There was a noted Indian^ called Ne-
mattanow^ who was wont, out of Bravery and Parade, to
drefs himfelf up, in a ftrange antic and barbaric Fafhion,
with Feathers ; which therefore obtained him, among the
Englijh^ the Name of Jack of the Feather. This Indian
was highly renowned among his Countrymen, for Courage
and Policy ; and was univerfally efteemed by them the great-
eft War-Captain of thofe Times. He had been in many
Skirmiflies and Engagements with the Englijh^ and bravely
expofed his Perfon ; yet by his Aftivity, Conduit, and good
Fortune, he had always efcaped without a Wound. This,
aided by his Craft and Ambition, eafily wrought, in the
Minds of thofe ignorant and fuperftitious Barbarians a fond
Conceit, that he was invulnerable and immortal. This
Captain came to the Houfe of one Morgan^ who had many
fuch Commodities, as fuited the rude Tafte of the Indians.
Being fmit with the Defire of fome of thofe Baubles, he
perfuaded Morgan to go with him to Pamunkey^ upon the
Promife and Affurance of a certain and advantageous Traf-
fick. But, upon the Way, he murdered the poor credu-
lous Englijhman ; and within two or three Days, returned
again to his Houfe. There were only two fturdy Lads there,
the late Morgan's Servants ; who feeing him wear their
Mafter's Cap, afked for their Mafter, and Jack frankly
told them, he was dead. Being confirmed in their Sufpi-
cion, they feifed him, and endeavoured to carry him before
Mr. Thorpe^ who then lived at Berkeley. But fack fo pro-
voked them, by his Refiftance and Infolence, that at laft
they Ihot him down, and put him into a Boat, in order to
carry him before the Governor, who was then within feven
or eight Miles of the Place. On the Way, our fainting
Immortal felt the Pangs of Death ve/y ftrong upon him,
and earneftly entreated the Boys, to grant him two things ;
firft, never to make it known, that he was flain by a Bullet;
and fecondly, to bury him among the EngUf)., that the cer-
tain Knowledge, and Monument of his Mortality, might
be ftill concealed, and kept from the Sight of his Country-
men. Such was the Vanity of this poor Barbarian, and
fo ftrong his Defire of falfe Glory in the Opinion of others,
againft the Experience and plain Convidlion of his own
Senfe.
Opechancanough
Book IV. i:he History of VIRGINIA. 209
Opechancanough was a haughty, politic, and bloody Man, 1622.
ever intent on the Deftru6lion of the EngHJJ}^ and ready *~~ — ^v^ '
to catch at every Pretence, for efFe6ting his Purpofe. He^ Frarcn
had been difcovered, the Year before, tampering with ^ ^^^^l\
King on the Eajiern Shore^ to furnifli him with a Poifon,
either real or fuppofed, in order to Poifon the Engli/h Co-
lony. He had alio been accufed to the Governor, of a De-
fign, to draw together a very great Force, under Colour of
celebrating fome funeral Rites to Powhatan^ but really with
Intent to cut off all the Englijh. But Sir George Teardley^
by this Information, was rendered very watchful of his Mo-
tions ; fo that he was either difappointed in his Scheme, or
elfe, as Sir George thought, had never really formed any
fuch Defign. As to this Warrior, he was fo far from be- -^
ing in his Favour, that he had fent Word to Sir George
Teardley^ fome time before, that he fhould be content, if his
Throat were cut. Yet he being a popular Man, and much
lamented by the Indians^ Opechancanough pretended, the bet-
ter to enflame and exafperate them, to be much grieved at
his Death, and was very loud, at lirft, in his Threats of
Revenge. But the Reafon and Juftice of the thing being
evinced, and receiving alfo fome ftern and refolute Anfwers
from the Englijh^ he cunningly difl'embled his Intent for the
prefent, and treated a Mefl'enger, fent to him about the
Middle of March^ with extreme Civility and Kindnefs ;
afluring him, that he held the Peace fo firm, that the Sky
fhould fall fooner, than it fhould be violated on his Part. -
And fuch was the Treachery and Diffimulation of the reft
of the Indians^ that, but two Days before, they kindly
conducted the Englijh through the Woods, and fent home
one that lived among them, to learn their Language. Nay,
on the very Morning of that fatal Day, as alfo the Even-
ing before, they came, as at other times, unarmed into the
Houfes of the Englijh^ with Deer, Turkies, Fifh, Fruits,
and other things to fell ; and in fome Places fat down to
Breakfaft with them. Yet fo general was the Combination,
and their Plot fo well laid, to cut off the whole Colony, in
one Day, and at the fame Inftant, that they had all Warn-
ing, one from another, through all their Habitations, though
far diftant from each other, and every Party and Nation
had their Stations appointed, and Parts affigned, at the Plan-
tations of the Englijh^ fome being dire<5led to one Place,
and fome to another.
The Englijh^ on the other hand, were by this Beha-
viour, as well as on other Accounts, lulled into a fatal Se-
curity. They thought the Peace fure and inviolable, not
fo much becaufe of their folemn Promifes and Engage-
-^ P ments.
210 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. ments, as becaufe it was highly ufeful and neceflary to the
* V ^ Indians themfelves. For thofe poor, weak and naked Bar-
Sir Francis barians were, every way, advantaged by the EngUJh. By
vei^nor °' ^^^ Peace, they were fafely (heltered and defended from all
other Enemies ; they were fupplied with feveral neceflary
Tools and Utenfils, and other Commodities of Pleafure and
Entertainment ; they were fomething acquainted with, and
got a Tafte of Civil Life ; and were befides no ways in a
Condition to withftand an Englijh War, becaufe of the
Superiority of their Arms, the Advantage of their Difci-
pline and native Courage, and their greater Skill in all mili-
tary Arts and Stratagems. The Englijl) had likewife ever
treated them, with the utmofl: Humanity and Kindnefs, out
of the Hope and Defire, of thereby alluring and bringing
them over, to the Knowledge of God and his true Religion.
For nothing was more earneftly recommended from En-
gland^ or more heartily defired and endeavoured by many
good and pious Perfons of the Colony, than their Conver-
fion ; which, agreeably to the Spirit of the Gofpel, and of
the Proteftant Religion, and greatly to the Honour of our
Nation, was always purfued, by the Ways of Gentlenefs
and Perfuafion, and never by thofe unchriftian Arguments
of Fire and Sword. On all thefe Accounts, the Englijh
were fo confident and fecure, that there could feldom be met
with, in their Houfes, a Sword or a Firelock, and mofl: of
their Plantations were feated in a fcattered and fl:raggling
Manner, as a convenient Situation, or a choice Vein of rich
Land invited them ; and indeed it was generally thought,
the further from Neighbours the better. All Indians were
kindly received into their Houfes, fed at their Tables, and
even lodged in their Bedchambers ; fo that they feemed,
entirely to have coalefced, and to live together, as one
People. And the EngUJh were fo far infatuated, by an
Opinion of their Simplicity, and of their Inclination, and
even Intereft, to maintain the Peace, that they lent them
their Boats, as they pafled backwards and forwards, to con-
cert their Meafures, and to confult upon the execrable De-
fign of murdering and utterly extirpating the whole Nation.
The Hour appointed being come, and the Indians^ by
reafon of their Familiarity, knowing exactly, in what
Places and Quarters every Englijhman was to be found,
rofe upon them at once, fparing neither Sex nor Age, Man,
Woman, nor Child ; and they were fo quick and fudden in
their Execution, that few perceived the Weapon or Blow,
that brought them to their End. Some entered their
Houfes, under Colour of Trade ; others drew them abroad,
upon fpecious Pretences ; whilfl: the refl: fell fuddenly on
thofe.
Book IV. "The History of VIRGINIA. 211
thofe, that were at their feveral Works and Labours. And 1622.
thus, in one Hour, and almoft at the fame Inftant, fell ' > "
three hundred and forty feven. Men, Women, and Chil- ^"; ^'■''"'"
dren ; moft of them, by their own Tools and Weapons, ve/rTor.
and all, by the Hands of a perfidious, naked, and daftardly
People, who durft not ftand the prefenting of a Staff, in
A'lanner of a Firelock, nor an uncharged Piece, in the
Hands of a Woman. Neither were they content with their
Liv'es only ; but they fell again upon their dead Bodies, de-
facing, dragging, and mangling them into many Pieces, and
carrying fome Parts away, with a bafe and brutifli Tri-
umph.
In this Havock, fix of the Council were flain. For
thofe Blood-hounds, with equal Spight and Barbarity, mur-
dered all before them, without any Remorfe or Pity, and
without having any Regard to Dignity, or even to thofe
Perfons who were beft known to them, or from whom
they had daily received many Benefits. Among thefe was
that pious, worthy, and religious Gentleman, Mr. George
Thorpe^ Deputy to the College Lands, and both in Com-
mand and Defert, one of the Principal in Virginia. He
had been of the King's Bed-Chamber, and was a Perfon of
confiderable Figure in England. Yet fo truly and earneftly
did he afFe6t their Converfion, that he left all at home, and
came over chief Manager to the College, a Foundation
defigned for their Education and Converfion. And here he
feverely puniflied, whofoever, under him, did them the
leafi: Difpleafure. He thought, nothing too dear or precious
for them, nor ever denied them any thing. Infomuch that,
being frightened at the Englifi Maftives, he caufed fome of
them to be killed in their Prefence, to the great Grief of
their Owners, and would fain have had all the refl: gelt,
to make them mild and peaceable. He alfo built the King
a handfome Houfe, after the EngUfi Fafliion ; in which he
took fuch Pleafure, efpecially in the Lock and Key, that he
would lock and unlock his Door, an hundred Times a Day,
and was fo taken with the Device, that he thought nothing
in the World comparable to it. And thus infinuating him-
felf into that Barbarian's Favour, he would often confer
with him about Religion ; and that treacherous Infidel
would feem much pleafed with his Difcourfe and Compa-
ny, and very defirous to requite all his Courtefy and Kind-
nefs. Yet did this ungrateful and viperous Brood, not only
murder this good Gentleman, but with fuch Spight and
Scorn abufe his dead Corps, as is unfit to be heard, or re-
lated. At the very Minute of the Execution, his Man,
perceiving fome Treachery, warned him to look to himfelf ;
P 2 and
212 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
162.2. and withal ran off, and fo faved his own Life. But his
^-— ^r — ' Mafter, out of his good Meaning, was fo void of Sufpicion,
Sir Fra^!s^^^^ f^\i Qf Confidence, that they had flain him before he
vemor. °" could, or would believe, they intended any Harm. Captain
Nathaniel Powel, another of the Council, who had fome
time been Governor of the Country, was alfo killed. He
was one of the firft Planters, a brave Soldier, had deferved
well in all Ways, was univerfally valued and efteemed by
all Parties and Factions, and none in the Country better
known among the Indian's. Yet they flew both him and
his Family ; and afterwards haggled their Bodies, and cut
off his Head, to exprefs their utmoft Height of Scorn and
Cruelty.
This Slaughter was a deep and grievous Wound to the
yet weak and Infant Colony ; but it would have been much
more general, and almoft univerfal, if God had not put it
into the Heart of a converted Indian., to make a Difcovery.
This Convert, whofe Name was Chanco., lived with one
Richard Pace^ who treated him, as his own Son. The
Night before the Maflacre, another Indian., his Brother,
lay with him ; and telling him the King's Command, and
that the Execution would be performed the next Day, he
urged him to rife and kill Pace., as he intended to do by
Perry., his Friend. As foon as his Brother was gone, the
Chrijlian Indian rofe, and went and revealed the whole
Matter to Pace ; who immediately gave Notice thereof to
Captain William Powel., and having fecured his own Houfe,
rowed off before Day to fames-Toivn., and informed the
Governor of it. By this Means, their- Defign was pre-
vented at 'James-Town., and all fuch Plantations, as could
poflibly get Intelligence in time. For where-ever they faw
the Englijh upon their Guard, or a fingle Mufket prefented,
they ran ofF, and abandoned their Attempt.
Such alfo, at other Places, as had fufficient Warning
to make Refiflance, faved their Lives. Nathaniel Caufie.,
one of Captain Smith'?, old Soldiers, being cruelly wounded,
did, with an Ax, cleave down one of their Sculls ; and
tho' they were all about him, yet they fled away, and he
efcaped. At another Place, two Men only, having Notice
of their Defign, defended a Houfe againft fixty or more,
that aflaulted it. At Warrafqueake., one Mr. Baldiuin.,
when his Wife was fo wounded, that (he lay for dead, yet
by often difcharging his Piece, drove them off, and faved
both her and his Houfe, together with himfelf and divers
others. At Mr. Harrifon's., about half a Mile from Bald-
win's, was Mr. Thomas Hamer., with fix Men, and eigh-
teen or nineteen Women and Children. To him the /;;-
diaiis^
Book IV. T/v History of VIRGINIA. 213
d'lans came, with many Prefents and fair Profeflions. They i^---
pretended, they wanted Captain Ralph Hamer^ to go to " ^ '
their King, then hunting In the Woods. Mr. Homer {^nt^^ ^''""'"'^
immediately for his Brother, who was at a nev/ Houfe, ^^ ^^l^or. '^'
was then building. But he not coming according to their
Wifh, they fet Fire to a Tobacco Houfe, and came and
told them in the Dwelling Houfe of it. The Men ran to-
wards it ; and the Indians following, firft fhot them full of
Arrows, and afterwards beat out their Brains. Mr. Hamer^
having finifhed a Letter he was writing, ran out to fee
what was the Matter. But he foon received an Arrow in
his Back, which obliged him to retire into the Houfe, and
barricade the Doors. Hereupon the Indians fet Fire to the
Houfe ; but Harrifons Boy, juft at that Inftant, finding
his Mafter's Gun loaded, {hot at Random. At the bare
Report, the Indians all fled ; and thereby left the Way
open, to Mr. Hatner and twenty two more, to get to Bald-
vjin\ Houfe. Captain Ralph Hamei\ all this while, was
wholly ignorant of what was pafling ; but coming to his
Brother, who had fent for him, he met the Indians^ cha-
fing fome of the Englijh. Whereupon he retired to his
new Houfe, and with only Spades, Axes, and Brickbats,
defended himfelf and his Company, till the Savages depart-
ed. Soon after, the Mafter of a Ship, lying near, and per-
ceiving the Confufion, fent him fix MuH^eteers ; with whom
he recovered their Merchant's Store-houfe, and armed ten
more ; and fo, with thirty other unarmed Workmen, he
found out his Brother and the reft, at Bald%vin\. But in
the Midft of this miferable Slaughter and Uproar, a little
Houfe and fmall Family, not far from Martin % Hundred,
at which Place alone feventy three were flain, not only
efcaped, but never heard any thing of it, till two Days after.
A^T this time alfo. Captain Ralegh Crojhaw was in Pa-
towmack River, trading in a fmall Bark, commanded by
Captain Spilman. There an Indian ftole aboard, and told
them of the Maffacre ; and that Opechancanough had been
pra6lifing with his King and Country, to betray them, which
they refufed to do ; but that the Indians of IVighcocornoco had
undertaken it. Hereupon Captain Spilman went thither.
But they, feeing his Men fo vigilant and well armed, fuf-
pe6ted themfelves to be difcovered ; and therefore, the bet-
ter to colour their Guilt, and delude him, they gave him
fuch Satisfa6lion in his Trade, that his Vefl'el was foon near
loaded. After this. Captain Crojhaw went up to Patow-
mack. He had been long acquainted with that King ; who
now very earneftly entreated him, to ftay with him, and to
be his Friend, his Director, and Captain, againft feveral
P 3 neigh-
•The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
neighbouring Nations, his mortal Enemies. Crofioaw very
readily embraced his Offer ; as well to promote fome pri-
vate Views of his own in Trade, as to keep him firm to the
Engli/}) Intereft, and make him an ufeful Opponent and In-
ftrument againft Opechancamugh. Therefore, relying on
the Faith of this Barbarian, he ventured, with one Man
only, to ftay behind at Paiowmack.
In the Beginning of this Year, before the Contrivance
and Perpetration of this bloody Confpiracy in Virginia^ the
unknown Gentleman in England^ who had given five hun-
dred and fifty Pounds, towards the Converfion and Educa-
tion of Indian Children, having waited two Years, and re-
ceived no fatisfaftory Account of the effectual Profecution
of his Defign, wrote a Letter to the Company. Herein
he complains, that what was done in that Affair, did by no
means anfwer his Expectation or Intent. And he requires,
of the whole Body of the Company, towards which he ex-
preffes much Refpeft, and an entire Confidence in their
Uprightnefs and Integrity, that, as he had entrufted the Dif-
pofal of that Money, a great and painfully gotten Part of his
Eftate, to their Care and Management, fo they would fee
the fame, fpeedily and faithfully applied, to the Ufe intended.
And he further propofed to them, the procuring fome of the
male Children of the Indians to be brought over into Efi-
gland (where they might be immediately under the Com-
pany's Eye and Infpe6tion) there to be educated and taught,
and to wear a Habit, as the Children of Chriji-Church Hof-
pital do. In that Cafe, he defires, that the five hundred
and fifty Pounds might be converted to that Ufe ; and he
faithfully promifes, to add four hundred and fifty Pounds
more, to make the former Sum a thoufand, as foon as
eight or ten Indian Children fhould be placed in London^
either iri Chri/F s-Hofpital^ or in the Virginia School or Hof-
pital, as it might be called ; which, he doubted not, would
be Yearly augmented, by the Legacies and Gifts of good
Men. But if they liked not this Propofition, then it was
his humble Suit and Motion, that the former Gift, of five
hundred and fifty Pounds, fliould be immediately applied,
and wholly befl:owed, upon a Free-fchool in Southainpton
Hundred, or fuch other Place, as he or his Friends fhould
approve : That in this School, properly endowed with fuch
Privileges, as they, in their Wifdom, fhould think fit, both
Englijh and Indians fhould be promifcuoufly taught and
brought up together ; and that great Care fhould be taken,
to fend over fuch a Mafler, as fhould bring a found Telti-
monial, of his Sufficiency in Learning, and Sincerity of Life.
And fo praying, that the Lord would give them wife and
under-
Book IV. TZv History ?/ VIRGINIA. 215
underftanding Hearts, that his Work herein might not be 1622.
negligently performed, he concludes, and fubfcribes himfelf' \^ '
Duji and Jjhes ; a Name which he had ever, from the firft, S'"" ^'■'^""'^
alTumed and made Ufe of, in this Affair. vemor
This important Letter being read in Court, Sir Edwin
Sandys gave the Company a particular Account of that
whole Bufinefs : That the Money had been brought, in the
Time of his being Treafurer : That, upon mature Deli-
beration, it was refolved by the Company, to divide it be-
tween Smith's^ since called Southampton Hundred, and Mar-
tin s Hundred ; each to undertake for a certain Number of
Infidel Children : That Martin % Hundred, being then in a
very weak and confufed Condition, was afterwards, at the
Entreaty of the Adventurers, eafed from that Burthen and
Charge, and the Whole laid on Southampton Hundred : That
that Society, confidering the Weight and Difficulty, as well
as the Hazard of fucceeding, were alfo very unwilling to
meddle with it, and offered an hundred Pounds, to be added
to the former five hundred and fifty, if they might be ex-
cufed from it ; but being earneftly prefTed, they did at laft
yield to accept and undertake it : That after much and
careful Confultation, it was agreed by that Society, to em-
ploy the faid Money, together with a far greater Sum out
of the Society's Purfe, to furnifh out Captain Bluet^ with
eighty able and fufficient Workmen, for fetting up an Iron-
Work in Virginia \ whereof the Profits accruing, were in-
tended and ordered, in a ratable Proportion, to be faith-
fully employed, in educating thirty Indian Children, ac-
cording to the Directions and Intent of the Donor : That
Letters were likewife fent to Sir George Teardley^ then Go-
vernor of Virginia^ and Captain alfo of Southarnpton Plan-
tation ; not only giving him large Advice and Direition
therein, but alfo commending the Excellency and Piety of
the Defign, and adjuring him to employ his utmoft Care
and Induflry in it, as a Work, whereon the Eyes of God
and Men were fixed : That in Anfwer hereto. Sir George
informed them, how difficult it was to obtain any of the
Children, with the Confent and good Liking of their Pa-
rents ; as well on Account of their Tendernefs and Fond-
nefs of them, as out of their Fear of hard Ufage from the
EngUfh : That he therefore recommended a Treaty with
Opechancanough ; which was accordingly ordered, and Sir
Gaorge promifed, to ufe his utmofl Endeavours therein:
That this Backwardnefs and Jealoufly of the Indians wz?, not
the only Hindrance to that pious Work ; for Captain Bluet
dying foon after his Arrival, it occafioned another great Stop :
That, however, Care had fince been taken, to reflore that
P 4 Iron-
"The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
Iron- Work, by a frefti Supply ; fo that he hoped, the Gen-
tleman would foon receive good Satisfaction, concerning the
Sir Francis Y)\(^q(^\ ^j-,(J Effe6l of his Charity, as he was fure, they
vemor °' would, at all times, be both ready and willing to give a
faithful Account of the Employment of the faid Money.
Sir Ediuin Sandys further (aid, that as he could not but
highly commend the Gentleman, for this his worthy and
moft chriftian A6lion, fo he had obferved great Inconveni-
ency to arife from his Modeftv, by fhunning Oftentation and
vain Glory, and concealing his Name. For they were there-
by deprived of that mutual Help and Advice, which they
might otherwiie have, by Conference with him. Neither
could he receive fuch clear Satisfaction, or fully know, with
what Integrity and Care, the Affair had been managed ; the
fuccefs whereof muff be fubmitted to the Will and Pleafure
of Almighty God, as it had been already commended to his
Bleffing. But as to the two Methods, now propofed in his
Letter, he doubted greatly for his Part, whether either of
them would attain the defued Effedt. For, to fend for them
to England^ would be far from anfwering the End, if he
might judge from the Experience of thofe, brought over by
Sir Thomas Dale. And to build a Free-fchool for them in
Virginia., he feared, confidering, in their prefent Dotage on
Tobacco, that no proper Workmen could be had, but at
exceffive Rates, it would rather tend to exhauft this facred
Treafure in fome fmall Edifice, than to accompliffi fuch a
Foundation, as might fatisfy Mens Expectations and Defires.
He therefore again wiflied, that a Meeting might be had,
between the Gentleman, or his Friends, and the Society of
Southampton Hundred. That fo, all things being fully de-
bated, and judicioufly weighed, fome Courfe might be en-
tered upon and purfued, for advancing and bringing to EffeCt
fo pious and excellent a Work ; for which he prayed the
Bleffing of Almighty God to be upon the Author : And all
the Company anfwered, and faid. Amen.
But this charitable Gentleman, however ffudious he was
to conceal himfelf, was afterwards { if any Credit may be
given to Captain Martin s Report ) found to be Mr. Ga-
briel Barber., the chief Manager and Book-keeper of their
Lotteries, and a very worthy, honeff, and ufeful Member
of the Company. He was himfelf then prefent, and heard
this Account, with which he feems to have been fatisfied.
For he made no farther Demand or Stir in the Matter ; but
continued afterwards, in the time of their fubfequent Quar-
rels and Diffenfions, a very hearty and ffrenuous Friend to
the Company. Mr. George Ruggles alfo. Fellow of Clare-
Hall., in Cambridge., and a Brother of the Company, did,
the
Book IV. "The History of VIRGINIA. 217
the latter End of this Year, notwithftanding the News of 1622.
the Maflacre, bequeath an hundred Pounds, for the Educa-'^-^-v '
tion of Indians. He is reprefented as a Gentleman, who was ^"' P'''^""'
efteemed, in that Univerfity, fecond to none in Knowledge ^^^^^l\
and Learning, of very great Wifdom and Underftanding,
of fingular Honefly and Integrity of Life, and very fincere
and zealous in Religion. And he had, for the three laft
Years of his Life, almofi: wholly exercifed and employed his
Time and Abilities, in the Service of the Colony. For, be-
fides the Counlels and AfTiftancesof himfelfand his Brethren,
in their feveral Places, he wrote divers Treatifes, for the
Benefit of the Plantation ; particularly one concerning the
Government of Firginia^ which is often mentioned, in the
Company's Records, with Commendation, efpecially by
Sir Edivin Sandys.
But there fucceeding, immediately upon this violent and
injurious Affault, a continual and exterminating War be-
tween the EngUJ}:) and the Indians., all the Difficulties of their
Converfion were greatly encreafed ; and I do not find, what
farther was done, with Relation to thefe Benefa6lions. The
College People alfo received a great and deadly Slaughter
in the Maflacre ; which, together with the Death of Mr.
Thorpe., their grand Principle of Life and A6lion, caufed
them to abandon the College Lands, and to retire lower
down the River, to fuch Places as were more defenfible
againft the fudden AfTaults and Inroads of the Indians., be-
caufe of the greater Numbers of People, and the nearer
Situation, and more ready Affiftance, of other Plantations.
Thus did that brutifh and unhappy People tear up, as it
were, with their own Hands, the Foundations, which had
been laid, for their Converfion to Chriftianity and Civility
of Life. For altho' the Company, in London., did after-
wards frequently enter upon ferious Confultation, about re-
ftoring again and fetting forward this charitable Work, yet
by reafon of their own Troubles, and of the Fa6fions and
Difcords among themfelves, nothing therein was ever brought
to Efi^ect. So that, from this time, there was no publick
Attempt, nor any School or Inftitution, purpofely defigned
for their Education and Converfion, before the Benefadtion
of the late Plonourable Robert Boyle., Efq; which fhall be
fully related, in its proper Time and Place.
But whilft the Colony in Virginia lay under the Prefllire
and Calamity of this bloody Mafl^acre, the Company in En-
gland were greatly rejoiced and encouraged, by the favour-
able Account of things, which they received, about that
time, from the Governor and Council. For they were in-
formed, by their Letters, that all the Ships were fafely arrived,
^^ without
2i8 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. without the Lofs of one Perfon, by Sea or Land ; that Mr.
^--^v""^ yohn Berkeley had put the Iron Works in fo good a For
S^ Francn wardncfs, that he doubted not to begin to make Iron, by
vemor. "" ^hitfuntide \ that the Cotton Trees profpered exceedingly
well ; that the French?nen declared the Mulberry Trees of
Virginia to be of the very beft Kind ; and daily, by their
Example, encouraged the People to plant them in Abun-
dance, fo that they were in high Expectation, of fhortly
fucceeding in, and bringing to Perfection, that rich Com-
modity of Silk ; that the French Vignerons had conceived
great Hopes, of fpeedily making Plenty of good Wine,
whereof they had already made an Experiment, and fent
home a Tafte by that Ship ; and in fhort, that they now
had a fairer Profpe£t, and more certain Hope, than ever yet,
of foon becoming a rich and flourifliing Country. For
which joyful News, and happy Succefs, the Company voted
and refolved, that a Sermon fhould be preached, to teftify
and exprefs their Thankfulnefs to God, for his Blefling on
their Labours and Undertaking. And Mr. Copeland^ a Bro-
ther of the Society, who, by his hearty Zeal for the En-
terprife, was well acquainted with the Succefs of their Af-
fairs, for the laft Year, was requefted to undertake the
Performance of this holy Exercife ; which he accordingly
did, at Bow Church, the 17th Day o{ April.
Mr. Copeland w?iS, alfo himfelf, foon after, publickly en-
treated by the Company, to go over in Perfon to Virginia^
and to apply himfelf to the Miniftry there. And in Con-
fideration of his good Services and worthy Endeavours,
which had redounded much to the Honour and Benefit of
the Colony, as alfo in RefpeCt of his known Sufficiency and
Worth, they conftituted him one of the Council of State,
and appointed him Re6tor of the College for the Converfion
of Indians^ to receive, as a Salary, the tenth Part, of the
Profits arifmg from their Lands and the Labours of their
Tenants ; and alfo to have the Paftoral Charge of the College
Tenants about him, which were to be erected into a Par-
fonage, according to the Company's general Order in that
Behalf. But this Defign, together with all their fanguine
Hopes and Ideas of an immediately rich and profperous
Country, was dafhed to Pieces, and cut off, by the Mafla-
cre. The Iron-Work on Falling Creek, in particular,
was entirely ruined and demolifhed, and Mr. John Berkeley
flain, with all his Workmen and People, except one Boy
only and a Girl, who found Means to hide themfelves, and
efcape. Their Preparations likewife, for other Commodi-
ties and Manufactures, were quite destroyed and deferted ;
the People, all this Summer, being in fuch a State of Ter-
ror
Book IV. T:he History of VIRGINIA. 219
ror and Flight, that they did not even make Corn for their ^^22.
Support and Subfiftence. "^-"^v"-^
To this fad Pofture of Affairs in the Colony, was added ^j;:J"''^J^j*
the continual Increafe of the Company's Dilfenfions and A-yer,jor,
nimofities at home, which became daily more furious and
irreconcileable. Captain Argall and that Faction, omitted
no imaginable Methods of Vexation and Trouble ; and the
more to difparage and perplex the Company's Proceedings,
they were perpetually raifing new Authors and frefh Sub-
je61:s of Complaint, as well to the Publick, as moft efpe-
cially to the King, and to the great Lords and powerful
Perfons of his Court. It hath been already faid, that Cap-
tain fohn Martin came over, one of the Council of State,
in the firft Adventure ; and there hath been frequent Oc-
cafion fmce, to mention his weak Condu6l and Behaviour
here. This Gentleman was well born, and nearly related
to Sir Julius Ccrfar^ then Mafter of the Rolls. In the Time
of Sir Thofnas Smith's Treafurerfliip, he had furreptitioufly
obtained a Grant, to be Mafter of the Ordinance in Hr-
ginia ; as alfo a moft extravant and illegal Patent for Land,
at the Place, which he himfelf named Martin's Brandon.
For, by the exprefs Words of his Majefty's Charter, the
Company was reftrained to their four great and general
Quarter Courts, one to be held each Term, for tranfa£ting
any Bufinefs of great Importance, and particularly for grant-
ing Lands in Firginia. But both thefe Grants, to Captain
Martin^ had been palTed in a private Court, called purpofely
for that Jobb, and could never after receive the Aflent and
Confirmation of a Quarter Court. For the Company, be-
ing apprifed of the Matter, ftrongly oppofed their Execu-
tion, and endeavoured to keep them from taking Effect.
Captain Argall in particular, when Governor of Virginia^
had fent home grievous Complaints, againft the Exorbitan-
cies of Martin's Patent and Behaviour ; and both Sir Tho-
mas Smith and Alderman Johnfon^ at that time Treafurer
and Deputy of the Company, had been willing and aflifting,
to ftop and prevent thefe Grants from being further con-
firmed, and receiving the legal San6lion of a Quarter Court.
But now, the Company's witholding Captain Martin
from the Fruition of thofe Privileges and Immunities, which
appeared to have been granted under their Seal, being, at
firft Sight, a fpecious Pretence of Clamour and Complaint,
which might be turned to difgrace and vilify the Juftice and
Honour. of their Proceedings, thefe very Gentlemen infti-
gated and aflifted him, to get a Certificate under the Hands
of feveral noble Lords, and others, and to have it delivered
in to the Company, by one Captain Hafwell. The Pur-
port
220 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. port of this Writing was : That whereas Joint Martin Efq;
"^ V — -^having been a long and faithful Servant to the Colony of
Sir Francis j/irgifjja^ dcfired a Teftimonial of his Carriage and De-
vemor °"meanor in all things, according to their Knowledge and
the Truth, they did thereby certify : That, by the general
Confent of his Majefty's Council in England^ for Virginia^
the faid Captain John Martin was, in the P'ace of the pub-
lick and open Court, elected, chofen, and fworn, one of
his Majefty's firft Council of Firginia : That afterwards,
in the faid honourable and open Court, he was, with the
free and full Confent thereof, appointed, chofen, and
fworn, Mafter of the Ordinance in the faid Colony : That,
befides his firft Adventure, which was very laudable and
good, he had, ever fince, conftantly and very worthily en-
dured all the Miferies and Calamities of fore-paft Times,
with the Lofs of his Blood, the Death of his only Son (the
fole Hope and Comfort of his Age) together with Sicknefs,
P'amine, and many other inexpreflibly hard and miferable
Sufferings : That he had alfo providently and very careful-
ly endeavoured all the Good and Benefit to the Plantation,
that was in his Power ; in all things, upholding and labour-
ing to maintain, with equal Juftice and Clemency, all his
Majefty's Laws, Prerogatives, and Rights whatfoever :
That for thefe honeft and worthy Services, They, the Com-
pany and Council for his Majefty, refident in England^ had
formerly granted him fundry Privileges, by Charter under
their Great Seal, for fettling a private Plantation upon his
own Allotment of Land in Firginia ; wherein he had fince
proceeded with much Charge and Expence, and for which
they neither faw nor knew any Reafon, why he fhould not
be permitted to enjoy the fame, according to the true Intent
and Meaning of his faid Grant.
This Certificate was figned by the Earls of Pembroke^
Warwick^ Leicejhr^ and Montgomery^ by Lord Sheffield^
Sir Robert Manfel^ Sir Thoinas Smithy Alderman Johnfon^
Captain Argall^ and a few others, to the Number of twelve
in all. Being prefented to the Company, they conceived
themfelves much wronged and affronted, that a {q^n Mem-
bers of their Body fhould, in this Paper, afi^ume to them-
felves the Name and Authority of the whole Company ;
ftiling themfelves, We^ the Company and Council for his
Majejly^ here refident in England. And they found them-
felves under a Neceffity of doing fomething, to avoid the
foul Afperfion, contained therein, as if they now went a-
bout to difavow their own A61 and Deed ; as alfo to pre-
vent the evil Confequences, that might follow, and the ill
Conftrudions, that might be made thereon. Being there-
fore
Book IV. The History ^/^ VIRGINIA. 221
fore fully apprifed, that fome of the Lords, and others, had 1622.
been miilead and betrayed into it, by the falfe Reprefenta- ' ■, '
tions and malicious Pra6lices of the reft, they drew up an ^''' ^''""'^'^
Anfwer, and ordered their Secretary to make divers Copies vendor °"
thereof, which they entreated Sir yobn Davers and Mr.
Tojiilins^ to deliver, as well to fuch Lords as had figned
the Certificate, as alfo to his Majefty's Mafters of Requeft.
For, by reprefenting Captain Martin^ as labouring to main-
tain the King's Laws, Prerogatives, and Rights (a Stile
exacSlly fuited to the Tafte and Views of the Court) it was
eafy to perceive, which Way it was chiefly intended and
addreiled. But as to the other Subfcribers, the Secretary
was commanded, to deliver each of them a Copy himfelf.
