/If ^V ' . '. ^ ^ ^ K • ^o:^- .0 0. X"^"^^ ^ " ''XS-3-' ' o % -^^ V^ - ^ ^ \ * n <<^ 1^ V>„ AN' V 3-^ .0' ,p^c«^^*.V^•* ^ * N ^ \<^ -> '-i " "ti- <\ \!r * ^*p "5^. » 0^^^- .^-^ -*., . V •OO'' ,0c cO?-' THE EIGHT UNITED STATES PRESIDENTS WHO WERE BORN IN VIRGINIA History of Virginia FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS BY MARY TUCKER MAGILL New edition revised by W. S. Currell, Professor of English Washington and Lee University ' J. P. BELL COMPANY, Inc., Publishers LYNCHBURG and RICHMOND VIRGINIA Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by J. P. BELL & CO.. In tlie Clerk's Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Copyright, 1890. by J. P. Bell. Copyright, 1904. bV J. P. Bell. Copyright. 1908, by J. P. Bell Co., 1.\c. Copyright. 1914. by J. P. Bell Co., Inc. (edition twelve ) MAR 31 1914 ^'C( A 36 95 13 PUBLISHERS' NOTICE In presenting this new edition, revised by Prof. W. S. Currell, Ph. D., Professor of English, Washington and Lee University, we do so with full confidence and assur- ance that it will meet with the largely increased patronage which the many improvements made and its intrinsic merits deserve. Besides supplying an important need in the schools, this, we believe, is the most attractively written history of Vir- ginia now in print. It is, therefore, with some degree of pride that we sub- mit it to Virginia educators as the only school text-book used in our State compiled by a Virginia author, published by a Virginia publishing house, and which has stood the test of the school-room for forty years. J. P. BELL COMPANY, Inc. Lyxchburg, Va., 1914. AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION In the preparation of this volume for the use of schools. I have been actuated by an earnest desire to place before her vouth a faithful record of the past history of the old "Mother of States and Statesmen/'* — a record so full of honor that her children may well be proud of it. I have. attem])ted no dry details, no political dissertations, but have adopted the familiar style of a "story-teller,"' draw- ing from the stores of incident, in which the past ^f Vir- ginia is so rich, such narrations as would be most apt to stamp upon the youthful mind the graver facts of history, interspersing such explanations as were absolutely neces- sary with a simplicity and clearness which will, I hope, render them easy of comprehension even to' the youngest student of these pages. In deference to the prejudices and tastes of some teachers, I have affixed questions to the different chapters, though my own experience leads me to the conviction that the best mode of teaching history is not by questions, which make the lesson a task, instead of a recreation established in the midst of. dryer and more abstruse studies. Let the class read the lesson and the teacher ask full questions upon it: thus a habit of attentive reading is formed, and the history of a single country does not employ, as is often the case, an entire session. In preparing the book I have freely made use of the labors of others, to whom only a general acknowledgment can be made. The volume is earnestly recommended to the young student, with the hope that he may strive to imitate the many worthy examples held up before him in its pages, and that he may rememlDer that the prosperity and honor of his State in the future, as the}'^ did in the past, rest upon the shoulders of her sons. PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION OF MAGILL'S HISTORY OF VIRGINIA In response to a request from the publishers and copy- right holders of Magill's History of Virginia I undertook a revision of this popular book, which has so long been an inspiration to the children of the Old Dominion. The present edition preserves all the essential features of the latest revision made by the author, except in the treatment of the Civil War. This part of the book has been rewritten and condensed. As the same subject is studied again in United States History, Miss Magill's account of the war was thought by many teachers to be unnecessarily full. I have also added an index, a few summaries, a brief bibliography, and a chapter bringing the history of the State down to the present time. In the interest of sim- plicity a number of minor changes have been made in the diction and in the structure of the sentences. A few mis- statements have also been corrected. The publishers have greatly improved the maps and pictures. In the humble role of compiler and reviser I have not hesitated to make use of facts furnished by others, to whom I liere gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness. It is hoped that my alterations and additions will in no way impair the usefulness of a book that has the unusual record of more tlian forty years of service in the schools of Virginia. W. S. CUHEELL. Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, March, 1914. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I. — 1492-1585. <" Early Discoveries and Explorations 1 CHAPTER II. — 1606-1607. Virginia the Mother of States— The London Company sends Captain Smith to America— His Early Life— Landing and Settle- ment at Jamestown — Wingfield appointed President 8 CHAPTER III. — 1607 {Continued). Colony reduced to Want— Captain Smith commands an Expedition in search of Food — Adventures with the Indians — Manners and Customs of the Indians 1* CHAPTER IV.— 1607 (Continued). Discord in the Colony — Smith's search on the Pacific — He is taken Prisoner, condemned to Death and rescued by Pocahontas 20 CHAPTER V. — 1607 (Continued). Newport arrives from England— Trading with the Indians — Pow- hatan • CHAPTER VI.— 1608. Smith's Expedition up the Chesapeake Bay — Quells a Mutiny — New Discoveries and Adventures 33 CHAPTER VII —1608-1609. What Newport brought from England — Coronation of Powhatan — Pocahontas again saves Captain Smith 38 CHAPTER VIII. — 1609 (Continued). The Treacherous Dutchmen — Opechankanough — Smith, by his Wisdom and Bravery, saves his Crew — Arrivals from England — Smith's Accident and Return to England 45 CHAPTER IX.— 1609-1614. Arrival of Sir Thomas Gates — Jamestown abandoned — The Meet- ing with Lord Delaware — The Return — Capture of Pocahontas, and her Mai-riage and Death 51 CHAPTER X.— 1614-1622. Death of Powhatan — The Price of a Wife — Indian Massacre — Eng- lish History as connected with Virginia — Governor Yeardley — Harvey sent to England — Berkeley appointed Governor 60 CONTENTS. PAGE CHAl'TER XI.— 1644. Opec-hankanough makes War and is taken Prisoner— His Deatli— War in England— Lord Baltimore settles Maryland—Charles I beheaded- How Virginia got the Title "Old Dominion" m CHAPTER XII.— ]G75. Indian Troubles — Bacon's Rebellion CHAPTER XIII.— 1675 (Continued). Bac-on's Rebellion (Continued} ,^,; CHAPTER XIV.— 1676. The End of Bacons Rebellion— Lord Culpeper— The Tobacco Rebellion 9t> CHAPTER XV.— 1684-1723. Treaty with the Five Nations- William and Mary College estab- hshed— Parson Blair and Governor Spottswood— The Knights of the Horseshoe ' ,,-., IU4 CHAPTER XVI.— 1723 (Continued). Difficulties between the Colonies— Colonel William Byrd lays the Foundation of Richmond and of Petersburg— Settlements in the Valley of Virginia — Early Customs no CHAPTER XVII.— 1732-1755. Birth of George Washington— Incidents of his Early Life— Uu successful Mission to the French— War with the French begun. . 115) CHAPTER XVIII.— 1755 (Continued). Battle of Fort Duquesne— Braddock's Defeat and Death 129 CHAPTER XIX.— 1756-1763. Indian Atrocities— Fall of Fort Duquesne— Washington retires to Mount Vernon CHAPTER XX.— 1765-1770. Patrick Henry— Richard Henry Lee— Richard Bland and Edmund Pendleton— The Stamp Act resisted— Thomas .Tefferson 142 CHAPTER XXL— 1774. Death of Lord Botetourt— Lord Dunmore succeeds him as Gov- ernor of Virginia-His Difficulties with the Assembly-Indian Iroubles-Battle of Point Pleasant-Logan-Meeting of the ^^•glnla Convention in St. .Tolm-s Cburcb. Richmond 153 CHAPTER XXIL— 1775. <;..vernm- Dunmore's Treachery-The Powder at Williamsburg— rown T. "'i°°-'''^"°~''^"" "' "«"^Pton-Attack on James-' town — The Tories CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIII. — 1775 {Continued). Dunmore incites the Indians to the Massacre of the Whites — Battle of Great Bridge — Norfolk burned — Gwynn's Island 170 CHAPTER XXIV. — 1776. The General Convention meets at Williamsburg — Declaration of Rights— Declaration of Independence — Patrick Henry chosen Governor— The Seal of Virginia — Religious Freedom declared— The Law of Primogeniture 181 CHAPTER XXV. — 1776-1781. Troubles in the State— Fears of a Dictator— La Fayette and De Kalb arrive — Thpmas Jefferson appointed Governor — British Troops enter Hampton Roads — Defeat of General Gates in North Carolina — Convention Troops in Albemarle 189 CHAPTER XXVI. — 1781 (Continued). Revolutionary War transferred to Virginia — Richmond aban- (joned The Traitor Arnold — Baron Steuben and George Rogers Clarke Death of De Kalb — Cornwallis marches towards Peters- inu-g — Colonel Tarleton's Raid 19'J' CHAPTER XXVII. — 1781 (Continued) . Legislature at Charlottesville escapes from Tarleton — Monticello — Outrages of the British Army — Cornwallis retreats to Chesa- peake Bay — He fortifies Yorktown — Siege of Yorktown — Sur- render of Cornwallis — Virginia Heroes 205 CHAPTER XXVIII.— 1781-1800. ■■(Jrazy Rumsey" — Washington at Mount Vernon — Convention at Philadelphia — Virginia Convention meets to discuss the New Constitution — Virginia joins the Federal Union — Washington elected President — Kentucky admitted into the Union — Fed- eralists and Republicans — Alien and Sedition Laws — "Resolu- tions of '98" — Patrick Henry's Last Speech — John Randolph of Roanoke — Deaths of Patrick Henry and Washington 217 CHAPTER XXIX. — 1800-1813. Callender's "Prospect before us" — Insurrection of Slaves — Burning of the Richmond Theatre — War of 1812 231 CHAPTER XXX.— 1818-1859. Virginia the "Mother of Presidents" — University of Virginia — Death of Thomas Jefferson — The Virginia Constitution and the Men who made it — Troubles between the States — John Brown's Raid 238 3^11 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXI.— 18«0-18«1. ^""^ Causes of the Civil War— Consequences of the Election of Abraham Lmcoln— Virginia passes the Ordinance of Secession— Attitude of Maryland— Comparative Resources of the North and South. . 251 CHAPTER XXXII.— 1861 (Cotitinve,! ) . Preparations for war— Virginia War Leaders— Federal plans- Battle of First Manassas— Summary of events of 1861 258 CHAPTER XXXIII.— 1862. A Memorable Year-Jackson's Valley Campaign-Operations in Southeastern Virginia-Monitor and Merrimac— Peninsula Cam- paign-Second Manassas— The Maryland Campaign— Summary of events in 1862 • ..^^ 267 CHAl'TER XXXIV.— 1868. Battle of Chancellorsville-Death of Jackson— Battle of Gettys- burg — Summary of events in 1863 o-c CHAPTER XXXV.— 1864. Change of Military Policy of Federal Government-Operations in the \ alley-General Early's Campaign-Butler at Bermuda Hun- dred—Grant and Lee in the Wilderness. Spottsylvania. Cold Har- bor—Siege of Petersburg— Summary of events of 1864 282 CHAPTER XXXVI.— 186.-;. The Surrender at Appomattox— Closing events of the War— Re suits of the War— Loss of West Virginia 290 CHAPTER XXXVII.— 1S65-1800. Divisions of the Chapter-Murder of President Lincoln-Disputes between President Johnson and Congress-Virginia under Mili- tary Government-Disaster at the Capitol-Death of General Lee— Governors of Virginia since 1873 9C)g CHAPTER XXXVIIL— 1890-11114. The State Debt-The Readjuster Movement-Educational Prog- Wa^~Th""f''' P'-«^'-^-^«-^^^aterial Prosperity - The Spanish nai— The Jamestown Exposition— The Constitutional Conven- tion— ^ irginia. Past and Present 3^3 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA PERIOD I: COLONIAL \aRGINIA, 1607-1775. CHAPTER I. 1492-1585. BIAKLY DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS. Traditions. — 1. The Irish and the Welsh. The honor of having discovered America is claimed by the Irish, the Welsh, and the Norsemen; that is, the inhabitants of Nonvay, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. Far to the west of Ireland, the Irish claim to have fonnd a beautiful land in which they dwelt for a number of years. Madoc, a Welsh prince, sailing in the same direction, narrates that he found a great and fertile country with lofty mountains, clear lakes, and large streams. On his return home he persuaded a number of his countrymen to accompany him on a second voyage. These venturesome Welshmen were never heard of again. If they reached America, no traces of them have ever been found. 2. The Norsemen. About the Norse discoveries we know more. They certainly settled Greenland, and their colony there lasted more than a hundred years. One of the Norse explorers, Bjarne, while on the way to Greenland, was driven southward by a violent gale and saw an island in the distance. He did not go ashore, but when he told liis story to a great Earl of Norway, Eric the Red, who had discovered Greenland, Eric's son Leif (life) was greatly stirred by the tale. He bought a ship and set sail with thirty-five companions to discover and explore the new land. He reached, finally, a place somewhere near the 2 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Massachusetts coast, as is supposed, and called the newly discovered country Vinland, from the number of wild grapevines seen there by him and his companions. This happened about 1,000 A. D. Columbus.— But we know very little of these and other traditional explorers. The glory of having discovered America is, therefore, justly due to Columbus. October 12, 1493, he landed on San Salvador, probably the same as Watling Island, one of the Bahamas, and in three other voyages discovered Cuba, Haiti, Porto Eico, Jamaica, and many other islands in the West Indies. The Cabots. — The success of Columbus fired the ambition of all the nations of Europe, but England was the first of these to send out an exploring expedition. In 1-197, Henry VII., King of England, empowered John Cabot and his three sons to "set sail, discover countries, and take possession for the (^-own of England." They discovered the coast of Laljrador, in 1497, one year before Columbus, on his third voyage, set foot on the mainland of North America, and later went as far south as Florida. Raleigh's Expeditions.— But it was nearly one hundred years before the English took advantage of their new possessions. In 1576, Martin Erobisher, a great navigator, tried to plant a colony; and, in 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert was lost at sea in his effort to plant another. His half-brother, Sir Walter Ealeigh, was hardly more success- ful. In 1584, this accomplished nobleman, high in the favor of Elizabeth, Queen of England, fitted out two ships, with his sovereign's permission, and placed them under the command of Captains Amadas and Barlow. These, follow- ing the course of Columbus, reached the West India Islands, remained there a few days, and then directed their course north. Attracted by the delicious perfume of "fruits HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 3 aud flowers which a kindly breeze wafted to them from the fragrant shore they landed finally upon the coast of North Carolina, not far from Cape Hatteras, and took possession of the country in the name of her Sovereign Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Charmed with the tall trees, green fields, and abundant grapevines, they clambered to the top of the high cedars, in order to obtain a more extended view, and gazed with rapture over the exquisite landscape. Here llie English fivsi became acquainted with turkeys, potatoes, tobacco, and Indian torn (maize). THE ENGLISH RBCBIVINQ IKDIAJS. At first it seemed that this beautiful land was given over to the birds and beasts. On the third day, however, a ^mall canoe, in which were three men dressed in the skins of wild animals, put out from the neighboring shore. They approached and boarded the ship without any sign of fear, and one of them, wlio seemed to be the leader, acted as spokesman for the rest ; but his speech, full of impressive gestures, and doubtless of eloquent language, was in a 4 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. tongue not one word of whicli could be understood. The English, unable to. reply, but wishing to show a friendly spirit, presented the natives with shirts and hats, wine, and meat. After a visit of some length the strange guests departed as they had come, but soon returned with the boat loaded with fish and game, which they presented to the Englishmen. The next day came divers boats with forty or fifty men, and among them Granganameo, brother of the king of this great country. Leaving the boats at some distance, the Indians came towards them. The Englishmen presented the chieftain with many toys, such as beads and pieces of tin, which he received with delight. His men seemed to regard him with great respect, none of them speaking a word, except four who seemed of higher rank than the rest, and to whom alone he gave presents of the treasures bestowed upon him. These they received humbly, making signs that all things belonged to him. Granganameo paid them many visits after this, bring- ing presents of deerskins and other things; and after a few days he brought his wife and children. The former was of small stature, very pretty and bashful. Shp was dressed in a long coat of leather, with a band of white coral about her forehead, while strings of pearls as large as peas hung from her ears and reached nearly to her waist; she wore her long black hair hanging down on both sides, and the men wore theirs long on one side and shaven close on the other. The English remained some time in this place, trading with the natives, and obtaining from them, in return for the useless toys with which they presented them, many articles of value, such as pearls, dyes, and game of various kinds. They learned, too, a great deal about the soil of the country, which they found to be more fertile than any they had ever known, producing three crops of corn in one year. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 5 Roanoke Island. — One day Captain Barlow and seven of his men paid a visit to Granganameo, their new friend, who had his home on Roanoke Island. As they approached the place, they saw hefore them a little village of nine or ten Indian houses, built of cedar, and fortified, after their manner, by sharp stakes or palisades driven into the ground. Seeing her visitors approaching, the wife of Granganameo, like a true hospitable Virginian matron, ran down to the shore and received them with every sign of Joy. She told them that her husband was away, and commanding her people to draw the boats to shore, made them carry the guests on their backs to the houses. Here she entertained them with great honor, setting meat and fruit before tbem, having their clothes washed, and in her simple, natural way doing all she could to testify her delight at seeing them. In one of the houses she showed them her idol, about which she told wonderful things. When some of her men came in with their bows and arrows, and the English- men acted as if they feared treachery, their hostess caused tlie bows and arrows to be broken in pieces, and the owners of them to be beaten out of the house. The Englishmen returned to their encampment next day, much pleased with their visit, and during the whole of their stay in that country continued on the most friendly terms with their Indian neighbors. Upon their return to England, they gave such glowing accounts of the land that Queen Elizabeth called it Yirginia, in honor of herself, the virgin Queen of England. Religious Beliefs. — Some interesting facts were ascer- tained about the religion of the savages. They believed that there were a great many gods, but one greater tban all the rest, who had existed from eternity, and who made all things. They worshipped the sun, moon, and stars as gods. They believed that the soul would live forever in 6 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. liappiness or in miser)'. The English tried to teach them ahoiit tlie true God and the Bible. The simple creatures listened to them with interest, and taking the Holy Bible in their hands kissed it reverently, held it to their breasts, and stroked their bodies over with it. Once, Ijeing very sick, their king refused help from his own friends, and sent for the English to come and pray for him, that if he died he might live witli their God in heaven. Soon after this a circumstance occurred which increased their fear and reverence for the God of the English. Great sickness prevailed in many of their settlements, the name of which we are not told ; but it so happened that the disease was most fatal in places which were inclined to be unfriendly to the English. The simj)le creatures, tlierefore, believed that the English were actually destroying their enemies by prayers to this great Being. Thus all the surrounding tribes hastened to claim the friendship of this powerful people of an all-powerful God. Lane's Colony. — But this friendly feeling did not last long. The year after the expedition of Amadas and Barlow, Sir Eichard Grenville, accompanied by Ealph Lane, the governor of the new colony, made a settlement in Albemarle Sound, on Eoanoke Island, the home of Granganameo. During one of Grenville's expeditions an Indian stole a silver cup from the English, and in revenge the English burnt an Indian village. After this the friend- ship between the savages and the settlers was at an end. The Indians, to get rid of the English, told Lane that the headwaters of the Eoanoke Eiver were so close to the sea that they were salt. Thinking that this sea was the Pacific Ocean, Lane and his followers set out to trace the river to its source.' Their provisions soon gave out and they were reduced to such straits that they were forced to eat HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 7 their two dogs. Shortly after this they returned to Roanoke Island, and. when Sir Francis Drake, the great navigator, came from the West Indies, to see how the colonists were faring, they returned in one of the ships to England. Croatan. — C)nly a few days after their departure a relief ship, sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh, arrived laden with provisions, but, finding no one, returned to England. The '' Shepherd of the Sea," as Sir Walter was called, was not daunted, however, and sent out, in 1587, to Roanoke Island, a colonv consisting this time of men, women, and chihlren. These were in charge of Joseph White, whose granddaughter. Virginia Dare, was the first child of English parentage born in America. Soon after her birth. White left for England and did not return for three years. When he reached the English settlement not a trace of the one hundred and seventeen colonists lie had left behind was to be found, except the mysterious word Croatan carved on a tree. What became of these hapless settlers lias remained a mystery to this day. QUESTIONS. 1. What stories are told of Welsh and Irish discoveries in America before 1492? 2. Tell the story of the Norse discoveries before this date. 3. W^hen and what did Columbus discover? 4. Upon what discoveries did the English base their claim to North America ? 5. What English explorers were there before Sir Walter Raleigh and what did they accomplish? 6. Tell the story of Raleigh's exploration under Amadas and Barlow. 7. What were the religious beliefs of the savages? 8. Give an account of Lane's Colony. 9. Give an account of the colony under Joseph Whito. 8 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. CHAPTER II. 1606-1607. VIRGINIA THE MOTHER OF STATES THE LONDON COMPANY SENDS CAPTAIN SJIITH TO AMERICA— HIS EARLY LIFE LANDING AND SETTLEMENT AT JAMESTOWN WINGFIELD APPOINTED PRESI- DENT. "The Mother of States." — I have given you an account of the earliest settlements in that part of America which Queen Elizaheth named Virginia, and which extended from the southern part of I^orth Carolina to Canada in length and from the Atlantic to the Pacific in breadth. This was a great country, and the reason you often hear Virginia spoken of as the "Mother of States" is because she gave from herself the territory out of wliicli were formed many of the States of the Union. In those early days all the country to the north of Chesapeake Bay was called North Virginia, and that to the south was called South Virginia. The first settlements carved out of North Virginia were the New England States, which were settled by the Puritans. The next slice taken out was New York, which was seized by the Dutch, the first discoverers; but it was afterwards given to the Duke of York, after whom it was named. Next came the divisions of New Jersey and Delaware, and the last we shall mention was Pennsyl- vania, which was settled by the Quakers under their wise leader William Penn, in whose honor the State was named. But we must confine ourselves to that portion which through all these changes still retained the name of Virginia, and which was colonized by Captain John Smith and his companions in the year 1607. HI STORY OF VIRGINIA. 