A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 74

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 74
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 74

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which moved without an apparent cause. Accordingly, we find when his men had tied Smith to a tree and were about to slay him, the king did not attempt to prevent it by explaining the motion of the earth around the sun, but merely held up the compass, the sight of which, seems to have been sufficient to disarm their wrath.

For six or seven weeks Smith was led about in triumph by these simple people, and exhibited to the tribes between the James and Potomac rivers, during the whole of which time he was in hourly apprehension of being put to death; but was generally well treated, and provided with most of the luxuries which their simple state afforded. , At length he was brought be- fore their Emperor, Powhatan, who received him with all the formal pomp and state known to his savage court. A long consultation was held by the council there assenibled, upon the disposition to be made of him, which ter- minated unfavorably. He was seized by a number of the savages, and his head laid upon two great stones which had been brought there for the pur- pose. His executioners had already raised their clubs to dash out his brains, and thus at once end his toil and difficulties, and cut off the only hope of the colony, when an advocate appeared, as unexpected as would have been the appearance of an angel sent immediately from heaven to ask his release. This was Pocahontas, the Emperor's favorite daughter, who generously stepped forth and entreated with tears, that Smith might be spared. And when she found this unavailing with the inexorable judges, she seized his head, and placed it under her own, to protect it from the blows. This sight so, moved Powhatan, that he permitted Smith to live, intending to retain him to make trinkets and utensils for his family and himself .. But a few days afterwards Powhatan told him they would be friends again, and sent him back to Jamestown, with an offer of a large district of country in ex- change for two great guns, and a grindstone, but the party who were to carry these things found them so heavy, and were so much terrified by the effect of the guns when discharged at a tree, that they were well satisfied to return without them, having received a few paltry baubles and trinkets. Smith's return again prevented a party from running off with the pinnace; which so incensed them that they laid a plot to slay him, by a mock trial for the death of the two men he had left in the canoe, and who were slain by the savages, but he was too prompt for the conspirators; whom he seized and kept close prisoners until he had an opportunity of sending them to- England for trial. The colony was now only preserved from perishing by the kindness of Pocahontas, who brought ample supplies every four or five days.

During this time the little colony had not been forgotten by the company in England, but Newport soon after his return was again despatched in company with another vessel commanded by Francis Nelson, furnished with all things which could be imagined necessary either for the crews or the colonists. Nelson when in sight of Cape Henry was driven by a storm so far to sea, that he was obliged to land in the West Indies to refit and re- new his supply of water. Newport arrived without an accident. Before the arrival of this supply Smith had established a regular intercourse with the" savages, and bought their provisions at moderate prices, which the high estimation in which he was held by them, and the awe which his name inspired, enabled him to fix for himself. But now the poor colonists were so grateful to the mariners who had come to their relief that they were permitted to trade at such price as they thought proper, by which

Tal & lo

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means it followed in a short time that a pound of copper would not purchase what had before sold for an ounce. Newport thought proper to pay a visit of ceremony to Powhatan, who received the party with great dignity and state. During this visit a contest of wits took place between the two par- ties in which Powhatan evinced infinitely greater, diplomatic skill than Captain Newport, and by working upon his pride was very near consum- mating a highly advantageous bargain; but he in his turn was out-witted by the ingenuity of Smith, who having passed many bawbles before his eyes, and finding that his attention was attracted by some blue beads, af- fected to value them exceedingly, and intimated that they were not to be worn except by the greatest personages. This inflamed the desire of the Emperor to such an extent that he cheerfully gave several hundred bushels of corn for a pound or two of these rare jewels, whose beautiful color re- sembled the pure ether of heaven. The same stratagem was afterwards played off by Smith with equal success upon Opechankanough, king of Pamunkee

Unfortunately when Smith and Newport returned to Jamestown with this new, supply, and added it to their former store, it took fire and the.". greater part was consumed ; together with many of their dry thatched dwel- lings, a portion of their pallisade fortifications, and some of their arms, bed- ding and apparel.

Instead of returning home with all possible expedition Newport remained 14 weeks in the colony, consuming the precious provision which should have been applied to the support of the unfortunate individuals he was to leave behind him. Unfortunately too he had brought out some gold refin- ers in his ship, who having discovered a glittering earth near Jamestown thought it gold, and all hands were diverted from their useful toil for the purpose of lading his ship with this worthless article. `To such an extent did. this mania prevail, that Smith says, "there was no talk, no hope, no work, but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, load gold." Newport having completed his cargo at length returned home. Soon after his departure the Phoenix, the vessel of Nelson, which had been given up for lost arrived, with all his men in safety, and a good stock of provisions, which he freely and fairly gave to the colonists to the extent of his ability. The next sub- ject, for consideration, was the return cargo,-to obtain which the Presi- dent wished Smith to examine the commodities to be found in the country. above the falls,-others wished the lading to be of the same gold with which Newport was freighted,-but Smith more prudent than either suc- ceeded in loading the Phoenix with cedar, which was the first available cargo sent from Virginia to England ....