I N this Anfwer they fet forth : That the Company are
limited and dire6ted, by his Majefty's Charters, to their
Quarter Courts only, for paffing of all Matters of greateft
Weight, and particularly for difpofing of Lands in Virginia :
That, contrary to this fundamental Law, notoriouflv known
to all the Company, and frequently publiflied and declared
to the Planters, as an Ordinance from his A'lajefty to be in-
violably obferved. Captain Martin ■& two Grants were pre-
fented to an inferior private Court, ready engrofled, the
Company not being before acquainted with the Matter :
That by this Court, called extraordinarily, and as it feems,
for this Bufinefs only, the faid Patents were unlawfully and
unduly palled, notwithftanding the Diflent and Oppofition
of divers then prefent ; and that they never could after-
wards have the Confirmation of a Quarter Court : That
the faid Patent for Land contained fundry tranfcendent Li-
berties and exorbitant Privileges, apparently repugnant to
Juftice and the good Government of the Colony, and
which the Company, by his Majefty's Charters, had no
Power to grant : That therein was given an Exemption of
all the People within the Limits of his Patent, from the
Command and Government of the Governor and Council,
and from all other Charges and Services of the Colony
whatfoever, except in Cafe of War only ; as likewife a
Grant of an unlimited Fifliing, of the fifth Part of all rich
Mines, with many other general and indefinite Liberties :
That, under Colour of thefe extraordinary Privileges, ma-
ny great Inconveniences had arifen, to both the Company
and Colony : That Captain Martin refufed to fubmit him-
felf to the Laws and Orders of Government there : That
his Plantation was made a Receptacle and Harbour for all
diflolute Perfons, who fly thither from ordinary Juftice :
That all thefe, and many other Mifchiefs, had been often
complained of by the Colony, in their particular and gene-
ral
222 rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. ral Aflemblies ; as alfo by the Governors there, and moft
/ '^ ^ efpecially by Captain Jrgall^ notwithftanding his Subfcrip-
Sir Francis j-jq^i to this Certificate : That, upon his Letter to the Com-
vernor, "' P^^Yi ^" Order was made, in a Great and General Quarter
Court, held in May 16 18, and a Committee appointed, to
examine and reform the faid Patent : That Sir Tho?nas
Smith and Alderman John/on then prefided, as Treafurer
and Deputy to the Company ; fo that it feemed ftrange to
them, to find their Hands alfo to that Certificate, contra-
dicSting the A61 of that Great Court, wherein themfelves
were the principal Managers and Direftors : That the faid
Inconveniencies had moreover been lately teftified, by feveral
Perfons, before the Company, in open Court : But that the
Company had neverthelefs frequently ofl:ered, and was always
ready to grant Captain Martin (whofe Merits they fhould
be glad to hear of, and to cherifli) upon the Surrender of
his former, a new Patent, with as large and ample Privi-
leges, as any other had, or could enjoy.
Notwithstanding the Truth, Juftice, and Rea-
fonablenefs of this Anfwer, Captain Martin preferred a
Petition to the King, containing many fcandalous Suggef-
tions, as well againfl: the whole Body of the Company, as
againft fome fpecial Members in particular. And he ob-
tained an Order from his Majefty, to have his Caufe heard
and determined, at Sir Thomas Smith's Houfe, before fuch
Referees, as he himfelf named ; among which were thofe,
who chiefly inftigated and fet him on. In Anfwer to this,
the Company made two AddrefTes ; one to the Referees, in
like Manner as they had done in the Cafe of the Certifi-
cate ; and the other to the King, as well to clear the Com-
pany and fuch particular Perfons, as ftood accufed and de-
famed in Martin's Petition, as alfo to inform his Majefty,
that fome of thofe, unto whom the Reference was procu-
red, were violently fufpecSled, to be Captain Martin's chief
Abettors and Supporters in this Aft^air. They therefore
defired, that the Matter might be referred, together with
thofe Lords in Martin's Reference, to certain other. Lords
of the Privy Council, whom they named. But upon Lord
Cavendijh's prefenting this, his Majefty faid, that he was
much furprifed at this new Cuftom, lately fprung up, that
Petitioners fliould chufe their own Referees. To which his
Lordfliip anfwered ; that, in that Point, Captain Martin
had been their Example, who in his Petition, which his
Lordfliip then produced and fhewed his Majefty, had named
his own Referees, which his Majefty had approved and ap-
pointed accordingly.
B UT
Book IV. T'be History of VIRGINIA. 223
But not content to give the Company this Trouble and 1622.
Difturbance, Captain Martin^ together with one Captain ' r '
Robert //<7/w^//, prefented another Petition to his Majefty, ^"^ -^'■''"'^"
fetting forth: That in the Time of Sir Thomas Dale's, ^^^^J^
Government, there was a large Quantity of Woodland,
Marfli, and other Ground, being in Circumference by
Eftimation about fourfcore Miles, for which Sir Thomas
Dale compounded with Powhatan^ the Indian King, and
bounded the fame by Trees, and other Marks of perpetual
Knowledge and Remembrance, with a folemn Proceffion of
many of his Majefty's Subjeils, then and there living, com-
manding Notice to be taken thereof, to be, and always fo .
called and entitled. The King's Fore/i : That within the
faid Foreft, there was of Deer and wild Hogs a very great
Number ; which being preferved, with Care and Judgment,
from the Spoil and Havock, which continually was, and
would be made, both of them and their Brood, the Colony
might therein have a conftant Stock and Support, and Ship-
ping might, at all times, be plentifully vi6lualled and fup-
plied : And that there were befides, within thofe Limits,
many other profitable Commodities, already known. They
therefore humbly befought his moft facred Majefty, to take
the faid Foreft into his own Royal Hands, and to appoint
fome honourable Perfon, to be Commander thereof, autho-
rifing him, to give Order for converting the Plantations
thereon to his Majeity's beft Ufe and Behoof, and for ap-
pointing a Juftice of Oyer, and Rangers, with fuch other
Officers, as fliould be thought moft proper and convenient
for the faid Foreft and Plantation.
To fuch a Height of Falfliood, Fraud, and Impofture,
did the Paffions of thefe unhappy Men carry them, as thus
to give the King at once, as far as it was in their Power, all
the Lands and Pofleffions of a very great and principal
Part of the Colony ; who had, by their Labours and Suf-
ferings, ftruck out new Branches of Trade and Profit to
the King and Nation, and well deferved all Manner of In-
dulgence, and the utmoft Security and Stability in their
Properties. But King yames was not of a Temper, to
forego any Views of Profit and Advantage. He therefore
referred the Examination of the Matter to Sir Ch)-i/iopher
Perkins^ one of the Mafters of Requefts ; who fummoning
the Company, received for Anfwer :
That they held not their Lands from King Poiuhatan^
nor acknowledged any King of Virginia^ but King James :
That it was true, for a perpetual Memorial and permanent
Honour to his Majefty and his Royal Ifl'ue, they had named
their chief Towns, and other moft remarkable Places, after
the
Ty^^- History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
the King and his Children : That they however fuppofed,
this did no way alter the Property of Inheritance in thofe
Places, which his Majefty, by Letters-patent under the
Great Seal of England^ had granted to the faid Company,
for and throughout all Virginia : That as to the King's
Foreft, it was a Name happily known to Captain Martin
and his Aflociates, but never before heard of by the Com-
pany : That within the Circuit, which they had been
pleafed to appropriate for the Foreft, were placed James-
City^ their chief Town, and Place of Refidencefor the Go-
vernor and Council, and divers other principal Seats and
Plantations : That as for the Deer, it was true, the whole
Country did generally abound in them ; but the Swine were
no other, but the Breed of fuch as had been tranfported
thither by the Company : That Captain Martin was a Per-
fon, who had ruined his own Eftate, (if ever he had any) as
alfo the Eftates of others, who had put him in Truft :
That he made his Territory in Virginia a Receptacle of
Vagabonds and Bankrupts ; and was famous for nothing,
but all Kinds of bafe Conditions and AcElions, as had been
publiflied in Print, above ten Years before : That he had
been therefore difplaced from the Council, by Lord Dela-
luarr^ as a moft unworthy Perfon, who had prefumed, of
his own Authority, no ways derived from his Majefty, to
pafs unjuft Sentence of Death upon divers of his Majefty's
SubjecSts, and to fee the fame put into cruel Execution :
That it was therefore a Matter of great Surprife to them,
to find such a Man dare to offer himfelf to his Majefty, as
an Agent, either for Matter of good Hufbandry, or good
Government : That as to Captain Hafivell^ he was nei-
ther Adventurer in the Company, nor Planter in the Colo-
ny, but a mere Stranger to both ; nor otherwife known to
them, than as Interpreter to a Polonian Lord, of his own
creating : That however, if the King was pleafed, to have
a Royal Domain laid off" for him in Virginia^ nothing could
be more joyful and agreeable to the faid Council and Com-
pany, nor wherein they would more willingly employ their
Endeavours.
At the fame time, Mr. Pierce^ who had been Cape-
Merchant in Virginia^ underftanding, that Captain Martin
denied, that he ever protected any within his Territories,
averred, that he had delivered feveral Warrants, to be
ferved upon Perfons, that lived loofely within Captain
Martini Plantation, and that the Provoft Marflial made
Return, that the faid Captain Martin refifted the Officer,
and drew Arms upon him, and would not fuffer him to
execute the faid Warrants. Others alfo affirmed, that it
Book IV. rhe History of VIRGINIA. 225
was generally reported in Virginia^ that Captain Martin's 1622.
Plantation was a Place of Refuge for all Debtors; and^"" — y— -^
that, if he had been of Power, there would have been no ^^ F'-anas
living in Firghiia. To which Mr. fefferfon added ; that, ^^^'^^^
to his Knowledge, Captain Martin^ being fummoned, had
refufed to obey the General Affemblies. All which, they
all declared themfelves to be ready and willing, whenever
required, to confirm and juftify upon Oath. Wherefore,
in a Cafe of this clear Evidence and Truth, Captain Mar-
tin was not able to carry his Point againft the Company.
He was afterwards induced to deliver up his illegal Patent
in open Court, to be cancelled ; and Orders were given for
drawing a new one, with as large and ample Privileges,
as the Earl of Southampton^ or any other Adventurer had.
But when this was drawn. Captain Martin complained,
that he was therein abridged of a great Quantity of Land,
granted in his former Patent. For, in that, ten Shares
were given him, in Reward of his Services ; and he pre-
tended, that each of thofe Shares ought to be live hun-
dred Acres of Land ; and he therefore claimed five thou-
fand Acres. For this, he defired that Spot of Land, as he
called it, at Martin's Brandon^ where he had formerly
feated, containing about fix thoufand Acres, with all
Marfhes and funken Grounds thrown in, as an Overplus.
But the Court, having never heard of any Shares of five
hundred Acres, and finding it exprefly direifed by their
Charters, that no Share fliould exceed an hundred Acres,
abfolutely refufed to grant his Demand. Plowever, to
give him Satisfadion, if poflible, they gave him to a cer-
tain Day, to produce any Inftance or Evidence, that there
had ever been Shares of five hundred Acres, and promifed,
to fliew him all lawful Favour. But he afterwards per-
verfely demanded the Re-delivery of his old Patent ; and
the Court, being quite wearied out with his Obftinacy and
Impertinence, gave him for their laft and refolute Anfwer ;
That, if he would accept fuch a Patent, as they could law-
fully grant, he might have it ; but as for his old Patent,
they could not deliver it to him again, being void, not fo
much by his Refignation, as by the Extravagance and Ille-
gality of the Grant itfelf. Whereupon he went away, and
never fpared, upon all Occafions, to load many very wor-
thy and deferving Members of the Company, with all pof-
fible Scandal and Reproach. But at laft he accepted the
new Patent, and pretended to be fully reconciled to the Com-
pany; and came to Virgitiia^ with a Recommendation from
the Privy Council, and by their Means and Interpofition,
even from the Company themfelves ; which Favour he
81 Q_ accordingly
"The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
accordingly requited, by propagating and fpreading through
the Country all the Falftioods and Calumnies againft them,
Sir Frawcn that he could invent or utter.
fVyat, Go- But befides Captain Martin^ fome others were raifed
vernor, ^p ^^^ fuborncd, to givc in Complaints to the King, againft
the Company. One Jdam Dixon^ in his Petition, pre-
tended to have been hired, for the Service of the Company
and Colony, as Mafter-Calker of their Ships and VefTels in
Virginia^ at thirty fix Shillings a Month, and that having
ferved them many Years, he only had received three
Pounds thirteen Shillings ; fo that there v\ras now due to
him an hundred and fifty Pounds, or there-abouts : That
Captain Argall alfo, in the time of his Government, had
given him and one fohn Berry a Piece of uncleared Ground,
on which they had expended an hundred Pounds in a
Houfe ; but that, contrary to all Juftice and Equity, they
had been turned out of their faid Houfe and Ground, the
former Year, by Sir George Teardley^ to their great Dif-
comfort and utter Undoing. To this the Company an-
fwered : That the Matters of the faid Petition were to
them utterly unknown ; that there was not, in their Books,
the leaft mention of any fuch Officer or Contrad ; nei-
ther had they any Inducements, to believe it to be true:
That if any iuch thing had pafled, it muft have been in Sir
Thomas Smith's Time, to whom they referred him, for An-
fwer and Satisfa6lion : That as to the Outrage and Wrong,
pretended to have been done by Sir George Teardley^ the
Petitioner had never yet complained thereof to them ; but
they would take a Courfe for fpeedy Juftice therein, by
commending the Matter to the Care and Examination of
the Governor and Council in Virginia. And the Afi-air was'
accordingly examined and tried in our General Court, the
2ift of January 1623-4. It then appeared, by the Oath
of Thomas Gates and the faid Jdam Dixon., that they, to-
gether with John Berry and Thomas Dingley., were hired
by Sir Thomas Smith., upon Wages, for a certain Term ;
that their Wages were not only never paid, but they them-
felves were detained, many Years longer, in very hard Ser-
vitude ; and that at laft, to free themfelves, they were
obliged to give Captain Argall an Acquittance, under their
Hands, for their Wages ; without which, he threatened,
they ftiould never be fet free. And they further fwore,
that Captain Argall kept them a Year after, in his own
proper Service, without any Allowance of either Wages
or Cloaths. But I cannot find, in our Records, that they
profecuted or made any Complaint here, againft Sir George
Teardley., about their Houfe and Land.
One
Book IV. rbe History of VIRGINIA. 227
One WilliaTn Kemp alfo prefented a Complaint to his ^622.
Majefty, of the Grievances of certain Inhabitants of Kic- ^ 1 '
quotayi in Virginia; that IViUiam Julian^ John BuJJ)^ ^^-^^Sk Francis
fome others, ancient Planters, and deferving Inhabitants ofy^;*jfj_
the beft mechanical Trades, had been turned out of their
lawful Pofleflions, by Sir George Teardley^ with many Cir-
cumftances of Oppreflion and Cruelty. To which the
Company anfwered : That the Parties, pretended to be
wronged, had never made any Complaint to them : That
Kemp had been in England above a Year, and had never
laid the Matter before the Council and Company, where
Juftice might have been done : That he did not even pre-
tend to have Authority from the Parties grieved, to exhibit
this Complaint to his Majefty : That they therefore faw no
Caufe, to believe his Allegations to be true ; but fufpeiled
him, rather to be fet on by the Malice of others, than
moved by his own Zeal for Right and Juftice : That how-
ever, according to their Cuftom in Caufes of the like Na-
ture, they would, by the firft Opportunity, tranfmit this
Complaint to the Governor and Council in Virginia ; that,
if there appeared any Truth in any Part thereof, they
might proceed, as well to the due Redrefs of the faid Grie-
vances, as to the condign Puniftiment of the Authors and
Delinquents. And this Complaint appears, from our Re-
cords, to have had this Foundation in Truth and Matter
of Fa6t ; that fome Perfons had fet down, at Kicquotan^
upon the publick Land of the Company, and were obliged,
by the Governor and Council, to go off. But they how-
ever had, either by this time or afterwards, (I cannot ex-
a6lly fay which) Satisfadion made them for their Clearing
and Improvements.
Captain Mattheiu Somers^ who had returned to Ejz-
gland W\t\\ his Uncle's Body, in the Year 1610, had, long
before this, been a Prifoner in the King's Bench. From
thence he often pelted and tiezed the Company, with an
extravagant Demand for his Uncle's Adventure ; and altho'
fomething confiderable in Adventure appeared, by their
Books, to be due to Sir George Somers^ yet they refufed to
pafs it over to him, becaufe he had an elder Brother in the
Country, who was Heir at Law to Sir George^ and he could
not make fufficient Proof, that either his Uncle had be-
queathed it by Will, or that his Brother had made over all
his Right and Intereft therein to him. In this time there-
fore of prefenting Petitions to the King, Captain Somers alfo
preferred his ; informing bis Majefty : That Sir George So-
mers was forced, by Strefs of Weather, to fave himfelf and
Company, on the Iflands of Bermudas^ where he loft his
Q. 2 Ship,
228 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. Ship, and foon after, his Life : That he, the Petitioner,
being his immediate Heir, and then prefent, built a fmall
Bark, to convey his Company to England; and left three
Men, to continue the Pofleflion of thofe Iflands, in his
Majefty's Name : That the Virginia Company, hearing
of this Difcovery, challenged thofe Iflands, as their Right,
altho' they were above an hundred Leagues v^'ithout the
Limits of their Grant ; and they fent a Governor, v^ith
Men, to take the Pofleflion from his Majefty : That find-
ing the Petitioner's Men had, by their Induftry, found a
Cake of Ambergreafe of an hundred and fixty Pounds
Weight, the faid Governor took it violently from them,
for the Ufe of the Company, who fold it for twelve thou-
fand Pounds, and likewife threatened Violence to the poor
Men, to make them confefs more : That the faid Compa-
ny, fliortly after, fold the faid Iflands to a particular Com-
pany, for two thoufand Pounds ; and the poor Petitioner
could never yet obtain any thing, either for his Adventure
or otherwife, altho' he had long and often folicited it, to
his great Charge and utter Undoing : That thefe, and no
other Comforts, could they, the ancient Adventurers, re-
ceive from the Company ; and therefore he humbly befought
his Majeflry, to take into Confideration his own Royal Rights
therein, and to give Order for the Relief of him, the poor
Petitioner.
To this falfe and exaggerated Account of that Affair, the
Somer-IJlands Company gave in, for Anfwer, much the fame
in Subrtance and Purport, as I have before related concern-
ing it. And as for Captain Somers^ they deny him to have
any juft Pretence, to ftile himfelf, either an ancient Adven-
turer, or Planter. For he made a very fhort Abode there ;
and contrary to his Duty and Truft, returned fuddenly to
England^ where he had ever fince continued, without per-
forming the leafl: Service to either Plantation. They confefs,
that a Block of Ambergreafe of very great Value was found,
of which they got about a third Part ; but v/ere not able to
deliver in an exa£l Account of its Worth, becaufe Sir Tho-
mas Smithy at that time Governor and Treafurer of their
Company, had hitherto refufed to give in any Account of
their Treafury. And they further fay, that they conceived
the Right to that Ambergreafe to be in the Virginia Com-
pany, at whofe Charge, and in whofe Service, thofe three
Men had been fet out and employed ; but that they had
neverthelefs, fince compounded with the Finders, fo that none
of them had any juft Caufe of Complaint, and leaft of all
Captain Somers^ who could have no Title or Pretence of In-
tereft therein.
As
vernor.
Book IV. r/:c History of VIRGINIA. 229
As Captain yfrgail hzd been long and ailively employed 1622.
in Virginia^ and was confequently well acquainted with moll "— '^r- — '
Perfons and Paffages there, he was ftrongly fufpefted to be Sir Francis
at the Bottom of thefe Complaints and Petitions againft the "^''"' ^^"'
Company. They therefore, on their Part, refolved to pur-
fue their Profecution againft him with greater Vigor ; and
they appointed a fele6l Committee, to warn him perempto-
rily to exhibit his Accounts, and to make a full and fubftan-
tial Anfwer to fuch things, as the Company fliould charge
him withal. But he, being a Man of good Senfe and Ca-
pacity, and of great Induftry and Refolution, ftill foiled
and perplexed their Proceedings, and gave them much Trou-
ble and Annoyance, without their being able to bring him
to any Account or Punifliment, for all his unrighteous
Gains and Extortions in Virginia.
Captain Samuel Each was fent, this Summer, in a
large Ship of three or four hundred Tons, to build a Block-
houfe or Fort, on thofe Banks which lie out in James River,
near Blunt Point. This was defigned, to command the
Paffage up the River ; and it was judged, by divers of the
Inhabitants, to be that, which ought firft to be attempted,
and would be moft eafily effected. Captain Each alfo, v/ho
was efteemed a very honeft and fkilful Man, having viewed
the Place, when in Virginia., thought the thing very feafible.
But this Undertaking, like many others, ended with great
Charge to the Company, and without any real Effect: or
Advantage. However, in this Ship went over the Lady
Wyat., and Mr, Barret., a Mafter-Shipwright, (whom Cap-
tain Smith calls Captain Banuick) with twenty five Men,
to build Ships and Boats, together with many Houfe-car-
penters for the £^/?-/;/,r//6^ History e/ VIRGINIA. 241
tance with them, ventured to go thither, in a Bark, with ^^~--
twenty fix Men, to trade for Corn. But himfelf, with ^^^^ ~^ ^
twenty one more, were furprifed and flain by the P^/^^^^-^^.^^'^^'q"
cons^ the greateft People in thofe Parts. They immediate- vernor.
ly boarded the VefTel in their Canoes, and entered fo faft,
that the five Men, left to guard her, were in the utmoft
Amazement, till a Sailor gave fire to a Piece of Ordinance
at Random ; the bare Report whereof fo frightened the
poor Savages, that they leaped overboard, and forgetting
their Canoes, fwarm afliore. Soon after, they heard a great
Noife among them, and faw a Man's Head thrown down
the Bank ; whereupon they weighed Anchor, and returned.
And thus died this unfortunate Gentleman, who was of a
good Family in England. He had, three Years before,
been tried and found guilty, of depreciating and under-
mining the Governor's Authority, by telling Opechancanough^
that a Great Man (meaning the Earl of Warwick) would
foon come, and take his Place. For which Crime, they
thought it a Mercy to fpare his Life ; but they however
degraded him from his Captainfhip, and condemned him,
to be a Servant to the Colony for feven Years, in Quality
of Interpreter; for which Office he was peculiarly fitted,
by having long lived, and been very converfant, among the
Indians.
Edzuard TFaters., one of the three, that ftaid in the Iflands
of Bermudas.^ and found the great Block of Ambergreafe,
dwelling in Virginia^ at the time of the Mafi^acre, was
himfelf, together with his Wife, taken and kept Prifoners
by the Nandfamonds. But this Fall, fome EngUjh., near
Newporfs-N^ews., were furprifed in fo great a Storm, that
altho' the Men faved their Lives, the Boat was loft ; which
was caft, by the Winds and Waves, upon the Shore of
Nandfamond. The Indians., finding it, were fo bufied,
with Songs, and Dances, and Invocations, according to
their Manner of Triumph, that Waters and his Wife found
Means, to get fecretly into one of their Canoes, and crofted
the River, nine or ten Miles over, to Kicquotan ; where
they were received with no lefs Joy and Wonder by the
EngUjJj., than their Efcape gave Anger and Vexation to the
Indians.
Shortly after. Sir George Teardley and Captain Powel.^
each with a Company of Gentlemen Volunteers, went to
feek the Enemy. But all being fled, except three, which
Captain Powel met by Chance and flew, they burnt their
Houfes, deftroyed every thing, they could find, and fo re-
turned. Three hundred Soldiers, the beft, they could
chufe, were, not long after, raifed and embarked in con-
^ R venient
JVyat, Go-
vernor.
242 "the History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. venient VefTels, under the Condu6l of Sir George Teardley^
' r^^-^with all things neceflary for the Expedition. They went
Sir Fr««m f^j.{^ to N andfamond \ where the Indians fet fire to their
'"'own Houfes, fpoiled all they could, and then fled away,
with what they could carry off. So that the Englijh had
no Opportunity to make any Slaughter of them. But
their Corn being newly gathered, they feized all, they
could find ; burnt the Houfes, which the Inhabitants had
in their Hurry left unburnt ; and fo departed. From thence
they went to Pamunkey^ the chief Seat of Opechancanough.
He did not appear himfelf ; but the Indians there feemed
exceedingly aftoniflied, and promifed to bring them all the
Englijh^ yet living, and to reftore their Arms, and what-
ever elfe they had ; pretending, much to defire Peace, and
to give them any Satisfaction in their Power. But this was
only a Device, to procraftinate the Time, till they could
convey away their Corn from all other Places, except
where the EngUJJ) were quartered. At length, the Englijh^
perceiving their Defign, feifed on the Corn in their Power,
burnt their Houfes, and purfued them into the Woods.
But they fled before them, and eafily efcaped, not without
Contempt and Infult. For fome lurked about in Ambufh,
and difcharged fome Shot out of Englijh Pieces, which
hurt and wounded feveral diforderly Stragglers. After this.
Sir George returned, with a thoufand Bulhels of Corn, and
each of the Soldiers had three Bufhels a piece. Captain
Smith tells us, that they were however obliged to pay ten
Shillings a Bufliel, before they received it, for Freight and
other Charges of the Expedition. But the Governor and
Council's Letters to the Company, an Authority not to be
contefted, exprefly fay, that Sir George Teardley freely em-
ployed his own Shipping, Shallops, Mariners, and Servants,
without any Recompence or Freight at all. But this is not
the only Inftance, in which that Gentleman's Adions are
mifreprefented in Smith's Hiftory. For, he immediately pre-
ceeding and coming after Captain Argall'% Government,
and having a Commiflion to examine and puniih his Of-
fences, became a peculiar Mark of Hatred and Calumny
to that Faction. The fame Letters inform us, that three
thoufand Bufliels of Corn more were taken from the Ene-
my, by Force or Trade, and brought in, by different Par-
ties of Men. By thefe, and other fuch fmall Inroads and
Depredations, the Indians were reduced to great Want and
Neceflity that Winter, and endured no fmall Mifery and
Famine. So that many of the Englijh^ in Confidence of
their Weaknefs, and Inability to hurt them, returned to
their former Habitations. For, befides plundering and ruin-
ing
Book IV. "the History of VIRGINIA. 243
ing their Corn, and other Ways of diftreffing and deflroy- 1622.
ing them, the Governor and Council, in the aforefaid Let-''";'^ y-'"-^
ter, aflure the Company, that more Indians were flain that ^^''^^^J*
Autumn and Winter, than had ever fallen by the Hands of vgrnor.
the Englijl^ put them all together, from the firft Beginning
and Settlement of the Colony.
The Earl of Warwick^ not fatisfied with the Spoils of
Virginia^ had alfo, by his Intereft and Intrigues, procured
his Follower and Dependent, Captain Nathaniel Butler^ to
be fent Governor of Bermudas for three Years ; where he
exercifed the fame bare-faced Oppreffion and Extortion,
that Captain Argall had done here. But from the petty
Offence of plundering the Colony, he proceeded to a higher
Crime and Mifdemeanor, and committed fome Pillage upon
a Spanifl) Wreck. This incenfed Gondomar^ and the Lords
of the Privy Council fent a fliarp Order to the Company,
to make an immediate and ftri6l Enquiry into the Matter.
The Time of his Government being therefore now expi-
red, a Commiffion was given to Mr. Bernard^ who was
going over to fucceed him, to enquire into~tRe~Affair of the
Spani/h Wreck, as well as the Truth of many other Com-
plaints and Allegations, fent over againft him to England.
But, as had been done in Captain Argall's Cafe, a Bark
was difpatched from Barnjlaple^ in which he efcaped, juft
before the Arrival of the new Governor, and came to Vir-
ginia. He left thofe Iflands in a moft miferable Plight, be-
ing reduced to Beggary and Ruin, by his Rapines and Ex-
tortions •, and coming hither in the Extremity of Winter,
he found the Colony labouring under the Diftreffes and un-
happy Confequences of the Maffacre. Sir Francis IVyat
received and entertained him, with great Hofpitality and
Good-manners ; but his Behaviour here was infamoufly
lewd and riotous. Among other things, he demanded to
be admitted of the Council, and grievoufly refented his
being refufed, altho' he could fhew no Colour of Right or
Title to it. After about three Month's Stay, and having
gone up as high as Chickaho?niny^ where, like a common
Robber or free Booter, he fell upon, and made Spoil of
Lady Dale's Cattle, he fet Sail, and returned for Eng-
land.
But before this, in the Beginning of the Summer,
there had been fet afoot a moft unhappy Affair for the Com-
pany ; which gave it, as it were, a fettling Blow, and not
without fome Face of Reafon, was the Occafion of greater
Clamours and Animofities than ever. It hath been fre-
quently related, how the King took all Opportunities of
grinding the Company and infant Colony, by laying op-
R 2 preffive
244 "^^'^ History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. preflive and illegal Impofitions on Tobacco. This he
"■-""v ^did, partly out of his natural Abhorrence and Averfion to
Sir Fr^«f''sthat Weed, but chiefly out of a Defire of Gain. For,
venior °" with a Conjunction not unufual to be found in Men's Cha-
racters, Profufion, and a voracious Appetite after Money,
had met together in that Prince's Nature. In all thefe
Exa6lions, Sir Lionel Cranfield had been his principal Inftru-
ment. He had been at firft a Merchant of London^ and
then an Officer in the Cuftoms, from whence he was in-
troduced to Court, as a Projedor ; which, in the Lan-
guage of thofe Times, fignified a Perfon, who could fur-
nifh Expedients to the Minifters, to raife Money, in the
Vacancy, and without the Affiftance, of Parliament. He
was a very wife and dextrous Officer ; and in this Execrable
Fun6lion, had been fo ufeful and fuccefsful, that, together
with the Advantage of having married one of Buck'mgham'''=,
Relations (an extraordinary Merit then, and an infallible
Road to the higheft Preferments) he had rifen, before this
time, to the Dignity of Earl of Middlefex^ and Lord High
Treafurer of Englajid. He was himielf an ancient Ad-
venturer in the Affair of Virginia ; and well knew, how
uneafy they were, under the Preffure of the Monopolies,
Garbling, and other illegal Patents. He therefore refolved
to try, whether he could not make the Company confent
to their own Oppreffion, and fqueeze out of them a greater
Profit and Revenue to his Majefty, by making a particular
Contract with themfelves.
To this End, he firft broached the Matter privately to
Sir Edwin Sandys ; offering a Grant, to the two Companies
of Virginia and the Somer-IJlands^ for the fole Importation
of Tobacco into the Realms of England and Ireland^ re-
ferving to his Majefty a certain valuable Rent. This he
did, with large Profeffions of his Love and Affedion to the
Colony of Virginia^ whereof he was an ancient Counfellor ;
and declared, that, befides the perfonal Duty of his Place,
as Lord High Treafurer, his principal Motive herein was
the Profit and Advancement of the Colonies. Sir Edwin
profefled his Ignorance, in Affairs of that Nature ; but
after fome Thought, he confulced with Sir Arthur Ingram^
another Member of the Virgmia Company, then prefent,
but a faff Creature and Retainer to the Lord Treafurer.
At length, confidering, that Tobacco was a deceiveable
Weed, and the Ufe of it wholly founded on a Humour,
which, might foon vanifli into Smoke, and come to no-
thing, he told his Lordfhip, that to fettle any great Rent
in Money, upon fuch an uncertain Commodity, might
foon bankrupt the Companies, and utterly ruin the Planta-
tions.
Book IV. The History of VIRGINIA. 245
tions. Wherefore, he conceived it much the fafer Way 1612..
for the Companies, to yield his Majefty a certain Propor-^ v '
tion, in Specie, out of the Tobacco itfelf; whereof, he^ Francis
thought, they might be induced to give a fourth Part, pro- ^e^^^Jr.
vided they might be difcharged from all other Burthens upon
it. But his Lordftiip, falling into a Calculation, told him,
that without the Grant of a Third, there could not be that
Revenue raifed to his Majefly, as was expelled ; and for
the old Cuftom, of fix Pence a Pound upon Roll, and four
Pence upon Leaf Tobacco, it was already granted to his
Majefty's Farmers, and could not be reverfed.
After this. Sir Edwin Sandys^ by his Lordfliip's Com-
mand, communicated this Propofal to the Lords Southamp-
ton and Cavendijh^ and the two Deputies ; who having im-
parted it to their Councils, brought it before the Companies.
Such a Contrail, if it could be concluded on any reafonable
Terms, was certainly of very great and vifible Advantage
to the Companies and Colonies. For it would enable them,
by having the whole Commodity in their own Hands, to
exclude all foreign Tobacco, and to raife, or at leaft keep
up, the Price of their own ; and would as well eafe them
from the Extortions and Infults of other monopolifing Pa-
tents, as fecure them from any farther Impofitions. For
the Court, as the Colonies advanced in Strength, was ftill
loading them with new Impofitions, and kept them always
ftaggering, and fcarce able to go forward, under the Bur-
then of Taxes and Impofts. And this was then done, folely
by the King's Authority, without granting Parliaments their
undoubted Right, of giving Money, and laying new Duties
on the Subje6l. And what was a notorious, and (if the fa-
cred Chara6ler of Kings and Minifters would allow the Ex-
preflion) an impudent Breach of Faith, it was done againft
the plaineft and moft exprefs Words and Tenor of former
Grants ; which was, beyond Doubt, the prefent Cafe of
the Virginia Company, as hath been before obferved and
recited.
However, the Companies, fitting down peaceably
under thefe Oppreflions, readily embraced this Overture,
and appointed each a Committee, to treat with the Lord
Treafurer about it. But in the Progrefs of the Bufinefs, his
Lordfhip was ftill fqueezing in new Hardfhips upon them j
and particularly furprifed and fhocked them with a Propo-
fal, that for each of the two Years, then next enfuing, the
Companies fhould be obliged, to bring in fixty thoufand
Weight of Spanijh Tobacco, or otherwife permit forty thou-
fand Weight to be imported by fome other. This Propo-
rtion feemed very grievous to the Committees, and crofted
R 3 one
246 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
162a. one of their chief Purpofes. They therefore replied : That
■ — ^^^ ' no fuch Obhgation was laid on the former Patentees for the
^'^ ^'■''"5" fole Importation of Tobacco : That the Example of obliwino;
vernor. Men to brmg m any foreign Commodity, whereof there
was fufEcient of the Growth of the King's own Dominions,
would feem very ftrange and accountable ; and fuch a thing,
as they thought, had not been heard of, in any Part of the
World : That to prohibit the planting Tobacco in England^
and yet to command the importing fo large a Quantity from
a foreign Country (efpecially when it was confeffedly a great
Drain of the Cafh of the Nation) would be very grievous
to the Englifli Subie6l ; and was fo odious a thing, that they
were afhamed to be concerned in it : That the Quantity of
fixty thoufand Weight of SpaniJJ) Tobacco was very excef-
five, and more than had been imported, in divers Years,
when there was no Restraint at all : That fo large a Pro-
portion (the whole Import of Tobacco into England^ upon
an Average for the laft feven Years, being only an hundred
forty two thoufand and eighty five Pounds Weight a Year)
muft utterly abafe the Price of the Plantation Tobacco, as
manifeflly appeared from that Year's Experience ; fo that the
Colonies would part with a third of their Tobacco to the
King, without any Retribution in the Price of the reft, as
was at lirft propofed : And that, in excluding all Spanijh
Tobacco, there could be no Room for Fraud or Error ;
whereas, under the Colour of fo large an Importation, it
would be impofTible to prevent the running and ftealing in
a much greater Quantity,
These Obje6tions were certainly very fliarp and home,
and did not a little expofe the partial and moft unpatriot
Meafures of the Court. But it was the Misfortune of that
Time, that the Company dealt much in Reafon, and the
Courtiers in Command, They were therefore peremptorily
told, that this was a Point of fuch Importance, that it could
not be difpenfed with, without diiTolving the whole Con-
tra6l. For we mufl remember, that the Spanijh Match
was ftill on Foot ; and therefore his Majefly would facri-
fice fo large an Interefl: of his own Subjects to that Nation,
to gratify and oblige his good Friend and Ally, the King of
Spain ; who had been now, for many Years, bubbling and
abufing him, to the open Scorn and Mockery of all Europe.