9 Captain John Smith. — Captain Smitli, one of the bravest men that ever lived, lias written a book in which he gives an aeeonnt of liis wonderful adventures. An Englishman by birth, he had, when quite young, a great desire to go to sea, and even sold his satchel, books, and all he had, in- tending secretly to carry out his design, but was prevented by his father's death. He afterwards travelled through most of the countries of Europe. Once while at sea, like a second Jonah, he was thrown overboard by the super- stitious sailors, who imagined that he brought ill luck to their vessel. ' However, he managed to reach a desert island, whence he was rescued by a passing ship. He afterwards fought against the Turks, and with his own hand killed three of their officers. He was taken prisoner l)y them and sold as a slave. A bashaw* bought him and sent liim as a present to his mistress, who fell in love with liim and treated him very kindly, but Smith only thought how he could escape and return to his own country. The bashaw, who had connnand over the prisoners, was \ery cruel to them. One day, when Smith was threshing wheat, this man reviled and struck him, upon which Smith turned and beat out the brains of his persecutor with an instrument which he had in his hand. Then throwing the body into the house, he locked the door, filled his sack with corn, and, mounting the bashaw's horse, rode away, taking the direction towards Eussia. After many more adventures he returned to his own country, where he was made a knight by the king, who also bestowed many other honors upon him. Too restless to be content with a quiet life, he determined to seek new adventures in the great country which had been discovered, and about which the whole world seemed to have gone mad. *Earlier form of pasha, Turkish governor of a province. 10 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. The London Company. — Certain merchants and rich men of London had permission from the king to settle a colony in the country called Virginia, and for this pur- pose obtained, for fifty miles along the sea-coast, a grant of land, which was to belong to them and their children. The company to whom this permission was given was called the London Company, and another party of men called the Plymouth Company had a similar privilege granted them. The London Company fitted out three small ships, and in them sent Captain John Smith, Bar- tholomew Gosnold, Edward Maria Wingfiekl, and many others to find out a suitable place for their settlement, and to take possession in the name of their king, James I. The conduct of the ships was trusted to Captain ISTewport, and the Eev. Mr. Hunt went as tlie chaplain of the company. They set sail from England about the middle of December, but were detained by contrary winds, within sight of the shore, for six weeks, in which time Captain Smith found he had rather an unruly crowd to deal with. Each man imagined he coubl inaimge bettci' than his fel- low, and they quarreled with Captain Xewpurt l)ecause they chd not get on faster, with Captain Smith for over having started the expedition, and with poor ['readier Hunt for not praying hard enough against the winds, which were the cause of their detention. At length, however, Providence favored them, and they reached the West Indies, where they remained for a few days, soothing their ruffled tempers and refreshing themselves after their tedious voyage with the delicious fruits and other pro- ductions of these charming islands. Then with renewed spirits, they embarked, bending their course northward towards the coast of North Carolina, where former attempts to colonize had been made. P)ut again eneoun- HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 11 tering storms, they found themselves on tlie trackless ocean, amid dangers they knew not how great, and again the nuirmurs arose loud and deep. Captain Newport, wearied with the difficulties, deter- mined to turn the ships around and go back to England; but God willed it otherwise. A violent storm drove them in towards the shore, and they found themselves at the wide entrance of a great bay, with a cape at each extrem- ity, which they named Cape Henry and Cape Charles, after the two sons of their sovereign. Pursuing their course inward, they touched upon anotlier point of land, at the mouth pf what seemed to be a large river leading up into the country. Hoping that their wanderings were now ended and that they would find a desired haven, they named the land Point Comfort. About twenty miles farther on, the country spread out before them in all its grandeur and richness, and the most despondent among them exulted at the prospect. The place where they next anchored was named Point Hope, and the river was called James, in honor of their king. Here they encountered some Indians, who seemed kindly disposed to them, and told them that the Indian name of the river which they had called James was Powhatan. They also said that the greatest tribe in those parts was the tribe of the Powha- tans, and that the chief of this tribe, whose name was also Powhatan, was very powerful, and had his liome about one hundred and fifty miles above, on the same river. Jamestown. — Pursuing their course up the river, the English discovered a beautiful peninsula covered with tall trees, growing out of the luxuriant green sod. Here they determined to land, and after much consultation and disputing they planted their colony, calling their first settlement Jamestown in honor of their king. They then proceeded to elect a president and council to govern them. 12 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Edward Maria Wingfield was chosen. Captain Smith, having been accused by Wingfiekl of an attempt "to murder the council and make himself king," was not allowed to take any part in the government. The colonists then set to work at once to build a fort as a protection against the savages. It was a busy scene. Some were cutting down trees, others digging holes in the ground, and the sound of the hammer and the axe awakened echoes and startled the inhabitants of these old JAMESTOWN. forests. Xewport, Smith, and about twenty others were sent to discover the head of the river. Passing many small habitations, in six days they arrived at the dwelling of the great chief Powhatan, which consisted of twelve houses, pleasantly situated upon a hill. Before it were three beautiful islands, and around it the waving fields of corn. The city of Richmond now stands just above the former dwelling of this Indian chief, and the place is still pointed out where his wigwam stood. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 13 Indian Attack. — Smith found that his boat could not proceed farther up the river, because of the falls, and he and his party were obliged to return to Jamestown, where they found everything in confusion. The colony had been attacked by the Indians, one boy killed, and seventeen men wounded. They had all been at work without their arms wben the attack was made, and the destruction would have been complete had it not been for the accidental discharge of a shot from one of the ships. This broke the bough of a tree, which fell in the midst of the savages and caused them to retire in haste. Captain Smith arrested. — The English at once began to fortify themselves as strongly as they could, so as to prevent further surprises. The Indians, however, were fully on the alert; and, in spite of their care, the English were constantly annoyed by them. All this time Captain Smith was in disgrace with the colony. Many among them, envious of his reputation, pretended to think that he wished to murder the president and the council and make himself a king, and these reports gaining ground, President Wingfield made him a prisoner, and accused liim to the London Company who had sent him to A^irginia. But Smith, strong in his innocence, brought his accusers to shame, and Wingfield was compelled not only to release him, but to pay him two hundred pounds as a recompense for what he had made him suffer. Smith received the money, but gave it to the general fund for the use of the colony. This was but the beginning of the trials Smith had to encounter, Irat he bore everything with a patience and dignity that overcame the spite of his enemies. Preacher Hunt also did what he could to establish peace, so a gen- eral reconciliation took place. Smith was admitted to the council, all parties received the communion, and the U mSTOBY OF VIRGINIA. very next clay the savages voluntarily desired peace, and Captain Newport returned to England, bearing encour- aging reports of the prosperity of the new settlement in Virginia. QUESTIONS. 1. What was the original extent of Virginia? 2. Why is Virginia called the "Mother of States"? 3. How were North and South Virginia divided? 4. What divisions were afterwards made? 5. With what particular portion of this country has our history to do? 6. Give the story of Captain Smith's early life. 7. How did he make his escape from the Turks ? 8. What privileges were granted to the London and Plymouth Companies. 9. Who did the London Company send to Virginia? 10. Give an account of the voyage until they landed at the West Indies. 11. Give an account of the rest of the voyage. 12. What circumstance prevented the return of Newport to England? 13. \Miat names did they bestow upon the four first points of land they reached? 14. What name did they give the river, and what account did the Indians give of the country? 15. Where and when did they land, and what name did they give to their first settlement? 16. What were the first acts of the new colony? 17. Give an account of Smith's expedition up the river. 18. In what condition did he find the colony upon liis return? 19. How was Captain Smith treated by the colony? 20. How did he behave? 21. How did the difficulties end? C H A P T E II I 1 I. 1607.— Continued. C0LO>'Y REDUCED TO WANT CAPTAIN SMITH COMMANDS AN EXPE- DITION IN SEARCH OF FOOD ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS. President Wingfield. — From the peaceful close of the last chapter you might suppose that the ti'publes of our colonists were at an end. This .was far from being the HI8T0BY OF VIRGINIA. 15 case; for they had to contend not only witli the Indians but with their own governor and his friends. Wingfiekl, thinking- only of gain, lost no opportunity of stealing from the public stores to enrich himself. When he had by this conduct made himself hated by all, he tried to seize one of the ships and make his escape, accompanied by one of his confederates; but his design was discovered and prevented. Thus it happened that most of the responsi- bility of public affairs fell upon Captain Smith, who, by his own example and encouraging words, set the men to work, some mowing, some planting corn, and some build- ing houses. Smith himself always took the largest share of the work, providing all the rest with comfortable dwellings before he built his own. In his intercourse with the savage he also showed his great wisdom, making himself acijuainted with their dispositions, their manners, their customs; always securing their friendship if possible, but if this failed, compelling them to tear and respect him by liis superiority over them. Smith's Adventure. — Once, when the colony was greatly reduced by sickness, and starvation stared them in the face. Smith took seven men with him and set out to seek help from one of the neighboring tribes. He proceeded down the river about twenty miles until he arrived at one of their towns, and by signs told the Indians of his great need, but met with derision and contempt. In ridicule they offered him a handful of corn and a piece of bread in exchange for the muskets of his men, and even de- manded the clothing of the English. Smith, finding gentle measures useless, resolved to compel them to give him the help lie needed. Running his boat into the shore, he and his men fired into the crowd, whereat the Indians fled to the woods. The Enoiish made haste to take 16 IIISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. advantage of the situation, and going from wigwam to wigwam, they saw lieaps of corn and other food, which Smitli could scarcely restrain his hungry men from taking until he convinced them that the danger was not over, and that their first duty was to prepare for the return of the savages. The wisdom of their leader was revealed as the hideous war-whoop sounded, and they saw about seventy Indians approaching from the woods, dancing and singing, some painted black, some red, and some parti-colored. Their god Okee, which Avas hung with chains and pieces of copper, was before them. Well armed with bows, ar- rows, clubs, and shields, they charged upon .the English with great shouting and cries ; but Smith and his men were fully prepared for them, and fired their well-loaded muskets into the midst of them. Down fell their Okee, and numbers of the Indians also lay sprawling on the ground. The rest of them fled to the woods, and soon one of their chiefs approached to beg for peace and to redeem their god. Smith told them that if six of their number would come unarmed and help him to load his boats with such provisions as he needed, that he would not only be their friend, but would restore their Okee, and give them beads, copper, and hatchets besides. They were very well content with this, and brought Smith venison, tur- keys, bread, and whatever else they had, singing and dancing, and making signs of friendship until they de- parted. The party returned to Jamestown in fine spirits at their success. When the colonists saw the abundant supplies of provisions their spirits revived. Captain Smith made many other expeditions to procure food for the following winter, but what he provided with so much care the rest recklessly wasted. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 17 I will now try to give yon some idea of the manners, customs, and religion of the North American Indians when the country was first settled by the English. The Indian Tribes. — The inhabitants were divided into trilies, which were generally named from the rivers upon which they dwelt. There were the Powhatans, the Chicka- hominies, the Potomacs, the Susquehannocks, and the Pamunkeys. All the Virginia Indians belonged to the great Algonquin family, whicli occupied the region between the Mississippi and the Atlantic, the Great Lakes, and the Carolinas. In Virginia, Powhatan was at the head of a great confederacy of some thirty tribes. The men were generally tall, straight, and well formed, with skin brown more from exposure than from nature, as the child was born white. They had straight black hair, which was worn long. One-half the beard was shaved off, the other half was allowed to grow long. The women filled the office of barbers, and with two shells grated the hair off. Both sexes were very strong and active, able to endure great exposure. They slept by a fire in the open air even in the most severe weather. Their dress was made of the skins of wild beasts, with the hair on for winter and without it for summer. Some wore long mantles em- l)roidered with beads, and others had mantles of turkey feathers, which were very beautiful. The women had tlieir limbs tattooed with pictures of beasts and serpents. But the most curious part of their dress was their ear- ornaments. Both sexes had as many as three holes bored in their ears, in which they hung chains, copper, and other ornaments; and, what was still more surprising, it was no uncommon thing for them to use small snakes and even rats as ear-jewels. Imagine a great Indian with a green and yellow snake crawling and fla23ping about his neck. 18 iiisTonv OF viiiciyiA. and often witli dreadful familiarity kissing his lips, or a dead rat tied through the ear hy the tail ! For head- dresses they wore the wings of Ijirds, and some had even a whole hawk or other large hird stuffed, with its wings outspread, perched upon the top of the head ; others wore the hand of an enemy, dried. They ])ainted themselves every variety of color, and he was considered most hand- some who was most hideous to heliold. They usually dwelt in villages, the houses of which wei'e built of branches of trees tied together, somewhat like a modern arbor, and covered with mats or bark. The women were very fond of their children; and as soon as they were born they began to wash them in the cold water of the rivers and springs, even in the most severe winter weather, in order to make them hardy and robust. They also used paint and ointments to tan their skins, so that in a year or two no weather could hurt them. The men spent their time in hunting, fishing, and fighting, and such manly exercises ; l)ut scorned work, which fell to the share of the women, who planted the crops, consisting chiefly of beans, corn, and tobacco ; prepared the food, made mats, baskets, and cooking utensils. Their boats were made of the long trunks of trees, hollowed out by burning until they assumed the shape of troughs. They were long enough, sometimes, to hold thirty or forty men. . Their weapons w^ere bows and arrows, tomahawks, spears, and clubs. Hunting Device, — They used a curious device in cleer- hunting. This animal,' you know, is so timid that it is hard to get near enough to him for a successful shot, so the Indian hunter used to dress in the skin of the animal, and thus disguised go into the midst of the herd. Some- times when he would be hunting out a good fat buck^ HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. li) worthy of his arrow, he would see the deer looking curiously towards him, as if they half suspected him of being a cheat, upon which he would lick himself, and by his cunning imitate the motions of the animal so com- pletely as to deceive them entirely, and thus he would shoot many of them. Religion. — No people has ever yet been discovered with- out a religion, and all primitive nations have some idea of one Supreme Being. The North American Indians worshipped an evil spirit, whom they called Okee, and who was represented by a hideous image dressed up in beads and copper, after a most fantastical fasliion. They did not think it necessary to worship good spirits as these would do them no harm. Their priests arrayed themselves as much like Okee as possible. To make their head- dresses, they collected a quantity of snake-, weasel-, and rat-skins, stuffed them in their natural shapes with moss, and then tide their tails togetlier like a tassel. This was put upon the crown of the head with the skins dangling about the face, and the whole was finished l)y a great crown of feathers, sticking out of the place where the tails were fastened. Their religious exercises were chanted, the priest leading and the rest following after. Tliey had great fear and admiration for their king; liis commands were instantly obeyed, and when he frowned they trembled with apprehension; and no wonder, for he was very cruel in punishing such as offended him. He would have a man tied hand and foot, and thrown upon burning coals and broiled to death. He would have their heads laid upon stones, whilst his executioners beat out their brains with clubs. When a notorious enemj^ or criminal was taken, he was tied to a tree, and the execu- tioner with mussel-shells cut off his joints, one after the other, threw them into a great fire, then sliced the flesh 20 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. from the bones of his head and face. If life still remained in the quivering carcass, the body was ripped up, and then, with the tree to which it was tied, was burned to ashes. Against such foes as these the colonists had to contend for more than one hundred and fifty years. QUESTIONS. ' 1. In what year did the events recorded in this chapter talie place? 2. Did peace and good-will long continue in the colony? 3. To what did they owe fresh troubles? 4. How did Smith act when the responsibility of affairs fell upon him? 6. Give an account of his expedition in search of food. 6. How were the crew received on their return to Jamestown? 7. How were the Indians divided and named? 8. Describe their appearance and manners. 9. Their peculiarities of dress, etc. 10, How did the women treat their children? H, Tell of the curious Indian device in deer-hunting. 12. Give an account of their religion. 13. How did their kings rule them? C H A P T E E IV. 1607. — Continued. DISCORD IN THE COLONY SMITH'S SEARCH FOR THE PACIFIC HE IS TAKEN PRISONER, CONDEMNED TO DEATH AND RESCl'ED BY POCAHONTAS. Discord in the Colony. — While Smith was making expeditions to secure provisions, his enemies at Jamestown were trying to undermine his influence. At one time Wingfield and his accomplice, Kendall, tried to capture the only vessel that remained to the colony and make their escape to England. Smith returned just in time to HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. 31 prevent this, but not without a fight, in which Kendall was killed. Smith's Perilous Adventure. — Ealph Lane thought that the headwaters of the Eoanoke Eiver reached to the Pacific, and Smith thought the same with reference to the Chicka- hominy. He made several ett'orts to reach the Pacific l)y traveling up this river, but had to return each time on account of the difficulties of navigation. He was so taunted with his failure that he determined to make one last desperate eft'ort to accomplish his purpose. He started in his little boat, with some Englishmen and Indians for his companions, determined not to return until he had succeeded in his undertaking. By cutting down trees and clearing the channel, he advanced until his boat could go no further, and leaving it in an open bay, out of reach of the Indian arrows, ordered the men not to go on shore during his absence. Then taking with him two Englishmen and two Indians he pursued his course up the river in a canoe. As soon as he had left them, the men in the boat, disobeying his orders, rowed to shore, and were surprised by the Indians. It was with difficulty that any of the party made their escape. One of their number, George Cassen, was captured and put to death with the greatest cruelty. Learning from him where 'Smith had gone, the Indians foHowed, and soon came upon the canoe with the two Englishmen sleeping beside it. Smith and his Indians having gone into the woods to get food, xlfter having killed the men, the hostile Indians pursued Smith, who soon found himself surrounded by two hundred savages thirsting for his blood. In this dreadful situation his presence of mind did not forsake him. He tied one of his Indian guides in front of him to protect himself, and shot over his shoulder at 22 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. the savages, killing several of them, he himself being wounded in the thigh. Then moving backwards he tried to reach the boat, and thus make his escajse; but having his eyes fixed upon the enemy, he came upon marshy ground, into which he sank up to his armpits, and almost expired with cold. Still the Indians were afraid to come CAPTAIN SMITH TAKEN PRISONER. near him until he threw away his firearms. Then they dre;v him out, took liim to the fire, where his two com- panions were lying dead, chafed his benumbed limbs, and finally led him to Opechankanough, king of Pamaunkee. Captain Smith knew that nothing but his wit could now save his life, so drawing from his pocket an' ivory compass, such as is used on ships, he presented it to the king. The HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 23 curious savages gathered around, and looked with wonder upon the needle vibrating before them. Seeing them in- terested^ his hopes revived, and partly by language and partly by signs, he told them of the roundness of the earth and of the variety of nations which inhabit it. He explained to them in simple language the course of the heavenly bodies, until they were filled with awe and admiration. Notwithstanding his eloquence and its effects, an hour afterwards Smith was tied to a tree and surrounded by Indians with arrows pointed at his heart. He gave up all for lost, and, committing his soul to God, prepared to meet his death with unflinching courage; but at this moment Opechankanough held up the compass in his hand, and the Indians laid down their bows and arrows, untied him from the tree, and forming a procession, placed- him in the midst, and so led him away. \\Tien they arrived at their town, which consisted of thirty or forty houses built of mats, women and children came out to stare at the white man, whereupon the Indians commenced their war-dance, yelling and shrieking with hideous triumph. At length they led