Befides which, it is not to be fuppofed, that Gondomar^ who,
about this time, bore a very great Sway in the Affairs of
England^ would let flip fuch an Opportunity, of acquiring
fo great a Profit to his Country, And indeed we are told
by Mr. Oldys., that the Obflruilion of thefe Plantations, was
a main Branch of the Aims and Endeavours of that Spanijh
Buffoon ;
Book IV. "The History 0/ VIRGINIA. 247
Buffoon ; and that he oppofed all Voyages to the JVeft-Indies^ 1622.
and particularly croffed thele Undertakings of Virginia and ^— ^v — j"
Bermudas^ left from them there fliould afterwards arife ^"O" ^j^'^'^Qy'
ther England in America^ of equal Dread and Annoyance ^o ^^^^^^^
Nezu Spain^ as that in Europe was to the Old. But the
Company, having had fome Gleams of Hope, and dreading
nothing ib much, as falling into their former Calamities and
Oppreffions, did at laft, after much Difpute and Contefta-
tion, confent to this Article; and the whole Contrail was
concluded and agreed upon, chiefly on thefe Conditions.
For I fliall in this, as I have done in other Cafes, take the
Liberty, for Brevity's Sake, only to give the main Subftance
of Matters, and to leave out fuch Points, as are immate-
rial, and of little or no Confequence to be known.
I. That the fole Importation of Tobacco, into the
Realms of England and Ireland^ (hould be granted to the
Virginia and Somer-Ijlands Companies, by Patent under the
Great Seal of England ; which Grant fhould be drawn and
conftrued, in the moft beneficial Manner for the Compa-
nies Behoof, and the Advancement of the Colonies ; his Ma-
jefty's Profit, hereafter recited, only referved.
II. That his Majefty (liould, by Proclamation, pro-
hibit all others from importing, as alfo from planting To-
bacco in England and Ireland^ during the faid Contrail, un-
der grievous Penalties ; and that what was already planted,
fhould, by Virtue of the former Proclamation, be confif-
cated.
III. That his Majefty, and the Lord High Treafurer,
fhould take all proper Methods, for preventing and confif-
cating all Tobacco, unduly imported ; and fhould endea-
vour, in all Points, to keep up effeilually to the true Intent
and Meaning of this Contrail ; and particularly, that his
Majefty fhould grant no Licences to Retailers of Tobacco,
that the Market might ftill remain free and open, as it had
hitherto done.
IV. That in Confideration hereof, as alfo for that the
Companies fhould be difcharged from all other Payments on
Tobacco (excepting only the ancient Cuftom, in the Book
of Rates, of fix Pence a Pound on Roll Tobacco, and four
Pence upon Leaf) the faid Companies fliould pay to his Ma-
jefty the clear Proceed of a full third Part of all Tobacco,
Yearly imported and landed by them in the faid two Realms :
Provided neverthelefs, that they fhould not be obliged to
import more Tobacco of the Growth of the two Colonies,
than they themfelves thought proper.
R 4 V. That
248 The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
1622. V, That the Lord High Treafurer (hould caufe the
' Y ' Cuftom to be reduced to a Medium for feven Years laft
^rl ^'"''""'paft, ending at Michaelmas^ 1621 ; wherein fhould be fpe-
vernor, ° cified, how much was Roll Tobacco, and how much
Leaf, becaufe of the different Cuftom ; and that the Whole
fhould be reduced to a certain Sum of Money, whereof one
Third to be paid by the King, for his Part, and two Thirds
by the Companies, and the Cuftomers to make no farther
Demand on any Tobacco, either imported or exported.
VL That his Majefty fhould be difcharged from Pay-
ment of Freight, and all other previous Charges ; but that
immediately upon the Arrival of the faid Tobacco (at which
time his Majefty's Intereft therein would commence) he
fhould bear the third Part of all Charges, for landing, hou-
fing, keeping, and tranfporting by Land, Sea, or frefh Wa-
ter, into divers Parts ; as alfo his third Part of all Law-fuits,
of the Salaries of all Officers, Agents, Factors, and Ser-
vants ; and in general, of all Matters and Bufineffes what-
foever, incident to the faid Tobacco, or Contrad.
VII. That all the Tobacco imported, fhould be con-
figned into fuch Hands, as fhould be appointed by the faid
Companies ; who fhould, in their General Courts, have the
fole Nomination of all Officers, Agents, Fa6lors, Minifters,
and Servants, and the entire Management of the faid To-
bacco : Yielding to his Majefty, a true and perfect Account
thereof, and paying the clear Profits, which fhould become
due to his Majefty for his Third, and come into their Hands :
In which Account the third of all Charges fliould be allowed
and defalcated, as aforefaid.
VIII. That the Companies fhould be obliged to im-
port, not above fixty thoufand, nor under forty thoufand
Weight of Spanijh Tobacco, for each of the firft two Years
of this Contra6l, and no longer : Upon Condition never-
thelefs, that the King and State of Spain did not purpofely
(upon Knowledge of their being obliged to import fo large a
Q^iantity) raife the Cuftom, or impofe new Burthens and
Charges upon their Tobacco ; and on Condition likewife,
that the Price of Tobacco, at which it was then fold in Spaln^
be not purpofely enhanced, and that the Markets be, in all
refpeits, as free and open, as formerly they have been :
Provided alfo, if any of the faid Quantity of SpaniJI) To-
bacco do, in any wife, mifcarry by Cafualties at Sea, that
in that Cafe, the faid Companies fhould not be bound, to
reftore and make good the Proportion fo loft, by any new
Provifion and Importation.
IX. That this Contrail fhould commence at Michael-
mas^ 1622, and continue for the Space of feven Years, then
next enfuing. This
Book IV. The History of VIRGINIA. 249
This Contract was certainly very well and cautiouHy i^--
worded, by Sir Edtuift Sandys, who drew it, and was indeed "; . -^
their conftant Draughtfman upon all fuch Occafions. But it ^^ J/'^qJ'
was at laft efteemeda very hard and pinching Bargain upon^e.^
the Trade ; and as a certain noble Perfon exprefled it, was
not to be looked upon as a pleafant Difli, well fauced and
feafoned, but as a bitter Potion, which muft, of neceffity, be
fwallowed down, for avoiding greater Evils. The Earl of
Southampton therefore, earneftly defired the Company, duly
to confider each Article, and not to fpare to give their beft
Counfel and Advice, in fo weighty a Bufinefs, which fo
nearly concerned themfelves and the Colonies, it being not
only free, but demanded, as a Duty, from every Man, to
fpeak his Mind boldly, as his own Reafon fhould fuggeft.
But after a long Paufe, it appearing, that nothing more
could be faid, than had formerly been delivered, his Lord-
fhip, at the Company's Requeft, put it to the Queftion,
and it was ratified and confirmed, by an almoft unanimous
Confent, one Hand only being held up againft it. After
which, it was, by the Lord Cavendi/h, their Governor,
propofed to, and confirmed by the Somer-IJIands Company,
with the like Unanimity. For the Adventurers in that Plan-
tation, being about an hundred and twenty fix in Number,
were all likewife Members of the Virginia Company.
But before the Bargain was throughly concluded and ra-
tified by the Lord High Treafurer, he prefled in upon them
an Obligation, to import the forty thoufand Weight of Spa-
nifl? Tobacco, in the beft Varinas, with a Promife ( which
however he did not keep) not to trouble them any farther,
if that was granted. The Company therefore yielded to it ;
on Condition, that fuch a Qiiantity of beft Farinas could be
procured. For there had been fome Years, when the
whole Importation of that Kind of Tobacco into Spain did
not amount to forty thoufand Weight. But if Farinas
could not be had, they undertook (to give his Majefty and
the Lord Treafurer Satisfailion ) to import the reft of their
Quantity, in the beft and moft coftly Sorts of Spanijh To-
bacco. It will doubtlefs be very furprifing to every thinking
Reader, to find a King thus load and opprefs his Subjects,
with the Importation of a foreign Commodity, of no Ufe
or Neceffity, but of mere Luxury and Wantonnefs, and
that too, in the deareft and moft grievous Manner ; efpe-
cially when that Commodity might be fupplied by our own
Colonies, and muft, in Spain, be paid for in hard Cafh,
as the Cafe then was. But to account for fo unconfcionable
a Proceeding, it muft ftill be obferved, that herein were an-
fwered the two grand Ends, which at that time lay neareft
34 to
the History of VIRGINIA. Book IV,
to that Prince's Heart ; fince by taking off their deareft To-
baccoes, he did the more oblige the Spanijh King and Na-
tion, and threw more Money into- their Pockets, out of his
Subjects Purfes (which was, in Truth, fo much clear Lofs
to the Engl'iJ}) Nation) and did alfo, at the fame time, ad-
vance his own Profit and Revenue. For as the King was,
by the Contraft, to have the clear Proceed of one Third
of all Tobacco imported, it was more to his Gain and Ad-
vantage, to have the beft Spa7iiJ]j Tobaccoes, which would
then fell for eighteen or twenty Shillings a Pound, and fome-
times more, than the Plantation Tobacco, which would
fcarcely fetch two and fix Pence a Pound.
The Affair of the Contra6l, being thus fettled and con-
cluded, the next thing that fell under their Confideration,
was appointing proper Officers, with their Salaries ; and the
refolving on a fteady Courfe, for the Management of the
Bufinefs. For this Purpofe, a Committee was appointed
out of both the Companies, confifting of the Earl of Sou-
thamptoji^ the Lords Cavendijh^ P^g^t-, ^nd Houghton^ Sir
John Brooke^ Sir Edwin Sandys^ Sir John Davers^ Meffirs.
Nicholas and John Farrars^ the Deputies of the two Com-
panies, Mr. Samuel Wrote^ and others, Gentlemen and
Merchants, to the Number of twenty one in all. After a
whole Day's Confultation and Debate, they at laft agreed
upon all Matters -, and the Lords Southampton and Cavendifh^
Treafurer and Governor of the Companies, reported the
Refult of their Deliberations, to their refpeftive Courts.
But firft, the Earl of Southampton^ with much Candor and
Earneftnefs, entreated the Virginia Company, to deliver
their Opinions freely, either for, or againft, what he fhould
then propound; which (hefaid) himfelf, the Council, and
Committee, had confulted upon, not with Intent to con-
clude or determine any thing, nor to prejudice the Courts
in their Judgment, but only the better to prepare the Bufi-
nefs for their Confideration ; looking upon themfelves, as
his Lordfhip expreffed it, only as Servants to the Court.
After which Declaration, he proceeded and told them,
that, as it was propofed, and in fome Meafure concluded,
in the Preparative Court, they judged it neceflary, that there
fhould be one principal Officer, by the Name of Direftor,
on whofe Sufficiency, Care, and Integrity, the whole Suc-
cefs of the Bufinefs did chiefly depend ; and that they con-
ceived the faid Dire6lor would well deferve, for his Salary of
that Year, five hundred Pounds. Next to him, was a De-
puty : For without fuch an Affifl:ant, it would be impoffible
for the Direftor, to undergo all the Burthen of Bufinefs,
that would lie upon him. And to this Office they conceived
requifite
Book IV. The History of VIRGINIA. 251
requifite an extraordinary Deal of Pains and Induftry, and 1622.
no fmall Sufficiency. The Third Officer was a Treafurer, "■ y -^
to keep the Ca{h. But altho' the Offices of Deputy ^^^% ^^""q^I
Treafurer were diftin£l in themfelves, and would require ^g/^oJ^
two Perfons, yet the better to hufband the Expences for
that Year, they thought it beft (according to the Refolu-
tion of the Preparative Court) to join them both in one Per-
fon, for the prefent. And to this Officer, they allotted a
Salary of four hundred Pounds, for the current Year. Next
they conceived it necefTary, to have a Committee of, at
leail, eight able and judicious Perfons, chofen out of the
two Companies, for felling and difpofing of their Tobaccoes,
and for affifting the Director, with their Counfels, and Help,
in the feveral Parts of his Office ; which would be very many
and exceedingly weighty and important. And to thefe,
they appointed a Salary of fifty Pounds, a Man. And be-
fides thefe principal Officers, he told them, there would be
necefTary, two Calhiers, the one to be conftantly refident in
the Treafury, the other to receive and gather in the Monies ;
a Book-keeper ; two Clerks ; a SoUicitor ; a Hufband, to
whom the Cuftody of the Warehoufes fhould be committed ;
and a Beadle ; with a Houfe, for the Meetings of the Offi-
cers ; and Warehoufes, for the Reception of the Tobacco.
And the whole Amount of all thefe Salaries and Expences,
was computed at two thoufand Pounds a Year, which muft
be raifed upon the Tobacco. But as the Spanifh vaftly ex-
ceeded the Plantation Tobacco in Price, it was agreed, that
it fhould bear a double Proportion in the Rate of the Charges.
His Lordfhip farther told them, that they conceived it
neceflary, that there fliould be five hundred Pounds more
fet apart, for fuch contingent Expences, as fhould occafi-
onally arife ; which Money, if it were not, by the Confent
and Order of the Courts, expended for the Advantage and
Improvement of the Price of Tobacco, was to be again re-
paid, to each Adventurer proportionably. And altho' this
Sum, of twenty five hundred Pounds a Year, might to ma-
ny feem very great and extraordinary ; yet, he laid, confi-
dering, that five hundred Pounds was not to be expended,
except for the evident Advantage of the Commodity ; and
that, of the two thoufand Pounds remaining, his Majefty
was to bear one third Part, and the Spanifl) Tobacco a Pro-
portion double to the reft, he conceived, it would be found
no great Burthen upon the Plantations (whofe Benefit was
the grand Point in View) but fuch, as it was hoped, would
be manifoldly repaid, by the Advancement of the Price.
And as to the Officers Salaries, he declared it to be his
Opinion, that they were far below the Pains, Care, and
Charge, that they mufl, of neceffity, be at. The
fVyat, Go
vernor.
The History of VIRGINIA. Book IV.
The Earl of Southampton having thus finiflied his Report,
there followed, for fome time, a general Silence among the
S^r^ Francis Advcnturers. Whereupon his Lordfhip entreated them,
freely to fpeak their Minds concerning all thefe things, and
to declare, what and how they would have them done.
And he repeated it again, that they efteemed themfelves on-
ly as their Minifters or Servants, to prepare Bufmefs for the
Court, in whom alone, was Power and Authority to de-
termine and conclude Matters. He therefore earneftly en-
treated them, without Refpedl to himfelf, or any others,
from whom thofe Propofitions came, to declare their Opi-
nions freely, efpecially concerning the Salaries, which, he
perceived, was the grand Rock of Offence,
Hereupon, Mr. Robert S7nith^ the Under-Chamber-
Iain, faid ; that he thought, many able Gentlemen might
be found, who, for Confcience Sake, would do the Bufinefs
for far lefs Salaries. To which Sir Edward Sackvil replied ;
that for his Part, he thought Men bound in Confcience, to
give thofe whom they employed, fome reafonable Satif-
fadtion for their Labour and Pains ; and that he had found
by Experience, that fome Men, who had, for Confcience
Sake, ferved the Company, had alfo, for Confcience Sake,
undone it. But the Earl of Southampton^ to foften the Quick-
nefs of Sir Ediuard SackviPs Reply, and to encourage a Free-
dom of Debate, declared, that Mr. Robert Smith was a very
worthy and honeft Man ; and he thanked him, for fpeaking
his Mind freely, defiring all others to do the fame. After
which, there enfued a fliort Debate ; and it was often ob-
ferved, in the Progrefs of the Affair, that this was properly
a Point of Merchandife, and not of fettling Colonies ; and
that it was not juft or reafonable, to expe6l, that Men, fit
to be trufted with, and capable to perform, fo important
a Bufinefs, fhould expend their whole Time and Labour,
for the Advancement of other Mens Eflates, without any
Reward or Retribution at all. Mr. Barker alfo now faid ;
that, having been, many Years, a Member of that Court,
he had never heard of fuch great Salaries, as four and five
hundred Pounds a Year ; but that he had however heard of
five hundred, and a thoufand Pounds, deficient in the Ac-
counts of fome Officers, who did their Bufinefs for nothing.
Soon after, the Earl of Southa?npton was called upon, to
put the feveral Propofitions to the Vote. But his Lordfhip
faid, he would once more read them over to them ; which
having done, and no Man making any Objedtion, after a
good Paufe, he put the feveral things, concerning the Offi-
cers and Salaries, above related, diftindly to the Queftion,
and they were all approved and confirmed.
They
Book IV. "The History ^/VIRGINIA. 253
They then proceeded to the Eleftion of their Officers. 1622.
Sir Edwin Sandys had been nominated, in a former Court, ^—^^v^ '
to the Place of Dire6lor ; but he earneftly refufed it, as be-^ •'^'■^""^
ing unexperienced in Matter of Trade and Merchandife, ygj:'^''^^
in which that Officer ought to have an exa£l Knowledge ;
and as he could not conftantly refide in Town, having a
great Family in the Country. Befides which, he faid, he
began, as he now grew old, to wax weak ; and therefore
purpofed, rather to withdraw from all Bufinefs of the World,
than to engage himfelf farther in it. But the Court, efpe-
cially the Earl of Soiitba?npton and the other Lords, being
not fatisfied with this Excufe, earneftly prefled him, not
to refufe a Place, wherein he might do fuch fingular Ser-
vice to the Colonies ; the whole Welfare of which did, al-
moft entirely depend, upon the wife and upright Manage-
ment of this Contra6f. No other Perfon therefore being
fo much as named againft him, and himfelf rather not op-
pofing, than confenting to accept the Place, he was, upon
the Ballot, chofen Dire6tor, by having fixty five Balls for,
and only five againft him. Mr. John Farrar had alfo, at
the fame Court, been named to the joint Place of Deputy
and Treafurer ; but he likewife refufed, alledging, that the
Company had laid fuch a Burthen of Bufinefs upon him,
for now almoft four Years together, that he had been obli-
ged to negle6f his own private Affairs, which required his
immediate and diligent Infpe<£l:ion. All which the Court
acknowledged to be true ; yet declared, they held him fo fit
a Man for that Place, that thev would not propofe any other
to ftand in Election with him ; and fo he was chofen, by
having fixty eight Balls for, and only two againfi: him. They
then made Choice of their Committee, and inferior Officers ;
and alfo added a Committee extraordinary, to be chofen out
of the Council, without Salaries. They were not obliged
to a conftant Attendance ; but were only to give their Ad-
vice and Affiftance to the Direilor and other a6ting Com-
mittee, in Cafes of a high and extraordinary Nature. And
this Committee confifted of the Lords Paget and Maynard^
Sir Ediuard Sackvil^ Sir John Brooke^ Sir John Davers^ Sir
Henry Mildmay^ Mr. Thomas Gihbs^ Mr. Samuel Wrote^
Mr. John Smithy and Mr. Robert Stnith.
THE
254
. %i^- ^^^V ^^4:V -<^^^t^^^ 4^ c^
THE
HISTORY
OF
VIRGINIA.
BOOK V.
HAVE, in the former Book, been the more
full and exaft, in relating the Affair of the Of-
ficers and Salaries, as it afterwards became the
Subject of much Wrangling and Contention.
There was one Mr. Samuel Wrote^ a Gentle-
man of Fortune and Diftinclion in the Company, who had,
ever till now, behaved himfelf with great Moderation,
Judgment, and Induflry, and had therefore been ele6led of
his Majefty's Council for Virginia. This Gentleman did
fuddenly, in a fubfequent Court, held on the 4th of De-
ce?nber this Year, break forth into much Violence, Inde-
cency, and Opprobrioufnefs of Language ; and endeavour-
ed, to call into queftion and cancel, in an inferior and ordi-
nary Court, what had been fettled and determined, by the
Authority of a Great and General Quarter Court. He
faid, that this Affair, which was of efpecial Confequence
to the Company, had been propofed and paffed, without
that due Preparation, which the Laws and Orders of the
Company required in the like Cafes ; that the lawful and
regular Courfe had not been taken for preparing Matters,
but they had been haftily fliufHed over ; that the Bufinefs
of the Salaries, in particular, was not duly committed, but
carried
BookV. rZu^ History ^Z" VIRGINIA. 255
carried fouly, and diforderly, and with much Art, furrepti- 1622.
tiouflv, and to private Ends ; and that divers of the Company "- — y '
did, both then and fince, as well publickly as privately, in^^^^''^"f"
his Hearing, complain much againft thofe Proceedings, but ygrnor.
that they durft not fpeak their Minds freely, becaufe they
were overawed. He called the- Laws of the Company Sir
Edwin Sandys's Laws, becaufe that Gentleman had been
very a6live and induftrious, in contriving and framing many
of them ; and being reprimanded by Lord Cavendijh^ for
an Infinuation fo unjult and opprobrious to the Company,
and for (o unfuitable a Return to Sir Edwin Sandys for do-
ing publick Service, his Lordfliip added, that he had done
more Harm by that Day's Work, than Captain Martin^
Captain Argall^ or Captain Bailie ; the laft of which was
Captain Somers'i Sollicitor, and had given their Courts
much Trouble and Abufe. To this Mr. Wrote replied;
that, in terming their Laws Sir Edivin Sandys's Laws, he
called them no otherwife, than a great Lord did ; and fince
his Lordfliip was fo difpleafed with him, he declared, he
would never more trouble that Court, where his Lordlhip
prefided, but would, at their next Meeting, deliver up his
Share in the Somer-IJJands Company.
He farther objecSted, that the Committee, in which
thefe things pafl'ed, was very diforderly, fome Men talking
privately by the Fire fide ; which he imputed to Mr. De-
puty's Fault and Negligence, who ought to have moderated
and kept Order in their Meetings. And he faid, that nei-
ther the Council, nor the Committee, had any Authority
to treat of the Matter of Salaries ; and that there were
things reported to the Court, as the Judgment of the Com-
mittee, concerning Points, referred to them by the Com-
pany, which neverthelefs were not the Committee's A6ls
and Doing. And laftly, he charged and challenged the
Deputy, with wrong entering the Proceedings of a Court,
the 7th of O^^^^r before. And to this Violence of Accu-
fation, and Acerbity of Speech, he joined an equally rude
and infolent Behaviour. All which was the more inexcu-
fable in him, as he was himfelf one of the Committee,
who prepared and brought this Matter before the Court,
and had, when prefent, concurred with them in their Pro-
ceedings, but through Abfence and Negligence in attend-
ing that Committee, had now fpoke moft of thofe bitter
and reproachful things, merely upon Hearfay and Conjec-
ture.
So many, and fuch various Accufations and Abufes,
which affected divers of the greateft Lords and principal
Members of the Company, did naturally produce a long
and
Wyat, Go
vernor.
256 r/:^^ History ^/ VIRGINIA. Book V.
1622. and various Debate; in which Mr. Wrote'% Arguments and
' r— — ' Allegations were fully anfwered and difproved, by feveral
^^ 'P^'^^j^ of the Company ; particularly by the Deputy, Lord Ca-
vendifto^ Sir Ediuin Sandys^ and Mr. John Farrar. Many
alfo exprelTed much Grief and Concern, for this unhappy
Altercation ; as well out of their private Regard for Mr.
IVrote^ who had thus far been much beloved and efleemed,
as out of Fear, left it fliould give a Handle to the Malici-
ous, and be the Occafion of much Reproach and Scandal
to the Company. But Mr. IVrote^ with great Violence
and Obftinacy, ftill perfifted to have feveral Propofitions,
which he made, relating to the Contra6l, put to the Vote ;
and being refufed, he declared, that fince he could not
have things put to the Queftion, and for divers other juft
Caufes of Offence, he appealed to the Quarter Court.
Neither could he be filenced or reprefled, till the Deputy,
at the Court's Requeft, put it twice to the Vote, and it was,
by a general Conlent (Mr. Wrote himfelf, and one other
only diflenting) a fecond time ordered and refolved ; That
fince the Points, now moved, had paffed the Judgment of
a Great and General Quarter Court, they ftiould no more
be called into queftion or difputed, before the next Quarter
Court, at which time, if any Perfon had any thing to op-
pofe againft them, they might come prepared, and do it.
The whole Court, and particularly the Lord Cavendljh^
were much fcandalifed at this turbulent and offenfive Be-
haviour of Mr. JVi-ote ; which was fufpeiled to proceed,
not fo much from any evil Mind in himfelf, as from the
malicious Infufions of fome others, in order to caufe Va-
riance and Diftraition in the Company. For Alderman
John/on^ and others of the Fa6tion, were now prefent ;
who had of late been generally obferved, never to appear
at their Courts, but againft fome Storm and Confufion.
Lord Cavendijlo therefore, without naming the Perfon, imme-
diately wrote a full and particular Account of it to the Earl of
Soiithafnpton^ who was then in the Country. Whereupon the
Earl, being willing to fupprefs, in the Beginning, an Affair
of fuch dangerous Confequence, haftened up to Town, and
called a Meeting of his Majefty's Council for Virginia^ on
the nth of the fame Month oi December. But Mr. JVrote
protefted againft their Power and Jurifdi6lion, as he had
appealed to the Qiiarter Court ; to which, he declared, he
would only fubmit himfelf. He then renewed his Accufa-
tion againft the Deputy, for wrong entering a Court, the
7th of O^ober laft palled, and thereby bringing the Com-
pany three thoufand Pounds in Debt. And he did, from
his firft coming into the Room, behave himfelf in a moft
violent
BookV. TZ^^ History 0/ VIRGINIA. 247
violent and contemptuous Manner, towards the Earl of 1622.
Southampton^ Lord CavendiJ})^ and the whole Council. ' v '
Mr. Deputy faid, that the Accufation againft himfelf ^ j^'-'^^^^^
was of a very high Nature, and deeply concerned the Com- ^^^^^^'j.
pany. For the Entries of their Courts being the Compa-
ny's Records, to charge them with Falfity, was to call into
queftion all the Records and Proceedings of the Company.
He therefore declared the Manner of entering their Courts :
Firft, the Secretary drew them up, and brought them to
him, which Draught he, according to the Company's Or-
der, perufed and correfted ; that then it was read in the
next Court, diftindly, Article by Article, and after a fuf-
ficient Paufe and Examination, either confirmed, or amend-
ed ; after which, it was admitted to Record. And he faid,
that the very Court, now fpoken of by Mr. Wrote^ had
accordingly gone through this Courfe ; and that no Excep-
tions had .'been taken to it, not even by Mr. Wrote^ who
was then prefent, and ought to have objected, if there had
been any thing wrong. For he would otherwife himfelf
become privy and consenting to the Falfification, which he
now laid to his Charge. But he averred, that there was
nothing in it, to his Knowledge, wrong entered or amifs ;
but the whole was truly and faithfully fet down, by the Se-
cretary and himfelf, according to the Meaning of the Court,
as they conceived ; which he would, by the Perfons, that
were prefent at it, fufficiently prove. And as to bringing
the Company three thoufand Pounds in Debt, there was,
and could be, no Manner of Colour or Pretence for any
fuch thing. He therefore folemnly protefted his Innocen-
cy ; and as, if he fhould be found guilty of this grievous
Charge, he would deferve the greateft of Punifhments, fo
he humbly infifted, for his own Juftification, that the Mat-
ter might be ftriilly looked into and examined.
The Earl of Southarnpton alfo told Mr. IVrote^ that he
feemed to take himfelf to be fo great a Man, that they
were all, as Pigmies, in his Sight ; but as he did not know
him to be any Prince of the Blood, fo he defired, he
would carry himfelf with more Calmnefs and Decency.
And as to his afFrontive Behaviour to Lord Cavendifl)^ the
Earl faid ; that altho' they were all there equal, as Coun-
fellors of the Virginia Company, yet there was a very
great Difference between the Perfons of divers of them ;
and particularly between him and the Lord Cavendi/}:>^ to
whom he owed a more refpe6lful Language and Behaviour.
And fome time after, prefling him upon his Rafhnefs and In-
difcretion, and on his Failure in his Duty, as a Virginia Coun-
fellor, Mr. Wrote went out abruptly and departed j faying,
36 S that
248 T-6^ History ^/ VIRGINIA. Book V.
162a. that he came not thither, to hear ill Words. Whereupon
' V 'the Earl appealed to the Judgment of the Council, then
Sir ^'^'''""" prefent, what juft Occafion of Offence had been given to
vernor °' ^^'- JJ^^ote^ that he fliould go off in that rude and unre-
fpe6tful Manner. They therefore ordered and agreed, that
a Collection fhould be made of thofe Matters, which
fhould be objeiled againft Mr. Wrote at the next Quarter
Court, to which he had appealed. And in the mean while,
in Regard to the great Contempt, he had that Day fhew-
ed, they fufpended him from the Council, till he fhould
clear himfelf of the Matters laid to his Charge, and fhould
come to a better Temper and Deportment.
Before the next Meeting of the Company, Sir John
Brooke^ accompanied with Mr. John Farrar^ went to the
Lord Cavendijh^ and told him ; that he found Mr. Wrote
forry, for what he had done ; and had the Earl of Sou-
thampton been in Town, he would have gone to his Lord-
fhip, and given him Satisfadfion. He therefore defired
Lord Cavendijh^ on Mr. Wrote'% Behalf, that the Court,
which was the next Day to fit, might be put off. For if
the Proceedings of the former Court, of the 4th of De-
cember^ fhould be openly read, Mr. Wrote would be put
upon his Defence and Juftification 5 which would tend to
widen the Breach, and to render the thing irreconcileable,
which there were now Hopes of having compromifed and
fettled upon amicable Terms. And the Lord Cavendtjh^
out of this Hope, and in Compliance with Sir John Brooke^s
Requeft, did accordingly caufe the Court to be put off and
deferred. But Mr. Wrote was fo far from anfwering Sir
1623. John Brooked Expe6lation, that at the next Meeting of the
Company, which was not before the 29th of January^ he
made this very thing a SubjeCl of Complaint ; as if that
long Intermiflion of Courts had been purpofely contrived
to his Prejudice. But being fully anfwered and filenced
on this Head, by the joint Teftimony of Lord Cavendijh
and Sir John Brooke^ he infifted, that the Salary Men, as
being interefted Perfons, and the Deputy, whom he moft
unjuftly called his Accufer (for both he and his Brother
were ftill faft Friends to Mr. Wrote^ and endeavoured to
palliate and make up the Affair) fhould not be prefent,
when his Bufinefs was difcuffed. He alfo excepted, in the
grofs, againfl the Entry of that Court ; faying, he fpoke
not thofe Words, neither in Manner nor Form, as they
were there fet down. Whereupon a long Debate enfued ;
Whether it was agreeable to the Cuflom of Courts, and
would not be productive of great Inconveniency and Dif-
order, and raife much Queflion and infinite Trouble to
the
Wyat, Go-
Book V. TZ^^ History ^/ VIRGINIA. 249
the Company by the Precedent and Example, if they 1623.
fliould fuffer that, which had been entered by fvvorn Offi-''- — v '
cers, to be recommitted, and called afrefh in queftion, ^^^ Fraiich
whenever it (hould pleafe any Man, to make Exceptions .
againft it. But for Mr. lVrote\ Satisfaction, and to take
away all Pretence of Cavil and Complaint, an extraordinary
Court was appointed, to examine by Parts, and to re6lify
the faid Court of the 4th of December \ to which they
only, who were that Day prefent, were warned or ad-
mitted, as being the only proper Witneffes and competent
Judges of the Matter.
At that Court, Mr. IVrote ftill behaved, in the fame
unaccountable and diftempered Manner. He faid, he fuf-
fered for the Service of his Majeftv, and for doing his Du-
ty. He repeated his Appeal to the Quarter Court ; and
thanked the Gentlemen, then prefent, for prejudging him
to that Court. He alfo declared, if the Quarter Court
righted him not, he would appeal to the King, the Foun-
tain of Juftice and Mercy ; often repeating the fame
Words, with great Paflion and Vehemence. Mr. John
Farrar having faid, that fomething was untrue, he ran to
him, and whifpered in his Ear, that he durft not have faid
Untrue to him in another Place. For which rude Swag-
gering, he was juftly and fliarply reproved, by the Earl of
Southampton. He alledged, that Mr. IVithers^ an eminent
Lawyer of the Company, had fomewhere faid, that the
Earl of Southampton^ as a Privy Counfellor, might commit
him ; and protefted, that under that Fear, he durft not
fpeak freely. He likewife, in a very rude and afFrontive
Manner, charged the Earl of Southampton with faying ;
that he blundered out his Indifcretion ; and for giving him
the Lye in the third Perfon, his Lordfhip having faid ; That
whoever fliould fay, that Men were in any thing overawed,
and durft not fpeak their Minds, it was put into his Mouth
by the Father of Lies ; for a fouler Lye himfelf never
told. The Earl owned, that he had fpoke thofe Words 5
and he faid, he would juftify and maintain them ; and if Mr.
Wrote applied them to himfelf, he could not help it. But as
to committing him, he defired him to be under no fuch Fear.
For whatever Honours and Refpeits were due to him, he
laid them all afide, when he came to that Place, and only
appeared there, as their Treafurer. But he declared, that
had Mr. Wrote behaved himfelf towards him fo, in any
other Place but that, he would not have endured it fo pa-
tiently ; and he therefore willed him, to be more mannerly
and difcreet. As to the Court of the 4th of December.,
which they then met to examine and re6tify, it was found
82 to
The History ^/VIRGINIA. Book V.
to be rightly entered, in the main Points and moft material
Paffages ; and it was accordingly, after a few flight Addi-
Sir F/-a'"^/i j-JQj^g 3j^j Alterations, fo voted and determined, by an al-
veiTwr °'iTioft unanimous Voice, one Perfon only diflenting. And
to put the Matter ftill further out of Difpute, the Earl of
Southampton fummoned another Court, confifling of the
fame Perfons, to meet three Days after, and to fee, that
the faid Court was rightly entered, according to thofe Re-
formations and Amendments.
Soon after, Mr. Wrote prefented a Projedl, for the
better and more thrifty Management of the Contrail ;
wherein he propofed, to have the whole Bufmefs performed
for twelve hundred Pounds a Year, and thereby to fave
thirteen hundred Pounds annually to his Majefty and the
Companies. And to give the thing the fairer Courfe and
Hearing, the Earl of Southampton fummoned another Court
extraordinary, to meet and examine his Propofal. They
went through the Whole, Article by Article ; and after a
full Deliberation and Debate, which lafted a whole Day,
till late at Night, each Point was difapproved and reje6led,
generally unanimoufly, and never with above three or four
diffentient from the reft of the Company.
The 5th of February being the Quarter Court Day, to
which Mr. Wrote had appealed, and his Affair having made
a great Noife, and been the Subje6l of much Scandal and
Defamation to the Company, there was a very numerous
and fplendid Meeting, confifting of fix Lords, thirty Knights,
Dr. Donne^ Dean of St. Paul's^ and a vafl: Concourfe of
others, Dodors, Efquires, Gentlemen, Merchants, and
Citizens. And the Lord Cavendi/h alfo, to the fame Time
and Place, fummoned a Court of the Somer-IJlands Com-
pany, as they were equally concerned and engaged in the
Bufinefs of the Contra6l. But Mr. Wrote^ having appear-
ed in Court, foon withdrew ; declaring to Sir Samuel San-
dys [vfho met, and afked him, whither he was going) that
he was ill at Eafe, and could not ftay. However Mr.
Brooke^ and other Gentlemen, learned in the Law, deliver-
ed their Opinions clearly ; that notwitftanding his Depar-
ture, and his pretended Appeal to his Majefty, as there was
no Evidence, that he had really made fuch Appeal, or that
his Majefty had accepted it, they were no way debarred
from proceeding againft him, in a due and legal Manner.
Whereupon Sir Edwin Sandys obferved, that Mr. Wrote
was not accufed, or profecuted, to that Court, but was
himfelf the Profecutor and Accufer. If therefore his Ac-
cufation was well and juftly grounded, why did he forfake
it then, when that Day and that Court were come, to
which
Wyat, Go-
vernor.
Book V. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 251
which he himfelf had appealed ; and when the Perfons, by ^623.
him accufed, flood there, in the Face of the Court, ready ^- — r '
to fubmit themfelves to the Trial, by him called for and^^""^ Francn
demanded ? But, he faid. Truth and Innocency are bold
and fettled, whereas Calumny and Falfhood are fugitive,
fearful. Wherefore, as it was apparent, that the King's
Ears had been poffefled, and all Parts of the Town and
Country filled, with caufelcfs Clamours, by Mr. Wrote and
his Friends ; and whereas his Wrongs to the Council, Com-
mittee, and whole Company, were fo great, fo groundlefs,
and fo pernicious, he concluded, that unlefs fome Courfe
was taken, to punifh and reprefs him, he could not fee,
but that the whole Government of the Company, muft
utterly diflolve, and fall into the mofl: extreme Confufion
and Contempt.
Hereupon, at Sir fohn Davers\ Motion, it was firft
unanimoufly voted and agreed, that all Mr. IVrote's Ex-
ceptions, Charges, and Imputations, at the late Courts,
were utterly falfe and flanderous. And then proceeding to
his Sentence, after a long Debate, in which fome propofed
fevere, and others more gentle Methods, it was at laft con-
cluded and refolved ; that he fliould be difplaced, and for
ever excluded from being of his Majefty's Council for Vir-
ginia ; and that he fhould not be entirely difenfranchifed
from the Company, but fhould only be fufpended and ex-
cluded from their Courts, for one whole Year abfolutely,
in which his SubmifRon fhould not be accepted, altho' he
fhould offer it. But if, at the Expiration of that Year,
he fhould make his SubmifTion to the next Qiiarter Court,
that then it fhould be left to the Pleafure of that Court,
whether they would re-admit him or not. But without a
full Submiflion, and due Acknowledgment of his Fault, it
was ordered, that he fliould never be received at all. And
it was further refolved, upon Sir yohn Davers's Motion,
that, if Mr. JVrote flill perfifled in his wilful Courfes and
unjufb Afperfions, or fhould any way wrong or moleft the
Company, then, for his Convi6tion and Difgrace, and for
the Company's Juflification, his Sentence, together with
an authentic Copy of his whole Proceedings, fhould be put
into Print.
It was the Company's great Unhappinefs, that whatever
Contefts or Diflenfions happened among them, the thing
was always carried to his Majefly in the worfl Light ; who
was but too ready and willing, to receive ImprefTions to
their Prejudice. And fo it happened in this Cafe of Mr.
Wrote. For Sir Henry Mildmay^ profefTing himfelf, to be
neither of the Fadion, nor the Fadious, and that he came
S 3 not
the History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
not to ftir up Storms, but to allay them, informed the
Company, that upon fome late Difcourfe with the King,
Sir Francis Y{^^ Majcfty took Notice of thefe Differences, which were
veirnor. °" a great Hindrance to the main Bufniefs, and to things of
efpecial Confequence to the Colony ; to which he alfo at-
tributed the great Difcouragement of divers Adventurers,
and their Willingnefs to give up their Shares. And his
Majefty farther fignified his Will, that the Liberty of the
Company, in every kind, fhould be preferved and kept
entire ; and particularly, that no Man fhould be abridged
of the Liberty to fpeak his Mind freely, fo he did it with
due Refpeft and Decorum. But this, he faid, he fpoke,
not as from the King, but as his private Advice and Admo-
nition. And afterwards at this Quarter Court, when Mr.
Wrote\ Bufinefs came on, he informed the Company, that
what he had before intimated to them, as from himfelf, he
had now Warrant from his Majefty to tell them ; who, by
Way of Advice and Council, but no way to command
them, wifhed, that they would leave verbal Differences,
and go on with the Bufinefs of the Plantation.
Upon Occafion of this Information of Sir Henry Mild-
may^ Sir Edwin Sandys obferved, that of all Mr. Wrote's
Calumnies and Accufations, none was more unjuft, nor
more apparently falfe and groundlefs, than that, wherein
he charged the Earl of Southampton (though not by Name,
yet by neceffary Inference) of overawing the Company,
and depriving them of the Liberty of Speech. And the
Earl told Sir Henry M'lldmay^ if it was his Majefty's Plea-
fure, that they fhould not meddle with any evil Words,
or feditious Behaviour, they would all obey and defift from
the prefent Bufinefs. But Sir Henry declaring, that he had
no fuch Command, but only Warrant, to fpeak by Way
of Advice, what he had now delivered, the Court pro-
ceeded to the Cenfure of Mr. Wrote. And the Earl of
Southampton farther faid, that this thing feemed very ftrange
and unaccountable to him, but he muft attribute it wholly
to Mifinformation ; and he wondered, that any Man fhould
be found, fo fhamelefs and void of all Truth and Confci-
ence, as thus to abufe the Ears, and mifinform the Mind
of a King. Whereupon he appealed to the Court, to bear
Witnefs in that Point ; and they all, with an univerfal
Confent and unanimous Voice, declared, that it was a falfe
and unjuft Imputation ; and that they were not overawed,
but enjoyed fuch Freedom and Liberty of Speech, as was
in no other Company permitted. And this Declaration they
often afterwards repeated, with the fame Unanimity ; the
opponent Fa6lion themfelves, altho' they infinuated and
kept
vernor.
Book. V. i:he History 0/ VIRGINIA. 253
kept up the Lye at a Diftance, not being fo abandoned to 1623.
all Senle of Shame, as to fay any fuch thing, in the Face'^- v '
of the Court, where there were fo many Witneffes to dif-^";.^'"'";'^"
prove and confound them. Divers of the Company alfo far-„^;„„^
ther faid, that if Men fhould ufe half the Liberty of Speech
in fome Companies of the City, or demean themfelves with
fo much Rudenefs and Diforder, as feveral Members did
in that Court, it would not be fufFered or endured, but they
would be either punifhed in the Purfe, or fent to the Coun-
ters. And in Truth, the grand Fault of the Earl of Sou-
thampton and this Court was, not a tyrannical Government,
or imperious Reftraint of the Freedom of Speech and De-
bate, but rather, out of a Principle of Candor and Fairnefs,
the giving too much Way to Impertinence and Licentiouf-
nefs of Tongue ; which had it been properly reftrained,
and duly punifhed, it would, in all Probability, have pre-
ferved the Being and Privileges of the Company, and pre-
vented that Difl'olution, which followed.
From the very Beginning of this Commotion, Sir Ed-
wiJi Sandys defired Mr. Wrote^ not to be difturbed at his
Office and Salary. For as he had accepted them with much
Relu6lancy, and in fole Obedience to the Company's Re-
queft, as they all knew and could teftify, fo he would refign
both the one and the other, with a much better Will, than
he had ever received them. And he accordingly often made
and declared his Refignation, and very ferioufly protefl:ed,
that he would never again accept the Place ; and that, in
Refentment of the late Courfes taken to defame the Officers
and Salaries, he would not, for any Reward whatfoever,
any longer put up with, and endure fuch Affronts and A-
bufes. He therefore defired the Company, to make Choice
of fome other to the Place of Diredlor, that the Bufmefs,
for the Want of that Officer, might not fland flill, or re-
ceive any Prejudice.
But as Mr. Wrote had thus moved a frefh the Affair of
the Officers and Salaries, Sir Henry Mildmay confefTed, that,
akho' he was not dire6lly of Mr. Wrote'':, Opinion, and the
Salaries had formerly palled with his Vote, yet upon fecond
Thoughts, he had fince changed that Opinion, and now
conceived, that fuch large Salaries was the ready Way to
ruin and overthrow the whole Bufinefs ; which, in his Judg-
ment, might have been better hufbanded. And he particu-
larly infiffed, that as the Salaries were to be raifed upon the
Tobacco, it would be a great Burthen and Oppreffion on
the poor Planter ; which had alfo been a popular and con-
ftant Theme of Declamation with Mr. Wrote. In this O-
pinion, Sir Henry Mildmav was feconded by Sir Thomas
'S 4 Wroth^
The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
Wroth^ Mr. Edivard fohnfon^ and fome others. This
Point therefore of the Officers and Salaries was again called
^'■^"'^'i wholly into Queftion and reconfidered, at a Court, held for
vemor °" that Purpofe, on the I2th of February. At that time, the
Oppofers of the Salaries defired, for various Reafons and
Allegations, that the Confideration might be referred to a
farther Day. But Mr. Deputy faid, it feemed wonderful
to him, that Men, who had raifed fuch Storms and Cla-
mours about the Salaries, not only to the Difparagement of
the Company's Proceedings, but alfo much to the Hindrance
of the Plantation, and to the Difgrace and Defamation of
fome very worthy Perfons, for accepting thofe Places, fhould
now, after all this Scandal raifed, and Mifchief done, be yet
unprepared with plain and evident Reafons, to overthrow
them. And he faid, he marvelled the more at this, as he
then faw, before his Eyes, fome Perfons, who declared, at
the Council of the nth of December^ when the Confidera-
tion of the Salaries was referred to that prefent Day, that
they would, againft this Time, arm and fortify themfelves,
to cut the Throat of the Salaries. Wherefore he earneftly
befought them, not to interpofe any farther Delays, but
now at length produce thofe Reafons, for which they had
fo much traduced and defamed both the Salaries and the Of-
ficers. For they had certainly had fufficient Time, to con-
fider and ripen the Matter •, and nothing would be Reafon
in any future Day, which was not then fo. Hereupon
there arofe a very long Debate ; till the Company, being
little fatisfied with the Reafons given, and much wearied
with the many Diverfions, made from the main Queftion,
efpecially by Alderman johnfon., called upon the Earl of
Southampton to put it to the Vote •, and it was again voted
and agreed, with an unanimous Voice (the Gentlemen in
the Oppofition either retiring, or elfe finding, how inconfi-
derable their Number was, giving no Vote at all) that the
Officers and Salaries fhould ftand, as they had been former-
ly ordered and appointed.
This was indeed a very great Concurrence and Unani-
mity of the Company, in the only Affair, for which the
opponent Fa6f:ion ever feemed to have had the leafl Colour
or Shadow of Reafon. But altho' the Sum of five and twen-
ty hundred Pounds a Year, for the Management of this Bu-
finefs, may, at a flight View, be thought very great and
extraordinary, yet if it be confidered, that thofe Officers (as
it was then calculated and agreed) would have an hundred
thoufand Pounds per Annum., running through their Hands,
it will not be found fo exorbitant and exceffive. For it only
amounts to two and a half per Cent, whereof five hundred
Pounds
Book V. r/je History of VIRGINIA. 255
Pounds a Year, or the hz\{ per Cent, was not to be expended, 1623.
except it could be evidently applied for raifing the Price of"^ v ^
Tobacco. And the two great Salaries, arifing to nine hun- ^ ^^^'■^"'■"
dred Pounds a Year, againft which their Exceptions chiefly vernor.
lay, did not amount quite to one per Cent, whereas the
whole Strefs and Burthen of the Bufinefs would lie 'upon
thofe two Officers, and its Succefs entirely depend- upon their
Induftry, Care, and Dexterity, in the Management of it.
A T this Court, the Lord Cavendi/J? alfo moved, that fince
Sir Edivin Sandys would, by no means, hold the Place of
Director any longer, they would propofe fome other Perfon
for that Office. Whereupon fome named Sir Nathaniel
Rich ; but he excufed himfelf, as uncapable of difcharging
fuch an Office, and would not therefore undertake it, for
ten thoufand Pounds a Year. But he declared, if he thought
himfelf fit for the Bufinefs, he would willingly do it for no-
thing. Then Sir Thomas Wroth., and Mr. Edward "Johnfon.,
an eminent Lawyer, and very worthy Member of the So-
ciety, were propofed ; but they both refufed, as no way
fkilled in fuch Bufinefs, or able to execute the Place. Af-
terwards it was put to the Qiieftion ; Whether the Compa-
ny would accept of Sir Edwin Sandys'^ Refignation, and it
was, by a general Ereftion of Hands, denied. He was
therefore very preffingly entreated, not to leave the Place,
upon any Difcouragement whatfoever ; the Company pro-
feffing, that, without his Affiftance, they much doubted of
the good Management and Succefs of fo difficult a Bufinefs.
Even fome of the moft violent in the Oppofition did, at
other times, exprefs great Satisfaftion in the Choice of Sir
Edivin Sandys ; and declared, that he, or no Body, was
able to go through with fo thorny and troublefome an Em-
ployment : Whilft others feemed difinclined and backward,
to be any way engaged in it, except it was under his Ma-
nagement and Dire6fion, And thus the Office of Dire6lor
was, a fecond Time forced upon Sir Edivin Sandys., with a
very general and honourable Teftimony of the Company ;
and he accordingly, with the Committee, entered into Con-
fultation, about a proper Courfe and Regulation of the Bu-
finefs ; which, being brought before the Company, was
generally approved and confirmed.
But the Centlemen in the Oppofition, finding all At-
tempts with the Company vain, took another and more
effedfual Way to deflroy the Contradf. For, twelve Days
after the Thing had been thus examined a frefh, and again
fettled and determined, the Earl of Southampton and Lord
Cavendijh., the Treafurer and Governor of the two Com-
panies, with the two Farrars., the Deputies, Sir yohn Da-
vers.
256 The History e/" VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. vers^ Sir Edwin Sandys^ and fome others, were called be-
' r ■ fore the Lord Treafurer ; where appeared, on the other
Sir Francis p^j-j.^ ^j^g g^j-j ^f J^f^arwick^ Sir Nathaniel Rich^ Alderman
Zrnor.^°' 7°^"fi"^ Mr. /Fr^/^, Mr. Bing, and others of that Faaion,
who were feconded and affifted by Sir John Wolflenhohne and
the Cuftomers. There palled much Difpute and Contradic-
tion between the two Parties, which the Lord Treafurer heard
with great Patience, and without the leaft Interruption to
either Side. And it was here confidently averred, efpecially
by Mr. Wrote and Mr. Bing^ that the Companies, in car-
rying the Contract, had been overawed by the Earl of Sou-
thampton ; and threatened, unlefs the Contra6l proceeded,
the Colonies would be taken from them. At length, one
of the Cuftomers propofed to the Lord Treafurer, that fince
the Contra6t had been the SubjecSl of fo much Contention
and Difcord, it might be immediately diflblved ; and that
the Companies fliould be obliged, to bring all their Tobacco
into England^ and pay the old twelve Pence a Pound, Cuf-
tom and Impoft ; which, he faid, would be more fatisfac-
tory to the Planters, and more beneficial to the King. And
he then proceeded to calculate and fhew, that a Revenue, of
twenty thoufand Pounds a Year upon Tobacco, would be
thence raifed for his Majefty ; which was the utmoft, that
had been aimed at or expecSled. The Lord Treafurer alfo
reminded the Companies of the great Grace and Favour, his
Majefty had fhewed them, by granting them Lotteries, and
other Means, for the Advancement of the Colonies. And
this, by the bye, was always infifted on, as a vaft and infi-
nite Obligation, which the Companies could never return ;.
and it was therefore for ever urged as an Argument, for
their granting his Majefty, whatever he demanded. And
his Lordfhip concluded, that it was a very unfit and un-
grateful thing, whether there was a Contrail, or no Con-
trait, not to bring all their Tobacco into England^ to pay
Duty, that his Majefty's Revenue might be thereby ad-
vanced.
These Expreflions of the Lord Treafurer were received
with great Applaufe and Approbation, by the JVarwickian
Faction ; who declared, that it had ever been their Defire,
that all the Tobacco fhould be brought into England. And
Mr. Wrote farther faid, that the Colony in Virginia had fent
a Petition, to be exhibited to his Majefty, to that Purpofe ;
which was however never prefented to the King, but had
been concealed and fupprefled by the Deputy. By this he
meant the Petition, already recited (/>. 200) which was fent,
when no Tobacco from Virginia was imported into England \
but coming after the Prohibition was taken ofF, it was there-
fore
BookV, "The History of VIRGINIA.
fore never prefented. The Earl of Southampton therefore
repUed, that the Colony meant nothing lefs by that Peti
tion, than what he now pretended. For the Scope of it was, ^ I^^qI',
to obtain Liberty to bring Tobacco into England^ at a time, ^grnor.
when they were utterly debarred from importing any. At
laft they were difmilTed ; and the Lord High Treafurcr told
them, they might ftill proceed with the Bufinefs of the Con-
tradl, notwithrtanding thefe Diffenfions and Oppositions.
But foon after, they were again fummcned, to meet
before the Lords of the Privy Council, on the 4th of March ;
Sir Edwin Sandys (the Earl of Southampton being then out
of Town) and the two Farrars^ with fuch, as they fhould
bring with them, for the Virginia Company, and for the
other Side, Sir Thomas Smith and Alderman Johnfon^ with
fuch Advocates and AlTiftants, as they fhould chufe ; for the
Somer-Ijlands Company, the Lord Cavendijh^ and fuch, as
he would bring with him, and of the oppofite Party, the
Earl of Warivick^ or Sir Nathaniel Rich^ with fuch others,
as they thought proper. On that Day, they appeared ac-
cordingly, being attended by the Lord St. "john^ Lord Pa-
get., Sir Ediuard Sackvil., Sir "John Brooke., Sir John Davers.,
Sir Robert Killigreiu., and divers other eminent Members of
the Company ; and they were told by the Lord High Trea-
furer, that this Meeting had been appointed to examine fun-
dry Complaints, that had been exhibited againft the Con-
trail, by fome particular Members of their Companies.
Whereupon the Lord CavendiJJ) made Proteftation, that, as
the Contrail had often been, moft fairly and regularly, vo-
ted and concluded, in feveral Quarter Courts, neither him-
felf, nor the reft of the Company, which then attended,
came to give any Satisfaftion t-o thofe Members, which
now oppofed it. For they were not only, as the lefTer Part,
involved in the general Agreement of the Majority, but
had, moft of them, aftually given their Votes and Confent
to the Contrail ; and it would be to the Prejudice and De-
ftruilion of all good Government, to be perpetually tam-
pering and treating with them about it. But he faid, if
their Lordfliips, upon any fmifter Surmifes or Informations,
had conceived any Doubts about the Matter, himfelf, and
the reft, were both ready and willing, to give their Lord-
iliips an Account of their whole Proceedings, and fuch an
Account, as they trufted and were affured, would, in every
Particular, give all reafonable Satisfailion.
Hereupon, the Lords of the Council requiring fome
of the Complainants to make known their Grievances, Mr.
Bing ftepped forth, and made a long and very bitter Invec-
tive againft the Contrail, and the Manner of pafling it. In
this,
258 T^v History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623- this, he ufed great Sharpnefs and Freedom of Speech againft
^- — » ' the Earl of Southampton ; and endeavoured, by ridiculous
Sir Franch 2inA mimick Geftures, to mock, and turn him into Con-
Wyat, Go- j-£^-,p{_ g^jj ]\^j._ j^ifig ^as not now in the Virginia Court ;
where he and his Pai'ty had long indulged themfelves, in a
moft immoderate Licentioufnefs of Speech, and Indecency
of Behaviour. And therefore, altho' the Earl of Southamp-
ton was no ways gracious at Court, nor confequently to the
Lords of the Privy Council, his Majefty's immediate Crea-
tures, yet they fliarply checked and rebuked him. But the
Lord Cavendijh appealed to their Lordfliips for Juftice a-
gainft him, for having fo wronged and abufed the Earl of
Southainpton^ a Peer of the Realm, and a Member of that i
Board, as well now in their Lordfliips Prefence, as at other
Times and Places, as he was ready, abundantly to prove.
Wherefore Mr. Bing was afterwards committed to the Mar-
fhelfea, by an Order of the Privy Council ; from whence
he was not to be releafed, until he had made due Submiffion
to the Earl of Southainpton^ and given him all fitting Satif-
fa6tion.
But as to the main Subject of Complaint in Mr. Bing's,
Speech, the Lord Treafurer propofed to the Companies Three
Points, to be confidered : Firft, whether the Companies
had been overawed ? Secondly, whether the Contrail was
for the Good of the Colonies ? And Laftly, if it was not for
the Good of the Colonies, how it might be made fo ? The
debating and clearing up thefe Points took the whole Day,
both Forenoon and Afternoon. At length, after a long
Hearing and Deliberation, the Lord Cavendijh^ Sir Edwin
Sandys^ and Mr. Nicholas Farrar^ Deputy of the Virginia
Company, were called in, and told by the Lord Prefident
of the Council ; that they had given a good Account, both
of the Reafons, which induced them to conclude the Con-
trad, and of their fair and upright Proceeding in pafling it.
And he promifed, that a Report fhould be made to his Ma-
jefty, by that Board, accordingly ; and he doubted not,
but that the Contrail would be confirmed to them, or elfe
fome other Bargain granted, as much to their Content and
Advantage. The Lord Treafurer likewife gave them a mofl
honourable Teflimony, of their upright Proceedings, and
wife Adminiftration of the Afi^airs of the Colonies, for the
four laft Years ; in which, he faid, they had thriven won-
derfully, and profpered beyond Belief. And his Lordftiip
further added, that in the former Years, when Alderman
John/on was Deputy, and the Bufinefs was in other Hands,
it was carried fouly and diforderly ; fo that, if the Perfons,
then in the Government of the Companies, fhould be called
to
Book V. r/v History of VIRGINIA. 25(
to an Account for their Proceedings, he queftioned, whe- 1623.
ther their Eftates would anlwer it. ' -r^^
And thus did this Affair go off, in all Appearance, great- ^"^ ^'""'
ly to the Honour of the Companies, and to the utter Dif- y^.-^'^,!
grace and Confufion of the oppofite Faction. But whilft
the Companies were engaged in debating the Matter before
the Council, the Earl of Warivick and Mr. IVrote were with
the King ; and what Effeil their Calumnies and Infinua-
tions might have on the Mind of that weak Prince, may be
eafily judged by the Event. For the Virginia Company,
being incouraged by the Third Point, propofed by the Lord
Treafurer, to be confidered, vi%. If the Contrail was not
for the Good of the Colonies, how it might be made fo ?
reconfidered the Whole, in each Article and Particular, and
propofed fuch Alleviations in the hardeft Parts, as they con-
ceived reafonable, or thought there were any Hopes of ob-
taining. And to this End, the Gentlemen in the Oppofition
were exprefly invited and defired, to join with them ; that,
laying ailde all Study of Party and Contradiction, thev might
unanimoufly, and with the Calmnefs of Reafon, examine
and find out, what was moft necefl'ary and beneficial for the
Colonies. But the Principal of thofe Gentlemen not vouch-
fafing their Prefence, they proceeded, and drew up a long
and particular Reprefentation of the whole Matter to the
Lords of the Privy Council ; that they might aflift their
Suit, and be Interceflbrs to his Majefty for them. But
whilft thefe things were in Agitation, the whole Contrail
was fuddenly declared by his Majefty, to be void and of none
Efi^eil. But I cannot difcover the exail Day, when this
was done ; nor what were the Reafons or Pretences for it.
And this was the End of the Company's Contrail with
his Majefty, for the fole Importation of Tobacco ; an Af-
fair, which raifed vaft Heats and Animofities, and gave a
Handle, efpecially on Account of the two great Salaries,
to much Clamour and Reproach. And by this Means, the
Warwickian Failion v/ere ftrengthened by the Acceffion of
Mr. JVrote^ Mr. Gibhs^ Mr. Bing^ and other Perfons of Confi-
deration and Figure ; and it was now encreafed to twenty fix
in the whole, whereas it had before been even lefs nume-
rous and potent. As to the Contrail itfelf, it was acknow-
ledged, by thofe, who were moft vigorous in upholding it,
not to be abfolutely and in itfelf advantageous, but only
comparatively good, with Refpeil to their former State of
Slavery and Oppreflion under the Cuftomers and Farmers
of his Majefty's Revenues, and as it would ftiield them from
their farther illegal and arbitrary Impofitions. And the
Breach of it was, at this time, the more apprehended, as it
was
26o T:be History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623- was likely, that a fole Importation would be granted to
"— ^ ' fome other Perfons, who made OfFer of fo exceeding and
Sir Franch j^j.gg ^ Revenue to his Majefty, as could not pofTibly be
re?ncr. ^°' I'^'^eti, t»ut with the extreme OpprefTion of the Colonies,
and greatly to the Prejudice, if not to the utter Deftru£lion,
of their growing Trade and Staple of Tobacco.
But "the Fadion, that oppofed the Companies, did not
only, by the Diflolution of the Contra6l, endanger the
Trade, and render it again fubjecB: to the Rapacioufnefs and
Extortions of the Farmers and Cuftomers, but their Con-
tentioufnefs and Malice had another unhappy Confequ^nce.
It hath been already related, that, in O^ober 1621, the
Lords of the Privy Council commanded all the Tobacco
and other Commodities, to be brought from Virginia into
England ; but upon Reafons given, and a Reprefentation
made by the Company, the Matter refted, and had been no
farther infifted on. But now, chiefly at the Inftigation, and
by the Offers and Motions of the opponent Fadion, their
Lordfliips renewed that Order, in very ftrong and peremp-
tory Terms. For, on the 4th of March^ when the Com-
panies were before the Council, the Lord Cavendiflo^ Sir
Edwin Sandys^ and Mr. Deputy Farrar^ of the Virginia
Company, were very fharply reprimanded and threatened,
becaufe fome Ships had lately gone from the Colonies to
Holland; and they were ordered, to fignify and declare to
their Companies, that it was the Pleafure and exprefs Com-
mand of that Board, that all the Tobacco and other Com-
modities of the Plantations, fhould be brought dire6tly to
England.
When this Affair came before the Company, Sir Ed-
win Sandys faid, that he fhould always be the Son of Obe-
dience, and yield a ready Submiflion to the Commands of
the higher Powers ; as he well knew, it was the Intent and
Inclination of the Company to do. Yet, in Cafes of evi-
dent Impoflibility or publick Detriment, he thought it the
Part of well-ordered Duty, to make a juft and true Reprefen-
tation of the iMatter, and modeftly propofe their Reafons
againft it. He therefore obferved, that the Commodities
of Virginia had three feveral Sorts of Owners : Firft, the
Company ; fecondly, particular Hundreds and Plantations,
belonging to private Adventurers in England., as Southamp-
ton Hundred, Martin's Hundred, and the like ; and thirdly,
Planters inhabiting and refiding in Virginia., whofe Part he
conceived to be far the largeft and moft confiderable. As
to the firft, the Company's Commodities, they certainly had
them in their own Power, and could always import them
into England. But over the two latter Sorts, he conceived
the
Book V. 1:1:6 History of VIRGINIA. 261
the Company to have no Power, by Law, to command or 1623.
controle them. For the Inhabitants of Virginia were, by^""^ v '
his Majeftv's original Charters and Grants, declared to be^ ■^'''^""^
as free, as the reft of his Majefty's Subjects, which inha- ^^^^^'^^
bited the Realm of England^ or any other of his Domini-
ons. And befides, the particular Societies, and divers of the
private Brothers in England^ and of the Inhabitants in Vir-
ginia, had Ships of their own ; and it was not in the Power
of the Company, to prevent or reftrain them, from carry-
ing their Goods to the beft and moft promifing Markets.
H E farther obferved, that Virginia had, or would pro-
bably foon have, many Commodities, as Salt, Fifh, Pipe-
ftaves, Caviary, and the like, which in other Countries
might be vendible at an indifferent Price, but not in En-
gland. Confidering therefore, that within a few Years,
when the Term granted in their Letters-patent was expir-
ed, the King was to have Cuftom of all Merchandife in
Virginia itfelf, if thefe Goods fhould pay a fecond Cuftom
in England., and afterwards a third Cuftom in foreign Parts,
where they were vended, there could be no Doubt, but
that thefe three Cuftoms, together with the Freight of fuch
cheap and bulky Kinds of Merchandife, and the other con-
tingent Charges, would fo feed upon the Commodity, as to
leave little or nothing, for the Suftenance and Profit of the
Adventurer and Planter.
However, he faid, as the Virginians had been driven,
by the Rigor of former Contractors with the Crown, to feek
foreign Markets for their Commodities, fo he doubted not,
but by gentle Ufage and good Treatment, they would be
eafily induced to return back to England., their beft and moft
natural Market. But as for what had been alledged by a
very honourable Perfon, that the Spanijlj Colonies brought
all their Merchandifes into Spain., and to no other Place, he
faid, there was a very evident and important Difference be-
tween the Cafe of the Spanijh Colonies and the Englifi.
For the State of Spain fuffered no other Commodities of the
fame Kind, to be brought into that Kingdom, which was
an exceeding great Encouragement and Benefit to their J-
merican Plantations ; whereas in England., the Commodity,
which could be eafily and abundantly fupplied from our own
Colonies, was not only permitted, but even ftriftly enjoined,
and fternly commanded, to be imported from a foreign
Country. But if his Majefty would afford them the fame
Privilege and Favour, that the King of Spain did to his Co-
lonies, and would prohibit the Importation of all Commo-
dities from foreign Parts, that could be furnifhed by our
own Plantations, there would doubtlefs be all ready and
joyful
262 The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. joyful Obedience yielded to this Command, of bringing all
"^l — V ' their Commodities into England. But without fuch a Qua-
^^/^'■''"^'Mification and Privilege, he declared it to be his Opinion,
vernor. ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^ Propofition extremely oppreflive and hurtful
to the Colonies, and muft foon bring them to utter Ruin
and Defl:ru6tion.
This clear and pathetic Account of the Cafe was re-
ceived with the general Applaufe and Approbation of the
Company; and Mr. Rider added, that there ^feemed to
him to be another material Difference, between the Spa-
nijh and Englijl) Plantations. For the Spamflo Colonies
were founded by the Kings of Spain^ out of their own
Treafury and Revenues, and they maintained the Garrifons
there, together with a large Navy, for their Ufe and De-
fence ; whereas the Englijh Plantations had been at firft fet-
tled, and fince fupported, at the Charge of private Adven-
turers ; unlefs it might be excepted, that his Majefty, out
of his great Grace and Favour, had granted them fome
Lotteries and Colle6lions, the Produce of which had never-
thelefs been expended, merely for the publick Service. To
which it might have been juftly added, that thofe vaft Obli-
gations of Lotteries and Colle61:ions were very cheap to his
Majefty, he never having contributed one Farthing himfelf
in them, altho' he was a very great, and in a manner the
only Gainer yet, by thefe Settlements. At length, in or-
der to lofe no Time, Sir Edivin Sandys and Mr. Chrijhpher
Brooke were defired, to take both the Reafons, which had
been formerly prefented to their Lordfhips by the Compa-
ny, together with fuch new ones, as had been now al-
ledged, and to draw up a brief Anfwer to this Order of the
Privy Council. And whereas the Matter was already fo
well jjrepared and digefted to their Hands, it was thought,
they might eafily do it, during the fitting of the Court.
Whereupon they withdrew, and foon returned with an
Anfwer, containing much the fame in Purport with that,
prefented to their Lordfliips, about a Year and a Half before,
by Mr. John Farrar^ then Deputy-Treafurer of the Virgi-
nia Company. This Draught, being deliberately read in
the Court, was ratified and approved by the Company ;
and Lord Cavendijh^ Lord Paget^ and Sir Edward Sackvil
were entreated, to deliver it to the Lords of the Privy
Council, in the Company's Name.
But this Stifnefs and Refolution of the Company did,
by no means, turn their Lordfliips from their Purpofe.
For I find, by another Order of the Privy Council, dated
the 28th of April this Year, that they flill ftrenuoufly in-
fifted on, and flri^lly enjoined them, to import all their
Com-
Book V. The History of VIRGINIA. 263
Commodities into England. But as Ibme Alleviation and 1623.
Encouragement, the King, in the fame Order of Council,'" v '
declares; that, inftead of the twelve Pence, formerly an- ^'5. Z'''^";'''^
fwered to his Majefly, he would, for the future, be con- ^^^^j^^^^
tent with nine Pence a Pound on Tobacco (the Cuftomers
having abated three Pence a Pound Cuftom) and that all
Tobacco, then lately imported into Englatid^ fhould be
delivered to the Proprietors, on paying that nine Pence on-
ly. And for the Information of the People in Fu'ginia,
that they might know, how to comport themfelves herein,
this Order was tranfmitted hither, and is ftill extant among
the Records of our Council. At the fame time, the Lords
of the Privy Council wrote a Letter to the Governor and
Council here ; informing them, of his Majefty's gracious
Intentions, towards the Colony ; and commanding them,
not to be difcouraged by any loofe Advertifements, pro-
ceeding from Faction, Malice, or private Ends. But they
ftreightly charged and required them, in his Majefty's
Name, to live together, in that Concord, Unity, and joint
Care of the common Good of the Plantation, as became
the Undertakers of fuch an A6lion, the Subje6fs of fuch a
King, and the Profeffors of fuch a Religion. They told
them alfo, that thev were informed by fome, who had late-
ly been Eye-witnefles, that their Fortifications, Houfes of
Habitation, and Provifion of Visual, were not cared for
in fuch fort, as they ought to be ; which was highly dif-
pleafing to his Majefty. And therefore they required them,
to be more careful hereafter, as well for themfelves, as for
the publick Weal and Subfiftence of the Colony.
But the Contract being dillblved, and the Benefit of
fole Importation taken from the Company, the Wariuickian
FacSlion themfelves were foon alarmed, at the Apprehen-
fion of a general and unlimited Importation of Tobacco.