Smith to a long house, where thirty tall Indians guarded him, and after a while they brought him bread and venison, as much as would have served for twenty men. At midnight they brought him meat again, and again the next morning, until, remembering the stories he had read about cannibals, he concluded that they were only fattening him to eat him. This idea did not greatly increase his appetite. After some days' captivity he was brought before the king, where he was told that the Indians were about to destroy Jamestown, and he was promised his life, liberty, and land if he would give them his assistance. In return he excited their fears by telling them of the dangers they 24 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. would encounter from the great guns which belclied out fire and smol^e, and he offered to prove to them that wliat he said was true if they would send some of their men to Jamestown to take a mere piece of paper for him. ^^^len the}' agreed he tore a leaf from a blank book, wrote upon it minute directions to the colonists, as to what they should do to frighten the messengers, and also made a list of articles to be sent to him. He then told them, with the manner of a prophet, exactly what would occur during their visit, and gave them the mysterious paper. Of course everything happened as he had said, and they told all these things to their wondering people, declaring that either he was a great prophet or that the ])aper could speak. The Indian Conjurers. — They then led him with great ceremonies through all the Indian tribes living upon the rivers in that part of the country, to the king's habitation at Werowocomoco, on the York Eiver, where they called their conjurers and priests together to see what was the will of their Okee concerning their captive. They made a great fire in a long house, with a mat spread on each side of it, on one of which they made him sit down. Presently in there came skipping a large fellow painted black, witli a tassel of snakes and weasel-skins, and over it all a crown of feathers upon his head. He began to make a speech in a hideous voice with passionate gestures. N^ext he walked around the fire and sprinkled a circle of meal. Then in came three more of these monsters dancing and shouting, their eyes painted white ; next three more with their eyes painted red. x\fter liaving danced around him for some time, shouting until he was almost maddened, they led him back to his prison. King Powhatan. — Three days they kept up these cere- monies, after which they brought him before their great HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 25 king Powhatan. Smith found him seated before a fire, upon a seat like a bedstead; he was covered with a rich robe of skins, and on each side of him was a young girl about sixteen years of age. Along the sides of the house were rows of men, and behind them as many women, all with their heads and shoulders painted red, decked with feathers, and with chains of white beads about their necks. V\lien they saw him, the king and all the company gave f\,''^^ -< CAPTAIN SMITH SA\T;D BY POCAHONTAS. a great shout. The Queen of Appamatox then brought him water to wash his hands, and another queen brought a large bunch of feathers instead of a towel for him to dry them. Then they made a great feast for him, and after that held a long consultation about him. When this was over they placed two great stones before the king, and laid Smith's head upon the stones. Again thinking his last hour had come, he closed his eyes to shut out the sight of the dreadful clubs raised above his head 26 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. ready to beat out his brains; when a shriek aronsed him, and opening his eyes he saw the beautiful Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of King Powhatan, pleading with her father for his life, while the tears rolled down her cheeks. Finding that her father would not relent, she flew to Smith, laid her head upon his, and declared that she would give her life to save him. This conquered the stern old king, and he released the prisoner. Two days afterwards he allowed him to go back to Jamestown, upon condition that he would send him two great guns and a grindstone. So once more Smith's life was miraculously saved. On liis return he was received with great joy by a part of the colony. As Wingfield and some others were again making preparations to run away with the vessel to England, Smith, at the risk of his life, prevented this, and in return Wingfied and his confederates tried to bring him to trial for the death of the Englishmen who were slain by the Indians. In this also they failed, and Smitii at last succeeded in liaving them arrested and sent to prison. Once more quiet was restored to the colony. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the date of the events detailed in this chapter? 2. How did Smith spend his time and what diflSculties did he encounter? 3. What curious mistake did the English malce about the extent of Virginia ? 4. Tell of Smith's expedition up the Chickahominy. 5. How were his men captured? 6. Give an account of Smitli"s dreadful situation. 7. How did he act so as to gain the attention of the savages? 8. What happened next? 9. How was his life saved? 10. Tell the manner in which they conducted the prisoner. 11. What of his trial? 12. Give an account of the preparations for his execution. 13. Who saved his life, and how? 14. How was he received on his return to Jamestown ? HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 27 CHAPTER V. 1607. — Continued. NEWPORT ARRIVES FROM ENGLAND TRADING WITH THE INDIANS — • POWHATAN. A Visit to Powhatan. — Soon after the events narrated in the last chapter Captain Newport arrived witli new snpplies. The colonists were overjoyed, and the sailors at once began to trade with the natives, obtaining for a few trinkets quantities of copper and other valu- ables. Captain Newport sent Powhatan some presents, which so pleased the royal savage that he begged for a visit from the "Creat Father," as he called Newport. It was some time before Captain Smith could persuade Cap- tain Newport to trust himself among the savages, but Smith undertook with twenty well-armed men to en- counter the worst that could happen to them; so, fitting up a small vessel, the party started up the river. Landing near the dwelling of Powhatan, they were met by two or three hundred savages, who conducted them to the town. Here Powhatan received them with great shouts of joy. They found him sitting upon his bed of mats, with a ])illow of leather beside him, emliroidered after their manner with pearls and white l)eads. His royal robe was a great mantle of skins which covered him; at his feet sat a handsome young woman, and on each side of his house w^ere twenty more women, their heads and shoulders painted red, and with chains of white beads about their necks In front of these were the chief men of the tribe, and behind them a guard of about one hun- dred people; and as the Englishmen passed through this 38 HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. guard, proclamation was made that none, upon pain of death, should do them any harm. Tlien followed a long interview between Newport and Powhatan, in which each tried to outdo the other in professions of love and friend- ship. Next followed a great feast, dancing, singing, and all kinds of merriment. They were entertained that night at Powhatan's quarters. Three or four days passed in this manner, during all of which time Powhatan bore himself so proudly that all were compelled to admire the monarch who, though he had never been beyond the American forests, was yet every inch a king. Very cunning he was, too, in trading with the English, though in this matter Captain Sniitli proved himself the better man of the two. Powhatan's Scheme. — As if scorning to trade as his subjects did, he said, "Captain Newport, it is not agree- able to my greatness in this peddling manner to trade for trifles, and I esteem you also a great chief, therefore lay me down all your commodities together ; what I like I will take, and will pay you what I think is their value." Cap- tain Smith saw through his design at once, and told Cap- tain Newport that the cunning savage only wanted to cheat him, and get more for his commodities than they were worth. At first Captain Newport would not believe this; but when he found that Powhatan wanted to get as much for a bushel of corn as he had expected to give for a hogshead, he was very angry, and a quarrel would have ensued between the two if Captain Smith had not inter- posed by drawing out a string of blue beads, which, at- tracting the attention of Powhatan, diverted his thoughts in another direction. He at once eagerly bargained for the beads, but the more he wanted them the more un- willing Captain Smith was to part with them. He told Powhatan that they were made of a very rare HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 29 substance of the color of the sky, and could only lie worn by the greatest kings in the world. This of course stimu- lated the desire of Powhatan for them, and it ended by the Indian king selling three hundred bushels of corn for a pound or two of blue beads; and yet they parted good friends. POWHATAN" TRADING FOK P.LUl Tbey also made the same kind of bargain with Opechankanough, obtaining from him for a few blue beads a quantity of valuable provisions. The party returned to Jamestown delighted with their success, which, how- ever, in the end, did not benefit them much ; for as they were storing away these new supplies the town caught 30 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. fire, and, being built of wood, almost the whole place, with the arms, clothes, bedding, and provisions of the inhabitants, was destroyed. Good Preacher Hunt lost his libi'ary and everything but the clothes he had on, yet no one ever heard him complain. And, to increase the affliction of the colony, this accident occurred in the middle of winter, and a great deal of suffering ensued. The Gold Fever, — If Captain Smith had been listened to, all hands would at once have set to work to rebuild the town; but just at this time a fever seized the colony most fatal to its prosperity : it was the fever for gold, and jjervaded all classes of men. In the bed of one of the streams near Jamestown, among the clay and sand, a shining substance had been discovered, which was pro- nounced by some, who pretended to have knowledge in these matters, to be gold. At once the farmer left his plough and the carpenter his tools, and all classes and ages of men hurried to possess themselves of the precious metal; so that nothing was talked of but gold, nothing was hoped for but gold, no work was done but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. The fields, where their true wealth lay, were neglected; their houses, the rebuilding of which was so necessary to their comfort, lay in ruins; their provisions were scarcely enough to support life; and still the mad fever went on. They even loaded a ship with the gilded earth, and putting it imder the comnumd of Captain Newport, who was also a victim to this wild delirium, they sent it home to England, where, being examined, it was found, much to their mortification, to be nothing but a worthless mineral. This disappointment, however, was the best thing that could have happened to the colonists, as they at once abandoned their wild search for gold and returned to their proj^er employments. Smith, taking advantage of this HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. 31 favorable change, proceeded to rebuild the city and plant the crops; and soon all were bus.y and cheerful, cutting down trees, preparing the fields, planting corn, and build- ing houses. A vessel from England that had been thought to be lost, arrived with supplies, which relieved their im- mediate wants; and, taught by the follies of the past, they grew more hopeful of the future. Breach with the Indians. — A difficulty with the Pow- hatans was the next thing that engaged their attention. Captain Newport, anxious to keep on friendly terms with Powhatan, sent the Indian king twenty swords in return for a present of twenty turkeys. After Newport's departure, Powhatan also sent Captian Smith twenty turkeys, expecting a like return, but he found he had a different man to deal with. Smith took no notice of the request, and Powhatan, indignant at the ill success of his scheme, ordered his men to beset the colonists and seize their arms wherever they could find them. This caused constant annoyance ; the parties at work were continually interrupted; but so much afraid were they of provoking the enmity of the Indians, that these injuries remained unpunished, until, emboldened by this fact, the savages became more annoying than ever. Smith's Reprisal. — It chanced, however, that Captain Smith became the object of some of their outrages, and, as may be imagined, he was not one to take this meekly. He hunted them up and down the country, he terrified them with whipping and imprisonment, and kept in the prison of Jamestown seven savages as hostages for the good be- havior of the others. They in return captured two English- men, and sent Smith word that they should be put to death at once if the Indians were not released. As an answer to this, Smith marched out against them, and in two hours so punished them for their insolence that they 32 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. brought him his two men, and without anv further con- ditions begged for peace. He forced them to confess that they had been sent by Pow]iatan to capture arms to use against tlie English themselves. Tliis the cunning •monarch stoutly denied, and even sent his daughter Pocahontas to Jamestown with presents to Captain Smith, and earnest entreaties that lie would excuse the rashness of some of his chiefs, who without orders from him had perpetrated these outrages. Captain Smith punished his captives as he thought fit, and delivered them to Poca- lioutas, for whose sake alone, he said, he spared their lives and gave them their liberty. By these acts he secured peace and quiet for the colony, and increased the respect of the Indians for his wisdom and firmness. QUESTIONS. 1. What happened next? 2. Tell of the visit to Powhatan. 3. How did Powhatan try to cheat the English? 4. How did Captain Smith prove as cunning as he? 5. Tell of the blue beads transaction. 6. What happened on their return to Jamestown? 7. What fever seized the colony? 8. What effect did it have on their prosperity? 9. How did it end? 10. Wliat next engaged their attention? 11. Did .Smith submit to the will of Powhatan? 12. What did Powhatan do? 13. How did Smith revenge himself? 14. How did the difficulty end? 15. What effect did this have on the savages? HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 33 CHAPTEE VI. 1608. smith's expedition up the CHESAPEAKE BAY QUELLS A MUTINY NEW DISCOVERIES AND ADVENTURES. A New Expedition. — More than a year had now elapsed since the first settlement of the colony at Jamestown, and though Captain Smith had made many voyages for the purpose of learning the extent and resources of the country, yet l)ut little had been really accomplished. You remember that I told you some chapters back that this colony was sent from England by the London Com- pany, and they were permitted to take possession of fifty miles along the sea-coast and one hundred miles back from the coast. This was a vast extent of country, but only a small portion of it had yet been explored. Hence in June of the year 1608, the colony being quiet and prosperous. Captain Smith determined to push his discoveries along the sea-coast. For this purpose he fitted out a boat, and taking with him fourteen men, started down the river towards the ocean. Again they touched at Point Hope and Point Comfort, and recalled the time when, storm-tossed and weary, they had here welcomed the prospect of rest. Touching at Cape Henry, they crossed the bay to the Eastern Shore, visited Smith's Isles, and then crossed over to Cape Charles. Here two fierce stout savages came to the landing, and holding long poles in their hands, boldly demanded who they were and what they wanted. Finding the English friendly in their answers, they too became very polite, and directed them to Acco- 34 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. mack, the habitation of their king. They found him the handsomest and most polite savage whom they had met. These Indians spoke the language of the Powhatans, and as our colonists had become quite familiar with that, they had no difficulty in conversing with them. Smith and his Crew. — The king was quite eloquent in his description of the bays, isles, and rivers, and excited great expectations in the voyagers, so that they soon left their hospitable host and pursued their voyage. Many were the discoveries they made of islands, rivers', and fertile fields. Sometimes they were kindly received by the natives, at other times they had to fight their way on. Often they were reduced to great straits for want of pro- visions, when, of course, the crew blamed Captain Smith for bringing them upon the journey; but he bore all their complaints with a patient firmness that overcame their ill- temper. Once, when he could scarcely bear their murmurs, he said to them, "Gentlemen, do you not remember the history of Sir Richard Grenville and his men? how when their provisions were nearly exhausted and he thought of returning, his brave men begged him to let them go for- ward, as they had two dogs, which, boiled with sassafras leaves, would richly feed them? Then what a shame is it for you, who still have provisions left you, to wish to force my return when we have not even yet heard of what we came out to seek ! You cannot say that I have not shared with you the worst of what is past; and I am content that in what is to come you give the worst part to myself. As for your fears that I will lose myself in these unknown waters, or be swallowed up in some stormy gust, abandon such childish apprehensions, regain your old spirits; for return I will not, if God please, until I have found that which I came out to seek." HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. 35 In the Chesapeake. — Sickness, however, attacked them, and Captain Smith was obliged to return to Jamestown, where he dismissed his crew, took an entirely new set of men, and returned to push his discoveries in Chesapeake Bay. Numerous were the adventures of this party, and great the dangers from which they escaped. They pur- sued their course up to the head of Chesapeake Bay and CAPTAIN SMITH REBUKING HIS CREW. into the various rivers, and made the acquaintance and secured the friendship of the numerous tribes of Indians, who promised to plant corn for the settlement, in return for which the English were to give them hatchets, beads, and other things which they much desired. Return to Jamestown. — These voyages and discov- eries occupied Captain Smith from June until September, during which time he travelled three thousand miles in 36 JIISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. an open boat. When he returned to Jamestown he found the colony much reduced by sickness and the bad manage- ment of Captain Eatcliffe, who had occupied all the time of Smith's absence in building himself a palace, instead of attending to the wants of the suffering people. Smith elected President. — And now, in spite of their jealousies, Captain Smith's superiority was acknowledged, as the Council met two days after his long voyage and elected him president of the colony. He at once com- menced the most vigorous measures, stopped the work upon Eatcliffe Palace as useless, repaired the church and storehouses, built a new fort, and placed the whole settle- ment in better condition than it had ever been before. Soon Captain Newport arrived with supplies. He afterwards told Captain Smith that he had orders not to return until he could bring back a lump of gold and had discovered the passage to the Pacific Ocean, which they still imagined lay only a short distance from them. Captain Smith's travels into the country, however, had convinced him that this was a mistake, and he told Captain Newport that the fine ship he had brought would never take them to the sea until they had carried her across high mountains and forests more extensive than they could guess. As to the lump of gold, he besought Captain Newport not again to excite the fever which had been so nearly ruinous to the existence of the colony. Captain Newport's Instructions. — Captain Newport insisted that his orders were positive, and he said besides, that he had information upon which he could rely, that the country of the Monnachins, who were the nearest neighbors and great enemies of the Powhatans, would furnish them with an abundance of the precious metal. He told Smith that with the view of obtaining the help of the Powhatans in this matter, he had lu'ought with him many costly pres- HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 37 •ents for Powliatan, among other things a king's crown, a scarlet cloak, l)ed and lu'dstead, a basin and ewer, and other furniture; and he thought that if they could get Powhatan to come to Jamestown for the jDur^^ose of re- ceiving these presents, they could so flatter him with the grand ceremony of crowning him king that he would be willing to go with them against the Monnachins. Again Captain Smith remonstrated; he said that it was a great mistake to give all these rich presents to the Indians, that they were now quite as well satisfied with a few strings of blue beads as they would be with all the jewels of England ; but if they were taught the use of these additional luxuries, they would learn to value themselves and their commodi- ties at a much higher rate, and so be harder and more ex- ])ensive to deal with in the future. But his wise counsel was unheeded ; Captain iSTewport would have his own way, and after further consultation Captain Smith agi-ced to go to Powhatan and invite him to Jamestown. QUESTIONS. 1. Wliat is the date of the events narrated in tliis chapter? 2. What extent of countrj' had been granted to the London Company? 3. For what purpose did Captain Smith start on his voyage, and how did his crew behave? 4. At what points did they touch, and wliat Indians did tliey lirst encounter? 5. Describe them . 6. What discoveries did they mal^e, and liow were tliey received by the natives? 7. What difficulties did Captain Smith have to encounter? 8. Tell the story of his remonstrance with liis crew. 9. Why were they obliged to return to Jamestown? 10. Did Captain Smith make a second start? 11. How long did these voyages and discoveries occupy Captain Smith, and how far did he travel? 12. What condition of things did he find at .Tamestown on his return? 13. How was his superiority acknowledged? 14. What were his first steps? 15. What was Captain Newport's course upon his arrival? 16. What presents had he brought for Powhatan? 