Wherefore Sir Nathaniel Rich propofed to the Company,
their entering into a new Treaty with his Majefty, for the
fole Importation, and for farming the forty thoufand Weight
of Spanijl) Tobacco ; which he gave them to underftand,
from fome Speech, he had latelv had with the Lord Trea-
furer, there were great Hopes of obtaining. But his Pro-
pofition was flighted and rejeded, as a Scheme, which had
lately been rendered abortive, by himfelf and his I"a6fion ;
and as it would be neceflarily produ6five of thofe Salaries
and Expences, which they had fo loudly exclaimed againft.
But foon after, the fame Gentleman informed the Com-
pany, that there was like to be a free Importation of all
Sorts of foreign Tobacco, without Stint or Limitation ;
and that there was a Proclamation fliortly to come forth,
S7 T to
264 'I'he History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. to that Purpofe. This was a thing before not fufpected or
" X 'imagined ; and it was unanimoufly judged, to be utterly
S^ Franffj jg^j.j^£^jyg of the Colonies. For as the meaneft Tobaccoes
vemor. °' might be bought in Spain^ for fix Pence a Pound, the Price
of the Plantation Tobacco, after the Difcharge of Freight,
Cuftoin, Impoft, and other Charges, would be reduced to
little or nothing. The Company .therefore unanimoufly
entered upon feveral Schemes and Meafures, to prevent fo
unfortunate an Event ; all which at laft ended, in a bare
Promife from the Lord Treafurer (and the Court Promifes
of that Time were not greatly to be depended upon ) that
forty thoufand Weight of Spanifl) Tobacco only, (hould be
imported into England.
Sir Thomas Smith' % Accounts remained ftill unfettled,
and Sir Edivard Sackvil was among the freeft in his Cen-
fures and Complaints of this Matter. About this time,
Sir Thomas Smith., cafually meeting him, complained and
expreffed much Concern, that he fhould publickly, and in
divers Places, fay, that Sir Thomas was indebted to the
Company. Sir Edward Sackvil was a young Nobleman of
a frank and generous Nature. He fpoke freely, whatever
he thought, and was not at all of a Turn to deny, what
he had once faid. He therefore confefled it to be true, and
gave his Reafons for it. Whereupon Sir Tho?nas Smith fo-
lemnly protefted his Clearnefs and Integrity, and as a Proof
of it, allced Sir Edivard Sackvil ; If he was fo much in the
Company's Debt, why they did not, efpecially in this their
Time of Want and Neceflity, fue and recover it ? For he
was undoubted folvent, and able to make them full Satif-
faftion. But, he faid, it was fo far from this, that he had
been now, for the Space of three Years, in vain impor-
tuning and folliciting an Audit of his Accounts, and had,
for that End, delivered in all his Books to the Company.
This was alfo confirmed by Sir Humphrey Handford., then
Sherif of London., and one Mr. Abdy., a rich Merchant ;
who told Sir Edward Sackvil further, that they had for-
merly, by the Company's Appointment, examined Sir
Thomas Smith's Accounts, and found the Ballance five hun-
dred and odd Pounds in his Favour, which they had ac-
cordingly witneffed under their Hands, and delivered in to
the Court. As to this Aflertion of thefe two Gentlemen,
I find, at a Court held May 12, 16 19, on the Motion of
Sir Thomas Smith., A4r. Maurice Abbot., Mr, Humphrey
Har.dford., and Air. Anthony Abdy were admitted to be
pre'ent at the auditing the Account, to fee, that Sir Tho-
mas Smith received no Wrong. But it was alfo ordered,
that three of the old Auditors, vi'z.. Sir Edwin Sandys., then
Trea-
Book V. "The History of VIRGINIA. 265
Treafurer, Sir John Davers^ and Mr. John Wroth fhould 1623.
be of the ^lorum^ and that nothing fhould be concluded, ^'"""V"^
without the Confent of two of them at the leaft. And ^ ■^''^"^'■'"
foon after, at a Qiiarter Court, Mr. Abhot and thofe two ^^^^j^^J.^
Gentlemen, together with Mr, Thomas Keightly for the
Company, were admitted extraordinarily into the Number
of legal Auditors. But that the Accounts had ever been
fully audited and pafled by them, is plainly falfe, by the
whole Courfe and Tenor of the Company's Records. And
if thefe Gentlemen, who were only Auditors ex parte^ on
Sir Thomas Smith's Behalf, did give in any Paper to the
Court, relating to the full Settlement and Ballance of thofe
Accounts, it could never furely, either in Law or Reafon,
be received as authentic and definitive. But Sir Edward
Sackvil being unacquainted with the Proceedings of thofe
Times, Sir Thomas Smith befought him, that his Accounts
might be paffed ; and that he might be no farther molefted
upon that Head, but permitted to go in Peace to his Grave,
being already far ftricken in Years, and fufficiently affli6i:ed
with the many Infirmities, incident to old Age. But he
declared, that none of thofe Pains and Affli6lions were
comparable to the Grief and Anguifli of Mind, which he
received from thefe injurious Attacks on his Good-name
and Reputation ; efpecially as they proceeded from Perfons,
from whom he had hoped, by his many Years Services, a
far diff^erent Ufage and Return,
Sir Edward Sackvil' ?, generous Nature was affefted
with this Difcourfe ; and he very earneftly and warmly
moved the Company, to appoint fome Perfons, to put an
immediate and effeftual End to this Bufinefs. For, as Sir
Thoynas Smith had thus fairly put himfelf upon his Trial, he
thought, that to delay it, would hardly be juft, and to de-
ny it quite, would be an evident and downright Injuftice.
Whereupon Sir Ediuin Sandys faid, that the Office of Au-
ditors, as he conceived, was not to make, but to examine
and fettle an Account ; that the Accounts, exhibited by Sir
Thomas Smithy had been found by the Auditors, after great.
Labour and Pains fpent upon them, to be fo diforderly,
intricate, and defe6i:ive, that they fcarce merited the Name
of Accounts ; that he fpoke not this, to lay any Afperfion
on Sir Thomas Smithy further than of Negle6t (for it was
well known, that he neither made, nor kept thofe Ac-
counts himfelf) but to clear the Auditors and the Compa-
ny, from all Imputation and Blame. For they had often
declared their Exceptions and the Difficulties of thofe Ac-
counts, as well to Sir Thomas Sinith^ as to the Company ;
and he then had a Writing, which contained many weighty
T 2 Ex-
266 r/:c History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. Exceptions againft them. However, altho' they feemed to
^_-=— Y- — 'him to be altogether bottomlefs and unexaminable, yet he
Sir F/aw/ipromifed, that the Auditors (hould proceed in them, with
fVjat, Go- ^ij poflible Expedition.
vernor. T ' cv 7 r 1 t\ /r t^ rr
Alderman johnjon and Mr. EJjitigton were now
likewife found, to be clearly indited eight hundred Pounds
to the Company, befides the old Magazine Accounts,
which they kept fo dark and intricate, that the Auditors
had not yet been able, fully to explicate and unravel them.
And Sir Samuel Argall (for, about this time, he received
the Honour of Knighthood) was ftill under Profecution
from the Company, for his Rapines and extortionate Ad-
miniftration in Virginia. So that it was evident, that thefe
Gentlemen could never be fafe or fecure, as long as the
Company continued in Being ; and it is greatly to be fuf-
pedted, that they, by the Part they ailed in the late Com-
motions, aimed not fo much at the Diflblution of the Con-
trail, as the Diflblution of the Company. But now the
Contrail being annulled, and the Difturbances fomewhat
allayed, they refolved to keep the Company ftill in Em-
ployment, and not permit them to enjoy any long Leifure
or Tranquility. For foon after the Diflblution of the Con-
trail, Alderman yohnfon prefented, in a private and con-
cealed Manner, a Writing to his Majefty, entitled ; The
humble Petition of fundry Adventurers and Planters in the
Virginia and Somer-Iflands Plantations. The Subftance of
this was :
That among the many memorable Works of his Ma-
jefty's gracious Reign, the Plantations of Virginia and the
Somer-Ijlands were not the leaft confiderable : That thefe
were the firft Americaji Colonies, attempted and brought to
Effeil, by the EngUfto Nation : That the Beginning of the
Enterprise was attended with fo great an Expence, without
any prefent Hope of Retribution, as was fufficient, at the
firft View and Computation, to have difcouraged the moft
forward and refolute Adventurers : That however, by the
Divine Ailiftance and his Majefty's gracious Encourage-
ment, together with that mild and difcreet Government,
at firft fettled and appointed by his Majefty, all forts of
Men were, in fuch kind and friendly Manner, invited and
induced to engage themfelves in it, that notwithftanding
thofe many Difficulties, that great Ailion, which muft
otherwife have perifhed in the Birth, not only took Life
and Being, but alfo proceeded, for many Years, in a moft
hopeful and comfortable Courfe : That there was then
Unity and Love among themfelves at home, and Peace and
Quiet with the Savages abroad ; by which means, fundry
of
Book V. r/v History of VIRGINIA. 267
of thofe Infidels, and fome of eminent Rank, were con- 1623.
verted to the Chrijiian Religion, and many Staple Com- ^-^ — < '
modifies began to be raifed and imported into England : ^'^"^ t'ranas
That fuch were the Bleflings, in thofe Times, upon their yg-'^'^^ J
juft and peaceable Proceedings ; whereas it had come to
pafs, they knew not how, that notwithftanding his Maje-
fty's Subjects had been, in great Multitudes, tranfported to
the Plantations, yet the aforefaid Commodities, and the
other Fruits of the Enterprife, had not appeared of late,
as in former Times ; their Unity at home was turned into
civil Difcord and Difl'enfion ; and their Peace abroad, into
Maffacre and Hoftility between the Natives and the Colony ;
and that many of the ancient Adventurers and Planters
conceived themfelves, to be many ways injured, abufed,
and oppreffed :
That fearing, upon thefe Accounts, without the Help
of a fupreme Hand, the utter Ruin and Deftruftion of thofe
great and noble Undertakings, and not holding it fit, to
trouble his Majefty's facred Ears with all particular Com-
plaints and Allegations, they humbly befought him, to no-
minate and appoint fome worthy Perfons, by Commiffion
under the great Seal of England^ who by Oath, or other-
wife, by all lawful Ways and Means, fhould enquire and
examine ; What was the true State of the Colonies, at
the Time, when Sir Thomas Smith left the Government of
the Companies ; what Monies had fince been colle6led for
the Plantations ; by whom received, and how the fame had
been procured and expended ; and what, after fo vaft an
Expence, was the prefent State and Condition of the Colo-
nies : That the faid Commiflioners fhould alfo enquire into
all Grievances and Abufes ; what Wrongs had been done
to any of the Adventurers or Planters, together with the
Grounds and Caufes thereof; and fhould propofe, how the
fame might in time to come, be reformed and prevented ;
and how the Bufmefs of the Colonies might be better ma-
naged and carried on. So that, all Contentions being re-
conciled, the Authors thereof condignly puniflied. Peace
and Unity reflored, and the Government of Affairs better
eflablifhed, thofe noble Works might go on and profper
with a Blefling from Heaven, to his Majefty's great Ho-
nour and Profit, and to the religious and publick Ends, for
which they were at firfi: undertaken.
About the fame time. Captain Nathaniel Butler^ a
Creature of the Earl of IVariuick's^ who had been fent to
pillage Bermudas^ and had fled thence to Virginia^ as hath
been already mentioned, was introduced to the King, and
obliged, as it was pretended, to give his Majefly an Ac-
T 3 count
The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
count of the State of the Colony in Virginia. This he
prefented, under the ftarched and afFeded Title of, The
Sir Francis unmafked Face of our Colony in Virginia., as it was in the
vemor. °' Jointer 1622. This contained the following Particulars
and Allegations.
1. That he found the Englifl:) Plantations generally
feated upon mere Marflies, full of infe6tious Bogs and mud-
dy Creeks and Lakes ; and thereby fubjedt to all thofe In-
conveniencies and Difeafes, which are commonly found in
the moft unhealthy Parts of Englajtd.^ whereof every Coun-
try and Climate hath fome.
2. That he found the Shores and Sides of thofe Parts
of the main River, where the Plantations were fettled,
every where fo fhallow, that no Boat could approach them.
So that, befides the Difficulty, Danger, and Spoil of Goods
in landing, the poor People were forced to a continual
Wetting and Wading, and that in the Midft of Winter,
when the Ships commonly arrived ; and that they thereby
got fuch violent Surfeits of Cold upon Cold, as never left
them, till they were brought to their Graves.
3. That the People, fent over, arriving, for the moft
part, very unfeafonably in Winter, found neither Gueft-
houfe. Inn, nor any fuch Place, to fhelter themfelves from
the Weather ; no, not fo much as a Stroke given, towards
any fuch charitable and neceffary Work. So that many,
for want hereof, were not only ieen dying under Hedges,
and in the Woods, but being dead, lay fome of them many
Days, unregarded and unburied.
4. That the Colony, that Winter, was in great Di-
ftrefs for Provifions, fo that EngUf Meal was fold for thir-
ty, and their own native Corn, called Maize, for ten and
fifteen Shillings a Bufliel. But that, however heavy this
might lay upon the poor People, there were Reafons to
fufpeft, it was not unaffected by the Chief Men. For they
only having the Means, in thefe Extremities, to trade with
the Natives, did hereby engrofs all into their Hands, and
fell it out at their own Prices. To which he added, that
he himfelf had heard from the Mouth of a prime one
among them, that he would never wifh their own Corn
cheaper, than eight Shillings a Bufhel.
5. That their Houfes were generally the worft, that
he had ever feen ; the meaneft Cottages in England being
every way equal, if not fuperior, to the beft Houfes in
Virginia. And that befides, they were feated, fo impro-
vidently, and fcatteringly one from another, as partly by
their Diftance, but efpecially by the Interpofition of Creeks
and
Book V. rZv History of VIRGINIA. 269
and Swamps, they offered all Advantages to the favage Ene- 1623.
mv, and were utterly deprived of the Means of fudden Re-*^ v '
colledlion, upon any emergent Occafion, ^"^ Framn
6. That he found not the leaft Piece of Fortification tremor
That three Pieces of Ordinance only were mounted at 'James-
City^ and one at Flower-de-hundred^ but not one of them
ferviceable. So that it was certain, that a fmall Bark of
an hundred Tons might take it's Time, to pafs up the
River, and coming to an Anchor before James-'Town^ might
beat all their Houfes about their Ears, and fo forcing them
to retreat into the Woods, land under the Favour of their
Ordinance, and rifle the Town at Pleafure.
7. That expefting, according to their printed Ac-
counts, to find fundry Commodities in great Forwardnefs,
he found not any one of them fo much as in any Toward-
nefs of Being. For the Iron-works were utterly wafi:ed,
and the People dead ; the Glafs Furnaces at a Stand, and
in fmall Hopes of proceeding ; and as for the reft, they
were had in general Derifion, even among themfelves ; and
the Pamphlets concerning them, being fent thither by hun-
dreds, were laughed to Scorn, and every bafe Fellow gave
them the Lye in divers Particulars. So that Tobacco was
their only Bufinefs, and for ought he could obferve, every
Man madded upon that, and little thought of, or looked
after, any thing elfe.
8. That he found the ancient Plantations of Hejirico
and Charles-City quite deferted, and abandoned to the Spoil
of the Indians ; who not only burnt the Houfes (faid to be
once the beft in the Country) but fell upon their Stocks of
all Kinds, and killed and defliroyed them, to the great
Grief, as well as utter Ruin of the old Inhabitants ; who
ftuck not to affirm, that thefe were not only the beft and
moft healthy Parts of the Country, but might alfo, by
their natural Strength of Situation, have been the moft ea-
fily preferved of all others.
9. That whereas, according to his Majefty's gracious
Letters-patent, his People in Virginia were to be governed,
as near as poflibly could be, according to the excellent
Laws and Cuftoms of England^ he found, not only igno-
rant and forced Errors in divers Particulars, but alfo wilful
and defigned Deviations from Law. Infomuch that fome
Perfons, who urged due Conformity to his Majefty's gra-
cious Intentions, were termed, in Contempt, Men of the
Law^ and were even excluded from thofe Rights, which
they were elected and fworn unto in England.
10. That there having been, as it was thought, ten
thoufand Souls tranfported to Virginia^ there were not, at
T 4 that
270 Tbe History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. that preient, through the aforefaid Abufes and Neglefts,
*■" V ^above two Thoufand of them to be found, and many of
S^ ^'■'^^"'^thofe alfo, in a mod fickly and defperate State. So that it
might be undoubtedly expected, unlefs the Confufions and
fVyat, Go-
vernor.
private Ends of fome of the Company in England^ and the
bad Execution of their Agents in Virginia^ were fpeedily
redreffed, by a divine and fupreme Hand, inftead of a Plan-
tation, it would fhortly get the Name of a Slaughter-houfe,
and fo juftly become odious to themfelves, and contempti-
ble to all the World,
The End and Defign of thefe Reprefentations, together
with their Falfliood and Unjuftnefs in the main, will be
eafily ken from the foregoing Narration. But however
flily and covertly they were prefented to the King, the
Knowledge of them could not be long kept from the Com-
pany. For the Lord Cavendijh and Sir Edward Sackvil
were foon advertifed, by their Friends at Court, of Alder-
man yohnfon^i Petition ; and they had an extraordinary
Court of the Company immediately warned, in order to
enter upon fome prefent Courfe, to prevent it's making any
finifter Impreffions upon his Majefty's Breaft. This Court
fent fome of their Body to defire Alderman "Johnfon^ either
to bring, or fend them, a Copy of the Petition, he had
lately prefented to his Majefty. But he faid, he had nei-
ther himfelf a Copy, nor knew of any Perfon that kept
a Copy of it. However he allured them, that the Petition
was no ways againft the Company. This was likewife af-
firmed by fome, then prefent in Court, who had been at
the Delivery of the Petition. They alfo profefled them-
felves, to be as ftudious of the Good of the Plantation and
of the Company, as any other whatfoever ; and therefore
defired the Company, not to intermeddle or engage them-
felves in the Matter, before they had feen the Petition.
But this not fatisfying the Court, they were defired to de-
clare, what was the Subje6l of their Complaint, and againft
what Perfons. For Lord Cavendifl) faid, if they did not
find themfelves aggrieved with the Company, they ought
not to have complained to his Majefty at all, 'till they had
firft made known their Grievances to the Court, and feen,
what Remedy would have been by them applied. At
length, Sir Edward Sackvil faid, that altho' Alderman
Johnfon and his Accomplices would give them no Light
into the Affair, yet himfelf, and fome others in Court,
could fully and certainly inform the Company, what was
the Subftance of that Petition. Whereupon he gave them
a fliort and exa6l Account of it's Purport and Aim, and
declared
vernor.
Book V. rbe History ^/ VIRGINIA.
declared it to be true, upon his own certain Knowledge ;
which was likewife confirmed by the Lord CavendiJJj. The'
Court was in no Doubt or Helitation about the Matter, ^^^^j^.^^^q,^
clearly judged it, to be dire6tly againft the Company; and ■* '
accordingly refolved, to juftify their Condu£l. But as to
the Iffue of the Alderman's Petition, they readily joined in
it, and ordered a Petition to be prefented in the Company's
Name, to befeech his Majefty, that the Examination of
thefe things might be referred to the Lords of the Privy
Council ; that fo their Innocency, or their Guiltinefs, might
be either cleared, or punifhed. And in the mean time, to
prevent all PrepoflefTion againft them, they ordered a De-
claration of the prefent State of Virginia^ comparatively
with it's former State under Sir Thomas Stnith^ which had,
by the Earl of South ampton^ Order, been drawn up by a
Committee of the Council, about the Chri/imas before, to
be now read in the Court, and being, with fome fmall Al-
terations, confirmed, to be delivered to his Majefty, as the
Company's A61. This Declaration fet forth :
That in December^ 1618, being the twelfth Year from
the firft Settlement of the Colony, after fourfcore thoufand
Pounds Expence, and upwards, of the publick Stock, be-
fides other Sums of private Planters and Adventurers, there
were remaining in Virginia about fix hundred Perfons,
Men, Women, and Children, and of Cattle about three
hundred at the moft ; and that the Company was then left
in Debt near five thoufand Pounds: But that then {Chriji-
mas 1622) through the Divine Bleiling, notwith (landing the
late Mortalities in all thofe Parts of Jmerica^ and notwith-
itanding the Maflacre, and the great Mortality, confequent
thereon, bv the People's being driven from their Habitations
and Provifions, there were ilill remaining (as was compu-
ted) above five and twenty hundred Perfons, fent over at
the Expence only of thirty thoufand Pounds of the publick
Stock, befides the Charges of particular Societies and Plan-
ters ; that the Cattle were alfo encreafed to above a thoufand
Head, befides Goats, and infinite Numbers of Swine ; and
that the old Debt, left on the Company by Sir Thomas Smithy
v/as wholly difcharged :
That at the faid Time, December^ 16 18, the only
Commodities of Value, returned from Virginia^ were To-
bacco and Safl^afras ; whereas, during the four laft Years,
great Sums had been expended, and infinite Care and Di-
ligence beftowed, by the Officers and Company, for fetting
forward various Commodities and Manufactures ; as Iron-
Works, Wine, Silk, Sawing-Mills, Salt-Pans, and other
things of the like Nature ; And that they had been particu-
22 larly
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
larly careful, according to his Majefty's Advice and Di-
redions, to reftrain the Colony from their too eager Pur-
fuit of Tobacco, as did abundantly appear, from their fre-
quent Letters, Inftru£tions, and Charters to that Effect,
with fundry printed Books and Pamphlets, made purpofely
and publiflied for their Ufe and Direftion :
That as to the Government, it had been, within the
four laft Years, reformed according to his Majefty's original
Diredions, in the Letters-patent ; and the People were no
longer difcontented and mutinous, but now lived in great
Peace and Tranquility : And to the End, that Pcrfons of
Worth might be allured to the Places of Power and Profit,
and all Occafion of Rapine and Extortion removed, they
had raifed a competent annual Provifion and Revenue, for
the Governor, and all other Officers and Magiftrates, and
particularly for the Clergy, according to the Degree and
Quality of each Place :
That thefe their Cares were, by no means, loft or in-
effectual ; but as they had fettled the Colony in perfe6l Quiet
and Content, fo they had raifed at home fo great a Fame of
Virginia^ that Men now, not only out of Neceflity, as at
firft, but many Perfons of good Quality and Fortune had,
out of Choice, removed themfelves thither, and were daily
providing to remove :
That there had been granted, in the laft four Years,
forty four Patents for Land, for each of which the Patentees
had undertaken to tranfport one hundred Men at the leaft ;
whereas, in the former twelve Years, there had not been
granted above fix-:
That, in the faid time, there had been employed forty
two Ships, moft of great Burthen (whereof feventeen Sail
were, about Chrijimas laft, in Ja?nes River at once) where-
as, in four Years before, there were not above twelve em-
ployed :
That, in the faid four laft Years, there had come in
ten times the Number of Adventurers, as had done in twice
the time before : So that, whereas before the legal Number
of twenty could fcarce be got together, to make a Quarter
Court, it feldom now confifted of lefs than two hundred,
and fometimes of many more :
That they could not omit the extraordinary Blefling
of God, in exciting the Hearts of many zealous and devout
Perfons, to extend their Aid towards this glorious Work,
who had contributed, within the four laft Years, to the
Value of fifteen hundred Pounds, for pious and religious U-
fes ; a Fruit, whereof the preceeding Years were altogether
barren :
That
Book. V. "The History of VIRGINIA. 273
That however it could not be denied, but that the ^623.
Encreafe and Profperity of the Colony had lately received
------ -i . j,,^ ^,,
Go-
a fatal Blovi^ and Interruption, by the Indian Mallacre ; and ^^J''""'"
their Peace and Unitv at home had been much broken and ^emor.
difturbed, by divers troublefome Oppofitions. But the one,
they hoped, would foon be fliarply puniflied and revenged ;
and the other rnuft, with Patience be borne, and overcome
with Conftancy.
And laftly, they concluded with befeeching his Majefty
(as being the firft Founder, and gracious Supporter of this
great Enterprife, which would continue to all Pofterity a
conftant Monument of his glorious Name) to grant them the
four hundred young Men, long fince promifed to be levied
on the feveral Counties, in order to be fent to Firginia^ to
root out the barbarous Enemy, and to fupply the Colony,
in Parts yet defe6live and unfettled -, and they doubted not,
in a ftiort time to be able, to yield him fo good and fo real
an Account of the Fruit of their Cares and Labours, as
might, in fome fort, be anfwerable to their Duty, and to
his Majefty's princely Expeilation.
Besides this Declaration, the Lord CavendiJ]} produced
another Writing, containing a Vindication of the late Con-
duit of the Virginia and Somer-I/lands Companies. His
Lord{hip had drawn this up himfelf, for the Satisfaftion of
fome very noble Perfons, who had, from fmifter Informa-
tions, conceived a hard Opinion of the Companies Proceed-
ings ; and as, he faid, thofe Noblemen, upon reading that
Difcourfe, were fully fatisfied of the Juftice and Fairnefs of
their Actions, fo he hoped, it might work the like EfFe6l
upon his Majefty's Mind. Whereupon that Writing was
deliberately read, and every Article and Branch thereof,
being duly v/eighed and confidered, was feverally put to the
Queftion, and it was ordered to be delivered to his Majefty,
as the Company's A6t and Anfwer ; there being not above
three Voices againft any Part thereof, and moft of them be-
ing confirmed and approved, by an unanimous Confent.
This long Difcourfe contained three different Heads : Firft,
Anfwers to the feveral Objections againft the Company's
Proceedings : Secondly, the true Caufes of the late Difa-
greement and Difturbances : And thirdly, it propofed Re-
medies, for preventing the like Inconveniencies and Faftions
for the future.
I am fenfible, that the long Detail of Declarations and
Anfwers, is a moft tedious and unpleafant Part of Hiftory
to the common Reader ; and I have obferved, that fuch
Pieces, even in the Hands of our beft Writers, and howe-
ver neceflary to clear up Points of Hiftory, have neverthe-
lefs
274 T/v History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
i6-3- lefs been much diftafted by feveral Perfons. But as thefe
- — r—" publick Papers contain the moft authentic Reafon and Ac-
Sn ^'•^"f" count of things, and as they are the fureft and moft indu-
vemor. °" bitable Materials, for an Hiftorian to proceed upon, I {hall
not be turned from my Courfe, by the accidental Diflike of
feme Readers. For the Diflblution of the Company now
draws on, and I intend to give a full View of the Motives
and Proceedings in that Aftair ; which can be from nothing
drawn fo well, as from the publick A6ls and Writings of
both Parties, and their outward Pretences at leaft, and dif-
ferent Allegations. However, I efteem it my Part and Du-
ty, to fave the Reader from all unneceflary Forms, and Re-
petitions ; and to give him the Subftance of thofe original
A6ls and Records, in the fhorteft Manner I poflibly can,
without injuring or obfcuring their main Senfe and material
Points. As for this Difcourfe therefore, now prefented by
Lord Cavend'iJ])^ and adopted by the Company, it fet forth :
That it was manifeft, his Majefty's Ears had been abufed
by divers Mifinformations, to which they held it their Duty
to give a true and juftiiiable Anfwer.
I. It was objected, that feme few of the Company led
and overfwayed the reft ; and that, in the particular Bufi-
nefs of the Contract, thefe Perfons, aiming at their own
private Advantage, efpecially in the Point of Salaries, had
therefore perfuaded and milled the Court.
To this it was anfwered ; that it was true, fome parti-
cular Perfons, with great Labour and Pains, and without
any Hope or Profpe£t of Reward, had employed much of
their Time and Endeavours, in ftudying, what might tend
to the Good and Benefit of the Colonies ; and this only with
the View, to propofe and communicate to the Courts their
faithful and impartial Advice ; which was the Duty, and
in the Power, of every Member of thofe Societies, to do.
But that this honeft Diligence, and thefe clear and difin-
terefted Views, fliould be interpreted an enflaving or mis-
leading the Courts, was, in their Opinion, a moft unjuft
Cenfure, and a hard Requital to thofe Perfons, who, for
the publick Good, had beftowed fo much of their Time,
and neglecSted many Opportunities of private Gain.
And as to the Suppofition, that thefe Men, in Refpe6l
of the Salaries, had milguided the Courts in the Cafe of the
Contrail, they made his Majefty a clear and faithful Nar-
rative of their Proceedings in that Bufinefs ; much the fame
in Effe6l as I have already related it. And they declared,
that the Gentlemen, elected to the two great Salaries, a-
gainft which the opponent F'aftion chiefly exclaimed, did,
at fundry times, both in publick and private, ufe all poffi-
ble
Book V. rbe History of VIRGINIA. 275
ble Endeavour and Induftry, to keep themfelves from being 1623.
chofen : But that the Company's Experience of their Faith-' y
fulnefs and AbiHty, had caufed them to be elefted, and in ^"' P''^"<^i^
a manner forced to thofe Employments, againft their Wills : ^g^^or
And that they had fince, in feveral Courts, as much as in
them lay, furrendered their Offices ; but their Refignation
would never be received or admitted by the Company.
2. It was objeiled, that the Courts were overawed, efpe-
cially in the Bufinefs of the Contrail.
To which it was replied, that it was a ftrange Boldnefs
in any, efpecially in any of the Company, who knew their
Proceedings therein, to affirm a thing fo manifeftly falfe
and groundlefs ; which the Company were fo perfe6lly con-
vinced of, that this was one of the principal Caufes, why
Mr. Wrote^ who firft broached that Slander, was cenfured
and fufpended. And they told his Majefty, that this Point
had been put to the Vote, often and in different Courts,
when different Perfons were prefent, and it had always been
unanimoufly adjudged a falfe and fcandalous Imputation.
3. It was alledged, that thefe Perfons, when they could
not carry Matters by Plurality of Voices, fpun out the
Courts 'till eleven o'Clock at Night ; by which Means,
thofe, who would have oppofed their Schemes, being over-
wearied with fo long fitting, departed.
They owned, that the Day, here meant, the Courts
fat 'till about ten o'Clock. But they gave his Majefty the
Reafons of it : That many long Courts were to be read and
examined; that Mr. TVrote's Affair took up much Time;
and that they were afterwards obliged, to enter upon feve-
ral Points relating to the Contrail, which muff be then de-
termined, or elfe deferred for above three Months, till the
next Quarter Court ; and that this would have been much
to the Prejudice of that Bufinefs, as they daily expecfled the
Arrival of a great Quantity of Tobacco. But as to what
was chiefly infinuated by this Objeilion, thev declared it to
be utterly falfe. For altho' fome perhaps departed before
the Rifing of the Court, yet not one of the opponent Party
v/ent away ; and at the very laft, when the Queftion was
put, there were, befides divers Noblemen and Knights, a-
bout an hundred Perfons in the Court.
4. It was alledged, that whilft the Contrail was in Agi-
tation, the Courts were purpofely put off, for feven Weeks
together ; that fome Planters who were fliortly to go away,
might not have Opportunity to complain againft it.
This Objeilion they averred to be manifeftly falfe and
impoffible. For the Contrail, which could only be ratified
in a Quarter Court, was concluded upon at their laft Mid-
fummer
276 rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1 6^3- fummer Quarter Court, when all the old Planters, being
'""'"^'^"^ about thirty in Number, were, or might have been in the
^"^■^'■''""'' Court ; for none went away, till about eight Weeks after.
vern'or. "' Neither could it then be difcovered, that any of them were
difcontented with it ; but on the contrary, fome argued very
earnefHy for it. And befides, it was untrue, that the Courts
were at all put oft' fo long. For altho', by the Orders of
the Companies, there might be a Ceffation of their Meet-
ings, in the long Summer Vacation, when the Noblemen
and Gentlemen of principal Figure and Confequence were
in the Country, unlefs there fliould occur fome extraordinary
and preiTing Occafion, yet the Courts met more frequently
that Summer, than had been ufual at fuch Times, by rea-
fon of fending out feveral Ships, and with them the Com-
pany's Orders and Dire6lions to the Colonies.
5, It was confidently affirmed, that the Virginia Plan-
ters had petitioned his Majefly, to bring all their Tobacco
into England; and that this Petition was, by the Officers of
the Company, fupprefled.
In Confutation of this, thev referred to the original Peti-
tion itfelf, then in the Hands of the Lord High Treafurer ;
and they faid, that no Man, that had ever feen that Peti-
tion, and had not a Mind wilfully to put Wrongs upon the
Company, could ever fcrew fuch a Senfe out of it. They
likewife gave his Majefty an Account of the Occafion of the
Petition, and the Reaibn why it was not prefented ; the
fame, that has been already given, in the foregoing Parts of
this History.
6. It was obje61:ed, that no Bufinefs could be done in
their Courts, by reafon of Fa6i:ion and Wrangling.
To this they anfwered, that it was an odd thing, for
Men to complain of that, wherein themfelves were princi-
pally faulty. Yet they denied this to be true, in fo general
and extenfive a Senfe ; altho' it mufi: be confeffed, that fome
difcontented Perfons, who had lately joined together to op-
pofe the Contra6t, had long waited for all Occafions, to
raife Troubles and Contentions in the Companies ; whofe
Faces, for feveral Years paft, ha:d never been feen in the
Courts, except when they came to raife a Tempeft and
/ Diflurbance. However, they aflured his Majefty, that
this Fadlion, when they had muftered all their Forces, and
fent for their whole Strength out of the Country, amounted
to but twenty fix Perfons ; whereas the Vit-ginia Com-
pany, in particular, confifted of about a thoufand Adventu-
rers, and oftentimes two hundred, or more, were aflembled
at once. So that this Objeilion of Fa6lion and Wrangling
muft neceflarily return back and reflect on themfelves ; as
m
vernor.
Book V. T'be History of VIRGINIA. 277
in all well-governed Societies, the major Part was ever un- 1623.
derftood to involve the Confent of the minor, which, by ^— — r^— ^
making Oppofition and Clamour, did undoubtedly thereby '^'^ •'^"'""^
render themfelves the fadious Party. , '
7. It was objeiled, that the Government of the Com-
panies, as it then flood, was democratical and tumultuous,
and ought therefore to be altered, and reduced into the
Hands of a Few And this was properly argmnentiim ad
bominem^ and very weighty in the Eyes of that Prince ; who
had a noted Averfion to all republican Forms of Govern-
ment, and was, in Truth, for a Monarchv, in the ftrifteft
and higheft Senfe of the Word.
However, the Company replied, that as to the Tu-
multuoufnefs objefted, it was already anfwered in the for-
mer Article of Fadtion, and plainly appeared to proceed only
from themfelves. And as to the Democracy, they faid,
that the Government of the Companies was no other, than
what was prefcribed in his Majefty's Letters-patent ; and it
was a bold Cenfure, thus to tax a Government, ordained
and conftituted by fuch an Authority. But yet they denied
this Allegation to be juft, or that their Government was
properly democratical. For the Companies had not fupreme
Authority over the Peofile of the Plantations, but governed
them by an Authority derived from the King, according
to his Laws, and were accountable to his Majefty for their
Condu6l ; and therefore that Government could not pro-
perly be termed democratical, where the King was fupreme,
and where the People fwore Allegiance only to him. And
thev added farther, that the Companies were fo far from
having fupreme Power over the People of the Colonies, that
when any Man had committed Offences, of what high Na-
ture fo ever (as lately appeared by two notorious Inftances)
if they could efcape Punifliment in the Plantations, where
the Companies had Power, by his Majefty's Letters-patent,
to call them to Trial and Account, they might, there in
England^ outface the Companies (as thofe two did) and
they could have no Means of Redrefs, but by appealing to
higher Juftice.
However, they owned, that, according to his Ma-
jefty's Inflitution, their Government had fome Shew of a
democratical Form ; which was neverthelefs, in that Cafe,
the moft juft and profitable, and moft conducive to the Ends
and Efreil aimed at thereby. For thofe Plantations, tho'
much furthered by his Majefty's Grace, were yet chiefly
founded by the Purfes of private Men ; who would never
have adventured their Fortunes in fuch an Entetpriie, if, in
the Regulation and Government of the Bufinefs, their own
Votes
The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
Votes and Opinions had not been admitted. Befides which,
fuch infant Undertakings often called for large and fpeedy
Sir Francii Supplies, which could not be fent, but by the Purfes of
ve?nor ^°' ^^"7 Men ; who, had their Voices been excluded, and
the Management committed to a Few, would not perhaps
have been over-forward and hafty in contributing towards
their Relief.
Lastly, they obferved, that the opponent Fadion
cried out loudly againft Democracy, and yet called for O-
lio-archy ; which would, as they conceived, make the Go-
vernment neither of better Form, nor more monarchial.
But they however hereby difcovered their Aim and Defire,
which was to draw all things into their own Hands and
Power, as had been fufficiently manifefted before, by fome
of their late Steps and A6lions.
Having thus given Anfwers to the moft material Scan-
dals againft the Companies, they next proceeded, to inform
\ his Majefty of the true Caufes, tho' difguifed, why thefe
\ twenty fix, by their fecret Whifperings and Infmuations,
and by their continual under-hand Practices, fo much la-
boured, to difgrace the Government of the Companies, and
in EfFe6l, to bring the Plantations to utter Ruin. And they
aflured his Majefty, that, whatever Imputations they might
lay on the- Companies behind their Backs, they never yet
had the Confidence, openly to avow and maintain them in
their Courts, but always qualified them with fuch Diftinc-
tions and Equivocations, as amounted to a flat Denial of
what they had faid. And
1. The firft Caufe of thefe Mens Malice was the ill
Aff^e6lion of the old Officers; out of whofe Hands (the Co-
lonies having not profpered under them) the Government
was neceffarily taken; and their Profperity fince, implying
the evident Benefit of that Removal, and a manifeft Proof
of their ill Government, it had fo off'ended them, that they
endeavoured, the better to cover that Fault, by publick
Difturbances, and private Pra6tice and Confederation, to
interrupt the prefent Profperity of the Colonies, and to ble-
mifli the Reputation, and difturb the Peace of the Compa-
nies : And that, to this End, they had not forborn to fet to
their Hands in Atteftation of moft falfe and fcandalous Peti-
tions ; frequently to lay Imputations themfelves on the
Courts ; fometimes to procure Complaints from others a-
gainft them ; and at all times to yield a public Encourage-
ment and Proteilion to fuch Perfons, as had done Wrong,
or were declared Enemies, to the Companies.
2. The fecond Caufe was, that the principal of thofe
Citizens, and fome others, who had wove themfelves into
the
Book V. T:he History of VIRGINIA. 279
the Oppofition, were for the moft Part fuch, as had for- 1623.
merly borne Office, either in the Companies, or the Plan-' «- '
tations ; who having not cleared their many Accounts (fome^"^ Francis
of which were very fufpicious) and being prefled by the ^J^^l
Companies, ufed all the Art, that Malice could invent, to
do Prejudice, and give Difturbance, to the prefent Govern-
ment ; hoping, by that means to fhroud themfelves from a
due Examination, and fo, in the Storm and Confufion, to
go off, unconvicted and unpuniflied.
3. Some others of thele Opponents, of a different Rank
and <^iality, had either been concerned in fpoiling and fleec-
ing the Plantations, and in fetting forth a piratical Ship,
called the Treafurer ; or elie had abetted and prote£ted thofe,
who had done it, with fuch Violence, as was greatly to the
Offence, Scandal, and Wrong of the Company, But their
Ends not fully anfwering their Expecflations, they had there-
fore abandoned the Virginia Courts, except when they came
to raife Troubles and Diffentions, in order, by that means,
to keep the Company from calling thofe Offences into
Queftion.
4. Most of the twenty fix were involved in fome, or ,
all thefe Caufes of Diffenfion ; and the kw that remained, \
were either Servants to, or had neceffarv Dependency upon, 1
fome of the reft.
Lastly, thev went on to propofe fome Remedies, to
prevent the like Inconveniences and Difturbances for the fu-
ture. Since therefore thei'e Colonies were chiefly fettled,
for the Honour of his Majefty's Times, in propagating the
Chrijiian Religion in thofe barbarous Parts ; for the Enlarge-
ment of his Dominions ; for the Encreafe of his Revenue ;
for the enriching his People ; and for the future Strength
and Ornament of the Kingdom of England ; they befought
his Majefty, to give Countenance and Encouragement to
their Labours ; to believe well of the Companies, and not
give too ready a Credit to the malicious and pre-concerted
Informations of fome of their Members ; and to grant them
fome fuch prefent Teftimonv of his good Opinion, and gra-
cious Acceptance of their Endeavours, by Letter or other-
wife, as might do Honour to the Company, and ftrengthen
their Authority. And this they were the rather induced to
hope, as the late great Breach in the Companies had been
occafioned, by their Forwardnefs and Defire, to advance
his Majefty's Profit and Revenue by the Contra6l. And
they farther befought his Majefty, to be gracioufly pleafed
to declare his Intention, that, in all Bufinefs of the Courts \
for the future, they ftiould be left freely to govern them-
felves, by their Charters and Laws ; and withal, to give
"9 U prefent
IVyat, Go-
vernor,
280 "The History 0/ VIRGINIA. Book V.
162,3. pfefent Order to the Lords of the Privy Council, that, if
' — "> ' there fliould be any fuch private Confpiracy, Confederation,
Sii- Franch Q^ Oppofition, as thc Companies themfelves could neither
remedy nor punifh, to afford them their Help and Affiftance,
in the Remedy and Punifliment of the fame. And laftly
they prayed, that for fuch, as had been accufed of henious
Crimes, committed in the Plantations, and had thence efca-
ped, and then braved the Companies in England^ his Ma-
jefty would be gracioufly pleafed, to extend his Power, and
fend them back to the Plantations, there to receive their juft
and legal Trials. And by thefe Affiftances, the Companies
would be enabled, chearfully to proceed, and in fliort time
fo to advance thofe great and noble Undertakings, as would
give his Majefty full Content, and juft Caufe to believe,
that thefe his Favours had been well beftowed, and rightly
ufed.
The Earl of Southampton was not prefent, when thefe
things paffed ; and as he was obnoxious at Court, and had
received fome ill Ulage from it, it may be furmifed, that he
kept out of the Way purpofely, to avoid being farther em-
broiled. But it is, I think, much more agreeable to the
Character of that worthy and patriot Nobleman, to fup-
pole, that he did not defert his Station in fuch a Manner,
but was abfent on other juft and neceffary Occafions. In
his Abfence therefore, thefe two Papers (together with a
Petition to his Majefty, to refer the Hearing of the Com-
plaints of Alderman 'Johnfon and his Affociates, to the Body
of his moft Honourable Privy Council) were committed to
Lord Cavendijl:)^ Lord Delatuarr^ Sir Edward Sackvil^ Sir
yohn Brooke^ and Colonel Ogle^ to take the firft proper Op-
portunity to prefent them to his A-lajefty, and to make
Choice of fuch others of the Company, as they thought
fit, to atend them.
This Court alfo, at Mr. Deputy Fai-rar^?, Motion,
conferred the Freedom of the Company on Careiu Ralegh
Efq; the only furviving Son of Sir Walter. He had gone,
after his Father's Death, a Gentleman Commoner, to JVad-
ham College, in Oxford; where he continued his Studies,
about five Years. About this time, being yet fcarce twenty
Years of Age, he came up to London^ and went to Court ;
hoping by the Favour of William., Earl of Pc?nbroke., his
noble Kinfman, to obtain fome Redrefs, in the Hardfliips
and Wrongs done him. But the King did not like his
Countenance there ; and faid, that he appeared in his Court,
like his Father's Ghoft. Wherefore, by the Earl's Advice,
he removed himfelf from his Majefty's Sight, and went
upon his Travels, till a more favourable Conjuncture fhould
offer.
BookV. "The History ^/VIRGINIA. 281
ofFer. But however fixed this Monarch might be in his 16-3.
Antipathy, and however fleadv and conilant in doing an ' \ '
eternal Difhonour to his own Judgment and Fame, by dir-|^^'"^'"
gracing and depreffing every thing that had Relation to vernor.
this Great Man, the FirgtJiia Company feems to have had
a quite different Notion of things. For they willingly em-
braced the Pretence, of Sir TValter Raleigh's being the firft
Difcoverer of Firginia^ to teftify their Refpe6i: to his Me-
mory and Merit, by conferring extraordinarily, upon his
Son, the Freedom of the Company, and a Voice in their
Courts. And he accordingly appears at their Courts, com-
monly ranked with the Knights, till June the next Year,
at which time, it may be fuppofed, he went on his Tra-
vels.
Soon after this, authentic Copies of Alderman yo/m-
fon's Petition and Captain Butler's Information were, by
fome Perfon, fent to the Company ; which being publickly
and diftinftly read, the Court was informed by Perfons of
Worth, that this Report, in particular, of the Unhealthi-
nefs of the Country, and of the Colony's being feated
among Bogs and Marflies, having been incluftrioufly fpread
by Captain Butler and his Affociates, not only over all
Parts of the City, but likewife into divers Parts of the
Country, was likely to ftop many hundreds of People, who
were preparing to tranfport themfelves thither ; and that it
was therefore abfolutely necellary, to make an immediate
Enquiry about that Matter. Whereupon fome, then pre-
fent, who had been long and often in Virginia^ affirmed
upon their certain Knowledge, that, at all the Plantations
on the main River, they might land, with Boats drawing
three Foot Water, from half Flood to half Ebb, fafe and
drv, without wetting their Foot ; and that they had found,
by their own Experience, the Air to be as wholefome, and
the Soil for the moft Part, as fertile, as in any Part of £71-
gland^ or of any other Country, where they had been.
But the better to obviate the ill Confequences and Calum-
nies of Captain Butlers Information, an Anfwer was drawn
up in Writing againft the next Meeting of the Company,
and fubfcribed by the Rev. Mr. Willi arn Meafe^ aJ ^iiTift er, ,
who had lived ten Y t2ii's''nC^ifginw~\ Tyone Mr 7 ^(j/) n '
ProSrer^ a Man of good Sort, who had lived there fourteen
Years ; and by fourteen others, Mafters of Ships, Mari-
ners, and Inhabitants, who had been and lived, fome more
and fome lefs, in the Country, and were perfecSlly ac-
quainted with the River, and all Parts of the Colony.
This Anfwer, which they declared themfelves ready to
juftify upon Oath, contained a flat Denial and Difproof of
U 2 the
'The History ^/VIRGINIA. Book V.
the feven firft Articles of Butler % Information. As to the
three laft, they left them to be anfwered by the Governor
and Company, as relating immediately to themfelves, and
containing things, either above their Determination, or out
of their Knowledge. And as this Writing contained the
Teflimony of Eye-witnelles to Matters of Fa6l, it agreed
fo exa6llv in Subftance with an Anfwer, afterwards return-
ed from Virginia by the Governor and General Aflembly,
that I fhall not detain the Reader, at prefent, with an Ab-
ftracft of it, but fhall refer to that more authentic Teftimo-
ny of the whole Body of the Colony, which vi'ill be here-
after recited, in it's proper Time and Place.
But befides this Difproof of Captain Butler^s Informa-
tion, the farther to dete6l and expofe his malicious De-
figns and unfair Proceedings, two Papers were produced in
Court, and admitted to Record, under the Hands of John
Severfie, Mafters-Mate, and "John Loiue^ Boatfwain, of the
James. In thefe they affirmed, that coming, one Morn-
ing, to Captain Nathaniel Butler^ about fome Bufinefs, the
faid Captain brought a Writing in his Hand, and began to
read fome Part of it ; telling them, he had been with the
King, and protefting, the Writing was for the Good of the
Country. Whereupon they, being in great Hafte, having
heard a i&w Lines only read, and not attending much to
the Matter, and befides conceiving Captain Butler to be a
very honeft Man, did readily fet their Hands to the faid
Writing. But having fince underftood, that it was in Dif-
grace and Difparagement of the Country, they, the faid
John Severne and John Loive^ did thereby difavow the faid
Writing, as fali'e and unjuft ; and farther protelled, that,
upon their Oaths, they muft declare the contrary. And all
thefe Proofs of his wilful Malice and Injuftice did Captain
Butler fit in the Court and hear, and calmly demanded a
Copy of the Anfwer to his Information.
But as his Majefty intended, in Compliance with the
Petitions of both Alderman Jahnfon and the Company, to
appoint Commiffioners to enquire into all thefe Matters and
Allegations, the Court thought it proper, to prepare be-
times to make their Defence. To this End, as the Com-
pany confifted of many Members of both Houfes of Parlia-
ment, they were naturally led to the Parliamentary Me-
thods of proceeding, and refolved themfelves into a grand
Committee of the whole Company, which had Power, to
fubftitute and ordain other Sub-Committees, for expediting
Matters ; that fo the Bufinefs, being parted among many
Hands, might be the more fpeedily and better accompliflied.
And now having Copies of Alderman Johnfons and Cap-
tain
veinor.
Book V. T:ke History of VIRGINIA. 283
tain Butler\ Complaints, they foon after drew up direft 1623.
and particular Anfwers to them both. ^T""^' ^
In Anfwer to Alderman Johnfon'% Petition, they "^-^^ J'^'^^J^
ferved, that it was founded upon three main Allegations : , ^^ '
Firft, that the former Government, under Sir Thomas Smithy
as Treafurer, and Mr. Canning and himfelf, as Deputy-
Treafurers, was mild and difcreet ; whereby all Sorts of
Perfons were induced to engage thenifelves in that great
and difficult A6lion, which thence proceeded in a moft
hopeful Way, and with Peace and Concord ; whereas it
had of late come to pafs, that their Love and Unity at
home were turned into civil Difcord and Diflenfion ; and
that divers of the ancient Adventurers and Planters con-
ceived themi'elves, to be many ways injured, abuied and
opprefl'ed.
To this they replied: That as to the Government at
home in thofe times, all his Majefty's particular Inftru6tions
therein were clean fuppreffed and extinguiflied, and the
Originals no longer extant ; and that there were no Orders
made for the Government of the Company, except now
and then one, upon prefent Occafion. And as to the Go-
vernment abroad in the Colony, it was, for the moft part,
left abfolutely to the Governor's Will and Pleafure ; only
inftead of a Body of moderate Laws, agreeable to the Con-
ftitution and Government of England^ there was printed at
home, and with great Honour dedicated to Sir Thomas
Smithy and afterwards by him fent to Virginia^ by his own
Authority, and without the Company's Order or Confent,
a Book of moft truculent Laws, written in Blood ; which,
altho' they might lerve for Martial Government in time of
War, being tranflated moft of them from the Martial
Laws of the United Provinces, yet were abfolutely deftruc-
tive of all the native Rights and Liberties of EnglifJ) Sub-
jects, and very far from deferving the Name of a mild Go-
vernment, here given it by the Petitioners : And that, for
this Caufe, People in England were deterred from going
over in Perfon, to live there under fuch bloody and tyran-
nical Laws, and many of his Majefty's Subje6ls in Firgl-
nia were put to moft unjuft and undeferved Deaths. But
moft efpecially, fuch a Weapon was hereby put into the
Hands of one of the Governors, a Kinfman of Sir Thomas
Smith, that he, in a manner, fpoiled and deftroyed the whole
Colony, as was ftill extant and to be feen, in the Letters of
Sir Tho?nas Sinith himfelf and Alderman Johnfon.
That the Confequence of this Mifgovernment was,
that the Colony was wafted to a few hundreds of Peo-
ple, who had neverthelefs no Intent to proceed in the Plan-
U 3 tation,
284 "the History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. tation, but being deftitute of Food, both fpiritual and tem-
^— '^v ' poral, cried out loudly againft the Company, for Injuftice
Sir Francis ^^^^ Cruelty ; being fome times, in Defpair, all fhipped to
vemor. °" I'eturn, and at other times, in Revenge, adopting to them-
felves new Patrons and Defenders againft their bad Govern-
ment. And that Adventurers at home did indeed, at firft,
come plentifully in, as to a new Thing ; but that, at laft,
they abandoned the Courts, and refufed to pay their Mo-
nies fubfcribed ; for vv^hich being fued, they pleaded in
Chancery, upon their Oaths, that the Monies were not
converted to the Ufe intended, but to particular Men's
Gains ; and that no Accounts were kept, or were at leaft
to be feen. But on the contrary, they faid, what Refor-
mations had been made, and what Meafures taken, in Point
of Government, for the four laft Years, might be appa-
rent to all Men ; and that their Labours herein had given
fuch Satisfa61:ion to the Plantations, that the Colony of Vir-
ginia had, in particular, by a publick A&i in their General
Affembly, returned Thanks to the Company, for their
great Love, Juftice, and Care.
As for Difcord and Diffenfion, they acknowledged,
within the Compafs of the four laft Years, there had been
fome great Rents made in the Council and Company ; but
that thefe proceeded wholly from the Alderman and his
Party, the greateft Number of whom were feldom feen in
their Courts, but when they came to raife, or to nourifti,
this very Difcord and Faction, they here complained of.
And as to the Wrongs and Oppreffion of the ancient Ad-
venturers and Planters, they challenged him to fhew, that
the Juftice, which it was in the Company's Power to give,
had ever been denied to any Man whatfoever ; much lefs
had the Goods of fome particular Perfons in the Colonies,
by private Directions and underhand Letters, been taken
violently from them, contrary to all Juftice and due Courfe
of Law, and configned into the Hands of their potent Ad-
verfaries in Englajid ; as was notorioufly done, in the Cafe
of Captain Miles Kendal^ formerly Governor of Bermudas^
who was fpoiled by Captain Butler^ his Succeflbr, of four-
teen Negroes, granted him by a Dutch Captain, under a
falfe and groundlefs Pretence, that they belonged to their
piratical Ship, the Treafurer.
The fecond Allegation of Alderman Johnfon's Petition
was : That, under the former Government, they had
Peace with the Indimis^ by which means fundry of thofe
Infidels, and fome of eminent Rank, were converted to the
Chriftian Religion ; whereas, of late, there had been a
MalFacre and Hoftility between the Natives and the Colony
of Virginia. I N
Book V. -Tbc History of VIRGINIA. 285
In Aniwer to this, they denied, that except Pocahontas 1623.
(whom they here call Matoax) there had happened any^"^ — ^'"^"T'
thing of Note in the Converfion of thofe Infidels, under ^ILf''"'!^''
Sir Thomas S?nith\ Adminiftration. And they farther ^i- ^^.y^ax.
firmed, that, during his time, the Englifl) were almofi: in
a continual War and Hoitility with the Indians ; and that,
in particular, Captain Argall came away, in the laft Part
of that time, and left unpunifhed the Murder of ten of the
EngUjh^ by a Party of the Chickahominies. But on the
contrary, how great, and what chargeable Attempts, had
been made, within the laft four Years, for the Converfion
and Education of thofe Infidels, was fufficiently evident,
from the Plantation for the College ; on which, notwith-
ftanding the late Maflacre, they conceived, there were yet
remaining fixty Tenants, or thereabouts. And the Com-
pany had indeed, in their firft Letter after the Knowledge
of the Maflacre, propofed Methods, and given ftri6l Or-
ders, to the Governor and Council, for the Renewal of the
College, and Refettlement of it's Lands ; but Means being
wanting, the Governor and Council could do nothing in it
to Effe6l. However they promifed, that that pious Work
Oiould, by the Divine Afhftance, again proceed, in due
time. And as to the Hoftility with the Indians^ they de-
clared, there had been none, v/ithin the four laft Years, be-
fore the late treacherous and bloody Mafi^acre ; which had
it not happened, thefe Maligners muft have been mute,
and would have had nothing to alledge to the Difgrace of
the Company and Plantation.
The third Allegation of the Alderman's Petition was:
That, in the firft twelve Years, divers Staple-Commodities
began to be raifed and imported into England; whereas, of
late Years, the aforefaid Commodities did not appear.
They replied, that this Objection reflefted ftrongly on
the Objector himfelf. They owned, that fome Sam.ples of
thofe Commodities had been, by the Induftry of Sir Thornas
Dale^ fent home, in the ninth and tenth Years of the firft
twelve ; but that none had appeared, in the two laft, un-
der the Government of Captain Argall. The Reafon of
which was, that the Magazine being then on foot, whereof
the Alderman was Director, it pleafed him, to fet no Price
upon any other Commodity, except Tobacco and Saflafras,
being Commodities of his own Trade, and for the greateft
Part whereof he himfelf became the Company's Chapman ;
and that, by this means, all Endeavours for thofe other
Commodities were abandoned, and the Colony poflefled
with that doating Afie6lion for Tobacco, which the Com-
pany had not fince, with all their Care, been able to ex-
U 4 tinguifii.
286 T^^ History ^/ VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. tinguifh. And they then proceeded, to recount their late
^^ V 'Endeavours for raifing divers Commodities; which had in-
^''^^ ^''"""' deed lately received a fore Interruption from the Maflacre,
Wvat, Go- ,. y ■ ^ iT^ri- ni •
vernor. Dut It was their Intent and Kelolution, Ihortly agam to re-
ftore and fet them up.
As for that Pretence, that the Petition aimed at no other
End, but that after the Work of fome necelTary Reforma-
tion, the Work of the Plantations might be again renewed
and profper ; they faid, they were obliged, therein to de-
tect the Alderman's unclear Proceedings, For it fhould be
juftified againft him, by undeniable Proof: That he had
laboured of late, by ftrange and falfe Allegations, to dif-
courage fome Perfons of Eminence and Fortune, from fa-
vouring or proceeding in the Enterprife : That he had
brow-beaten and found Fault with fuch, as had commended
the Country, fo much extolled formerly by himfelf, in fun-
dry printed Treatifes ; and had declared, that the World
had been cheated and deluded by Virgbiia : That he had
faid, there were too many of the EngUJh Nation there al-
ready ; that the Staple-Commodities, fpoken of, would
come to nothing ; that the Iron was bafe, and not worth
the Freight ; the Grapes four, and the Climate improper
for Wine ; that the Mulberry Trees had a Prickle in them,
which deftroyed the Silk-worms, when they came to any
Bignefs ; and that the Converfion of the Infidels was a vain
and impoflible Attempt, they being defcended of the cur-
fed Race of Ham. And now, whether a Perfon of this
Malice and Virulency of Difpofition was a proper Inftru-
ment to work out the Good of the Colonies, they left to
the Judgment of all clear and impartial Minds.
Lastly, touching the Iflue of the Petition, that all
Abufes might be examined and reformed, the Company de-
clared, they willingly concurred with the Petitioners there-
in, but could not forbear remarking their too evident Par-
tiality. For they defired only, that the Accounts fince Sir
Thomas Smiths Time might be examined, which had al-
was been fairly kept, and legally audited, according to the
Orders of the Court, ( except by one only of the Petitioner's
Society) and yet they palled the Accounts of the former
Years over in Silence, which were neverthelefs three times
as large, and thrice three times more queftionable.
* In their Anfwer to Captain Butler''% Information, they
\ recited, that the feven firll: Articles had been anfwered by
\ fixteen Eye-witneiTes of the Matters alledged. Men of un-
queftionable Chara6ler and Veracity, who were ready, at
any time, to juftify the fame upon their Oaths. They
therefore referred to that, as being the higheft and moft
unex-
veinor.
Book V. The History of VIRGINIA. ^287
unexceptionable Evidence, that could be had in fuch a 1623.
Cafe ; and they proceeded themfelves, to give Aniwers to ''-' — v — — '
the three laft Articles. But as the Anfwer, afterwards re-^ Francis
turned from Virginia by the Governor and General K{- ^^^^^''
fembly, was much the fame in Purport with this, I fhall
ftill, to avoid all tedious and needlefs Repetition, refer to
that, hereafter to be given. But as to Butler's. laft Claufe,
of the Confufions and private Ends of fome of the Com-
pany in England^ and of the bad Execution of their Agents
in Virginia^ they befought his Majelty, that he might not
be permitted to wander in fuch general and indeterminate
Accufations, which only tended to Slander and Defamation,
but might be obliged to make an exprefs and particular
Difcovery of thofe Perfons and Meafures before the Com-
mifTioners, that were foon to be appointed. And in the
mean while, they protelled againft it, as calumnious and
unjuft, and of the felf-fame Truth with the reft of his In-
formations.
M R. Berhbck alfo defired, that a fliort Paffage, out of
one of Sir Thomas Dale^ Letters to Sir Thomas Smithy might
be read ; which he had accidentally happened upon, in pe-
rufing the Company's Books, by Order of the Court. This
was dated in yune 16 13, and has been already mentioned
and extrafted. In it, he defires them not to be gulled by
the clamorous Reports of bafe People, but to believe Caleb
and Jajhua^ and gives a very great and lavifli Commenda-
tion of the Country ; which Mr. John Stnith declared to
agree exa6tly, with what he, and divers other Perfons of
Worth, had heard from his own Mouth in Englayid; and
Mr. Copeland affirmed, that Sir Thomas Dale had told him
the fame in Eite6i:, at Japan in the Eaji-Indies. There
was alfo read Part of a Letter from Sir Samuel Argall to
the Company, dated in July 161 7, highly commending the
Healthinefs and Conveniency of James-Town. To thefe
was added, at the Lord CavendiJ]}''?, Motion, a long Decla-
ration, by his Majefty's Council for Virginia^ and the prin-
cipal Affiftants for the Soner-IJlands ; in which, they plain-
ly, and without Difguife or Palliation, laid open the whole
Scene of the Earl of IFarwick'i Proceedings, with the ini-
quitous Pradlices of himfelf and his Fa6lion, but moft efpe-
cially of his too grand Inftruments of Rapine, Sir Samuel
Argall and Captain Butler. This long and particular Rela-
tion has been of fingular Service, and given great Light, in
the fuller Detection of their fraudulent Arts and Manage-
ment ; but as it contains nothing materially different from
the foregoing Relation of their Proceedings, I fhall eafe both
myfelf and the Reader from the Trouble of an Abftra£l.
288 The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
i*^^3- All thefe Publick A£ts, Declarations, and Teftimonials
"-y — t ' were laid before his Majefly, the Lords of the Privy Coun-
S\T Francis ^jj^ ^^^ ^j^g Commiflioners. For, two Days after this, on
vernor. ^ '^^e Qth of May^ a Commiflion iffued, under the Great Seal
of England^ to Sir William "Jones^ Knight, one of his Ma-
jelly's Julf ices of the Court of Common Pleas, Sir Nicholas
Fortefciie^ Sir Francis Go/ton^ Sir Richard Sutton^ Sir JVil-
liam Pit^ Sir Henry Bonrchier^ and Sir Henry Spibnan^
Knights, or any four of them, to examine and enquire into
all Matters and Bufineffes, any ways relating or appertain-
ing to the Plantations of Virginia and the Somer-I [lands.
Altho' the Points, to be enquired into, ran very much, in
j this Commiffion, according to the general Heads, and even
I the very Words, of the latter Part of Alderman yohnfon\
Petition, yet the Lords of the Privy Council had the Alder-
man's Partiality reformed, and their Enquiry was not con-
lined to the four lad: Years, but extended to all A6ls and
Things, from the firft Incorporation of the Companies,
and Settlement of the Colonies. Who thefe Commiflioners
were, and what were their real Characters and Condu£t
through Life, I cannot fay. I only find, that Cambden., in
his Annals for the Year 1619, briefly mentions Fortefcue.,
Gofton., Sutton., and Pit., late Commiflioners for the Navy,
and for Domeftick Affairs, to be then knighted.
From this time, all Letters from the Colonies, both
publick and private, were intercepted by his Majefty's
Command ; in order to furprife, and find out, any fecret
Combinations and underhand Pra6lices of the Companies,
or their Officers. All their Books and Records were like-
wife fequeftered, by an Order of the Privy Council ; and
both the Mr. Farrars., the Deputv-Treafurers to the two
Companies, were laid under Arreft, and confined. I can-
not difcover, by what Colour or Pretence this was done ;
but it was a great Interruption, in preparing the Company's
Bufinefs, which was to be laid before the Commiflioners.
For their Defence depended entirely on their Books and
Records, from which, they doubted not, to make their
Innocencv abundantly appear. And they were fo fenfible
of the Prejudice, that would arife to the Companies, by
their Deputies Reftraint, who were their greateft Accomp-
tants, and by reafon of their Places, the moft converfant
of all others in the Bufinefs of late Years, that they peti-
tioned the Privy Council, fo far at leaft to fet them at Li-
berty, that they might be able to go forward with the Com-
pany's Bufinefs, and attend the Commiflioners. And their
Books were accordingly foon after reilored, and the Depu-
ties releafed.
But
BookV. TZv History -r^^ 1 II 1 o- fry at, Go-
foon as the Commiflioners were known, they deputed on- ^^.^^^j.^
Edward Sackvil^ Sir Robert Killigrezu^ and Sir John Da-
vers^ to wait upon them, in the Company's Name ; and
to declare their Joy and Satisfaction, in the CommilTion's
being iflued. And they very earneitly and unanimoufly
befought them, to take into their immediate Confideration
Captain Butler's Information to his Majefty, entitled ; The
unmaflied Face of the Colo?iy in Virginia ; which had given a
deadly Wound to the happy Progrefs and Profperity of that
Plantation. So tiiat until, by their Wifdom and Integiity,
the Truth fliould be diicovered, and the World again pof-
fefled with their former Hopes and good Opinion of that
Colony, it mull undoubtedly languiih, if not fliortly periili,-
for Want of thofe daily Supplies, which its Reputation a-
lone had before railed, in great Abundance. But I do not
find, that the Commiflioners took the leaft: Notice, or did
any thing in Coni'equence, of this juft and reafonable Re-
queft ; altho' the Company urged it often, as a Point of
great Importance, which required an immediate Examina-
tion and Difpatch. But foon after, they iflued their War-
rant to Mr. ColUngivood^ the Secretary, and to all other the
Clerks and Officers of the Virginia Company, to bring
before them, to the Queft-Houfe, adjoining to St. Andreiu's
Church in Holborn^ all and fingular Letters-patent, Pro-
clamations, Commiffions, Warrants, Records, Orders,
Books, Accounts, Entries, and all other Notes and Wri-
tings whatfoever, in their Cuftody. Hereupon the Com-
pany appointed a Committee, confifting of Sir Rohert Kil-
ligrew^ Sir John Davers^ Mr. Herbert^ Mr. Tomlyns^ Mr.
White^ Mr. Withers^ Mr. Bland^ Mr. Barber^ and Mr.
Berblock^ who fhould all, or any three of them, with the
Secretary, attend the Commiffioners, from time to time, with
the Letters-patent, Books of Accompt, and other Writings.
But they charged them, at every Rifing of the Commif-
fioners, to bring back the original Letters-patent, and to
leave with them only a Copy ; which, they hoped and con-
ceived, would be fufficient. The Commiflioners were like-
wife defired, in the Company's Name, to refpite the Deli-
very of their Books of Account, 'till their Accomptant had
taken Copies of them ; when they were, together with all
other Writings and Records, delivered into their Hands, and
never afterwards returned to the Company.
Whilst the Company urged to the Commiflioners an
immediate Enquiry into the Truth of Captain Butler's Al-
legations,
292 The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. legations, they, at the fame time, recommended to their
' y 'View and Perufal, as a thing relative to that Affair, the
Sir Francis Declaration of the Council for Firgittia and of the princi-
vciMior, ° P'^^ Affiflants of the Somer-I/Jands Company, which hath
been before mentioned, and which charged, in a home and
open Manner, the Earl of IVarivick and his Fadion, but
particularly Sir Samuel Argall and Captain Butler^ with ma-
ny illegal and opprelTive Prailices. This, I prefume, gave
Occafion to a Letter, which the Company foon after re-
ceived from the King ; wherein he utterly forbids, that any
Complaints fliould be brought before the Commiflioners
againft any Man, in the Name of the Council or Company,
becaufe that Courfe only tended to Defamation, and to raife
more Contention ; and becaufe to bring Matters, deter-
mined by the Council or Company,, before the Commif-
fioners, was to preoccupate the Commiflioners Judgments,
or elfe to oppofe the hSl and Opinion of the Council and
Company, to the KQi and Opinion of the Commiflioners.
It was therefore his exprefs Pleafure and Command, that
whofoever would exhibit Complaints againfi: any Man, ei-
ther for publick Wrong to the Company, or for private
Injuries to himfelf, he lliould bring the fame in Writing,
fubfcribed with his Name, to the Commiflioners, who
fliould receive the Anfwer thereto in Writing, and there-
upon proceed, as they fliould fee Caufe.
What was the End or Defign of fuch an Order is not
eafily conceived, I think ; unlefs it was to prevent the Com-
pany from acting with that Unanimity and Agreement,
which it plainly appeared, they would, and which, in the
Eyes of all impartial Men, would give the greater Weight
and Authority to their Proceedings. And where the Juftice
was, or Legality, of forbidding the Company to profecute
for publick Wrong to themfelves^ as a Body corporate, and
to leave it only to private Men, who could not legally do it,
without being firft authorifed and impowered by the Com-
pany (and then it became their Act and Deed) is to me
equally myfterious and inconceiveable. I am unwilling to
make hard and uncharitable Interpretations ; but this whole
Affair of the Commiflioners appears to have very little of the
Face of Juftice, but feems to have been fet on Foot for quite
different Ends and Purpofes.
But befides this, that Letter contained another exprefs
Command ; That no Man, of what Degree or Quality fo-
ever, fliould be admitted to their Courts or Committees,
who, befides his Freedom and Land, had not fome Men
then, or lately before, planted upon his Shares ; or that
was not, at that time, actually engaged in, and accordina;-
Tv
Book V. The History of VIRGINIA. 293
ly purfued, the fending of A4en or Supplies over. And he 1623.
farther ordered, if any other prefumed to be prefent at their ^"^-^^ '
Meetings, that they fliould be proceeded againft, as factious ^ Francis
and feditious Perfons. This was hkewife a manifeit ^i^- ^J^^^
fringement of their Charters, which had fpecilied the dif-
ferent Ways, by which Men fliould become free, and a6l
as Members of the Company. Being therefore much ftag-
gered and furprifed at both thefe Points, they refolved to
hold no more Courts, 'till the King's Pleafure was farther
underftood. To this End, they prefented a Petition to his
Majefty ; in Anfwer to which, he, in efte6l, took off and
reverfed thofe two Prohibitions and Commands. After
which, the Company again proceeded, as a Body corporate,
in their Bufmefs before the Commiflioners ; and they laid
before them their Reafons and Exceptions againft Sir Thomas
Sjnith's Accounts, together with all the other Declarations,
Anfwers, and Writings, which had been drawn up, and fo
unanimoufly agreed to, by the Committee of the whole
Company. And they ftill particularly infifted upon, and
ftrenuouHy preffed, the expediting Captain Butlers Affair,
as that Bufinefs was the moft urgent, and moft immediately
hurtful and pernicious to the Colony.