17. What remonstrance did Smith make, and was he listened to? 38 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. C H A P T E R V 1 I. 1608-1609. WHAT KEWPOET BBOUGIIT FROM ENGLAND CORONATION UF I'OW- JIATAN ^POCAHONTAS AGAIN SAVES CAPTAIN SMITH. A Visit to Powhatan. — According to the agreement between Smith and Newport related in the last chapter, the former, taking with him brave Captain Waldo and three others of the new-comers, started out for the home of Powhatan. When tliey reached there they found that he was thirty miles away, and had to be sent for; and the English waited for him in a green field near ]:)y. Here they made a fire and seated themselves on a mat before it. Suddenly they were startled by a hideous sound from a neighboring wood. Seizing their arms, they caught one or two old men who were standing by and held them as hostages, thinking that Powhatan and all his force were coming to surprise them. Then came the beautiful Pocahontas from the woods, and delivering herself into the hands of Captain Smith, told him that he might kill her if any harm happened to their party; that she only intended some entertainment for them until the arrival of her father. Thus reassured, they waited the next event. An Indian Entertainment. — Presently thirty young women, all fantastically painted in different colors, and with bucks' horns on their heads, came singing and dan- cing out of the woods. One had an otter-skin hanging from her girdle, another a quiver of arrows at her back and a bow and arrow in lier hand, another carried a sword, and another a club; each bore a different burden. These rushed from amona* the trees with luost unmusical HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 39 shouts and cries, formed themselves in a ring around the fire, and danced and sung for about an hour. They then conducted the Englishmen to a house where a feast was prepared for them, consisting of all the savage dainties that could be obtained, after which, by the light of fire- brands, with singing and dancing, they conducted Smith and his men to their lodgings. Smith's Parley with Powhatan. — The next day came Powhatan, and Smith delivered his message, telling him that his "Father Newport" had arrived, and had brought him from his brother, the King of England, rich presents, which he begged he would come to Jamestown to receive. He also said that the English would go with him and give him his revenge upon the Monnachins. The proud savage replied, "If your king has sent me presents, I also am a king, and this is my land; eight days I will stay here to receive them; your father is to come to me, not I to him, nor yet to your fort ; neither will I bite at such a bait. As for the Monnachins, I can avenge my own injuries. And as for any account you may have from my people of waters beyond these mountains, it is false." He then began to draw upon the ground a wide map of the country. Smith returned to Jamestown with this answer. The Crowning of Powhatan. — Captain Newport, ever more ready to obey the savages tban to compel their obedience to him, sent the presents to Powhatan, and the next day was fixed for the coronation. After much trouble they induced Powhatan to put on the fine clothes and the scarlet cloak, but when the time came for him to kneel and put the crown on his head, he positively refused. In vain they told him until they were tired that the crown made him a king. He said he was already a king, and that it was unkingly to bend his knee; at length, however, by leaning hard on his shoulder, they 40 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. made him stoop a little, and placed the crown upon his head. Then, at a given signal, came such a volley of shot from the boats that the new-made king in his crown started up with fear, thinking he was about to be attacked. He soon saw his mistake, and to cover his embarrassment turned to Captain Newport, and with the proud manner of a sovereign to a sul)Ject, presented him witli liis old mantle and shoes. jkiA CORONATION OF POWHATAN. Return to Jamestown. — Newport tried hard to per- suade him to go with them against the Monnachins, but he refused either to go or to lend them men or guides for the purpose. As a return for the handsome gifts which had been sent him, he then presented Newport with seven or eight bushels of wheat ears, and with these the disap- pointed party returned to Jamestown, inwardly acknowl- HISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. 41 edging the wisdom of Captain Smith, who had given liis advice against the plan. Captain Xewport still insisted upon the expedition against the jMonnaeliins, and taking with them a lumdred and twenty men, among whom was a refiner of precious metals, they started. They found the Monnachins a quiet and peaceable ])eople, with whom they had no difficulty. They also found some earth which their refiner said contained small quantities of silver, but not enough to reward tliem for their trouble. The Monnachins would not trade wath tliem, pretending to believe that there were ships in the bay which would destroy them if they came to Jamestown. So carefully had they hidden their ihh-ii in the woods that the English could not find it. So the expedition returned to James- town sick witli tlic (lisai)puintment of their gikled hopes, as Captain Smith had foretokl. First Marriage. — This same year Anne Burras, the maid of Mrs. Foiest, who liad come over in the last vessel under Newport, was married to John Laydon, one of the colonists. This was the first English marriage in Virginia. Powhatan's Treachery. — T will now tell you how the life of Captain Smith was once more saved by the beautiful Pocahontas. It happened in the month of Decembei'. Powhatan was then staying at his favorite residence, ^\'erowocomo(■(). which was situated on the York Eiver. not very far from Jamestown, and was the scene of Captain Smith's former miraculous escape from death through the love of Pocahontas. Powhatan sent a message to Smith and asked him to send men to build him a house, and to send him also a grindstone, fifty swords, some guns, a cock and a hen; promising in return a ship loaded with corn. Captain Smith was not deceived by the promises of the Indian chief, but (orn was most important to the colonv ; so he sent two Dutchmen and three Englishmen to 43 HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. build the house. He himself fitted out three vessels with forty-one men and made his way by water to the dwelling of the wily chief. On the way he was warned by friendly tribes that Powhatan intended his destruction. However, he pro- ceeded on his journey, and on the 12tli of January reached Werowocomoco, where he found the river frozen half a mile from the shore. He and his crew broke the ice, waded to the shore, took possession of the first wigwam they saw and sent to Powhatan for provisions. He com- plied, and the next day visited them. Then began a rare war of wits between Captain Smith and the Indian king, each trying to outdo the other in cunning. Powhatan first said that he had no corn; whereupon Smith reminded him of the promises made through the messengers he had sent to Jamestown. At this Powhatan laughed, said he was joking when he sent the message, and asked to see their commodities. They were displayed, and then the wily king proceeded to ask very high prices for his corn ; but Captain Smith would not allow himself to be cheated, and would make none but fair bargains. Powhatan then, with a friendly air, reminded Smith of past favors, and reproached him for coming armed like an enemy. This, he said, so frightened his men that they would not bring their corn to sell. He proposed that they should send their arms away to the boat and show themselves to the people without them, and then they could trade freely. But Captain Smith refused to give up tlie arms or to sell them, as he had no confidence in Powhatan's pro- fessions of friendship. Wearied with the length of the debate, and seeing that Powhatan only trifled with him, Captain Smith attempted to capture him and so force liim to keep his promise, but the chief was too quick for him and made his escape. HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. 43 Presently the house wliere the English were was beset by savages. Captain Smith with one man rushed out among them, pistol, sword^ and target in hand, and such was their fear of him that as soon as they saw him thev went tum- bling one over the other, onl}^ too glad to escape unhurt. Soon afterwards Powhatan sent one of his orators to them, who thus spoke: "Captain Smith, our chief, fearing your guns, has fled ; he only sent some of his men to guard his corn, which might l>e stolen without your knowledge. Not- withstanding your suspicions, Powhatan is your friend, and will ever continue so. As the ice has now melted, he would have you send away your corn; and if }ou wish his company, send away your guns, which so frighten his people." But Captain Smith, holding on to his arms, got the corn and loaded his ships. Pocahontas gives Warning. — That night Powhatan and the wicked Dutchmen who were building his house laid a plan to take the lives of Captain Smith and his men, but at night Pocahontas, ever the guardian angel of the colony, came and revealed to Captain Smith the plot. She told him that a great feast would presently be sent him from her father, and while they were engaged in eating it they were to be surrounded and killed. He in gratitude offered to repay her with such things as she valued most. But with the tears running down her sorrowful cheeks she refused them, saying that she dared not be found with any such things, as her father would find out what she had done and would kill her. Presently it happened as she had said; ten stout Indians came laden with venison, turkeys, and other delicacies, and they were followed by more, and still again by more; but the Englishmen remained on their guard with arms in their hands during the whole night, and Powhatan never knew that his plot was betrayed. The next day they set sail for Jamestown, 44 HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. leaving the Dutehmen at work upon the liouse of Pow- Jiatan, tlie stout stone chimney of which still remains to mark the spot where this grand old Indian chief held his savage court, and where his beautiful daughter Pocahontas more than once endangered her own life to protect that of Captain Smith. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the date of the events recorded in this chapter? 2. Wliat was Captain Smith's next enterprise? 3. What liappened upon their arrival at tlie residence of Powhatan? 4. Give an account of the entertainment provided by Pocahontas. 5. How did Powhatan receive tlie news Smith brought him? 6. What did Newport do? 7. Describe the coronation of Powhatan. 8. What success did they meet with in their expedition into the country of the Monnachins? 9. What event occurred this same year? 10. What message did Powhatan send Smith, and what was the name of his residence? . ' 11. Point it out on the map. 12. Did Smith comply with the request of Powhatan? 13. Relate the circumstances of their journey and reception. 14. Relate the interview between Smith and Powhatan. 15. Wliat was Powhatan's object, and how did it succeed? 16. What did his orator say? 17. Did Smith get the corn? 18. What plot was revealed to them? 19. IIow was its success prevented? 20. Relate Smith's interview with Pocahontas. 21. What happened afterwards? HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 45 CHAPTER VIII. 1609. — Continued. THE TREACHEROUS DUTCHMEN OPECHANKANOUGH SMITH, BY HIS WISDOM AND BRAVERY, SAVES HIS CREW ^ARRIVALS FROM ENGLAND^ SMITH'S ACCIDENT AND RETURN TO ENGLAND. The Treacherous Dutchmen. — Among the last crew of Captain Newport were a number of Dutchmen, who, being- strong, able-bodied men and accustomed to labor, were ex- pected to do a great deal of the hard work of the colony. Instead of this they became a source of serious trouble, and were more dangerous enemies than the savages them- selves. I told you in the last chapter how some of them, whom Captain Smith had sent to build Powhatan's house, plotted with this crafty savage and would have destroyed Smith and his party but for Pocahontas. After the English had set sail from Werowocomoco, Powhatan quickly despatched two of these Dutchmen across the country to JamestoAvn. These told Captain AVinne, who was acting as president, that Smith had sent them back for new arms, as the old were useless. Captain Winne, believing what they said, furnished the arms. They then excited the avarice of some of their countrymen by telling them the great promises Powhatan had made to them if tliey would join him in destroying the English. They were eagerly listened to, and, being expert thieves, they stole quantities of arms and ammunition, secretly conveying them by night to the woods, where the Indians were in waiting. In the morning they returned to the city without exciting suspicion. Some time after tliis, the Dutchmen who were 46 TIISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. with Powhatan wished to leave him and return to the English, but he said to them, "You who were so ready to betray Captain Smith to me will as readily betray me to Captain Smith," and caused their brains to be beaten out with clubs. Opechankanough. — In the meantime, Smith and his crew, after cruising about the coast, came to Pamaunkee, where dwelt King Opechankanough, the brother of Pow- hatan, who had promised them large supplies of corn for the colony. Leaving their boats. Smith, with fifteen of his men, went to the house of the king, who soon joined them with numbers of his men carrying scanty supplies of corn for which he asked very high prices. Smith, in great indignation, said to him, "Opechankanough, the deceitful- ness of your professions of love is made plain by your actions. You know our Avant, and we your plenty. We must have supplies. You have promised us corn, and kings should keep their promises. Here are our com- modities; take what you want, and I myself will make the bargains with your people." The cunning chief pretended to be perfectly satisfied, and sold the colonists corn, promising to return tlie next day with a great deal more. So they parted, the Englishmen returning to their boats. Treachery. — The next day they found four or five men with great baskets of corn waiting for them, and Ope- chankanough, welcoming them with assumed cheerfulness, began to offer them great bargains in corn. Presently in came one of Smith's men and told them that they were betrayed, and that at least seven hundred savages had sur- rounded the house in which they were. This created great dismay among Smith's party, but he smiled calmly at their fears. He also urged his men to stand by him and promised them, with the help of God, he would not only bring them out of this trouble, but would force the HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. ' 47 Indians to give them full supplies of what they needed. His words had the desired effect; their courage returning, they promised him to act as he wished. Smith's Boldness. — Turning to Opechankanough he told him that he plainly saw through his plot and proposed that the two parties should adjourn to the open field and there settle their quarrel by fighting, the conquerors to remain masters of the country. The cunning king, how- ever, tried to pacify Smith with soft Avords, telling him that no harm was intended, but that, on the contrary, he had provided a rich present for him, which waited his acceptance at the door. Glancing out he saw baskets of corn guarded by about two hundred men, with their arrows upon their bent bows, and knew at once their design was to get him out of the house, when they would instantly kill him. In a great rage at this deceit. Smith now ordered two of his men to guard the door, and rushed alone into the midst of the king's guard. Before the Indian king had time to make any resistance Smith seized him by his long lock of hair, and put a pistol to his breast. The army of savages was instantly quelled; the guards threw down their arms, and the others were terror-stricken at the man who dared thus to deal with their king. Smith then led the humbled Opechankanough into the midst of his people. The Indians pressed eagerly forward and laid their baskets of corn at Smith's feet, while the king himself ordered his richest stores to be brought to his conqueror. Smith, still holding him by the hair of his head, thus spoke to them in their own language : "1 see the great desire you Pamaunkees have to take my life, and you think because I have not punished your treachery before that you are safe from my revenge. The reason I have borne so long with your insolence is, that I made a vow 48 ■ HISTORY OF VIBGINIA. before God to be your friend; tbis vow. if I keep, God will keep me, and you cannot hurt me; if I break it, he will destroy me. But you have l^roken our friendship by your actions, and now if you shed one drop of my people's blood, or touch with even so much as a finger these beads and copper which lie here before you, I will destroy every Pamaunkee of your tribe; not one shall escape. You promised to load my ship before I departed, and so you shall, or I will load her with your dead carcasses. But if you will come as friends, and bring your corn, I will then remember how once you saved my life when I was in your power. I will trade with you, and be your friend forever." A Second Attack. — Away went their bows and arrows, and all day long men, women, and children thronged about him, bringing their commodities in as great quantities as he could desire. At last, worn out with the excitement of the day. Smith appointed two of his men to receive the pres- ents, while some others giiarded Opechankanough, and he, throwing himself upon a mat, fell fast asleep. When the Indians saw their great enemy asleep, their fear of him diminished, and about fifty of their chosen warriors, with clubs or English swords in their hands, bore swiftly down upon the house. The noise they made in their haste awoke Smith, who instantly seized his sword and stood ready to meet them. A^Hien they came to the entrance and saw him awake, and standing thus with his men around him, their courage deserted them, and they fell back one upon the other, until the house was clear of them. Opechanka- nough tried to make excuses for them, which Captain Smith accepted. The Indians then loaded the vessels with their commodities, after which the English took their departure. Smith's Treatment of Idlers. — After his success in trad- insf with the Indians, Smith returned to Jamestown with HISTORY OF YTnClTMA. 49 ^ibundant supplies, whereat the delighted colonists pre- pared to sit down and enjoy in idleness what he had collected with so much risk and toil. But this he would l,v no means allow. He told them sternly that he who did not work, should not eat. He set each man his allotted task, making his own equal to the best of them, and he who did not fulfil this task was to be sent beyond the limits of the colony, and left to shift for himself. The London Company.— This rule had the desired effect, and for a time all went well. This happy state of affairs would have continued had it not been for the want of wisdom in the London Company. Becoming impatient at the small returns in money from the colony in Virginia thev induced the King of England to allow them to fit out nine vessels, in which they sent five hundred men. These had orders to take possession of the colony, and to send back the men who had so long endured all the dangers of the new settlement. The confusion that followed may well be imagined. These, new arrivals were generally noblemen and gentle- men, unused to work and intent only on their own gain. Seeing this state of things. Captain Smith would will- ingly have surrendered all and returned to England ; but it so happened that the vessel containing the letters of the king appointing the new president had been detained by a storm, and until it arrived he could not desert his post. With his usual energy and patient firmness, he set t(j work to plant new colonies, and provide as best he nii.uht against the evils with which this new arrival threatened him. Smith's Departure from the Colony. --An unfortunate accident upset all his plans. In September, 1609, while asleep in his boat he was seriously burned by the acci- 50 HISTOBY OF VIEGINIA. dental explosion of a bag of gunpowder. In his agony he leaped overboard and was with difficulty rescued and borne to Jamestown. As a vessel was about to sail for England he determined to return to London for medical treatment. Thus the struggling colony lost their wisest counsellor and best friend at a time when they needed him most. Smith's Subsequent Career. — Captain Smith never re- turned to Virginia, but between 1610-1617 he explored the coast of Canada and New England. During his last years he published several books, among which was his famous history of Virginia, from which we learn almost all that we know about the early history of the colony at Jamestown. Captain Smith died June 24, 1631, and was l)uried in St. Sepulchre's Church, London, He was a man of I'are gifts of heart and head, hating baseness and sloth and loving "^action more than words." If the colonists had cultivated the soil, as he advised, instead of wasting their time in the feverish search for gold, they would have been spared much misery and would have developed the country more rapidly. QUESTIONS. 1. What date heads this chapter? 2. What was the plot of the Dutchmen, and what became of them? 3. Where did Smith next go to olitain other com? 4. How was he received? 5. What did Smith say to Opechankanough? 6. In what great peril did the English find themselves? 7. How did Smith restore their courage? 8. What did he say to the Indian chief? 9. What deceitful answer did he receive, and how did he act? 10. What was the effect of Opechankanough's capture? 11. What did Smith tell them? 12. What did the Indians do? 13. How did they again attempt his life? HISTOBY OF VIEGINIA. 51 14. Did the English succeed in their object, and how did the Indians regard Captain Smith? 15. What happened upon Smith's return to Jamestown? 16. How did the policy of the London Company Interfere with the prosperity of the colony? 17. What was the result? 18. How did Smith act? 19. What happened to him? 20. What was the effect of his departure upon the colony? 21. What were the chief events of his life after he left Virginia? CHAPTEE IX. 1609-1614. AKRIVAL OF SIR THOMAS GATE.S JA>rESTO\VX ABANDONED THE MEETING WITH LORD DELAWARE THE RETIRN CAPTURE OF POCAHONTAS, AND HER MARRIAGE AND DEATH. Murder of the Colonists. — The colonists were soon made to feel the need of Captain Smith's presence and wise counsel. As soon as the savages, who had been kept in awe by him, learned that he had left they revolted and began to murder all the English they encountered ; and at last so intimidated the colonists that they seldom dared to go beyond the fortifications at Jamestown. On one occasion Powhatan tempted a j^arty of thirty men, under John Eatcliffe, to come to him for provisions. He slew all of them except one l)oy, who was saved by Pocahontas, and who, protected by her, lived for many years among tlie Indians. Famine and Sickness. — Shut up within the small l)Oundaries of the unhealthy city, afraid to go beyond them either to cultivate their crops or to engage in those other employments which were conducive both to the health and wealth of the colony, distracted by savages without and disorders and mismanagement within, it is no wonder 52 IIISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. that in less than six months after Captain Smith's departure the numbers of the colony were reduced from five hundred to sixty men, women, and children. These wretched creatures were forced to eat herbs, roots, acorns, and berries. "One man," says a writer of the day, quaintly, ''did kill his wife, powdered her, and had eaten part of her before it was known; for which he was executed. Now, whether she was better boiled or roasted I know not, but of such a dish as a powdered wife I never heard." Rescue. — All these evils came from their own idleness and mismanagement, as the country was fully able to afford them ample support, from the productions of the field, the game of the forest, and fish of tlie rivers. To add to their distress, they believed themselves abandoned by their friends in England, as no vessel had come from there for many months. At length, however, when they were reduced to the greatest extremities, Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers arrived with a hundred and fifty men. You can well imagine how the poor, starving, dying' men crawled down to the shore to give them welcome, and how they begged, with the tears streaming over their cheeks, to be taken away from this wretched place, where they had suffered so much misery. It was a sad welcome ; and so greatly were the new-comers shocked at the condi- tion of affairs, that they readily yielded to the entreaties of these unfortunate men, and determined to abandon Jamestown and return to England. Jamestown abandoned. — So the next day, after bury- ing the guns and ammunition at the gate of the fort, they all embarked. Some of the people were with diffi- culty prevented by Sir Thomas Gates from setting fire to the town. They fired a farewell volley, but not a tear was shed at leaving a place where they had endured so much. The boat started down the river, and the men HISTORY OF VIRGIMA. 53 crowded the decks to take a farewell look at the familiar places along its banks. A feeling of regret must have filled even their bosoms^ that this beautiful countiy, with its great resources, should be given up to the savage. God, who overrules all things, did not intend that this should be, for before they had been many hours on the journey, they saw, coming up the river towards them, a long-boat with ARRIVAL OF SIB THOMAS GATES AT JAMESTOWN. despatches from Lord Delaware, who was not far behind, with three vessels and plenty of provisions to last the whole colony a year. As this changed the aspect of affairs, Sir Thomas Gates returned to Jamestown, reaching there the evening of the same day. •■ Lord Delaware. — The third day after these events. Lord Delaware, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, with all of their men, arrived, and the poor, sick, famished colonists were drawn up to meet him; but when his lord- 54 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. ship stepped on shore, he fell upon liis knees and engaged in silent prayer before he would submit to their greeting. It Avas an impressive scene. Adjourning to the church, they listened to a sermon, in which the providence of God in all these matters was plainly shown to them. After this. Lord Delaware made a speech, which was eagerly listened to by the crowd. He traced the course of their disasters, and pointed out to them plainly how their own idleness and folly had been the cause of their ruin. He entreated them to avoid tlie errors of the past, or he, as their govmior, would be forced to draw the sword of justice and cut off delinquents, however great the trial might be to himself, as he had. rather shed his blood in their defence than punish one of them. New Regulations. — This speech was received with great applause, all seeing that in its stern kindness lay a hope for their future. Those who had been there longest knew the evils of misrule, and were willing to submit themselves to the authority of their new commander. Vigorous measures were adopted. The new governor ap- pointed regular hours for work and recreation. Keligious services were held twice on Sunday and once in the week, and all were required to attend. New treaties were made with the Indians, and Captain Argall was despatched with a vessel to the Bermudas to bring fresh provisions, but being forced back by a storm. Lord Delaware sent him up the Potomac River to trade with the Indians. Here he found the young English boy whom Pocahontas had rescued, and through him succeeded in opening trade with the tribes of Indians on that river. The next year Lord Delawai'o went up the James Eiver as far as the Falls, near which Richmond now stands. Assaulted by the Indians, four of his men were killed, and soon after this he was taken very sick and HISTORY OF VIBGINIA. 55 forced to return to England, leaving Captain Gieorge Percy to act as governor until the arrival of Sir Thomas Dale, who had been appointed governor by the London Company. The new governor reached Jamestown in May, and found the colony fast falling back to their former condition of poverty, having relapsed into their idle habits since Lord Delaware's departure. He at once set them to work again, punishing with great severity those who would not submit to him. In August of the next year Sir Thomas Gates ar- rived, with men and provisions. He built a town upon James River, and called it Henricopolis ; it stood some miles below the present site of Richmond. Thus was the colony of Virginia firmly established, and with vig- orous management was increasing in prosperity. Their old enemy Powhatan continued to give them trouble, capturing men and arms wherever he could find them. Since the return of Captain Smith to England, Poca- hontas had never visited Jamestown, and seemed to have lost her interest in the colony. But in the winter of the year in which Henricopolis was built, an event occurred which again connects her with the history of Virginia. Plot Against Powhatan. — Captain Argall, while trading with a tribe of Indians upon the Potomac River, heard that Pocahontas was in the neighborhood, with an Indian chief named Japazaws, an old friend of Captain Smith, and determined to take advantage of this circumstance to compel Powhatan to conclude a treaty of peace with the English. He sought out Japazaws, and told him of his desire to obtain possession of Pocahontas, promising that she should be treated with respect, as his only object was to stop the bloodshed which was continually going on between the English and the Powhatans. He also promised Japazaws a copper kettle if he would assist him in his undertaking. 56 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Capture of Pocahontas. — Japazaws consented, and Pocahontas, who believed herself unknown to this party of Englishmen, listened to the wife of Japazaws as she told her how anxious she was to see an English ship, and how her husband would take her if Pocahontas would go with her. For some time she refused, and Japazaws' wife went to her husband and told him she could not per- suade her, whereupon Japazaws threatened to beat her if she did not succeed in the undertaking. At last Poca- hontas was persuaded to accompany them. They found a feast prepared for them in the cabin, during which Japazaws trod hard upon the foot of Captain Argall, to remind him that he had done his part and the copper- kettle must be forthcoming ; so when the meal was oA'er, Captain Argall induced Pocahontas to go into the gun- room while he held a conference with Japazaws. Then sending for her, he told her she must go along with him, and she should never see Powhatan again until she had made a peace between the English and her tribe. Finding herself thus betrayed, the poor girl burst into bitter tears, and the treacherous old Indian and his wife howled melo- diously to convince her that they too were the victims of a stratagem. Captain Argall succeeded at length in reconciling Poca- hontas to her situation, by convincing her that her captiv- ity would accomplish what nothing else had ever done, — a peace between the English and. Indians. So Japazaws and his wife, receiving their copper kettle and other toys, returned home, and Pocahontas willingly accompanied Captain Argall to Jamestown. Argall sent word to Powhatan that he held his daughter as a hostage, and that he must ransom her with the prisoners he held and the guns and swords he had stolen. Great Avere the rage and gi-ief of the old Indian HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. 57 chief when he heard this news; for he dearly loved his daughter, and he also loved the property of the English with which he must ransom her. Many were the prom- ises he made and broke in his endeavor to cheat his ene- mies into surrendering her, but it was in vain. They knew him too well to believe in mere promises; so Poca- hontas remained at Jamestown. Marriage of Pocahontas. — Now what could not be brought about l)y foul means was accomplished by fair; for it happened that after Pocahontas had been two years at Jamestown, Master John Eolfe, an honest gentleman, fell in love with her, and she with him, so they determined in this natural way to unite the English and the Indians. The news of this intended marriage reaching Powhatan, he at once gave his consent, and sent his brother Opa- chisto, and two of his sons, to witness the marriage and conclude a permanent peace with the English. Powhatan's Second Daughter. — A messenger after- wards went to Powhatan from Sir Thomas Dale, bearing with him two pieces of copper, five wooden combs, some beads and fish-hooks, and a pair of knives, all of which pleased him well. He was then told that Sir Thomas Dale, hearing of the beauty of his second daughter, de- sired that she might be sent to Jamestown, that she also might marry an Englishman, and so bind the two nations more closely together. The old chief answered with gravity, "I am very much obliged to my brother for his salute of love and peace, and for his pledges thereof, which I will surely keep, though they are not so ample as what he has formerly sent me. But as for my daughter, I have sold her in a few days past to a great Werowance, three days' Journey from me." The English tried to persuade him to send back what had been paid for her and he should have far more than 58 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. this in beads, copper, and hatchets. He answered that he loved his daughter better than his life, and that though he had many children she was his favorite. He further assured them that he would keep peace with the English without this further pledge. He ended his speech thus : "I am old, and would gladly end my days in peace; if you offer me injury, my country is large enough for me to go from you ; this much I hope will satisfy my brother. Now, because you are weary and I am sleepy, we will end this." Thus the old king refused a further alliance with the English, making it plain that he had submitted to the marriage of Pocahontas as a matter of necessity. Pocahontas in England. — The after-history of Poca- hontas is short, but of touching interest. Her husband, who was truly devoted to her, carefully instructed her in Christianity, and after a while she openly renounced the idolatry of her country and, confessing the faith of Christ, was bai^tized in the old church at Jamestown, receiving the name of Rebecca. Two years after her marriage she and her husband went to England, where she was much admired and sought after at the court of King James. She learned to speak the English language cpiite well, and had one child, Thomas Rolfe, who, after he became a man, visited Virginia and his mother's relatives. From him are descended many of the most prominent families of Virginia. Her Interview with Captain Smith. — It was while Pocahontas was at the court of King James that she again met Captain Smith, who gives us the only account we have of the interview. Upon seeing him she covered her face with her hands and did not speak a word. At length she said, "They did tell me always you were dead, and Powhatan did send to find out the truth, because your countrymen will lie much." She then added, "You call HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. - 59 Powhatan 'Father/ being in his land and a stranger; and now, for the same reason, I will call you father." Smith remonstrated against this, telling her she was a king's daughter and must preserve her dignity; but she an- swered indignantly, "You showed no fear to come into my father's country, and to make him and all his people but me afraid, but you fear here in England for me to call you father. I tell you then I will, and you shall call me child, and so I will be for ever and ever your country- woman," TJie life of this loveh^ young woman was a short one; she died at Gravesend, in England, four years after her marriage, leaving to history the most beautiful picture of refinement and natural majesty of character, springing up in a wilderness, — a natural growth upon un- cultivated soil, a fair flower blooming alone among the sturdy oaks and pine-trees of her native forests. Virginia can not honor too much the menior}' of this guardian angel of the colony. QUESTIONS. 1. How were the colonists forced to acknowledge the loss they had sustained in Captain Smith? 2. To what condition was the colony reduced in six months? 3. Relate some incidents of the "starving time." 4. What happened when they were reduced to their last extremity? 5. How was Sir Thomas Gates met on his arrival? 6. Relate the abandonment of .Tamestown. 7. What happened next? 8. Give an account of Lord Delaware's arrival. 9. How did he employ his first hours? 10. What did he tell the people, and how was his speech received? 11. What measures did the new governor adopt? 12. What happened the next year? 13. What new town was built, and where? 14. What news did Captain Argall hear while trading with Ihe Indians? 15. Tell of his bargain with Japazaws. 16. How did he obtain possession of Pocahontas? 17. How did Powhatan receive the news of his daughter's capture? 18. How was the union between the English and Indians accomplished? 19. What is the subsequent history of Pocahontas? 20. How should Virginians regard her memory? 60 • HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. CHAPTER X. 1614-1622. DEATH OF POWHATAN THE PRICE OF A WIFE IXDIAX MASSACRE ENGLISH HISTORY AS CONNECTED WITH VIRGINIA GOVERNOR YEARDLEY HAKVEY SENT TO ENGLAND BERKELEY APPOINTED GOVERNOR. The Common Fund. — It had been a matter of necessity in the early days of the colony that there should be no separation of property, and that all should work for the common fund. Although, as I have said, this was neces- sary, yet it was the cause of many evils; no man felt that he was working for himself, but for everybody. If, there- fore, one was disposed to be idle, it was easy enough to feign sickness, since he knew he would be supplied from the public fund. This was the chief cause of the quarrels, the idleness, and the want of thrift which marked the history of the first colonists of Virginia. New Land Regulations. — After the marriage of Poca- hontas had established a firm peace with the Indians, it was determined to remedy this evil. Accordingly, each one of the settlers was made the owner of three acres of ground which he called liis plantation. Upon this he was forced to subsist with his family, and to pay into the public treasury a tax of two and a half barrels of corn. This had the desired effect. Each man felt that his labor was for himself and his family, and thus thrift and in- dustry were encouraged. Death of Powhatan. — The year after the death of Poca- hontas, Powhatan died. In him the English lost a friend, even though he was bound to tliem only by ties of interest. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 61 He was succeeded by the treacherous aud blood-thirsty Opechankanough, who for some years continued his pro- fessions of kindness and good will to the English. There is no reason^ though, to believe that he ever cherished other than the Intttrest hatred towards them. Perhaps his enmity was due to a recollection of his humiliation, when Captain Smith led him by the hair of his head through the midst of his own people. However this may be, one thing is certain, that, with professions of love upon his tongue, he was bent upon their destruction. Slavery Introduced in 1619. — One year after the death of Powhatan, slavery was introduced into Virginia. The owner of an English vessel purchased twenty Africans from a Dutch man-of-war, thinking that he was doing an act of kindness, as the poor creatures, crowded together in the hold of a slave-ship, seemed to be suffering great misery. The Virginians had before this depended for laborers upon criminals, who were released from the prisons of England, that they might act as servants for the colonists. The condition of the negroes was pitiable in the extreme; when they were brought to Jamestown I have no doubt the planters thought they were doing God 'service by taking the poor creatures, teaching them Christianity, and otherwise improving their condition. They scarcely imagined that they were planting an insti- tution wdiich was to bring so much trouble and contro- versy into the Old Dominion and half the continent of Xorth America. Wives Imported. — The same year a vessel arrived from England bringing a very different kind of cargo, — a num- ber of young women of good character, to serve as wives for the colonists. In order to defray the expenses. of the journey each man was obliged to purchase his wife for G2 III8T0EY OF VIRGINIA. one hundred and twenty pounds of tobacco. Afterwards the price of a wife was much higher. Indian Treachery. — Tln-ee or four years passed away without any e^■ent of striking interest to the colony of Virginia. Population increased rapidly, a*nd reports of the prosperity of the country reaching the Old World, numbers were induced to emigrate. But the growth of the young nation was destined to receive yet another check from Indian treachery. All this time the English and Indians had been living together as one nation, and so it might have continued but for the circumstances which I will now narrate. An Indian called Jack of the Feather, from his wearing a remarkable ornament of that kind on his head, treacherously murdered an Englishman named Morgan; and Morgan's sons, in their turn, killed him. This act of revenge Opechankanough determined to make an excuse for the entire destruction of the colony. He succeeded in drawing into his devilish plot all the tribea* of Indians in the country around, and a day was fixed upon for the terrible outrage. The Massacre. — The i)lantations were now so scattered as to make the success of the plan comparatively easy, and the destruction of the colonists would undoubtedly have been complete if a converted Indian had not disclosed the plot to a planter who employed him. Upon hearing the news, this planter immediately secured his own house, rode off to Jamestown and informed the governor, who with all despatch took means to prevent the catastrophe. But lie had not time to inform the more distant planters, who were the first sufferers. Soon the light from the burning dwellings showed that the savages were at their work. . From home to home they went, murdering men, women, and children, even burning their houses and HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 63 driving off the cattle; but such was their fear of the English that wherever they resisted the savages retreated in dismay. At length the whole country was aroused and MASSACRE OF 1622. the massacre came to an end, but not before three hundred and forty-seven men, women, and children had been killed. Captain Smith's Proposition. — Great was the distress of the people of England when the news of this calamity reached them. Many mourned friends among the slain, and others feared for the safety of those who, though still alive, were within reach of the tomahawk and scalping- knife. While the excitement was at its height. Captain John Smith wrote a letter to the king, representing that it was worse than useless to trust any longer to the promises of friendship given by the savage tribes of G4 IIISTOh'Y OF VIRGINIA. Virginia. He said that they must either be driven out of the country or kept in subjection, and offered, if the king would give liim a hundred and thirty-seven men, with shi-ps and money, to undertake the accomplishment of one or the other of tliese objects. He had many objections to encounter, but succeeded in obtaining what he wanted, and, after six years' absence, again set sail for Virginia, but suffered shipwreck and was forced to return. The Whites and the Indians. — You have heard much said, and will hear still more, about the wrong that has been done to red man by white man; but what would have been said if the civilized nations of the world had turned their backs upon this great continent, with all of its wonderful resources, because it was occupied by a few savage triljes, who were incapable alike of appreciating their possessions or improving tliem ? God for His own purpose makes one nation superior to another, and the history of the world shows that the inferior always gives place to tlie superior race. Hostilities TJnavoidable. — (Vjuld the two people have dwelt together in peace, it would have lieen wrong for the English to dispossess the Indians; but liorrible massacres, occurring after long seasons of peace and apparent friend- ship, were proof sufficient that no colony could prosper so long as the savage tribes were their neighbors. Had it been possible, it would have ])een much better for the English to buy the lands from the Indians, and this was done to some extent. As a general thing, however, they were averse to parting with them, and did not recognize a bargain after it was made. Hence, as tranquillity was absolutely necessary to the prosperity of the colony, the savage had to be removed beyond the settlements. English History. — In order that we may understand fully this period in the history of Virginia, it is necessary HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 65 to give you an insight into the history of England at that time, since Virginia was a British province. Henry VII. narrowly missed the glory of promoting the discovery of the Western AVorld; for Christopher Columbus was actually on his way to England to solicit the help of its sovereign, when his ship was driven back by a storm, and he received the aid of the King of Spain. When the King of England found of what great im- portance this discovery was to be, he lost no time in fitting out vessels, and sent out the Cabots, who, as I have already told you, discovered the main continent of America. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England sev- eral ineffectual attempts were made to colonize America. Elizabeth was succeeded by James I., and he it was who granted a charter to the London Company to plant a colony in Virginia, and they, as you remember, sent out Captain Smith and his companions. Xearly twenty years had elapsed since this settlement, and although the London Company had spent a great deal of money, the colony, as we have seen, did not flourisli under its control as it ought to have done. King James, foreseeing the great \\'ealtli which must accrue to the English crown if these colonies were success- fully established, determined to take the matter into his own hands. He, therefore, deprived the London Company of its charter. This seemed ^•ery much like robbery of the merchants and other rich men who constituted the London Company. Accordingly they offered an indignant remonstrance against this act of the king; but it did no good; King James remained firm. Now, although this was a great misfortune for the company, yet it was the best thing that ever happened to Virginia ; for during the eighteen years of the existence of tlie London Com- G6 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. pany the colonists were looked upon as servants of a company that had no settled plan for the improvement of its property. N"o wonder, then, that the Virginians lost sight of the wrong done to the London Company, and rejoiced in the change of masters. King James did not live long enough to complete his plans for the government of Virginia, as his death occurred only one year after he had taken the control of the colony from the London Company. His son, Charles I., adopted his father's ideas about the new country, appointed Sir George Yeardley governor, and empowered him to act in conjunction with a council of twelve men, according to such instructions as he himself should send them from time to time. Thus Virginia knew no law but the will of the king. Although it was more agreeable to them than the exactions of the London Company, they soon learned that a change of masters does not always l)ring entire relief from oppression. Charles L, of England, although beloved by many of his subjects, was by others regarded as a tyrant. He was very extravagant in liis habits, and, as the revenues of his office were not sufhcient to meet his expenses, he resorted to unjust taxation. By his order, the Governor and Council of Virginia imposed taxes upon the people, de- priving them of their property, and in many ways caused them great distress. The favorites of the king were sent over, with permisssion to appropriate large tracts of land. These grants often encoached upon the property of those who had for years endured the privations of the life in a new country, and thus saw the resvilts of their labors quietly transferred to others. Tobacco. — Tobacco had long been the staple production of Virginia. It had been introduced into England by Sir AValter Ealelgli, who, you remember, fitted out the HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 67 vessels which brought over the first English colonists to Virginia. Some amusing stories are told about this nobleman, who was very clever, and possessed a great influence over his sovereign mistress, Queen Elizabeth. He had imbibed a great fondness for smoking tobacco, and as it was the fashion to follow the example of this court favorite in all that he did, the young noblemen of the court all adopted the habit. One day Sir Walter was smoking his pipe, when his servant, who had just engaged in his service, entered the room. Seeing his master sitting before him, with a volume of smoke curling above his head, the man thought that he was on fire, and threw cold water all over his master. Raleigh's Wager. — Another day he was smoking in the presence of Queen Elizabeth and the ladies of her court, and made a wager that he could weigh the smoke which ascended from liis pipe and curled away until it was lost in the pure atmosphere of the room. Elizabeth bet him five broad pieces of gold that this could not be done. The nobleman, with cool confidence, weighed the pipe of tobacco and then 2)roceeded to smoke it. After he had finished, he carefully weighed the pipe with the ashes, which of course was lighter than the tobacco had been. He then triumphantly declared that the diiference between the two must be the weight of the smoke which had es- caped. He had fairly gained his wager, and the queen laid the gold pieces upon his extended palm. Unjust Proclamation. — Since that time the demand for tobacco had steadily increased, and the sale of it brought much wealth to the colony. Imagine, then, the surprise and indignation of the Virginians at a proclamation issued by order of the king, that henceforth no tobacco should be sold except to agents appointed by himself. This brought down the price, deprived the col- 68 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. onists of a great source of wealth, and created much dis- satisfaction and murmuring among them. They presented a petition to the king, stating a list of their grievances and praying relief ; but of this he took not. the least notice. The condition of affairs grew worse instead of better. Tyrannical governors were appointed, who executed the king's command with severity. Seeing that the Virginians had no redress, these governors oppressed them • even beyond their authority. At last, in a fit of indignation with one of these governors, Sir John Harvey, who had succeeded Governor Yeardley, the Virginians seized him and sent him a prisoner to England, accompanied by two of their number, who were deputed to tell Charles of the cruelty and rapacity with which this man had discharged his trust. This was a high-handed act in the Virginians, and one which Charles regarded as rebellion against his authority. As he had appointed the governor, he claimed the right to remove him. Hence he refused to hear the cause, and sent Harvey back to resume his position. Notwithstanding this, the king seems to have appreciated the firmness of the Virginians, for not long afterwards Harvey was re- moved, and Sir Walter Berkeley, a man every way acceptable to them, was appointed his successor. QUESTIONS. 