But what the Commiflioners did, what Enquiries they
entered upon, and what Reports they made to his Majefty,
was a dead Secret to the Company ; who, in a Letter to
the Colony, acknowledge themfelves to be entirely in the
Dark, as to what was paiTing, or what was intended. At
length, after long waiting for the Iffue of their Enquiries
and Determinations, Mr. Deputy Farrar^ with fome few
more of the Company, were called, on the 8th of OSioher^ .
before the Lords of the Privy Council, who made fome
Propofals to the Deputy. But thefe being of a very weighty
and important Nature, and Mr. Farrar conceiving himfelf
to have no Power to give an Anfwer to them, they were,
at his Requeft, drawn up into an Order of that Board ; that
fo he might, under that Form, prefent them to the Com-
pany. This Order of Council fet forth : /
That his Majefty had taken into his princely Confi-
deration the diftrefl'ed State of the Colony of Virginia^ oc-
cafioned, as it feemed, by the ill Government of the Com-
pany : That this could not well be remedied, but by redu-
cing the Government into fewer Hands, near the Number
of thofe, that were, in the firft Patent, appointed : That
therein efpecial Provifion fhould be made, for continuing
and preferving the Interefts of all Adventurers and private
Perfons whatfoever : That Jiis Majefty had therefore re-
folved, bv a new Charter, to appoint a Governor and twelve
Affiftants,
294 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1623. AfTiftants, to be refident in England^ to whom fhould be
' Y^~^ committed the Government of the Company and Colony:
Sir Prancn^YiZt the faid Governor and Afliftants fhould be nominated
vemor. "and chofen, for the firft time, by his Majefty ; and that
their Election afterwards fhould be in the following Manner,
vi-z. the AfTiflants fhould prefent the Names of three to his
Majefty, of whom he fliould nominate one, to be Gover-
nor ; and the AfTiftants themfelves fhould be chofen, by the
major Part of their own Body for the time being, the Names
of thofe to be chofen being firfl prefented to the King, or
the Council Board, to be allowed of, or difallowed, by his
Majefly ; and that the Governor, and fix of the AfTiflants,
fhould be changed, once in two Years : That there fhould
alfo be refident in Virginia^ a Governor and twelve Aflif-
tants, to be nominated by the Governor and Afliftants in
England^ they firft prefenting their Names to his Majefty,
or the Council Board, for their Allowance or Difallowance
of the fame : And that, as the Governor and AflTiftants,
refident in Virginia^ fhould have Relation and Dependence
on the Governor and Afliftants in England^ fo the Gover-
nor and Afliftants in England^ fhould have Relation and De-
pendence upon the Council Board, that fo all Matters of
Importance might thereby be under his Majefty's immediate
Direilion at that Board : And that his Majefty further pur-
pofed, to make the like Grants, as well of Lands, as of other
Franchifes and Benefits, as had been granted in the former
Charters ; with Declaration, that for fettling and eftablifh-
ing all private Interefts, this new Company fliould confirm,
or grant anew to all Perfons, the like Interefts, .as they en-
joyed by the Grant, Order, or Allowance of the former
Company. And therefore, the Deputy and the reft were,
by their Lordfliips, required, to affemble a Court forthwith,
to refolve, whether the Company would fubmit, and fur-
render their former Charters, and be content to accept a new
one, with the aforefaid Alterations -, and they were com-
manded to return their Anfwer with all Expedition, his
Majefty being determined, in Default of fuch Submiffion,
to proceed for recalling their former Charters, in fuch Sort,
as to him fhould feem juft and meet.
This Order of Council fo ftruck and amazed the Com-
pany, that, as if they diifrufted their own Ears, they caufed
i it to be read over three feveral times ; and after that, no
■, Man, for a long while, fpoke a Word to it. However,
eight of the Failion of Twenty-fix, being prefent with Sir
Samuel Argall at their Head, moved the Company, in Con-
formity to their Lordfhips Order, to make an immediate
Surrender of their Charters ; but far the major Part of the
Court,
Book V. rbe History of VIRGINIA.
Court, to the Number of an hundred and twelve Perfons,
declared refolutely againft it. They faid, it was a Matter
of fuch Weight and'Confequence, that they thought them- ^j;; ^^''^^^J^*
felves to have no Power to give an Anfwer to it, in that vemo'.
ordinary Court. For fuch Courts were, by their Charters,
only permitted, to treat of cafual and particular Occurren-
ces of lefs Confequence ; but all weighty Affairs, and par-
ticularly all things relating to Government, were reftrained,
by the precife Words of their Letters-patent, to Quarter
Courts only. Wherefore, whilft their prefent Patents were
in Force, that ordinary Court had no Authority, to deter-
mine fuch a Matter as this, being of the highell and moft
important Nature, that had ever been propounded to them.
To which it was added, that, in Obedience to their Char-
ters, chey had never taken to themfelves the Liberty, to
difpofe of fo much as a fingle Share of Land, but in their
Quarter Court ; and they conceived themfelves much more,
even in Confcience, bound, not to betray their Truft, and
fo fuddenly pafs away all the Rights of themfelves and the
reft of their numerous Society, and of all the Planters in •
Virginia alfo, who were equally interefled with them in
their Letters-patent. They therefore befought their Lord-
fhips, that their Anfwer might, upon thefe juft Grounds,
be refpited till the Quarter Court ; which, being the 19th
of November^ was not far off; and againft then, they fhould
have Leifure to confider well of fo weighty a Proportion.
And to this End, they ordered a very large and particular
Summons to be given to all the Adventurers, againft that
Day ; and that their Officers fhould give them efpecial No-
tice of the Bufinefs, then to be treated ; and defire them,
in the Company's Name, not to fail to be prefent \ which
if they did, they would be without Excufe, and would have
no Manner of Pretence, to complain afterwards.
This Anfwer, however confonant to both Law and
Reafon, gave no Satisfaftion to the Lords of the Privy
Council ; who, by another A£t of their Board, dated the
17th of the fame Month of O^ober^ declared it to be merely
delatory. Wherefore, as his Majefty expe£fed a fpeedy
Account of their Proceedings in that Bufinefs, and as it did
likewife, in itfelf, require all Expedition, in Regard of the
Importance and Confequence thereof (which, by the bye,
was an odd Reafon for being hafty) they ordered, and ex-
prefly charged, the Deputy and the reft, to affemble them-
felves again immediately, and on the Monday following,
being the 20th of the faid Month, to deliver a clear, dire(9t,
and final Anfwer to that, which had been before propound-
ed, and was that Day reiterated unto them : vi%. Whether
41 X the
296
"The History '
chearfully proceed. It was therefore ordered by their Lord-^*^ Framn
Ihips, and thought fit to be publifhed to the Company, that^ ^^ '
it was his Majefty's abfolute Command, that the Ships, then
intended for Firginia^ and in fome Readinefs to go, fliould
be forthwith difpathced away, for the Rehef of the Colony
and Good of the Plantation, without any farther Hindrance
or Stop.
What were the Proceedings of the Commiflioners all
this while, I cannot tell ; nor whether his Majefty found
fufficient Matter, as he thought, from their Reports, to
fupprefs the Company, and revoke their Charters. But the
better to fortify this Defign, and to raife Matter of Com-
plaint and Accufation, the Lords of the Privy Council, on
the 24th of October ^ appointed "John Harvey^ Efq; (after-
wards well known, as Governor of Virginia^ by the Title
of Sir John Harvey) John Pory^ (formerly Secretary, and a
noted Tool of the Earl of Warwick's) Abraham Pierfey^
Samuel Matthews^ and John Jefferfon^ Gentlemen, to be
their Commiflioners, to make particular and diligent En-
quiry, touching divers Matters, which concerned the State
of the Colony of Virginia. And that they might the better
perform the Orders they had received, and difcharge the
7>uft committed to them, their Lordfliips ftricStly willed
and required the Governor and Council here, to yield them
their beft Aid and Afllftance, upon all Occafions, and in
all Matters, wherein they fliould find Caufe to make Ufe
of the fame. The three Ails of Council alfo, juft before
recited, were committed to Mr. Pory^ and particularly the
laft, to be publiflied in fuch Places in Virginia.^ as he fhould
judge fit, for the Qiiieting and Satisfa6lion of the Inhabi-
tants here. Captain Harvey indeed and Mr. Pory feem, to
have been the moft active, and moft depended upon, in
this Bufinefs ; and therefore Captain Smithy who had pro-
bably never feen their Commiflion, and knew nothing of
the others, only mentions two, as fent upon this Errand.
As for Mr. Jefferfon.^ he never appeared in it, but feems
all along a hearty Friend to the Company, and their prefent
Conftitution and Government. Befides, he was prefent
at their Courts in England., at fuch times, as were incon-
fifi:ent with his profecuting that Commiflion in Virginia,
And Captain Mattheivs exprefly joins with the General Af-
fembly, in their Oppofite Representations to his Majefty,
as will be hereafter related.
Things being laid in this Train, foon after, on the
loth of November^ Mr. Deputy-Treafurer Farrar^ and di-
X 2 vers
298 rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
^^^3- vers others of the Company, were ferved with a Procefs of
"^"^ ^'^"^ ^0 Warranto out of the King's Bench ; to fhew, by what
^!^ ^''^""^ Authority, they claimed to be a Body corporate, and to
vei-nor. "^^e and enjoy thole Liberties and rnvileges, which they
did. The Company chearfully acknowledged this to be a
fair and legal Manner of proceeding ; and they defired the
Defendants, to take efpecial Care of the Bufinefs, as being
the Company's Caufe, altho' profecuted in particular Names ;
and as their Charter was called in Queftion by it, which,
they conceived, was therefore to be pleaded. As for the
Charge of this Suit (which, it was judged, would be very
great) it was agreed, that it fhould be borne by the Com-
pany's general Stock. Wherefore it was unanimoufly or-
dered, that whatever Difburfements ftiould be made by the
Defendants, or others, in the Procefs of the Suit (provi-
ded, it were for the Company's Caufe and Defence, and
not for Matters, that in the Iflue would fall upon particu-
lar Perfons, or their Actions) they fhould all be duly re-
paid, and made good by the Company. But the entertain-
ing Counfel and Attornies was wholly left and entrufted to
the Choice and Care of the Defendants.
But for this Caufe, fince another Courfe had been taken
to bring the Bufinefs to a legal Trial, by the Attorney Ge-
neral's profecuting a ^uo Warranto againft the Company,
they refufed, at their Quarter Court on the 19th of Novem-
ber^ to enter into any Confideration about the Matter. But
that Court, with a general Unanimity, (feven only diffent-
ing) folemnly ratified and confirmed all the Proceedings of
the former Courts, which had refufed to furrender up their
Charters. And for the better Management of fo weighty an
Affair, which would require often and ferious Confultation,'
a Grand Committee was appointed, to dire6f: all Matters
appertaining thereto ; and the Deputy had Authority given
him, at all times to call them together, or fuch a Part of
them, as he fliould think proper. And that the Company
might be the better enabled to prepare their Proofs, and
make good their Defence, a Petition was ordered to be de-
livered to the Lords of the Privy Council, for reftoring their
Books and Writings ; which had now, for fome time, been
in theirs and the CommifTioners Hands. But Mr. Bing
faid, let them make as many Petitions as they pleafe, they
fliould as foon have an Halter, as have their Writings ;
which gave fuch univerfal and jufl Offence, that Complaint
was made thereof to the Lords of the Council. But I do
not find, that any Right was done them, for fo atrocious
an Infult and Affront on the Court, or that they ever af-
terwards recovered their Records.
But
BookV. rbc History ^
was a general Subfcription, amounting to an unexpe6ted yj^^l
Sum, and Workmen actually employed, to build a fair Inn
in fames City, and every principal Plantation had refolved
on the like, for the Entertainment of their new Supplies ;
when it pleafed God, to punifli our Crimes by the bloody
Hands of the India?is^ which obliged us to divert that Care
to the Houfing ourfelves, many of us having been unfur-
nifhed by that Difafter. But Buildings of late have every
where encreafed exceedingly ; neither have new Comers any
Reafon to complain, when every Man's Houfe is, without
Recompence, open to the Stranger, even to the difaccom-
modating ourfelves. So that we may with Modefty boaft,
that no People in the World do exercife the like Hofpita-
lity. As for dying under Hedges (whereof there are none
in Virginia) or lying unburied in the Woods, by reafon of
this Defe6t, it is utterly falfe. However, if fuch things
fhould fometimes be feen accidentally here, the like may,
and often doth happen, in the moft flourifhing Countries of
Europe.
. 4. The Colony was, this Winter, in great Diflrefs, ^r.
The Colony, that Winter, was in no Diftrefs of Vic-
tual, as the Accufer well knoweth. For he bought Corn
himfelf for eight Shillings a Bufhel, cheaper, as we hear,
than it was then fold in England. It is true, a fucceeding
Scarcity was feared. But what lefs could be expe6led, after
fuch a Maflacre ; when near half the Colony were driven
from their Habitations in time of planting, others ftreigh-
tened in their Ground by receiving them, and all interrupted
in their Bufinefs by fupporting a fudden War ? Englijh
Meal fold, as he affirmeth, at thirty Shillings the Bulhel,
was only fold for ten Pounds of Tobacco ; for which, in
truck, we ordinarily receive under twelve Pence a Pound,
real Value. And it is not to be fuppofed, that any of the
Great fliould affecSl Scarcity, in order to enrich themfelves
by Trade. For Trade hath ever been free for us all ; nei-
ther have they, who have brought in moft Corn, fold it
out at unconfcionable Rates, but have often freely imparted
it to the Neceffity of others, without any other Advantage
than Repayment. We agree with that Prime-one, who
wiflied, that Corn might never be under eight Shillings a
Bufliel ; meaning in Tobacco at three Shillings a Pound.
For fo there would be fome Proportion between the Profit
of making the one and the other, and Corn would thereby
be planted in greater Abundance.
5. Their
Thf History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
5. Their Houfes are generally the worft, dffc.
Our Houfes, for the moft Part, are rather built for
Sir Francis ufe than Ornament : vet not a kw for both, and fit to give
fFvat, Go- T- • A/r r 2 r\ v ic ■
vernor. Entertainment to Men 01 good (^ality. It we may give
Credit to thofe, who are accounted the moft faithful Re-
laters of the Weft-Indies^ many Cities of great Rumour
there, after threefcore Years Progrefs, are not to be com-
pared in their Buildings to ours. And fo far are they from
the meaneft Cottages in England^ that many Towns there
have hardly one Houfe in them, which exceedeth ours in
Conveniency or Stru6lure. . The greateft Difparagement,
that fome of them received, proceeded from his Riots and
lafcivious Filthinefs with lewd Women, purchafed with Ri-
als of Eight and Wedges of Gold, the Spoils of the dif-
treffed Spaniards in Bermudas ; which, as we are informed
by a Gentleman of good Credit, who cafually furveyed his
Inventory, did, with other Treafure, amount to divers
Thoufands. As for the Interpofition of Creeks, which
Men are moft defirous to feat upon, where we cannot go
by Land, we have Boats and Canoes, for our fudden Tranf-
port on any Occafion.
6. I found not the leaft Piece of Fortification, ^c.
We have, as yet, no Fortifications againft a foreign E-
nemy, altho' it hath been endeavoured by the Company,
with a Succefs unanfwerable to their Care and Expence ;
as alfo lately by ourfelves. But the Work, being inter-
rupted by the Scarcity of laft Summer, fhall proceed again,
God willing, with all convenient Expedition ; and almoft
all our Houfes are fufficiently fortified againft the Indians^
with ftrong Palifadoes. His Envy would not let him num-
ber truly the Ordinance at 'James City ; four Demi-Culve-
rins being there mounted, and all ferviceable. At Flower-
de-Hundred^ he makes but one of fix ; neither was he ever
there, but, according to his Cuftom, reporteth the unfeen
as feen. The fame Envy would not let him fee the three
Pieces at Newport' %-News^ and thofe two at Elifabeth-City.
Two great Pieces there are at Charles Hundred^ and feven
at Henrico. Befides which, feveral private Planters have
fince furnifhed themfelves with Ordinance. So that it were
a defperate Enterprife, and unlikely to be attempted by a
Man of his Spirit, to beat down our Houfes about our Ears,
with a Bark of that Burthen.
7. Expecting, according to their printed Books, ^c.
The time that this Informer came over, was in the
Winter, after the Maflacre ; when thofe Wounds were
green, and the Earth deprived of her Beauty. His Ears
were open to nothing but Detraction, and he only enquired
after
Book. V. 'The History of VIRGINIA.
after the Factious, of which there were none among us,
and how he might gather Accufations againft thofe in the '
Government, being, as it fhould feem, fent over for that ^'^^'^^""'
Purpofe. Otherwife he could not but hear of our ¥xoc\z- ^.J^^^^
mations for the Advancement of Staple Commodities, and
with what Alacrity and Succefs they proceeded ; Vines and
Mulberry Trees being planted throughout the whole Coun-
try, the Iron-Works in great Forwardnefs and fliortly to
receive Perfection, and the Glafs- Works laboured after with
all poflible Care, till the Slaughter by the Indians^ and the
fucceeding Mortality, gave a Ruin to fome, and Interrup-
tion to all. So that he hath nothing but our Misfortunes
to accufe and upbraid us with ; which have obliged us, ftill
to follow that contemptible Weed, as well to fuftain the
War, as to enable us again to ere6l thofe Works. As for
deriding the Books, that were fent over by the Company,
it was done by himfelf, and no other, that we know of.
8. I found the ancient Plantations of He?irico^ iffc.
Still he abufeth your Majefty with thefe Words, /
found^ in Places, where he never was by fome Score of
Miles ; having never been higher up the River, than the
Territories of James City. Henrico was quitted in Sir Tho-
7nas Smith's Time, only the Church and one Houfe remain-
ing. Charles City., fo much fpoken of, never had but fix
Houfes. The Soil of both is barren, worn out, and not
fit for Culture. The Lofs of our Stocks the Informer
hath lefs Reafon to urge. For he joined with the Indians
in killing our Cattle, and carried the Beef aboard his Ship ;
which would have coft him his Life, if he had had his De-
ferts.
9. Whereas according to his Majefty's gracious, b'c.
The Governor and Council, whom it only concerned,
replied to this ; that they had followed the Laws and Cuf-
toms of England to their utmoft Skill ; neither could he,
or any other, produce any Particular, wherein they had
failed. As to their Ignorance, they held him to be no
competent Judge of thofe, who fo far tranfcended him in
Point of Learning and Ability. For he had never been
bred to the Law (as was not unknown to fome of them)
nor yet in any other of the liberal Sciences. But his prin-
cipal Spleen in this Article, appeared to proceed from his
not being admitted of the Council, which they could by
no means, confidently with their Infl:ru61:ions, do.
10. There having been, as it is thought, ten thou-
fand, ^c.
His Computation of ten thoufand Souls falleth fhort of
four thoufand ; and thofe were, in great part, wafted by
*^ Y the
312 The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
'6^4- the more than Egyptian Slavery and Scythian Cruelty, which
""^ 1 -^ was exercifed on us, your poor and miferable Subjedls, by
% ^rSo- ^^^^ written in Blood, and executed with all Sorts of Ty-
vernor. ranny, in the Time of Sir Thomas Smith's Government ;
whereof we fend your Majefty the true and tragical Rela-
tion, from which it will plainly appear, that the pretended
Confufions and private Ends will ftrongly reflect upon him
and his Inftru6lors. And how unfit fuch Men are, to re-
ftore that Plantation, which fufFered fo much under their
Government, we humbly refer to your princely Confidera-
tion ; invoking, with him, that divine and fupreme Hand,
to protect us from fuch Governors and their Minifters,
who have poured out our Blood on the Earth like Water,
and have fatted themfelves with our Famine. And we be-
feech your Majefty, to fupport us in this juft and gentle
Authority, which has cheriftied us of late by more worthy
Magiftrates ; and We, our Wives, and poor Children, as
is our Duty, fhall ever pray to God, to give you in this
World all Increafe of Happinefs, and to crown you in the
World to come, with immortal Glory.
This Anfwer was fubfcribed by the fame Perfons as
the former ; only with the Addition of the Honourable
Francis IVefl^ Brother to the late, and Uncle to the then
hord Delaiuarr, and Sir George Teardley, of the Council,
and of one more Member of the Houfe of BurgefTes. Mr.
John Pountis alfo, one of the Council of State, was appoint-
ed to go to England^ to foUicite the general Caufe of the
Colony (for fo they call it) ; and four Pounds of Tobacco
was levied upon every Male Tithable, that had been a Year
in the Country, to fupport his Expences. But this Gen-
tleman, in his Voyage home, died upon the Coaft of En-
gland-^ and was therefore able to do nothing in the Affair.
But to thefe, the General Affembly added two other Wri-
tings ; the one a Petition to the King, and the other a Let-
ter to the Lords of the Privy Council.
In their Petition to the King, they declared their great
Joy and Satisfaction, that his Majefty, notwithftanding the
late unjuft Difparagement of this Plantation, had taken it
into his nearer and more efpecial Care. And that his Royal
Intentions might have their due Efte6l, they humbly be-
fought him, being urged thereto by their Duty and Expe-
rience, to give no Credit to the late Declarations of the
happy, as it was called, but in Truth, miferable Eftate of
the Colony, during the firft twelve Years, nor to the ma-
licious Imputations, which had been laid on the Govern-
ment of late ; but that he would be pleafed to behold, in
Miniature.
Book V. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 313
Miniature, the true Eftate of both Times by their Rela- ^624.
tions, which they then prefented by the Hands of Mr. "Johri ^.^ '
Pountis^ a worthy Member of their Body ; and which con-^'"" ^''^'•"'^
tained nothing but the Truth, without Difaftedion or Par-^^'^J^' ^°"
tiahty. From thefe they doubted not, but that his Ma-
jefty would clearly underftand the true Condition of both
Times ; and would be pleafed, according to their earneft
Defire, to continue, and even farther confirm, the Govern-
ment, under which they then lived. But if it fliould pleafe
him otherwife to determine, they befought him, by all the
Ties of Compaflion and Humanity, not to fuffer them, his
poor Subjects, to fall again into the Hands of Sir TImnas
Smithy or his Confidents ; but that he would gracioufly
prote<5t them from thofe Storms of Faction, which threa-
tened the Ruin of fome Perfons (whofe Endeavours had
deferved a better Reward) and in general the Subverfion of
the whole Colony. And if the Government muft be al-
tered, they defired, fince the A6lion was of fuch Honour
and Confequence, that they might ftill depend upon fuch
great and noble Perfons, as they lately had done. And far-
ther, in Confideration of the late Maffacre and fubfequent
Calamities, they befought his Majefty, to grant them and
the Somer-Ijlands the fole Importation of Tobacco ; afluring
him, that they affected not that contemptible Weed, as a
thing good and defirable in itfelf, but as a prefent Means of
Support. And if it fhould pleafe his Majefty, to fend over
that Aid of Soldiers, whereof they had been put in Hopes,
or any other Afliftance, they humbly defired, that the Go-
vernor and General Aflembly might have a Voice in their
Difpofal ; fince none at that Diftance, by reafon of Acci-
dents and emergent Occafions, could dire6t fuch an Affair
fo advantageoufly, as they were enabled to do, by their
Prefence and Experience in the Country.
In their Letter to the Privy Council, they acknowledged
the Receipt of feveral of theirs, and returned their Thanks
to his Majefty for his princely Care of the Colony ; parti-
cularly for remitting three Pence a Pound in the Cuftom of
Tobacco, and for his gracious Intention to grant them a
fole Importation, than which nothing could give greater
Life, or a more fpeedy Advancement, to the Colony. For
little or nothing could be expelled from Poverty, to which
the mean Prices of Tobacco, and great Expence of the
War againft the Indians^ had reduced them. Neither had
they, in their prefent State, the Means to fortify them-
felves, or to fet up Staple Commodities, which would re-
quiie a long Expeftation of Profit ; the Fruit of their La-
bours at prefent amounting to no more, if fo much, as
Y 2 would
314 77:'^ History of VIRGINIA. Book V,
1624. would barely feed and cloath them. They therefore hum-
' r 'bly entreated their Lordfhips, to be a Means to his Ma-
^ FratKii-^^i^y jQ confirm his gracious Intention ; and to take into
vemor. °' their Confideration the heavy Burthen, of paying for Cuf-
tom above a Third of their Labour ; which, they defired,
might be reduced to five per Cent, according to the exprefs
Tenor of their original Charters.
They further told their Lordfhips, that they underftood
by their Letters, that they had been accufed by one, who
went from hence, of Negle6l in Fortifications, in building
Houfes, and in providing themfelves Suftenance ; but they
protefted againft his Relation, which was, as in other things,
fo in this, moft falfe and flanderous. They had, in due
Submiflion, publifhed their Orders, fent over by Mr. Pory ;
by which they underftood his Majefty's Intention, to change
the Government, They profeiTed themfelves ignorant of
the Dangers and Ruin, that threatened them from the Go-
vernment, as it then ftood ; and declared, they had no-
thing to accufe thofe Gentlemen of, who had Iwayed their
Affairs, fince the Expiration of Sir Thomas Smith's Autho-
rity ; their Slavery having fince been converted into Free-
dom, and the Colony cherifhed under a juft and moderate
Government. Neither would they have been fubje£l to
Cenfure, had not the bitter Effe6ts of the Maffacre clouded
the Company's Zeal and their Endeavours.
But however it might pleafe his Majefty to difpofe of
them, it was their humble Defire, that the Governors,
fent over, might not have abfolute Authority, but might
be reftrained to the Confent of the Council ; which Title,
they defired, might ftill be retained to the Honour of the
Colony, and not converted to the Name of Affiftants, as
was propofed in an Order of their Board. They faid, they
had found fome Inconveniencies, by the ftri<5l Limitations
of the Governor and Council, to proceed according to their
Inftrudlions out of England. For in fo far a Diftance, and
imperfect Knowledge of the Country, thofe things might
feem good in Advice, which might happen to prove very
inconvenient in Execution ; neither was it fit, that any main
Projeft fhould be fet on Foot, which had not firft Appro-
bation from hence. They conceived, the prefent fhort
Continuance of Governors to be very difadvantageous to the
Colony. The firft Year, they were raw and unexperien-
ced in the Country, and for the moft part in ill Difpofition
of Health, through the Change of Climate ; the fecond,
they began to underftand fomething of the Affairs of the
Colony ; and the third, they were providing to return. But
above all, they made it their moft humble Requeft to their
Lordfliips,
BooK V. 'The History of VIRGINIA. 315
Lordfhi^, that they might ftill retain the Liberty of their '624.
General Aflemblies ; than which nothing could more con-
duce, to the publick Satisfaaion, and publick Utility. ^'^ ^''''"'''
' ' - -'- -'- - _•'- fryat, Go-
vernor
These two were figned by almoft the fame Perfons as
the former ; and I cannot but obferve, to the immortal
Honour of Sir Francis Wyat^ that he was fo far from de-
firing the Tyranny of an abfolute Authority, that he was
moft ftrenuous and a(5tive, and joined very cordially in all
thefe Petitions and Reprefentations, for reftraining the ex-
orbitant Power of Governors. All thefe things were car-
ried, in the Affembly, with the utmoft Unanimity and Dif-
patch ; and they were kept fecret from the Commiflioners,
whom they found to be in other Interefts, and to have quite
different Views from themfelves. For, having at firft pro-
mifed to communicate all their Reprefentations and Papers
to the Governor and Affembly, expecting the like Favour
from them, they afterwards ftood off, and indeed abfolutely
refufed to let them know any thing they were doing ; un-
der Pretence, that the Lords of the Privy Council ought
to have the firft View of what they intended to prefent.
Whereupon the Governor and Affembly, fufpe£ting fome
finifter Defigns, endeavoured to conceal from the Commif-
fioners what was pailing among them. But Mr. Pory^ a
Tool of Power, and verfed in Corruption, by the Promife
of a Reward, obtained Copies of all thefe Writings from
Edward Sharpies^ Clerk of the Council ; and altho' Captain
Harvey had no Hand in corrupting him, he afterwards pro-
mifed him fifty Pounds of Tobacco, in Reward of his Trea-
chery. This Sharpies had been entertained, by the late Mr.
Secretary Davidfon^ as a Writer in his Office ; and after
the Secretary's Death, which happened towards the laft of
the former Year, he was admitted, far above his Condition
and Defert, Clerk of the Council, and took an Oath (a
Copy whereof is ftill extant in our Records) to deliver no
Copies of any Papers or Writings, without the Governor's
Leave. Wherefore I find, at a Court held the loth oi May
following, as it appeared by fufficient Evidence, and by his
own Confeffion, that he, being fworn Clerk of the Council
of State, had betrayed their Councils to the Commiflioners,
he was fentenced to ftand in the Pillory, and there to have
his Ears nailed to it, and cut off. However, he was only
juft fet on the Pillory, and loft a Piece of one of his Ears.
A Letter was alfo fent by the Governor and Council to the
Company, to inform them of his Crime and his Puniftiment ;
and to complain of Mr. Pory's Subornation of him, that
they, underftanding his double Dealing, might thence be
upon their Guard, and prevent his corrupt Practices. But
Y 3 it
3i6 The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1624. it was now too late for the Company to do any thing in it.
*'';'^ V 'For fuch a mean and proftitute Inftrument of their Aims
S,\r Francis ^^^ Dcfigns, as Porj, had long before this more Power and
vernor. °" I'lterefl: at Court, and was likely to be more regarded,
than all the noble, -great, and worthy Members of the
Company.
But the Commiflioners, finding, that things were go-
ing in the Affembly quite contrary to their Hopes and De-
fires, refolved to lay fome of their Powers before them,
which might probably intimidate and influence them, and
^, reftrain them from proceeding with fo much Sharpnefs and
\ Vigor. They therefore opened fome Part of their Com-
\ million to the Afi'embly, on the 24th of February. A
Week after, they wrote them a Letter, importing : That
they fuppofed, in a Week's Time, fince their publifliing
the Orders of the Lords of the Privy Council, the Aflem-
bly could not but have maturely confidered the fame :
That therefore, for the fpeedier Advancement of the Colo-
ny in general, and for the fecuring every Man's Intereft in
particular ; and that they might all, by SubmiUion and
Thankfulnefs, as by Obedience and Sacrifice both together,
ingratiate themfelves and their common Caufe to his Maje-
fty's renowned Clemency, They, as Remembrancers,
thought it no lefs than their Duty, to propofe to their Con-
fideration the Form enclofed ; which, they hoped, they
would apprehend very fit to be fubfcribed by the whole
Aflembly, it being no other, than what they themfelves
would, moft readily, and moft humbly, fet their Hands
unto. The Form propofed was, as follows.
1 ll/HE RE AS we underjiand by three A6ls of Council in
\ England, lately publijhed in this General Affembly., that
his Majejiy hath fignified his gracious Pleafure^ for the uni-
verfal Good of this Plantation, which by reafon of our late
Calamities is in an unfettled State., to iiifitute another Form
of Government., whereby the Colony may be upheld., and prof-
per the better in time to come., and to that End hath required
a Surrendry of the prefent Patents, declaring his Royal In-
tention, to fecure to the particular Members of the Company
fuch Lands and Privileges in the f aid Country, as, according
to the Proportion of each Man's Adventure and private In-
terefi, /hall be found due unto him ; We of this General Af-
fe?nbly do, by Siihfcription of our Names, not only profefs and
tejiify our Thanfulnefs, for that his Majejiy'' s moji gracious
and tender Care over us, hut do moreover, for our Parts, in
all Humility and Willingnefs, fubmit ourfelves to his princely
Pleafure, of revoking our old Charters, and of vouchfafing his
Book V. -r/v History of VIRGINIA. 317
new Letters-patent^ to thofe noble Ends and Purpofes^ above- '62.4.
mentioned. ^—^^y—-^
Sir Francis
Thus to draw the General Affembly to furrender ^^'^^ y^-'cnor.
petition for a Revocation of their Charters, which the
Courts in England would by no means fubmit to, was cer-
tainly a very crafty and efte6lual Way, to difgrace the Com-
pany, and to make the Colony feem difaffe(Sted to them,
and willing to throw off their Yoke ; and would alfo have
given fome Colour to their violent Suppreflion afterwards.
But the Affembly feems fully to have underftood their Aim,
and even to fufpe6l, that this was Part of their Errand and
Inftru(£tions from England. For in their Anfwer, they en-
deavoured to draw from them, by what Authority they
made fuch a Propofal, and faid ; As they could not fee,
how this Propofition had any Ground in the Infl:ru6tions,
they had yet feen, they defired, before the Affembly
returned an Anfwer, that the Commiflioners would fliew
them the Depth of their Authority ; or otherwife fet it
down under their Hands, that they had no further Com-
miffions or Inftru6lions, which might concern them.
But this Anfwer gave the Commiflioners great Offence,
and drew from them a very fierce and menacing Reply :
That they had acknowledged, in delivering their Papers,
that they had neither Commiflion nor Inftru6lion, to move
them to fubfcribe the Form propofed ; neither could the leaft
Shadow of any fuch thing be collected from their Letter :
That what they had propofed, was out of their Difcretion,
as wholefome Counfel for the Good of the Colony ; neither
was it precipitate or fudden, but proper to the Time, Oc-
cafion, and Perfons : That the Mark, aimed at, was no
lefs than his Majefty's Favour upon their Perfons and com-
mon Caufe, to be obtained by Obedience and Thankful-
nefs : That as there needed neither Commiflion nor In-
ftru6tion, for them to propound the Pra6tice of fo eminent
a Duty, fo it was lawful for them, as being Freemen and
Planters, to offer to the General Aflembly any reafonable
Motion, tho' of far lefs Confequence ; and had they not
vouchfafed to return an Anfwer, they might juftly have
feemed difcontented, or at leaft difcourteous : That they
had no Reafon, upon this Occafion, to fearch into the Depth
of their Authority (fince their Motion depenc^g^ not, nor
needed to depend, on their particular Commiflion) much lefs,
to urge them to fet down any thing under their Hands : That
they could not profefs, that they had no farther Commif-
fions, which might concern them, befides that already put
in Execution ; for their Commiflions, yet unperformed, con-
Y 4 cerned
vernor.
318 r/:^^ History 0/ VIRGINIA. Book V.
1624. cerned them in their Houfes, Perfons, Servants, Corn,
'^- — -^ 'Cattle, Arms, is'c. That however they need not fufpe6l.
Sir Francis xh2i[ they would attempt any thing to any Man's Wrong,
yat. Go- Qj. ^hich they could not very well anfwer.