1. What years are included in tliis cliapter? 2. What necessary customs prevailed in the early days of the colonies? 3. What change was now made, and why? 4. Who sncceeded Powhatan? 5. Was he a friend to the English? 6. Relate the circumstances of the first introduction of slavery into Virginia? 7. What important cargo arrived the same year? 8. What was the progress of the colony for some years? HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. 69 9. What was the first check its prosperity received? 10. Relate the story of "Jack of the Feather." 11. What use did Opechankanough make of this incident? 12. Give an account of the massacre of 1622. 13. What prevented its being a perfect success? 14. How was the news received in England ? 15. What was Captain Smitli's advice? 16. Was it right for the English to take the country from the Indians? 17. How should we regard the whole affair? 18. Why did not the English buy the lands? 19. Why is it necessary to give some account of the history of England here ? 20. What circumstances of interest to America happened during the reign of Henry VII.? 21. What in the reign of Elizabeth? 22. Of James I . ? 23. Why did he take the charter from the London Company? 24. What was Charles I.'s course? 26. Tell the story of Sir Walter Raleigh and the servant. 26. How did he weigh the smoke? 27. How did the Mrginians incur Charles's displeasure? CHAPTEE XI. 1644. OPECHANKANOUGH MAKES WAR AND IS TAKEN PRISONER HIS DEATH WAR IN ENGLAND LORD BALTIMORE SETTLES MARY- LAND CHARLES I. BEHEADED ^HOW VIRGINIA GOT THE TITLE "OLD DOMINION." Opechankanough's Last Strugg^les. — The Indians had preserved an nnbroken peace with the Virginians for twenty-three years; but their hatred, although carefully concealed, was not abated. Laws had been made which obliged them to fix their habitation at some distance from the white men. Opechankanough still lived, though he numbered nearly a hundred years; and so decrepit had he become that he could no longer walk, but had to be carried on a litter before his warriors. His eyelids were 70 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. paralyzed so tliat he could only see when they were raised by his attendants, and yet so fierce was his hatred of the whites that he determined to make one more effort to rescue the country from their grasp. Gathering the chiefs of the different tribes together, he told them of his plan, and succeeded in inducing them to join him, by promising them all the riches that had accumulated in tlie country, including arms and ammu- nition which would enable them to keep possession for- ever of the land so justly their .own. The plot was well laid — not a white man was to be spared — and would have been successful if the Indians had carried it out cour- ageously; but they feared the English too much. The savages struck the first blow and then fled. Sir William Berkeley, the governor, collecting a body of men, pursued the fugitives, and overtaking the party who were carrying Opechankanough upon his lifter, cap- tured him, and took him a prisoner to Jamestown. He was kindly treated, but remained unconquered by age or by misfortunes. The presence of this brave old man ex- cited much curiosity in Jamestown, and many flocked to look upon the warrior who had given them great trouble during so many years. One day hearing footsteps in his room, he caused his eyelids to be lifted, and seeing a crowd of persons before him, sent for the governor and said to him, "Had it been my fortune to take Sir William Berkeley pris- oner, I would have disdained to make a show of him." He had probably forgotten the time when he captured .Captain John Smith, and led him in triumph through all the In- dian tribes upon the Chickahominy and neighboring rivers. He did not continue long in the possession of the English. One of his guards was not ashamed to take advantage of his helplessness, and shot him in the back to gratify a pri- vate revenge. He languished for a while, and then died. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 71 Civil War in Eng^land. — While these events were taking place in Virginia, England was distracted by a civil war. Charles I. had pursued in his own country the same course by which he had oppressed the colonies in America. The Parliament. — The government of England con- sists of the king and the Parliament (the House of Lords and Bishops, and the House of Commons). The members of the House of Commons, like the members of our Legis- latures and Congress, are elected by the people to represent their interests. These representatives go to Parliament to carry out the wishes of the people from whom they come, and thus having the good not only of the different portions of the country, but of the whole at heart, make laws suit- able to the state of the nation. Xow, if it should so hap- pen that one portion of the country should not send its rep- resentatives to Parliament, you can understand that, having no one to speak for it, that portion would be neglected in the consultations for the general good. So there was a law made that no part of the country should be taxed unless it was represented. The American colonies were not represented, hence, according to the laws of England, they should not have been taxed. Quarrel of King and Parliament. — There were two other laws which just now had an important bearing upon English affairs : 1st. The Parliament was always called together by the king, and could meet only by his orders; 2d. The king could make no laws and take no step without the consent of Parliament. I have told you that Charles was in the habit of raising money by taxing the people. Parliament would not give its consent to these taxes, and so there arose a quarrel between the two heads of the government. Charles dissolved the Parliament, refused to call another, and continued to tax his people without 72 Ill^TOBY OF VIRGJMA. their consent. This, lasted for a number of years, and everything was thrown into the utmost confusion. The people groaned under the unjust taxation, and there was no Parliament to set things right. War Ensues. — Then began a war between the king and Parliament, which resulted in the dethronement and capture of the king, wlio was afterwards beheaded in front of his pahice. Parliament then took the entire control of the affairs of government, and placed at their head Oliver Cromwell, with the title of rrolpclor. Now, though the Virginians had suffered much from the unjust taxation of Charles, they were loyal to his cause, mourned his death, and gave no recognition to the Parliamentary government. They were encouraged in this course by Sir William Berkeley, a staunch friend of royal authority. Virginia tiuis became a refuge for those friends of King Charles that were ol)liged to flee from their own country. The Parliament and Virginia. — Parliament then passed a law prohibiting trade with Virginia because she harbored the enemies of the Commonwealth, and instructions were issued foi' the "reducement of the inhabitants of Virginia to the Commonwealth.'' In March, 1652, the fleet under (^aptain Dennis arrived in tlie river opposite Jamestown and demanded the surrender of the place. In spite of his loyalty to the king, Sir William Berkeley had to submit. The capitulation was made on the 13th of March, and terms highly honorable wei'c granted. Virginia Avas to have all the privileges of any other plantation in America. The oath of allegiance was to be administered to all the people, but the governor and C'ouncil were permitted to wait for one year before taking it. Sir William Berkeley was permitted to send a message to the exiled king telling liiui of the surrender of the country. They were per- JUSTOnr OF VIL'GIXIA. 73 mitted to use the Prayer-book for one 3'ear, upon condition that they did not pray for the king. A few months before this the Navigation Act had been passed, which forbade Virginia to trade with any country except England. She was now permitted free trade, and was to be taxed only with the consent of her own Assembly. Church Disputes. — The Episcopal Church is the State Church in England, and her sovereigns, when they take their coronation oaths, must swear to jjreserve the faith of this church. As Virginia was colonized l)y the English, the Episcopal Church naturally became the established church of the colony. The colonists loved this church and shared the dislike of the Mother Country for other forms of Protestantism and for the Eoman Catholic C^hurch. King Charles, although himself a Protestant, had a Catholic wife, and one of his favorites was Lord Baltimore, a firm adherent of the Church of Eome. Finding that his religion interfered with liis possession of property in England, this noi)leman obtained a grant of land from the king, and came over to Virginia to settle. Here he had the same difficulties to encounter, as the Virginians were averse to the very name of Papist. He seems to have been a very estimable gentleman, and not at all anxious to provoke controversy. Hence leaving the inhabited parts of Vir- ginia, he proceeded up Chesapeake Bay to its head, where he found a beautiful country unoccupied. Eeturning to England, he obtained Charles's permission to settle a Catholic colony upon land rightfully belonging to Virginia. This State he called Maryland, after Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles; and the first city laid out was called Baltimore. Tlie Virginians did not give up their right to this territory without a struggle; and it was not until after years of controversy that Maryland was recognized as a 74 HISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. separate State. Maryland, therefore, is the eldest daugh- ter of Virginia, being the first State that was formed out of South Virginia. After the execution of Charles I. an effort was made to force the Marylanders to observe the forms of the Protestant religion; and, for a short time, this was suc- cessful. But Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England, ordered the commissioners "not to busy them- selves about religion, but to settle the civil government" ; and the Catholics were again restored to their rights. Virginia Loyal to the King. — Though Episcopacy was the established form of religion in Virginia as w^ell as in England, the contest between Charles I. and his Parlia- ment wrought a change in both countries. The Parlia- ment of England was composed of members from Scot- land, who were staunch Presbyterians, whilst those from England were, of course, Episcopalians. The members who adhered to King Charles were mostly of his own faith, and when they were defeated, the Presbyterians were in the majority. When they took possession of the government of Virginia, although the use of the Prayer-book was permitted the Scotch form of worship was also sanctioned. Thus in Maryland and in Virginia the first steps were taken towards that freedom of religion wliieh has ever since been the pride of America. Oliver Cromwell ruled England for eleven years, and they were years of great prosperity and peace, not only for the Mother Country, but for her colonies in America. His son, who succeeded him, was not capable of filling his place, and this caused such dissatisfaction that many began to turn their eyes to Charles, the son of their late king, and to think that perhaps they would be happier under his government. This ended in his being invited to occupy the throne, which invitation he gladly accepted. HISTORY OF VIRGIN I A. 75 At the period we have now reached he governed the kingxlom under the title. of Charles the Second. The "Old Dominion." — About this time Virginia received the title of "Old Dominion." Although she was forced to submit to Oliver Cromwell, she never gave up her loyalty to the king, and sent a small vessel to Flanders, where Charles the Second was an exile from his country. This vessel bore an invitation from the colony in Virginia to Charles to come across the ocean and set up his throne upon her territory, where his loyal subjects would fight to maintain him in that position. Charles had accepted the invitation, and was actually making preparations to be- come King of, Virginia when he received the invitation from his. subjects in England to come back to the throne of his fathers. As this was the more important of the two he went, and was proclaimed Charles II., of England. As soon as he was firmly established upon his throne, in gratitude to Virginia for her loyalty, he caused hei* to be proclaimed an independent member of his empire, which was to consist of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Virginia, and her coat of arms was added to those of the other three countries comprised in his dominions. This was considered a great honor by Virginia, which has ever since retained the title of the "Old Dominion." Navigation Laws. — During Charles's reign stricter Xavigation Laws were passed. These were long a source of trouble and depression to the colony, for they foAade Virginia to trade with any nation but England. She was tlnis cut off from other markets and compelled to take whatever prices the English might think proper to pay. 76 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. QUESTIONS. 1. What date heads this chapter? 2. What was the condition of affairs between the English and Indians? 3. What of Opechanl?anough ? 4. What plot did he conceive? 5. How did he carry it out? 6. What was the result? 7. How did Opechankanough behave as a prisoner? 8. Give the circumstances of his death. 9. What constituted tlie English government? 10. In what way was the Parliament a governor of the king? 11. How did a quarrel arise between the king and Parliament? 12. What was the result? 13. What part did Virginia take in these affairs? 14. What constituted the church controversies? 15. How was Maryland colonized? 16. Did Virginia willingly give up the territory? 17. What was the state of the churthes after Charles's death? 18. Why is Lt necessary that the student of the history of Virginia sliould understand these matters? 19. What was the condition of England under Cromwell? 20. How did Virginia acquire the title of "Old Dominion"? 21. What laws were very oppressive to Virginia during the reign of Charles II.? REVIEW QX'ESTIOXS ON THE COLONIAL PERIOD I: 1607-107.5 (BACON'S REBELLION). 1. What discoveries and explorations were made by the Welsh and, Norsemen ? 2. Who was the real discoverer of America and what parts did he discover? 3. When and under whom did the English first undertake discoveries? 4. What famous English nobleman sent out several expeditions to America? 6. What was the fate of his several expeditions? 6. When, where, and by whom was Virginia first settled? 7. Give an account of the early life of Captain John ^Smith. 8. What was the original extent of Virginia? 9. What company controlled the affairs of Virginia at first? 10. When and why did their control cease? 11. Whjt were the chief difficulties that the early colonists en- countered? 12. Give an account of manners and customs and religion of the Indians. 13. Who was the head of the Indians in Virginia in 1607? 14. What was his character and how did he treat the white settlers? HISTORY OF VIEGIXIA. 77 15. Tell the story of his daughter Pocahontas. 16. What were some of the chief adventures of Captain Smith in Virginia ? 17. What troubles did the settlers have with Powhatan's brother Opechankanough ? 18. How was he finally overcome? 19. Tell the story of the Dutch traitors. 20. When did Captain John Smith leave the colony and what happened to it after he left? 21. What new regulations were made about land soon after the marriage of Pocahontas? 22. When and how was slavery introduced? 23. What was Virginia's chief crop ^nd how did the liing try to control the sale of it? 24. What civil war took place in England in 1642, and how did it affect Virginia? 25. How did Virginia get the name of the "Old Dominion"? CHAPTER XII. 1675. IXDIAN TROUBLES BAC05;'S REBELLION. Sir William Berkeley had now been Governor of Vir- ginia for some thirty-three 3-ears. He had fostered Vir- ginia in her infancy, and her youth was developing with ever}^ promise of continued prosperity. The Indians had not seriously interfered with the whites since the attempted massacre of 1644, and al- though the friendship of some of the tribes was still doubted, yet many of them were embracing the Chris- tian faith, and showing a desire to have their children educated. Had the marriage of Pocahontas with an Englishman been followed by others of the same sort, it was believed by many that the intermingling of the races would in one or two generations have wiped out all distinctions and differences. But this was not to be. 78 HISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. The white man regarded liis dark-skinned neighbor as an inferior, and the proud savage winced under liis knowl- edge of this feeling. Underneath a friendly exterior he still cherished a vindictive hatred against those whom lie never ceased to regard as usurpers of his property and rights. Hostilities with the Indians. — At the period of which we now speak this enmity between the two races began to show, itself. The settlers on the frontier sent to tlie governor, asking his protection against the tribes in their neighborhood, who were depredating upon them, and mur- dering tliose who ventured unarmed into the midst of them. In imitation of the government of England, the affairs in Virginia were regulated by the governor and an Assembly composed of representatives from all the different counties. The governor could take no step without the_ consent of this Assembly, called the House of Burgesses. At the next meeting of the Assembly he presented the petition of the settlers, and the grievances were considered sufficient to justify a declaration of war against the Indians. Five hundred men were enlisted and the forts garrisoned. One of these forts was on the Rappahannock where Freder- icksburg now stands, another on the Mattapony, another on the Pamunkey, and another at the falls of the Appo- mattox, near the present site of Petersburg. The little army was put under the command of Sir Henry Chiche- ley; but just as he was about to march against the In- dians, to the general surprise and dissatisfaction of the colony, he was ordered by Sir William Berkeley to disband his forces. Nathaniel Bacon. — The continnance of the Indian outrages exasperated the colonists greatly, and they de- termined that if their governor would not defend them IIISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. 79 they would defend themselves. This determination was strengthened by the news of fresh outrages on the fron- tiers; and looking around for some leader qualified to direct their operations, they found just the man they wanted in Nathaniel Bacon, a young gentleman of great popularity, who had his residence on the James River, near where Richmond now stands. The Indians had killed his overseer and one of his servants, and for this outrage he had vowed vengeance. He was chosen general by an army numbering nearly six hundred men, and at once applied to Sir William Berkeley for his commission. The old governor was secretly outraged at this infringe- ment of his authority, but was afraid to resist the demands of this formidable body of men with arms in their hands. In order to gain time, he returned an evasive reply to Bacon's demand for the commission, and sent some of his friends to persuade him to disband his forces. The gov- ernor also issued a proclamation, declaring that all who did not return to their homes within a certain time were rebels and traitors. This looked so serious that those who had property, fearing confiscation, deserted Bacon and returned home. Stimulated rather than intimidated by the course of the governor, Bacon refused to yield, and with only fifty men pursued his course towards the frontier. Sir William Berkeley, collecting a troop of horse, pursued Bacon about forty miles and tlien returned home. Slaughter of Friendly Indians. — Bacon, with his small bod}' of men, proceeded up the river. Many days elapsed before they encountered the Indians; but at length they found a fort in which were intrenched a party of Mannakins, a tribe which had always been friendly to the English. Bacon, calling to them from across the river, asked for food, offering to pay them 80 JflSTOnr OF VIRCrfXIA. liberally. They put him off with promises for three days, when Bacon, with some of his nearly starving men, waded across the river and again demanded food. Just then a shot was fired from the side of the river Bacon had just left, and one of his men was killed. The idea at once occurred to him that Governor Berkeley had concerted a plan with the Indians for the destruction of his little army, and that they liad been kept there by false prom- BACOx bei-'Oi:e w;i!Kkley. ises for three days until the governor should arrive. In a storm of indignation he ordered his men to advance, and, without taking time for thought, utterly demolished the fort and all that it contained; killing a hundred and fifty Indians, with the loss of only three men. This was a a great stain upon the character of Bacon, who was other- wise remarkable for moderation and clemencv. HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. 81 Bacon arrested. — He seems to have been shocked at his own act, as, after this, he disbanded his men and re- turned home. Xo immediate steps were taken against him. He was elected to the House of Burgesses from the county of Henrico, and, going down to take liis place in the Assembly, was arrested and sent a prisoner to James- town, where he was forced to ask pardon for his offences, and to give his word of honor that he would not again offend. He was permitted to take his place in the House, and was promised a commission to go against the Indians. Hearing, however, through a friend, that Sir William Berkeley was dealing falsely with him, and was plotting against his liberty and life, he escaped from Jamestown. March on Jamestown. — The feeling of indignation felt throughout the whole country af the humiliation to which Bacon had been subjected was so great that in a few days four hundred men joined him. With his force he marched towards Jamestown, determined to obtain the commission which had been promised him. Sir William Berkelev, in alarm, summoned the whole militia of the country to defend Jamestown; but could collect only one hundred men, all the rest having flocked to the standard of Bacon. Indeed half, if not all, of these left were favorable to his cause. In four days Bacon marched into Jamestown un- resisted. Nothing could exceed the panic of the House of Burgesses at his appearance, but the citizens rejoiced. Bacon and Berkeley. — Drawing up his forces on the green in front of the State-House, Bacon demanded an interview with the governor. The old man rushed out into the midst of the rebels, and, baring his breast, cried in an agitated voice four or five times without stopping, "Here! shoot me; 'fore God, fair mark, shoot!" Bacon, advancing courageously towards him, raised his hat and 82 HISTOBY OF VIE GIN I A. said, "Xo, may it please your Honor, we will not hurt a liair of your head or any other man's. In order to save our lives from the Indians we are come for the commission which you Iiave so often promised, and now we will have it I" and Bacon commenced walking up and down excitedly hefore his men. Sir William withdrew to the State-House to consult with the Burgesses, and Bacon followed him, while a company of his men with their guns cocked ad- vanced to the windows of the room where the Burgesses were assembled, exclaiming, "We will have it ! we will have it !" One of the Burgesses, going to the window, waved his handkerchief, exclaiming, "You shall have it ! you shall have it !" Bacon harangued the Assembly upon the subject of the Indian outrages, the enormous taxes, and other grievances, and demanded authority to redress at least some of them. The Burgesses were nearly all favorable to Bacon, but only the governor could give the commission, and he was not easily brought to terms. Finding, however, that there was no escape, he at length signed the commission, and Bacon and his men departed in triumph. Bacon denounced as a Traitor. — They had scarcely left Jamestown before Governor Berkeley declared Bacon and his followers rebels and traitors, and his commis- sion forfeited. Berkeley then repaired to Gloucester County, where he believed he had many friends, and sum- moned all who were loyal to the king to rally around him and support him against these disturbers of the public peace. He met with a very different response from what he expected. The men of Gloucester told him that they regarded Bacon as their friend and brother, that he was doing their country a service by fighting the Indians, and they had no wish to bear arms against him; but when he should really become a traitor, the governor might depend HISTORY OF VIRGIMA. 83 upon them. Berkeley gnashed his teeth with rage at this rehellion against his authority, hnt stood too mueh alone to force their compliance. Bacon's Triumph. — Intelligence of these events was conveyed to Bacon by Drummond and Lawrence, two of his friends, and he said bitterly it was a hard case that while he was hunting wolves which were destroying innocent lambs, he should thus he hunted in the rear like a savage animal. He added, "I am like corn between two millstones, which will grind me to powder if I don't look to it." Eetracing his steps, he marched towards Gloucester, intending to force Sir William into a different course of action. The old governor, having no idea of risking a personal encounter, called together the few friends who still clung to his fortunes, crossed the bay and took refuge in Accomac County, where he hoped not only to be out of reach of the "rebellion," but to find many friends to aid him in his time of need. In this latter hope he was disappointed. Berkeley in Accomac. — By looking at the nuip you will find that Chesapeake Bay runs up into the territory of Virginia, leaving a long slip of land on its eastern side. This terminates in a peninsula, at the southern extreme of which is Cape Charles. When Captain Smith first brought his colony to Virginia, this peninsula was in- habited by the Accomac Indians, and from them it was named Accomac County. Here it was that Governor Berkeley expected to find hosts of friends. However, he soon perceived that the country was filled with Bacon's earnest sympathizers, who looked so coldly upon the gov- ernor that he was forced to conclude that his presence was not desired. Virginians abandon Berkeley. — When the Virginians discovered that Sir William Berkelev had withdrawn from 81 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. the State, as Accomac was regarded in some sort as in- dependent of the government of Virginia, they determined to act as if he had abandoned the conduct of affairs. Bacon called together the most prominent nien of the colony at Middle Plantation, where Williamsburg now stands, to consult as to the best mode of conduct under the circum- stances. The period for which the governor was elected was ten years, but the fact that this time had long passed was unnoticed so long as Berkeley was regarded as a just and wise ruler,- with the good of Virginia at heart. As this was no longer the case, they determined to regard liis office as vacant. The Popular Feeling. — The meeting was a ve-ry enthu- siastic one, and patriotic speeches were made, in which even the women seem to have had a voice. There was with Bacon one William Drummond, who may be regarded as one of the leaders of the rebellion. Sarah Drummond, his wife, was also an ardent supporter of the cause. She was present at this meeting of tlie patriots, and rose in the Assembly and said, "The child that is unborn will have cause to rejoice at this rising of the country." A paper, which all signed, was drawn up, in which they set forth the grievances which the country suffered, the burdensome taxes under which the people groaned, the Navigation Act which restricted their commerce, and, above all, the horrors of the Indian out- rages to which they were constantly subjected. They spoke of the ardor with which Nathaniel Bacon and his followers had striven to redress these last-mentioned griev- ances, at the hands of the governor and others. They further bound themselves by an oatli to join Bacon against the common enemy, and to defend him against the governor and his adherents. They even went further, and declared that inasmuch as Sir William Berkeley had informed the king that the people of Virginia were rebels and traitors. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 85 and had requested him to send troops to subdue them, they were resolved to resist those troops until the king could be rightly informed as to the true state of the case. The Indian Power broken.— After this meeting, Bacon departed with his gallant army to attack the Indians. He destroyed several of their towns, and then proceeded to a point where he expected to encounter their whole force. Bacon's Quarter Branch; a little stream on the outskirts of the city of Eichmond, marks this point. He met the Indians at Bloody Eun, another stream in the same neigh- borhood, and here routed them so completely that the Indian power in Virginia was forever broken. QUESTIONS. 1. When did these events take place? 2. What of Sir William Berkeley? 3. What relations existed between the Indians and Virginians? 4. How did the secret animosity of the savage now begin to show itself? 5. In what respects was the government of Virginia like that of England? 6. How did the governor act in this crisis, and how was his conduct regarded by the Virginians? 7. Whom did the Virginians choose as their leader, and what of him? 8. What did Bacon do, and hov.- did the governor regard his demands? 9. How did the governor act? 10. What did Bacon do? 11. Relate the circumstances of the storming of the Indian fort. 12. Was Bacon excusable for the massacre? 13. What did he do next? 14. What happened after his election to the House of Burgesses? 15. Tell of his leaving .Jamestown. 16. What was his next step? 17. How was he received by the governor and House of Burgesses? 18. Did they comply with his demands? 19. What course did the governor adopt when Bacon left Jamestown? 20. How did the people of (iloucester receive the governor? 21. How did Bacon receive the news of these events? 22. What course did he take? 23. Where is .\ccomac County? 24. What did the Virginians do when they found Berkeley had gone to Accomac? 26. What was the character of the meeting at Middle Plantation? 26. Repeat some of the sentiments of the people. 27, What was Bacon's course? 86 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. CHAPTEE XIII. 1675. — Continued. Bacon's Rkisrlliox — Continued. Foes from Within. — Xathaniel- Bacon had scarcely ac- complished this victory over the Indians, before he received intelligence which again turned liis attention to the enemy in his rear. Giles Bland and William Carver, two of Bacon's followers, had seized a ship of four guns, which was commanded by one Captain Laramore. Putting a number of men on board of her. they proceeded down James River and into Chesapeake Ba}^, which they crossed, and anchored near Accomac County, in tlie n('ighl;)or- hood of Governor Berkeley's refuge. The ol)jeet of this expedition was nominally to intercept supplies going to the governor, as Bacon had ordered all vessels to l^e seized which were found thus employed. Now, though this was their avowed objecf, it is not improbable tliat they intended, should the o})])ortunity occur, to take possession of the person of the governor, carry him to Jamestown, and force him to make a peace which would secure Bacon from the annoyance of an enemy in his rear. Laramore's Treachery. — While Bland, who liad already seized several vessels, was cruising in the bay, near the shores of Accomac, Captain Laramore was secretly plot- ting against him. Laramore sent a message to Governor Berkeley and promised to put htm in possession of Bland's ships, if the governor would lend liis aid. He also said that if Bland's ships were taken the whole rebel squadron could easily be captured. The message threw the governor into a state of great agitation. Laramore was known to HISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. 87 be an unprincipled and profligate man, and it was not improbable that this very message might be part of a plan to decoy him into the hands of his enemy. But his own condition was desperate. Few of the Virginians still clung to Jiim in his fallen fortunes, and his personal safety was every day becoming more insecure. His spirits rose at the mere thought of the great advantages which would accrue to his cause were Laramore only true to his promises. The Ship taken, — While he was in this state of in- decision, Philip Ludwell, one of his most devoted fol- lowers, sought an interview with him, and begged that he might have the management of the affair. The gov- ernor consented, and Ludwell, securing two boats, em- barked at midnight, with twenty-six of his friends. Guided by a signal from Laramore they were soon along- side Bland's ship, which they boarded before their presence was discovered. Bland and his men, roused from their slumbers by the unusual noises on deck, rushed from their cabins, only to find themselves prisoners in the hands of their foes; and in a few hours the whole navy yielded to the governor's forces. Berkeley returns. — Nothing could exceed the delight of Sir William Berkeley at this success, which gave him an opportunity to retrieve his fallen fortunes. He at once embarked for Jamestown, which ho knew could make no resistance, as Bacon was far away on his Indian expedition with the flower of his army. With the great- est exultation, the governor took possession of his former home, proclaimed Bacon a rebel, and commanded his fol- lowers to surrender him and disperse, if they would not themselves be punished as traitors. He then called a meeting of the Council, filling it up witli ouly such men as he knew to be devoted to his cause. 88 HISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. His Success. — Inspired by the example of Liidwell, many now flocked to Jamestown, anxious to show their zeal for the king; and in a few days Sir William Berkeley found himself at the head of an army of nearly a thousand men. This was the news that staggered Bacon, as he was returning victorious from his Indian expedition. In a moment lie saw the full danger of the situation. Many of his followers, under the impression that since the defeat of the Indians there could be no immediate call for their services, had dispersed to their homes. Thus Bacon found himself with an army of scarcely three hundred men. worn down with the fatigues of their Indian campaigns, and in want of the bare necessaries of life. With these he had to face an enemy more than three times as large, and provided with everything necessary for their comfort and success. Bacon's Advance. — It is no wonder that for a moment the heart of the young loader failed him; but it was only for a moment. Nathaniel Bacon was of too brave a spirit and tno sanguine a temper for despondency to master him; indeed, the very' difficulties he had to encounter but stimulated his ardor. He made a stirring speech, the elo- quence of which so fired the enthusiasm of his men that they rallied around him, professing their determination to follow him without reinforcements, and never to seek repose until he had led them to a victory which would be the last blow to the hopes and plots of their tyrants. Their enthusiasm rose when they began their march. Want and fatigue were all forgotten, and they listened only to their indignation as they thought of Jamestown, the cradle of the infant colony in the New World, now in the hands of the man who was plotting against their freedom. The army, as it passed through the countr}^, presented the a])})earance of a triumphal TUSTOHY OF riFGIXIA. 89 procession. In the centre were placed their Indian cap- tives, with the arms and plunder which had been taken in battle, covered over with flags and other gaudy dis- plays of military pomp. In their front, upon a spirited steed, rode a o-allant figui-e. whose animated countenance BACON ADDRESSING HIS MEN. and courageous bearing proclaimed him one well qualified to inspire an army to dare great deeds and win its way against any odds. This was Xathaniel Bacon,, whose elo- quence chased away despondency and revived the ardor of that army of which ho was the idol. Jamestown besieged. — The sun was just setting when the little army arrived in sight of Jamestown. From a neighboring height it overlooked the little town, now bright with the rays of the departing sun. Again the 90 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. indignant Ijlood flushed the cheeks of the Avar-worn pa- triots as they saw before them evidences of the presence of their hated foe. General Bacon ordered a cannon to be fired and trumpets to be sounded in token of defiance; then dismounting he drew, with his own liands, the lines for intrenclnnents. In this moment of inaction the weary- men were about to go to sleep, but they were roused by the spirit-stirring voice of their leader. He himself set the example, and soon all signs of weariness disappeared. Their cheery and brave voices rose in mirth and exulta- tion, patriotic songs mingled with the plaintive evening hymn, as their intrenchments rose like magic beneath the full light of an October moon. Their labor ende'.], they slept in security behind the breastworks. At dawn their labors again commenced. Refreshed by slumber, they pressed forward eagerly to receive the com- mands of their general. A small party was despatched to skirmish near the enemy's lines, in order to ascertain their strength, while the rest of the army waited in the rear, as patiently as they could, the onset of the governor's troops. Sir William Berkeley was by no means anxious to delay matters. A stern old soldier, the courage of youth still lived in him despite his years. He believed that he was but performing his duty to his king in subduing this dangerous rebellion against lawful authority ; he had noth- ing to gain by delay, as he did not expect reinforcements unless the king's troops should arrive in time from Eng- land, and this he had no reason to anticipate. Hearing that Bacon's army was receiving hourly accessions to its numbers, the governor at once mustered his troops, and placed them under the command of Ludwell and Beverley, his two stanchest adherents. They sallied forth; but soon the difference in the spirit of the two armies became apparent. Berkeley's anny was HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 91 made up of men picked from the idle and dissolute, most of them without a foot of ground they could call their own, inspired only by their hopes of gain, and the prom- ises of plunder and confiscations which the governor liad made to them before they would engage in his service. Bacon's men, on the other hand, fought for their firesides, and for that liberty of opinion and action, the love of which the free life in the wide forests of the Xew World seems to have inspired in the hearts of the colonists since the earliest settlement in Virginia. Bacon's Victory. — The governor's troops, under their leaders Ludwell and Beverley, advanced towards the in- trenehments with a considerable shoAv of ardor, but the contest lasted only a few minutes. When these paid hire- lings received the steady and well-directed fire of Bacon's patriotic little army, they turned and fled back to James- town, although their officers implored them, with tears in their eyes, to stand their ground, and thus wipe -of!: this stain upon their courage. Such arguments had no effect upon the panic-stricken fugitives: on they fled, until they reached the protection of their batteries and the cannon from tbeir shijDS. Pursuit checked. — Bacon, surprised at this sudden re- sult, suspected it was a trick to draw his men into an am- bush, and checked the pursuit a short distance from his own lines. Had he not done so, the story of this contest might have been ended in a few words, for there is little doubt that if Bacon's army had then pressed forward they might have entered Jamestown almost without op- position from their panic-stricken foes. Sir William Berkeley and all of the officers of tlie royal government would then have fallen into their hands, and they might have dictated such a peace as would have made Nathaniel Bacon instead of George Washington the Father of Independence. 92 HISTOnr OF VIIUJIXIA. Governor Berkeley's army not only retreated disgrace- fully to Jamestown, but the troops threw down their arms, and declared their determination never to take them up again. Neither threats nor promises had any effect on them. Thus the governor found himself in hourly ex- pectation of an assault from the enemy, with only twenty men upon whom he could rely. Even then the proud old man, goaded by his misfortunes into recklessness, would have remained to meet his fate, and, if need be, would have died at his post rather than have retreated from it. However, the arguments of his friends convinced him that it would be better to await at a distance another smile from that fortune which had been so fickle to him. At midnight he and the few friends who remained to him silently and sadly embarked upon the boats which, under cover of the night, had drawn in to the shore for the purpose, and taking with them everything of value, the fleet dropped quietly down the river to await further results. The City deserted. — The astonishment of Bacon and his men, as these events disclosed themselves on the fol- lowing morning, may be better imagined than descril^ecl. They could scarce believe the evidence of their senses as they looked upon the deserted city, and missed first the sentinel from his post and the mustering soldier from the streets. As the drum and the trumpet were silent, and, there were no signs of an army of occupation, they drew nearer to interpret the meaning of the strange stillness. They found the desolation complete. Only two or three frightened inhabitants crept from the- houses to give them welcome, and to tell to a wondering audience the events of the past few hours. Not only was the city deserted, but the liouses were stripped of everything of value that could be removed. HISTORY OF VIFGIKIA. 93 and what could not be carried off was wantonly thrown into the river. The enraged and disappointed patriots looked^ with burning cheeks and flashing eyes, upon their desolated hearth-stones, while the fleet lay witliin their BURNING OF JAMESTOWN. sight, but far out of their reach, down the river, calmly awaiting their departure in order that Berkeley might return and occupy tlie city. Jamestown burned. — But in this expectation he too was doomed to disappointment. "If Jamestown no longer affords a shelter for true Virginians it shall never be a har- bor for her enemies," said General Bacon, in burning words, to his soldiers. As usual, they caught the inspiration from his lips, and soon were seen hurrying with flaming torches from house to house. Many a hardy soldier stood upon his own hearth-stone Avith the firebrand in his hand and a tear in his eye, as the thought of wife and child and home joys rose before his mental vision. Then, as the 94 HISTORY OF YinGINIA. flags of the fleet waving in the distance betrayed the presence of his enemy, and he thought of the oppressor of his country finding shelter under his roof, he cast down the torch and turned away, leaving it to do its work. Even the old church, where for nearly a hundred years prayers had ascended to God, was not spared. Sir William Berkeley viewed with astonishment and indignation this last desperate resort of a determined people, and vowed vengeance against the authors of the outrage. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the date of the events contained in this chapter? 2. What news met Bacon when returning from the conquest of the Indians? 3. What did Bland and Carver intend to do? 4. What was the cause of the failure' of their scheme? 5. Tell of the capture of Bland and Carver. 6. How did the governor receive his success? 7. Relate circumstances connected with his return to Jamestown. 8. What was Bacon's condition when he heard the news? 9. What steps did he talse? 10. How was his speech received? 11. Tell of the march to .Jamestown. - 12. Of their arrival at that place. 13. Of the preparations for battle. 14. Of the fight itself. 15. Of the retreat of the vanquished. 16. What happened the next day? 17. What condition of things did Bacon and his men find when they entered Jamestown ? 18. What course did they take? HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 95 C H A P T E K X I V. 1676. THE END OF BACOX'S REBELLION LORD CULPEPER THE TOBACCO REBELLION. Close of the Rebellion. — Sir William Berkeley, having now no place to organize his government, returned to Accomac. Bacon dismissed the great body of his followers, but engaged them to join him upon the first news of disturbance to the public tranquillity; nor did he relax for one instant his efforts to keep alive their enthusiasm. He went from place to place, inspiring all by his zeal and example, and kept before the people the fact that although all seemed secure, danger was still close at hand. Sir William Berkeley had forwarded to England an account of the rebellion, which he represented as wide-spread and dan- gerous, and entreated the king to send a sufficient force to restore order. The answer to this appeal was daily ex- pected, and Bacon was determined to resist any army that should be sent against him. Every one of his troops was prepared to defend with his life the cause which was the cause of all Virginians. Bacon dies. — Yet it is always a great mistake to place the issue of an important undertaking upon the life of a single individual, and never was this more apparent than in the history of Bacon's rebellion. Though he had many brave officers, they were but the creatures of his will, in- capable of acting alone. In the prosecution of his plans, Bacon visited all the different military posts, undergoing great fatigue, which, added to a cold he had contracted in the trenches at Jamestown, developed a fatal disease. But 9() IIISTOnr OF VIRGINIA. he did not permit his exertions to abate on account of his illness, though its effects were plainly visible. At length, however, he was obliged to yield to a will stronger than his own, and died at the residence of Doctor Pate, in Gloucester County, in the tliirty-first year of his age. The death of Bacon was the knell of the cause for which he sacrificed himself. He left none to fill his place. Two of lii.s captains, Ingram and Walklate, attempted it, but under their leadership the army melted away, and as their fortunes declined those of Berkeley revived. Bacon's followers were hunted down like wild animals. Among the first captives was Thomas Hansford, one of Bacon's warmest friends. After undergoing the mere form of a trial, he was hurried away to the gibbet. His heroic spirit did not quail. He only implored passionately that he might be shot like a soldier, and not die on the gallows like a criminal; but he was told that he Avas not a soldier but a traitor. He met his fate bravely, calling upon all persons present to wit- ness that he had simply done his duty in taking up arms against oppression, and that he gave up his life Avillingly for his country. Thus perished the first Virginian who siift'ered death upon the galloAvs. I'liis was but the beginning of the revenge which Berkeley visited upon his victims. It is said that such was his rage against Bacon, that he made search for his body, tliat be might dishonor the dead patriot who had defied him while living. But his grave was never found; his faithful friends religiously preserved his dust from oiiti'age. Execution of Prisoners. — As fast as the prisoners were l)rought in they were led. to execution. One Cap- tain Wilford nuide his appearance before the governor witli liis wife by his side. Slie knelt at his feet, and en- trealed that if one must die that she might be executed. HI^TOnr OF VIRGINIA. 