To this the Aflembly calmly replied : That they had
already prefented their humbleft Thanks to his Majefty,
for his gracious Care of them ; and had returned their An-
fwer to the Lords of the Privy Council : That when their
Affent to the Surrendry of their Charters fhould be required
by Authority, it would then be the moft proper Time to
make a Reply : But in the mean while, they conceived,
his Majefty's Intention to change the Government had pro-
ceeded from wrong Information ; which, they hoped,
would be altered upon their more faithful Declarations.
But the better to enable them to take a View of the Plan-
tations, and to render an exa£l Account of the State of the
Colony, the Aflembly ordered, upon the Commiflioners
Application for their Affiftance, that the feveral Plantations
fhould tranfport them from Plantation to Plantation, as
they fhould defire ; and fliould accommodate them in the
befi Manner, their Houfes and Rooms would afford. The
Commiffioners alfo made the Aflembly four Propofitions ;
concerning the befl: Places of Fortification and Defence ;
the State of the Colony, with Refpe6l to the Savages ; the
Hopes, that might be really and truly conceived of the
Plantation ; and the properefl Means, to attain thofe
Hopes : To all which the Aflembly gave full and particu-
lar Anfwers. And I cannot but remark, that Captain
Matthews^ who had joined with the General AlTembly in
their publick A6i:s and Reprefentations againft the former
Government, did likewife join with the Commiffioners in
all thefe Proceedings : Whether he was brought over by the
almighty Force and irrefifliable Allurement of private Ad-
vantage ; or whether he thought himfelf obliged to do
fomething in Conjunilion with them, as he was included
in the fame CommifTion.
The Laws of this Afl'embly confifted of thirty five
Articles. For that Manner (taken, I prefume, from the
Articles, fent over by Sir Thomas Smith) was at this time,
and continued long after, the ufual Way of drawing up
and enacting their Laws ; which indeed had this Good in
it, that all tedious Forms were thereby cut off, and the
main Senfe and Subflance of their A6f:s appeared at once,
in clear and precife Terms. As thefe Laws are the oldefl,
that I can now find upon our Records, and as they contain
fome things of efpecial Note, I fhall here prefent them to
the Reader.
The
Book V. TZv History of VIRGINIA. 319
The firit feven related to the Church and Minifly, and '624.
enacSled : That in every Plantation, where the People were ' ^^ '
wont to meet for the Worfliip of God, there fhould be a^"^ Francn
Houfe, or Room, fet apart for that Purpofe, and not con- vgrnor
verted to any temporal Ufe whatfoever ; and that a Place
fliould be empaled and fequeftered, only for the Burial of
the Dead : That whofoever fhould abfent himfelf from Di-
vine Service any Sunday^ without an allowable Excufe,
fliould forfeit a Pound of Tobacco, and that he, who ab-
fented himfelf a Month, fliould forfeit fifty Pounds of To-
bacco : That there fliould be an Uniformity in the Church,
as near as might be, both in Subftance and Circumftance,
to the Canons of the Church of England \ and that all
Perfons fliould yield a ready Obedience to them, upon Pain
of Cenfure : That the 22d of March (the Day of the
iMaflacre) fliould be folemnifed and kept holy ; and that all
other Flolidays fliould be obferved, except when two fell to-
gether in the Summer Seafon (the Time of their Working and
Crop) when the firft only was to be obferved, by reafon of their
Neceffities and Employment : That no Minifter fliould be
abfent from his Cure, above two A-lonths in the whole
Year, upon Penalty of forfeiting half his Salary ; and who-
foever was abfent above four iVlonths, fliould forfeit his
whole Salary and his Cure : That whofoever fliould dif-
parage a Minifter, without fufficient Proof to jufl:ify his
Reports, whereby the Minds of his Parifliioners might be
alienated from him, and his Miniftry prove the lefs effec-
tual, fliould not only pay five hundred Pounds of Tobacco,
but fliould alfo afk the Minifter Forgivenefs, publickly in
the Congregation : That no Man fliould difpofe of any of
his Tobacco, before the Minifl:er was fatisfied, upon For-
feiture of double his Part towards the Salary ; and that one
Man of every Plantation fliould be appointed, to collect the
Minifter's Salary, out of the firif and befl: Tobacco and Corn.
The eighth and ninth Articles related to the Gover-
nor's Power : That he fliould not lay any Taxes or Im-
pofitions upon the Colony, their Lands, or Commodities,
otherwife than by the Authority of the General AiTembly ;
to be levied and employed, as the faid Afl'embly fliould ap-
point : That he fliould not withdraw the Inhabitants from
their private Labours to any Service of his own, under any
Colour whatibever ; and if the publick Service fliould re-
quire the Employment of many Hands, before another
General Aflembly met to give Order for the fame, in that
Cafe, the levying Men fliould be done, by the Order of the
Governor and whole Body of the Council ; and that in
fuch Sort, as to be leaft burthenfome to the People, and
« moft
rhe History of VIRGINIA. Book V
moft free from Partiality. Thus early was the Aflembly,
out of the Memory of their paft Miferies and Oppreflions,
ftudious and careful to eftablifh our Liberties ; and we had
here, by the ready Concurrence and Co-operation of this
excellent Governor, a Petition of Right pafled, above four
Years, before that Matter was indubitably fettled and ex-
plained in England. For thefe two Articles contain the
fame in Effeft, as that famous explanatory and fundamental
Law of the Englijh Conftitution ; viz. The firm Property
of the Subje6ls Goods and Ellates, and the Liberty of
their Perfons.
The other Articles enacted : That all the old Planters,
who were here before, or came in at the laft Arrival of
Sir Tho?7ias Gates (in Aiigiif 1611.) fhould both themfelves
and their Pofterity, except fuch as were employed to com-
mand in Chief, be exempted from their perfonal Service in
the Wars, and from all other publick Charges (Church
Duties only excepted) but without the like Exemption of
their Servants and Families : That no Burgefs of the Ge-
neral Aflembly fliould be arrefled, during the fitting of the
Aflembly, and a Week before and Week after ; upon Pain
of the Creditor's forfeiting his Debt, and fuch Punifhment
upon the OiBcer, as the Court fliould award : That there
fhould be Courts kept once a Month, in the Corporations
of Charles-City and Elifabeth-City^ for deciding Suits and
Controverfies, not exceeding the Value of one hundred
Pounds of Tobacco, and for punifhing petty Offences ;
and that the Commanders of the Places, with fuch others,
as the Governor and Council fhould appoint by Commiflion,
fhould be Judges, the Commanders to be of the Riorum.,
and Sentence given by Majority of Voices ; with Referva-
tion neverthelefs of Appeal, after Sentence, to the Gover-
nor and Council ; and that whofoever appealed and was caft
upon fuch Appeal, fhould pay double Damages : That
every private Planter's Dividend of Land fhould be furveyed
and laid off feparately, and the Bounds recorded by the Sur-
veyor, who fhould have ten Pounds of Tobacco for every
hundred Acres furveyed ; and that all petty Differences, be-
tween Neighbours about their Bounds, fhould be decided
by the Surveyor, but if of Importance, referred to the
Governor and Council : That, for the People's Encourage-
ment to plant Store of Co rn, the Price fhould be left
free, and every Man might fell it, as dear as he could :
(For the Governor and Council did then, and long after-
wards, fet a Rate Yearly upon all Commodities, with Pe-
nalties upon thofe, who exceeded it) That there fhould be
a publick Granery in each Parifh, to which every Planter,
above
Wyat, Go-
vernor.
Book V. "The History of VIRGINIA. 321
above eighteen Years of Age, who had been in the Country ^624.
a Year, and was aUve at the Crop, fhould contribute a^"- — y '
Barrel of Corn, to be difpofed of, for the publick Ufes of ^^ ^'
the Parifli, by the major Part of the Freemen ; the Remain-
der to be taicen out by the Owners, Yearly on St. Thomg/s
Day, and the new brought and put in it's Room : Xhat
three capable Men, of every Parifh, fhould be fworn, to
fee, that every Man planted and tended Corn fufficient for
his Family ; and that thofe, who neglected fo to do, fhould
be prefented by the faid three Men, to the Cenfure of the
Governor and Council : That all Trade with the Indians for
Corn, as well publick as private, fliould be prohibited, after
the June following : That every Freeman fhould fence in a
Quarter of an Acre of Ground, before the Whitfuntide next
enfuing, for planting Vines, Herbs, Roots, and the like,
under the Penalty of ten Pounds of Tobacco a Man ; but
that no Man, for his own Family, fhould be obliged to
fence above an Acre ; and that whofoever had fenced a Gar-
den, and was outed of the Land, fhould be paid for it by
the Owner of the Soil ; and that they fhould alfo plant
Mulberry Trees: That the Proclamations againft Swearing
and Drunkennefs, fet forth by the Governor and Council,
were ratified by this AlTembly ; and it was farther ordered,
that the Churchwardens fhould be fworn, to prefent all Of-
fenders, to the Commanders of their refpe6live Plantations ;
and that they fliould colle6f the Forfeitures for publick Ufes^
That a Proclamation fhould be read aboard every Ship, and
afterwards fixed to the Maft, prohibiting them, without
fpecial Order from the Governor and Council, to break
Bulk, or make private Sale of any Commodities, till they
came up to James-City : That the ancient Rates of Com-
modities fhould be flill in Force ; and that Men fhould be
fworn, in every Plantation, to cenfure the Tobacco : (So old
are the firft Rudiments of our Tobacco-Law ; which never-
thelefs, after fuch long Experience, raifed much Oppofition
and Diflurbance :) That there fhould be no Weights or
Meafures ufed, but fuch as were fealed, by Officers appoint-
ed for that Purpofe : That every Dwelling-houfe fhould be
Palifadoed in, for Defence againft the Indians : That no
Man fhould go, or fend abroad, without a fufficient Party,
well armed : That Men fhould not go to Work, without
their Arms and a Sentinel fet : That the Inhabitants of the
Plantations fliould not go on board Ships, or upon any other
Occafion, in fuch Numbers, as thereby to weaken and en-
danger the Plantation : That the Commander of every Plan-
tation fliould take Care, that there be fufficient of Powder
and Ammunition within his Plantation ; and that their
Pieces
rbe History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
Pieces be fixed, and Arms compleat : That there be fuffi-
cient Watch kept, every Night : That no Commander of
Sir Fraticis^j^y Plantation (hould either fpend himfelf, or fufFer others
IVvat. Go- ■' . . ^ , rr~ -i . T^ . , . T- •
IVyat, Go-
vernor.
to fpend Powder unneceffarily, in Drinking, Entertain-
ments, and the hke : That fuch Perfons of Condition, as
were found deHnquent in their Duty, and were not fit to
undergo corporal Punifhment, might notwithftanding be
imprifoned at the Difcretion of the Commander, and for
greater Offences be fubjecSl to a Fine, infli6led by the Month-
ly Court ; fo that it did not exceed the Value abovefaid :
That every Perfon who had not found a Man at the Caftle
(then building at Warrafqueake) fhould pay, for himfelf and
Servants, five Pounds of Tobacco a Head, towards defray-
ing the Charge of thofe, who had their Servants there :
That, at the Beginning of fuly following, every Corpora-
tion fhould fall upon their adjoining Indians ; and that thofe
who fhould be hurt upon the Service, fhould be cured at
the publick Expence ; and if any were lamed, they fhould
be maintained by the Country, according to their Perfon
and Quality : That for difcharging fuch publick Debts, as
their Troubles had brought upon them, there fliould be le-
vied ten Pounds of Tobacco upon every Male, above fixteen
Years of Age, then living ; but not including fuch, as had
arrived fince the Beginning of July lafl : That no Perfon,
within this Colony, fliould prefume, upon the Rumour of
any fuppofed Change and Alteration in England^ to be dif-
obedient to the prefent Government, nor Servants to their
private Maflers, Officers, or Overfeers, at their utmofl
Peril. And the lafl: Article related to fending Mr. Pountis
to England^ and levying four Pounds of Tobacco a Head,
to fupport his Expences. Moft of thefe Laws were taken
from preceeding Proclamations and Orders of the Governor
and Council ; and I find, that the Governor was obliged,
foon after, to iflhe a Proclamation, forbidding Women to
contra6t themfelves to two feveral Men at one time. For
Women being yet fcarce and much in requefl, this Off^ence
was become very common ; whereby great Difquiet arofe
between Parties, and no fmall Trouble to the Government.
It was therefore ordered; That every Minifler fliould give
Notice in his Church, that what Man or Woman foever
fhould ufe any Word or Speech, tending to a Contrail of
Marriage, to two feveral Perfons at one time, altho' not
precife and legal, yet fo as might entangle or breed Scruple
in their Confciences, fliould, for fuch their Offence, either
undergo corporal Correftion, or be punifhed by Fine, or
otherwife, according to the Quality of the Perfon fo of-
fending.
But
JVyat, Go-
vernor.
Book V. The History of VIRGINIA. (223
But whilft the Commiflioners were pufhing the Court 1624.
Defigns in Firginia^ the opponent Faction in England were""" — y '
not lefs diligent and induftrious to blacken and defame the^^; Frar.cu
Company. To this end, they engaged, according to their
ufual Method, fome Planters, lately returned from Virgi-
nia^ to petition and complain to his Majefty. Neither was
it a difficult thing, among fo many weak, indigent, or
wicked Perfons, as were concerned in the Plantations, to
procure fome to fecond and abet any Complaint, however
falfe and unjuft. Among other Matters of Grievance, they
complained of the many Impofitions and Levies, laid upon
the Planters towards the Support of the Company, from
whom they were wont formerly to receive Relief; and
therefore they befought his Majefty, to take them into his
Royal Mercy and Proteftion, and to free them for the future
from the grievous Impofitions of the faid Company. But
Mr. Deputy Farrar defired them, to fet down in Writing
the particular Grievances and Oppreffions, which they thus
complained of in general ; that the Company might thereby
be enabled to return a full and particular Anfwer. This
they promifed to do, but afterwards, upon better Advice,
refufed ; till at length, being farther preffed, they brought
nine Articles, which however they could not be induced to
fubfcribe, being reflrained by thofe behind the Scene. Thefe
Articles contained criminal Charges of a very high Nature,
and fome of them Capital, againlt the Governor and Coun-
cil in Virginia ; fo that the Lawyers of the Company de-
clared, that the Perfons who prefented them, except they
could maintain and make them good, had incurred the Pe-
nalty of Libellers. But at laft, after much Shuffling and
Abfurdity of Complaint and Accufation, the Complainants
in general, and one Perry in particular, confefled, that al-
tho' they pretended to have Authority and Commifiion from
the Planters in Virginia to make thefe Complaints, yet the
Whole, both the Petition and Grievances, were entirely
framed in England. Wherefore the Company, perceiving,
they had been abufed and drawn into it by the Malice of
others, thought fit to pafs it over, in Favour and Com-
paflion to their Ignorance and Credulity.
Upon Occafion of thefe grievous Accufations a2;ainft the
Governor and Council, Sir Francis IVyafs Character and
Condu6l were called much into Qiieftion and canvafled.
But he was fufficiently cleared by the reft of the Planters
then in Eyigland ; who gave ample Teftimony to the Wor-
thinefs and Uprightnefs of his Proceedings, and declared
upon their Confciences, that they efteemed him to be a moft
juft and fincere Gentleman, and free from all Manner of
Cor-
Wyat, Go.
vernor
The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
Corruption and private Ends. As therefore he had, by a
Letter to the Company, declared his Defire to leave the
^"' '^''''^^" Government at the Expiration of his Commiffion, which
would be fhortly, they took the Matter into their ferious
Confideration. But finding, that he had given very great
Satisfa6tion to the Colony, as appeared by the Report of
the Planters ; and confidering alfo, how much the Compa-
ny was in his Debt, by not furnifliing him with his legal
Number of Tenants, and that they had no Means left to
make good their Promife to him, much lefs were they able
to fet out a new Governor, it was thought beft and moft
advifeable, to continue him ftill in his Office. But fome of
the opponent Fa6lion moving, that Sir Sainuel Argall^ in
Regard of his Worth, and of his Defire for the Place, might
ftand in Ele6lion with him, they were both ballotted ; and
Sir Francis Wyat was chofen by having fixty nine Balls, and
Sir Samuel Argall only eight. And as the Company was
then unable to fend over more Men to him, it was ordered,
that he fhould be fupplied with his full Complement, out
of the Company's Tenants in Virginia \ and the Confidera-
tion of fome Recompence, for his former Lofs and Difap-
pointment, was referred to the next Quarter Court.
The laft Parliament, out of their Love and Efteem for
Virginia^ but more elpecially out of Regard to the Advance-
ment of the Trade of England^ had taken into their Con-
fideration the Cafe of the Plantation Tobacco, and had enter-
ed into a very good Courfe about it ; but by Reafon of their
fudden Adjournment and Breach with the King, they were
obliged to leave it unfiniflied. The Company therefore,
being encouraged by this, and quite wearied out by the
equivocal and fufpicious Condu6l of the King and his Mi-
nifters, prefented a Petition to the Houfe of Commons, fet-
ting forth :
That after divers Difcoveries had confirmed the Opi-
nion, that Virginia was fituate in a temperate and wholfome
Climate, that the Soil was rich and fertile, the Country
well watered with fruitful and navigable Rivers, and that
their Ships, through a fair Sea, might have a comfortable
falling in on a fafe Coaft, it pleafed God fo to afFe6l the
Minds of divers worthily difpofed Noblemen, Gentlemen,
and others, as to think it a Matter of great Religion and
Honour, to endeavour the Propagation of Chriftianity among
thofe barbarous People, and to gain fuch a hopeful Addition
of Territory to his Majefty's Dominions : That his Ma-
jefty alfo, being informed thereof, and apprehending, that
great Honour and Commodity would thence arife to this
Kingdom, was pleafed, by his moft gracious Letters-patent
of
Book V. r/je History of VIRGINIA. 325
of Incorporation, from time to time renewed and enlarged, 1624.
to confer as ample Privileges and Immunities, both for their -■; — r^^^
Afliftance, who fliould become Direftors of the Bufinefs ^^^^J^'^'^q^'
home, and for their Comfort and Encouragement, th?it^J^^l^
would fettle and inhabit the Country, as could be then fore-
feen or defired : That this gave fo general an Encourage-
ment, that Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, and
others, in great Numbers, became Adventurers ; who, be-
fides their Money, afforded many other Helps by their In-
duftry, towards the Advancement and Perfection of this
noble Work : And that, notwithftanding a Multitude of
Accidents and Difafters, incident to fuch Undertakings in
a remote and favage Country, yet it pleafed God, often to
enliven their Hopes and Endeavours, by fuch an undoubted
Probability of obtaining, at leaft for the Publick and Pofte-
rity, fo beneficial a Retribution for all their Pains and Ex-
pence, as would, in the End, crown their Labours with
as much Glory, Honour, and Profit to the Realm of En-
gland^ as could be well wiflied or expe6ted.
They then proceeded to recount the feveral Emolu-
ments and Advantages \.o^.En-gland^ which they had in their
View and Expe6tation. \. The Converfion of the Savages
to Chrijlianhy^ and eftablifhing the firft Colony of the Re-
formed Religion, i 2. The difcharging the Overplus of
neceffitous People,' which adminiftered Eewel to dangerous
Infurre6lions, and the leaving greater Plenty for thofe, who
remained. 3. The gaining a large Territory, already
known to be great, and which might prove much greater ;
whofe Fertility of Soil, and Temperature of Clime, agreed
well with the Englifi^ and produced by Nature and In-
duftry, whatever ufeful Commodities were found in any
known Country. 4. The beneficial Tiflieries difcovered ;
which, together with the continual Intercourfe and Com-
merce between People of the fame Nation, would contri-
bute exceedingly to the Increafe of the Englifl) Trade and
Navigation. 5. The vaft Quantity of Timber and Mate-
rials, for building and fetting forth Ships ; whereof there
was a great Scarcity throughout all Europe. 6. The AfTu-
rance, that many rich Trades might be found out there,
and driven on to the incredible Benefit of the Nationf; be-
fides the no fmall Hopes of an eafy and fhort Paflage to
the South Sea, either by Sea or Land."^ 7. The ineftimable
Advantage, that would be gained, in Cafe of War, both
for the eafy affaulting the Spanijh Wejl-lndies^ and for the
relieving and fuccouring all Ships and Men of War ; the
Want whereof had in former times, difappointed and over-
thrown fo many Voyages. But hereby the Benefit to the
EngUfh
326 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1624.. EngHJJj would be certain, and the Enemy's Lofs and An-
^■"■""V^^ noyance inevitable. After which, they went on in the fol-
^^J'''^"^ 'Mowing Manner:
veriior "" B u T fo it is, that now, when the natural Difficulties,
incident to all new Plantations, are by Diligence and Tra6l
of Time, but mofl: efpecially by the BleiBng of Almighty
God, in a great Meafure overcome ; yet there have rifen
other unnatural Impediments, proceeding from Fadion and
Difcord, from the cunning Courfes and Praftifes of fome
Perfons, who tended wholly to their own Profit, from Mif-
employment of the publick Stock, falfe Accounts, and the
like Corruptions and Diverfions from the main Bufinefs ; and
that thefe were fo encreafed of late, and fupported by ftrong
Hand, as threatened fpeedy Ruin and Deftru6lion to that
excellent Work, if Remedies were not timely applied : That
they, the Council and Company of Virginia^ differed not
a little from other Companies ; as well in their Compofition,
confiding of principal Noblemen, Gentlemen, Merchants
and others ; as in the Ends, for which they were eftablifli-
ed, being not fimply for Matter of Trade, but for things
of a higher and more publick Nature : That neverthelefs,
finding themfelves, in their Body, as it was then diftempered,
unable to be their own Phyficians without higher Affiftance,
they thought it their Duty, as well to clear their own Re-
putation, as in Difcharge of their Confcience, and of the
Truft repofed in them, to reprefent to the Parliament this
Child of the Nation, expofed, as in the Wildernefs, to ex-
treme Danger, and then fainting, as it were, and labouring
for Life.
They therefore humbly entreated that honourable
Houfe, to take into their Commiferation, the diftrefl'ed Co-
lony and oppreffed Company ; and to receive an Account
from fuch of his Majefty's Council for Firglnia^ as, being
Members of their Houfe, had been appointed by the Com-
pany, to give them a full and exa£l Relation of all their
Grievances and Oppreflions : Which, tho' of fundry Kinds,
yet had received (as they doubted not to make evident) ei-
ther their Original or Strength from the Lord High Trea-
furer, out of his private and unjuft Defigns ; not only to
almofl: the Overthrow of the Colonv, but alfo to the Decep-
tion of his Majefty in his Profit and Revenue, to the great
Prejudice of the whole Kingdom in Matter of Trade, and
even to Points of dangerous Confequence to the Liberty of
the Subje6f.
This Proceeding was certainly no ways grateful to the
King, who conceived himfelf much injured and affronted,
if the Parliament entered upon any Confideration, which
was
vernor.
Book V. r/v History of VIRGINIA.
was not recommended to them by himfelf. For he looked
upon them, not as the grand Council of the Nation, but of
the King; and expected, that they fhould proceed with the ^ ^^''"^'J'
abject Adulation and Submiflion of his Privy Council, and ^
never touch upon any difagreeable Subje6ls. But above all,
Matters of Grievance were the Points, on which he was
moft tender and touchy, and would often winch grievouf-
ly ; and altho' the thing was difguifed, and even Praifes
were given him in fome Parts of this Petition, yet it was
evidently levelled, in the main, againft him and his Minif-
ters. However, as his Majefty had called this Parliament
with quite different Views, and treated it in a quite different
Manner from the lafl, he took no Notice of it, but permit-
ted it to take its Courfe in the Houfe. Its Reception was
alfo fecured by the Complaints, in the latter Part, againft
the Lord High Treafurer ; whom Buckingham and the Prince
were, at this time, pulling down and tearing, as it were,
with great Violence from the King's Side, not without very
great Pain and Grief to his Majefty.
This Petition was committed to the Deputy, and fuch
others of the Council, as were alfo Members of the Houfe
of Commons ; to prefent it to their Houfe, in the Name
of the Council and Company of Virginia. It was received
by the Commons very acceptably, notwithftanding fome
Oppofition at firft ; and a Committee was appointed to hear
and examine their Grievances and Oppreflions, to which
all of the Company, that were Members of the Houfe, were
admitted, to come and to hear, but not to have any Voice.
But conceiving, that Counfel at Law could not be fo fully
informed of all Paflages, as was requifite, and would not
perhaps be fo cordially concerned, or favourably heard,
they divided their Grievances into four feveral Heads, and
committed them to the following Gentlemen, to deliver
and fpeak to them. i. The Cafe of their Tobacco, with
all the OpprelTions and Impofitions upon it, was committed
to Mr. Deputy-Treafurer, Nicholas Farrar : 2. The Bufi-
nefs of the Contrail, to Sir Edwin Sandys: 3. The Pro-
ceedings of the Commiffioners, to the Lord Cavendijh :
4, All PalTages and Meafures fince, to Sir John Davers.
And all thefe Gentlemen, but efpecially the Lord Cavendijh.,
did very nobly and chearfully undertake, to perform and
make good their feveral Parts.
It was the Misfortune of thefe Affairs, to be brought
into Parliament very late in the Seflions ; and they were
befides of a very tender and delicate Nature. For, in their
Procefs and Illue, they muft have turjied to a plain Ar-
raignment of the Weaicnefs and Unfairnefs, or even of the
^^ Z down-
328 "The History of VIRGINIA. Book V.
1624. downright Injuftice and Opprefliveneis of the King's Con-
"■-^v — -^du6l towards the Company and Colony. The main Bufi-
S,n Franas j^gfg therefore of their Oppreflions and Grievances did not
Ternor. ° proceed in Parliament, but was waved and flurred over in
Silence. But the particular Cafe of Tobacco, by the ex-
ceeding Care and Wifdom of Sir Ediuin Sandys^ affifted by
the Lord Cavendi/h^ and the other Gentlemen of the Com-
pany, who had Seats in Parliament, was brought to a hap-
py IlTue. For the Importation of foreign Tobacco was put,
, as one of the nine Grievances of the Realm in Point of Trade,
\ which this Seffion prefented to his Majefty, and defired Re-
\ lief in. And altho' this was done profeiledly for the Good
of England^ without any Mention or Relation to Virginia^
yet the Deputy told the Company, that he doubted not,
but the whole Houfe had, in their Hearts, an efpecial Re-
gard to the Advancement of the Colonies. And as this
Courfe was as effectual for Exclufion of Spanijh Tobacco,
as if it had been done by Bill, fo was it much better, than
if it had been done by the Bill, which was drawn the laft
Parliament. For fince that Time, the State and Price of
Tobacco was fo much altered, that it could then no ways
bear the twelve Pence a Pound Duty, which that Bill laid
upon it, but muft thereby have been as certainly ruined and
overthrown, as by any other Courfe. But this fecond Way
brought with it all the Good of the Bill, and left out all its
Evil. Wherefore, he faid, it could not be too much com-
mended, nor Sir Edwin Sandys^ to whom they were be-
holden for it, fufficiently thanked. And it may be here far-
ther obferved, that the King's Meafures by this time were
entirely reverfed. For the Spanijh Match was now broke
off, and even War was declared againft the King of Spain^
and the whole Houfe of Aujiria. So that the Intereft of
England would no longer be obliged to ftoop to the Intereft
of Spain \ and a Prohibition of their Tobacco would be ea-
fily granted, as it agreed with the prefent Paifions and Mea-
fures of the Court.
This was the laft Service that Sir Edwin Sandys^ or the
Company, were able to do the Colony and Trade. For
foon after. Captain Harvey and Mr. Pory^ the Privy Coun-
\ cil's CommiiTioners, returned from Virginia. What their
Report was of the State of the Colony, I cannot difcover ;
but we may eafily judge, by the Principles and Difpofitions
of the Men, that it was not much to the Honour or Advan-
tage of the prefent Government. Upon their Return there-
fore, his Majefty was pleafed, by a Proclamation bearing
Date the 15th of y«/v, 1624, to fupprefs the Courfe of their
Courts at Deputy Farrar's. And for the prefent Ordering
of
BookV. TZv History r?/ VIRGINIA. 329
of the Affairs of the Colony, 'till a fuller and more perfect '624.
Settlement of them could be made, the Lord Prefident of'
his Majeffv's Privy Council, with other Privv Counfellors,
and feveral Knights and Gentlemen, were appointed to
meet, every Thiirfday in the Afternoon, at Sir Thoinas Smiil/s
Houfe, in Philpot-Lzne ; whither all Perfons, whom it
might concern, were ordered to repair. And thus Sir Tho-
mas Smith triumphed over the Companies and the Colonies ;
and notwithftanding the authentic Reprefentations of the
Company in England^ and our General Affembly here a-
gainfl: him, and the plain Dete6tion of his Cruelties and Op-
preilions, to all Men of common Senfe and common Juftice,
yet he did at laft recover his Power again, and was the Per-
fon chiefly depended upon, by the Solo?non of that Age, in
all Matters relating to them. For the Somer-IJJands Courts
had been fuppreffed fome Months before, by a fimple Let-
ter from the King ; and Meetings appointed, at Sir Thomas
Sffiith's^ for the Management of their Affairs. But thefe
Meetings were without the Mixture of any Privy Coun-
fellors, and wholly confifted of himfelf and his Creatures.
And by this time, in the Abfence of Sir Edward Sackvil^
now Earl of Dorfet^ their Governor, who had, the Year
before, fucceeded the Lord Cavendijh^ now alfo Earl of De-
vonPAre^ and under Colour of fome Complaints and Diffen-
tions, the Lords of the Privy Council appointed Sir Thomas
Smith again Governor of that Company ; affuming to them-
felves a boundlefs Power of placing and difplacing legal Offi-
cers, as they pleafed. This Appointment, Captain Smith
tells us, was afterwards confirmed, and Sir Thomas Smith
elefted by the Court. But this Court was only his Fa6fion,
who affumed to themfelves that Name and Chara6ler. For
I find, that many of the Company, and as it appears, a vaft
Majority, complained of them, and declared againft their
Meetings, as Ufurpations upon the Government of the Com-
pany, and no ways legal or valid.
This was the End of the Virginia Company; one of
the nobleft, moft illuftrious, and publick-fpirited Societies,
that ever yet perhaps engaged in fuch an Undertaking. It /
was an Event certainly of Benefit and Advantage to the \ \ /
Country, as we in America find by Experience, that it is \
better to be under a Royal Government, than in the Hands
of Proprietors, in what Shape or Manner foever. But yet
it muft be at laft confeffed, that it was brought about with
all imaginable Inftances of Unrighteoufnefs and Oppreffion ;
and that not even the Decency of Forms of Law were kept
up or regarded in it. For altho' a Writ of ^lo Warranto
(an oppreffive Writ in itfelf, and for the moft part turned
Z 2 to
rhe History o/" VIRGINIA. Book V.
to very bafe and illegal Purpofes) was ifl'ued againft the
Company, yet I cannot underftand, altho' I have taken no
fmall Pains to find it out, that it ever came to an Iflue or
Determination. And to difl'olve them by the arbitrary Au-
thority of a Proclamation, whilft a legal Procefs was de-
pending, feems but a more bare-faced Injuftice and Oppref-
fion. Far the greater Part of the Company did, by no
means, deferve fuch Treatment. They appear, from all
the Papers and Records that I have perufed, to have been
Gentlemen of very noble, clear, and difinterefted Defigns ;
who, as they were above the Neceflity of any Accefs to
their own Fortunes, were willing and intent to fpend much
of their Time and Money, in advancing an Undertaking
which they juftly conceived to be of very great Confequence
to their Country. And even Captain Smithy who was cer-
tainly no Friend to the Company, and whofe Hiftory feems
much in Honour and Vindication of Sir Thomas Smith and
his Government, yet owns, that fcarce any of the Nobility
and Gentry expelled or aimed at any thing elfe, but the
Profperity of the A6tion : And he was confidently perfua-
ded, that fome Merchants, and others, took more Care
and Pains, even at their own continual great Charge, than
they could be hired to, for the Love of Money ; fo honeftly
regarding the general Good of the Enterprife, that they
would hold it worfe than Sacrilege, to wrong it but a Shil-
ling, or to extort a Penny upon the common People.
It may indeed be thought fomething ftrange, how fo
many Gentlemen, of the nobleft Fortunes and moft publick
Spirits in the Nation, could fo patiently fubmit to fuch evi-
dent Injury and Wrong, without bringing the Matter to a
legal Trial. But they had been much harrafled and fatigued
of late, by the Difcords and Factions in the Company ;
which, they plainly faw, were fupported and abetted by the
King, for fome unjuft and partial Views of his own, being
much charmed with the unexpectedly large and rifing Re-
venue from Tobacco, and therefore defirous to get the
Plantations wholly into his own Hands. They had alfo ex-
pended largely above an hundred thoufand Pounds, out of
their own private Fortunes, without any probable Profpe6l
of prefent Retribution or Gain to themfelves ; and they
could not but fee, that proceeding in the Enterprife would
ftill engage them in farther Expences, for which they would
only be expofed to the Abufes and Affronts of the opponent
Faction, and to Injuries and Oppreflions from the King and
his Council. They might alfo confider perhaps the State
of the Courts of Law at that time, which could give them
but (lender Hopes of obtaining any Redrefs there. For the
Judges
Book V. rhe History of VIRGINIA. 331
Judges and Oracles of Law are greatly wronged and abufed, '^2,4.
if they were not then, like the lying Oracle of old, much ""— ""^^ '
addiiled to philippi-zing^ and willing to raife the Royal Pre- ^^'■''"'^"
rogative above all Reftraints of Law, or of any other earthly venuir.
Power. Their original Records, on which their Proofs
muft chiefly depend, had likewife been taken from them
by the Privy Council. And the Earl of Southampton^ who
had all their Eyes and Hearts fixed upon him, after languifh-
ing fome time, and having firft loft his eldeft Son, the Lord
IVriothfley^ died this following Winter 1624. To which
may be added, that the Succefs of the Colonies was ftill
doubtful, without the King's Favour and ProtecSlion ; or at
leaft againft his Will, and the perpetual Stretch of his Power
thwarting and opprefling them. They therefore filently ac-
quiefced and fubmitted to this illegal Diflolution ; and qui-
etly withdrew from an Affair, which had coft them fo much
Money and Pains, and had given them fuch continual Trou-
ble and Vexation.
F I N I S.
An
A N
APPENDIX
T O T H E
Firft Part of the
HISTORY
O F
VIRGINIA:
CONTAINING
A Collediion of fuch ancient Charters
or Letters Patent, as relate to that Period
of Time, and are (till extant in our publick
Offices in the Capitol, or in other authentic
Papers and Records.
^MTS
WILLIAMSBURG: Printed by W. Parks,
M,DCC,XLVIL
'§i^'x^si.-'W'^m
THE
PREFACE.
^:©§;©^i^ the tivo fir/} of the follotving Charters^ I have
i^) r\ ^^ f^^'^T- four Copies; oni^amorig ±he oldeji Records in
6m: U yC,^ ^jjg Secretary's Office^ much mangled and defaced ;
c