97 since she had encouraged her husband to join the rebel- lion. But the demon of revenpe liad too entirely hardened the heart of Sir William Berkeley for this touching appeal to reach it; he answered her with insults too gross to be repeated. Wilford had lust an eye in battle, and when al- lusion was made to it, he answered bitterly that it made no ditference, for he had no doubt that Governor Berkeley would give him a guide to the gallows. This proved too true, as the unhappy young man was led out from the presence of his wife to execution. /\ f 1 BKItKELEY WEf.COMING Di;i:M -\IO.N L>. Berkeley's Maligfnity. — Wlien William Drummond was captured, the passionate old governor seemed to lose common decency in liis vindictive triumph. He bent low before him, with atfected courtesy, as he said mockingly, "Mr. Drummond, you are very welcome. I am more glad 98 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. to see you than aiiv otlier man in Virginia ; 'fore God ! you shall hang in half an liour"; and he was hanged as soon as the gallows could be prepared for him. Xor did Berkeley's fiendish malignity end here; for he pursued the wife of Drummond with his persecution, confiscated her property, and turned herself and five children out to starve. Xay, he would have brought her to a felon's death had not an order from the king come in time to save her. Giles Bland Hanged. — How far Berkeley's passions would have carried him is not known, for commissioners arrived, appointed by the king to inquire into the condi- tion of things, and many pardons were issued. Even these, in some instances, Berkeley dared to set aside; as in the case of Giles Bland, who, you remember, was cap- tured on the coast of Accomac, and had ever since been in irons. His friends had sent over to the king, who granted him a special pardon, but the governor sent him to the gallows. He met his fate with conscious innocence, and his name was afterwards one of the most distinguished in the annals of American freedom. Berkeley's thirst for blood seemed to increase with what it fed on, and as one of the Burgesses said, "He would have hanged half the country if he had been let alone.'' Charles II., King of England, whose father, you remember, perished on the scaffold, and who himself had received, l)oth during his exile and after his restoration, many gratifying proofs of the loyalty of his subjects in Vir- ginia, was horror-stricken when the news of Berkeley's severity reached him. He said, "That old fool has hanged more men in that naked country than I have done here for the murder of my father." The King's Commissioners, — To such an extent did he carry his revenoe that he succeeded in disgusting HISTORY OF VIRGIMA. 99 even the House of Burgesses, which was made up of creatures too much like himself to be easily touched with compassion. They voted an address imploring him not to shed any more blood, as "none could tell how, where, or when it would terminate."' When liis active cruelty w^as over, Sir William Berkeley had time to uote the change of feeling towards him in this people over whom he had ruled so acceptably for nearly forty years, and whose love and veneration for him had turned to detestation and abhorrence. Charles II., in order to put an end to these scenes of blood, sent over commissioners to Virginia, and these issued a general invitation to all to come and state their grievances. At once the tribunal was crowded with sufferers from Berkeley's cruelty. The widows and orphans of those who had been executed came weeping and invoking justice upon the head of the tyrant. Men whose lives had been spared only to see all of their property confiscated, begged for bread for their wives and cbildren. The commissioners applied to the governor for the restoration of the property of these unfortunates, but he had either taken it for his own use or bestowed it upon bis favorites., and refused to give it up. The end of Berkeley. — That best of all books, the Bible, says, "Be sure your sin will find you out," and this was verified in the case of Sir William Berkeley, who, though he affected to despise the opinion of the people, could not help being mortified at the course the commissioners were taking by order of the king, for they showed undisguised disapproval of his conduct and dis- regard for his wishes. At length he resolved to go to England and make a statement of his position to his Majesty, wliich he felt sure would reinstate liim in the royal favor. But in this he was mistaken. If possible, he found fewer friends in Knyland than he had left 100 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. in America. The \<'n\y: jiositiveh' refused to receive him at court, and the ])roud old jnan, unable to support the mor- tification of this blow, died a short time after his arrival in England. New Governors. — He was succeeded in the government of Virginia bv Herbert Jeffries, who exerted himself wisely and Avell to restore peace to the country. He made a treaty with the Indians of the west, which unhappily they did not regard for any length of time. Sir Herbert Jeffries did not live long to sec the fruits of his wise government; he was succeeded by Sir Henry Chicheley, w4io took active measures against the encroach- ments of the Indians, causing forts to be erected in various un2)rotected places, and in many other ways he ingratiated himself into the respect and affection of the people. Lord Culpeper. — Very different was the course of Lord Culpeper, his successor. At first he was so popu- lar that the people voluntarily increased his salary, and in other ways gratified his desire for wealth; but it very soon became evident that the love of gain was the ruling passion of his heart, and to this the good of the people over whom he ruled must give way. 'He received an immense grant of land from the king, in what is known as the Xorthern Neck of Virginia. This tract em- braced the territory lying between the Eappahannock and Potomac Rivers, as far back as the head-waters of the north liranch of the Potomac, which lie in the Alle- ghany Mountains. When Lord Culpeper succeeded in amassing great wealth he had no idea of remaining in the forests of a new country, where he could have no enjoyment of it; so leaving Sir Henry Chicheley as his deputy, he returned to England, where he lived in great luxury at court, with- out spending many thoughts upon liis deserted peo])l(\ HISTOnr OF VIEGINIA. 101 The Tobacco Rebellion. — After his departure com- menced what is known as the Tobacco Ecbellion. I have told 3'ou before that from the time of its first settlement, tobacco was regarded as the most valuable prorluction of Mrginia soil. Since the days of Sir Walter Ealeigli the demand for the fragrant weed had been on the increase. For a long time it was used as money by the colonists. Articles, instead of being valued at so many dollars, were sold for so many pounds of tobacco. It would have looked very strange to you, if you could have seen the wives and daughters of the old Virginia planters going into Jamestown on their shopping expeditions, witli tlieir wagon-load of tobacco behind them, and purchasing rich silks, linens, and laces at so much tobacco a yard. Nor was this all : the preachers, the lawyers, the doctors, were all paid for their services in tobacco. The increased demand for tobacco led the Virginians, in the days of which we are now speaking, to devote the largest part of tbeir time and land to raising this great source of wealth. At one time laws were made restricting the raising of tobacco and forcing the planters to plant corn and other crops necessary for their subsistence. At last, to a great degree, the custom of using it as money was done away with, though the salaries of the ministers, were, for many years afterwards, paid in tobacco. Action of the Burgesses. — Notwithstanding this change of custom in the use of tobacco, it Avas still a great source of wealth ; the people were again permitted to plant as much of it as they pleased. Vessels came from Eng- land, and returned loaded with the precious weed. For many years after the settlement of Virginia, Jamestown was the only town in the State; and after it was burned, the necessity of some place where trade could be carried on was severelv felt. In order to facilitate the buildinii' of 102 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. towns, the House of Burgesses passed a law that certain places along the river-bank should be selected as the sites for future cities. In order to force the people to con- gregate at these particular points, the law provided that all ships which cauie to ^'irginia for purposes of trade should receive their cargoes only at the designated phices, instead of being loaded as had heretofore been done at the plantations upon tlie river. The Burgesses thought that the planters would thus be compelled to build warehouses, and other conveniences, for storing their crops, and so the foundation of tlie desired. cities would be laid. The Planters resist. — Now this plan may have been wisely conceived, but it could not be carried out, and the very effort to force compliance with an inconvenient and unpopular law came near arousing another rebellion. The planters living upon the rivers thought it a liard case that, instead of loading the vessels at their own doors, they should have the great inconvenience and expense of transporting their crops to these imaginary cities. The vessels would often go up to the designated points, find no cargo ready for them, have to wait at great expense until it could be hauled from considerable distances, and, as it often happened, have to return home empty. Out of these inconveniences grew a disregard of tlie hiw. The planters would load, and the captains of vessels would receive their cargoes, where it was most convenient: the high-spirited Virginians refusing to submit to what they considered an infringeuient u})()n their rights. The Law sustained. — In Gloucester County some of the planters, who were forcibly prevented from disposing of their tobacco as they pleased, fell to work and de- stroyed their entire crop; and their example was fol- lowed by many others. This looked like open rebellion. The Assendjly, frightened at the storm they had raised,. HISTORY OF VIRGIMA. 103 appealed, in their dilemma, to the king, who ordered Lord ("ulpeper back to quell the disturbance. His lordship obeyed, in no amiable mood at being thus forced to leave the luxuries of the English court to contend with rebels in the forests of Virginia. He determined to end his exile and the revolt as speedily as possible. His measures were suf- ficientl}^ vigorous, as the jails were soon filled with pris- oners, and a penalty of death was proclaimed against all "plant-cutters." Six men were actually executed for this trifling misdemeanor. This summary mode of proceeding had the desired effect, and the planters suljmitted to what thev could not cure. Thus ended the Tobacco Eebellion. QUESTIONS. 1. What year heads this chapter? 2. What sad event occurred to put a stop to the war? 3. How did Governor Berlseley behave? 4. Who was the first Virginian who died on the gallows? 5. Relate the circumstances. 6. Did Berkeley's cruelty end here? 7. Relate the story of Captain Wilford. 8. Of William Drummond and his wife. 9. Of Giles Bland. 10. How did the Burgesses regard Berkeley's conduct? 11. What did King Charles say about it? 12. What did the Burgesses do? 13. What steps did the king take to stop bloodshed? 14. What condition of affairs did the commissioners find? 15. What became of Berkeley? 16. Who succeeded him. and what is related of his government? 17. What of Sir Henry Chicheley ? 18. What of Lord Culpeper? 19. Relate the circumstances which had made tobacco so largely culti- vated in Virginia . 20. What steps were taken to restrict its cultivation? 21. Was it still valuable after it ceased to be used as money? 22. How did the government try to force the building of towns? 23. What effect did it have? 24. Relate the circumstances of the Tobacco Rebellion. .25. How was it quelled? 104 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. CHAPTER XV. 1684-1723. TREATY WITH THE FIVE NATIONS ^WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE ESTABLISHED PARSON BLAIR AND GOVERNOR SPOTTSWOOD THE KNIGHTS OF THE HORSESHOE. The Five Nations. — For twenty years after the Tobacco Eebellion there are few' incidents that deserve more than a casual glance. Lord Howard of Effingham, succeeded Lord Culpeper as Governor of Virginia, and it was during his term of office that hostilities with the Indians were recommenced. This was followed speedily by a treaty of peace with the tribes known as the Five Nations, who came from what is now the western part of the State of Xew York. These w'ere the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, and the Senecas; and if you will glance at the map of New York, you will find their names in those of the cities and lakes in the vicinity. These Indians w^ere generally esteemed to be the most powerful and dangerous tribes in North America. In war they were terrific, and united the cunning and sagacity of the savage with tlie skill of civilized nations. Even the English, with all their knowledge of the art of war. found it difficult to deal with them, and the rumor of their ad- vance was always received Avith horror and consternation. A writer of the times, in describing them, says, "They advanced like foxes, attacked like lions, and retreated like birds." They had subdued all other Indian tribes and united them with themselves, and were extending their power even into Southern Virginia. Treaty of Peace with the Indians. — The colonies of the (lillVient provinces l)ecame alarmed, and Governor IIISTOEY OF VIRGINIA. 105 Howard, of Virginia, and Governor Duugan, of New York, met at Albany to confer with the chiefs of these several tribes. After liaving complained of their aggressions and acts of cruelt}', the governor tlireatened to retaliate unless the Indians would make a firm treaty of peace with the whites. If, however, they would consent to the terms laid down in this treaty, the chain of friendsliip was to be brightened and made stronger and move lasting than ever. An orator of the Mohawks replied in a speech full of the figures for which their language is remarkable. He prom- ised that the peace between themselves and the English should be firmly kept ; and then, after the manner of their people, they buried five axes, in token of the burial of strife. After this all the Indian tribes united in singing the peace-song, with demonstrations of much joy, and thanked the Governor of New York for liis mediation with the Governor of Virginia in their behalf. William and Mary. — In 1685 there was another change in the government of England. Charles II. died, and was succeeded by his In-other, James II., — the first Eoman Catholic sovereign who liad sat upon the English throne since Mary, the sister of Queen Elizabeth. For reasons which liave no bearing upon tliQ history of Virginia, the Englisli expelled him fiom the throne after he had been king only two and a half years. He was succeeded by William, Prince of Orange, and liis wife Mai-y. They ruled jointly under the title of "William and Mary." A Virginia College. — The next year Francis Nicholson was appointed governor of Virginia, February 19, 1693; during his term of othce, the King and Queen of England granted to Virginia a charter for the establishment of a college in that province. It had heretofore been the custom to send tlie young men of the colony to England to be educated: hut Governor Nicliolson. upon liis introduction 106 HISTOBY OF VIRGINIA. into office, suggested the idea of a Virginia college, and put his own signature at the head of a subscription-paper for the purpose. In a very little time, with the assistance of some merchants in London, twenty-five hundred pounds were subscribed, and the Virginia Assembly sent '^'Parson Blair" to England to solicit a charter from the king. He was successful, and the foundation of the college was laid at Middle Plantation, where, you remember. Bacon and his men held their deliberations after the burning of James- town. The town was called Williamslnirg, in honor of the king, and the newly-founded college was called Wil- liam and Mary. The streets of the city were to be laid out so as to form the letters W and M, but this plan was not fully carried out. Mr. Blair was appointed the first president of the col- lege, which became the pride of Virginia. It is the oldest college in the United States, except Harvard, in Massachu- setts. In 1690 the seat of government was removed to Williamsburg, which thus became the centre, not only of learning, but of the wealth and fashion of Virginia. In 1705 the college was burned to the ground, and many 3^ears elapsed before it was rebuilt. Governor Spottswood. — Years now rolled quietly away, marking only increased prosperity to Virginia. When William and Mary died Anne, the sister of Mary, succeeded to the throne. It was during her reign that a gentleman was appointed governor whose name Virginia will always cherish with gratitude. i\.lexander Spottswood, a Scotchman, who had distinguished himself in the British army, left the hardships and honors of the battle-field to fill the office of chief executive in Virginia. He did more for the improvement of the province than any of his predecessors. in STORY OF VniGIMA. 107 His Plans. — Fired at the thought of hinds, mountains, and rivers as yet unexplored, lie wished to signalize his term of service by extending his knowledge of this great country. Accordingly he went before the General As- sembly of Virginia, and offered to head an expedition across the "Appalachian chain of mountains," as the Alleghanies were then called. After some discussion, he succeeded in obtaining its consent, and a promise was given to furnish him with ample means to carry out his design. His Expedition. — As soon as it became known tluit Governor Spottswood was organizing an expedition for the purpose of new discoveries, he had no ditficulty in tilling up the ranks of his little army. Soon a gal- lant array of cavaliers presented themselves, eager to share in an enterprise which promised so much variety, honor, and increase of wealth, with enough of danger to make it all the more attractive to the bold Virginians. The hardiest horses in the country were pressed into serv- ice, and soon the streets of Williamsburg presented a busy scene as the gay cavalcade, with the governor at its head, started forth with their faces turned towards the distant mountains. The Start. — In our day it is dithcult to realize what a formidable undertaking it was to attempt the passage of these mountains. It seemed like an attempt to conquer nature itself ; but the romance and peril of the attempt acted as a stimulus to the governor and his followers, who fondly imagined that their names would go down to posterity side by side with that of the great Alexander. They crossed the York Eiver, and started merrily upon their journey; stopping at night with friends upon the route, and gathering recruits for their little army as they went alonff. 108 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Passage of the Mountains. — So leisurel}^ did they pro- ceed that more than a month had elapsed before they began the toilsome ascent of the mountains. When at length they gained the summit, their ecstasy was too deep for words, as they viewed the beautiful panorama before tliem. i^^ GONKIJNOR SrOTl'SWOOD S EXPEDITION. The Expedition returns. — Upon the top of the moun- tain tliey drank the health of his Majesty, and called it Blount George, in honor of him. The next peak they named ^fount Alexander, after the governor. Descend- ing the mountain, tiiey crossed the Shenandoah River, which they playfully named Euphrates. On its banks they rested for some hours, or beguiled the time hunt- ing, iishing. ami feasting. Some t-arved tlnir names on IIISTOm' OF VIRGINIA. 109 the trees; some, more ambitious, climbed the steep sides of the rocks and tried to carve imperishable memorials upon their granite surfaces; and the governor wrote u])on a sheet of paper, "I take possession of this country in tlie name of his Majesty King George of England," and sign- ing his name upon it, enclosed it in a bottle and buried it on the banks of the river. This interesting record of the journey has never been found, and in all probability it still remains buried to this day. Turning their faces homeward, they reached Williamsburg in safety, after an absence of about six weeks, and dispersing to their different habitations, recounted to eager listeners their adventures in this the first expedition across the Blue Eidge Moun- tains of Virginia. Knights of the Horseshoe. — The Virginians had been accustomed to ride their horses unshod, the soft sandy soil of the lowlands requiring no protection for the horse's hoofs; but for the trip to the mountains they had provided a quantity of horseshoes, in allusion to this circumstance and as a memorial of the expedition, the governor, upon his return, gave to each of his companions a miniature golden horseshoe, to be worn upon the breast. King George, when he heard of the expedition, bestowed upon Spottsw'ood the honors of knighthood, and also presented him with a golden horseshoe set with jewels, which is said to be still in possession of one of his descendants. All who took part in the expedition were recognized by the title of "Knights of the Horseshoe."' Prosperity under Governor Spottswood. — Governor Spottswood's administration was marked by the steady prosperity of A^rginia ; he neglected nothing which could minister to this end. He attempted what was neglected by most of the other governors, — namely, the improvement of the Indians. He sent good men among them to teach them the arts of civilization, and even had some of the 110 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Indian boys admitted to William and Mary College, to be instructed in whatever wonld conduce to their advance- ment. Blackbeard the Pirate. — During his administration the shores of America were infested with pirates, who captured vessels going to and from the country, and per- petrated acts of the most terril)le cruelty. One of the most distinguished of these pirates, John Teach, was known as Blackbeard, and his ferocity made him the terror of the seas. The stories that are told of this fiend in human form almost ^exceed belief. He is said, on one occasion, to have dressed up his crew to personate devils, and ho himself represented the chief fiend. His Defeat and Death. — Many unavailing efforts were made to capture Blackbeard; Governor Spottswood offered large rewards for his person living or dead. Hearing defi- nitely of his whereabouts, Lieutenant Maynard, commander of a small English ship-of-war, started in search of him. He found him lying in wait at one of the inlets to Pimlico Sound, and at once bore down upon him without giving him time to escape. Blackbeard discovering the ship-of- war close to him, made preparations for battle, placing one of his men at the powder-magazine with orders to l)low it up if there was danger of ca})ture. and drinking brandy until he was ready for any reckless deed whatso- ever. A terrible fight followed in which the pirate was defeated. The wretch, covered with wounds, waited until the English boarded his vessel, and then gave orders to blow up the magazine, intending that his captors should share his destruction. But he was disappointed; the courage of his man failed, and he threw down the fatal nmtch. Blackbeard sprang up, his face distorted with anger, cocked his pistol and aimed it at the delinquent, but before he coidd fire it off he fell back on the deck and expired. niiSTOii'y OF V nun SI A. iii Spottsylvania. — Although OoviTiior Spottswood was so imu'li l)eli)\c(l l)y the |)eoi)lc of Virginia, yet lie tVll under the displeasure of ihe I'n'itish Ministry, wlio did all llicy eould to thwart his plans for the good of tiie colony, aiul at length removed him from olliee. lie retired to his country- seat in tlie coiinly. uliidi had been called in his honor "SpoltsyKania."" On his immense estate of ST), ()()() acres, in what are known as Orange, (Julpe])er, and Spottsyl- \ania couidies, he discoxcrcd iron and cstahlishcd ir(»n foundries, the lirst known in North Amcriia. Ilrrc he passed his closing yeai'S and died in 11 lo. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the date of these evenlsV 2. Who was Governor of Virginia after I, mil Ciiliii'itor? 3. Wliat importaut treaty did iie assist in nialdng? 4. Wiio were the Five Nations, and wiiere did tiiey iive? 6. How do tlie writers of tlio times desci-ilie llu'iuV 6. Tell of the treaty. 7. What important changes toolc place in llie lOuglisli government? 8. Wliom did King William ai)i)(iint (iovernor of Virginia? 9. Wliat important privilege did he solicil lor X'irglni.iV 10. What stei)s did he take to aceomplish liis purpose? 11. Witli wliat siiecess? 12. Tell of the foundation ;niil imiiie of the new colleue. 13. What happened to it in ITnr, v 14. Wlio was appointed governor liy (Jueen AnneV 15. What of liim? 16. What scheme did he devise? 17. Wliat steps did he talte for acidhiplisliinj; liis pnipose? 18. How does the attempt look to us now. niul why? 19. Tell of the journey. 20. What names did tiu-y give the nionnlniii peMl