Smith accompanied the Phoenix as far as Cape Henry in a small open June 2, 1608. barge with 14 men, with which equipment he proposed to ac- complish his long cherished object of exploring the Chesa-' peak and its tributary waters. It is not our purpose to follow him through his two wonderful voyages, undertaken for this purpose, but we will merely present an outline of his course from the pen of an able modern author, *. from whom we have before quoted. "Two voyages, made in an open boat, with a few companions, over whom his superior courage, rather than his station as a magistrate, gave him authority, occupied him about three- months of the summer, and embraced a navigation of nearly three thousand.

*Bancroft, Hist, U. States, vol. I. p. 149,

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miles. The slenderness of his means has been contrasted with the dignity and utility of his discoveries, and his name has been placed in the highest rank with the distinguished men, who have enlarged the bounds of geo, graphical knowledge, and opened the way by their investigations for colo- nies and commerce. He surveyed the bay of the Chesapeake to the Sus- quehannah, and left only the borders of that remote river, to remain for some years longer the fabled dwelling place of a giant progeny. The Pa- tapsco was discovered and explored, and Smith probably entered the harbor of Baltimore. The majestic Potomac, which at its mouth is seven miles broad, especially invited curiosity ; and passing beyond the heights of Mount . Vernon and the City of Washington, he ascended to the falls above George- town. Nor did he merely explore the river and inlets. He penetrated the territories, established friendly relations with the native tribes, and laid the foundation for future beneficial intercourse. The map which he prepared and sent to the company in London is still extant, and delineates correctly the great outlines of nature. The expedition was. worthy the romantic age of American history." "The map is indeed astonishingly accurate, we can- not forbear adding the corroborating testimony of the distinguished Robert- son* upon this subject, which is also quoted and approved by Marshall :t " He brought with him an account of that large portion of the American continent now comprehended in the two provinces of Virginia and Mary- land, so full and exact, that after the progress of information and research for a century and a half, his map exhibits uo inaccurate view of both coun- tries, and is the original upon which all subsequent descriptions have been formed." -

When Smith returned to Jamestown he found that little had been done, : Sept. 7, 1608. and a whole summer, which was a season of plenty, was wasted in idleness by the folly and imbecility of the President whose conduct was so outrageous that the company had been at last forced to depose and imprison him."

. Smith was now elected President, and his energetic conduct speedily= Sept. 10. brought affairs into good order, and repaired as far as possible the . injuries occasioned by the misconduct of his predecessor.

Soon after Smith's election Newport again arrived, with the preposterous' order, supposed to have been procured by his own representations, not to return without a lump of gold, discovery of a passage to the south sea, or . one of the lost company sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh. Healso absurdly brought some costly articles for the royal household of Powhatan, which served only to inflate the pride, without conciliating the affection of - that Prince. Some Poles and Dutchmen were also brought for the purpose of manufacturing, pitch, tar, glass, ashes, &c. which would have been well enough . if the colony had been in a condition always to defy famine, but which it was impossible to accomplish now, when every- man's exertions were'ne- cessary to procure a sufficiency of food. Notwithstanding Smith's remon- stranees, Newport insisted upon his trip of discovery above the falls of . James river, for the purpose of discovering a rout to the south sea, although Powhatan had assured them that the story they had heard of there being a sca in that direction was utterly false. The party returned as. Smith bad predicted, disappointed and disheartened. Since this project, had failed ..

*See Robertson's Hist. of Va. p. 71.

+ Marshall's Introduction to life of Washington, p. 41.

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Smith having first procured a supply of provisions which Newport and the rest with all their vain boasting and their costly presents had failed to do; and knowing that it was as impossible to find a lump of gold, or one of Raleigh's company as it was to find the south sea on James river; set him- self to work to supply a cargo of tar, pitch, boards, ashes and such articles znois as they had it in their power to procure, although with great difficulty and labor. So effectually did he exert himself, and so much authority had he acquired over the delicate gentlemen under his controul, whose tender hands blistered with the use of the axe, that in a short time he had provided a sufficient cargo, for Captain Newport, who at length departed, leaving two hundred souls in the colony. By the return of the vessel Smith-wrote to the council a letter detailing the cause of their mishaps, assuring them that they need not expect a sudden acquisition of wealth, and that nothing was to be obtained but by labor. Ile complained of the want of judgment and economy in the expenditure for the benefit of the colony, which pre- vented them fromn reaping an advantage of greater value than a hundred pounds judiciously expended would purchase, from an actual outlay by the company of two or three thousand. He also especially complained of the habits and character of the men sent out, and entreated them when they. sent again, rather to send " but thirty carpenters, husbandmen, gardeners, fishermen, blacksmiths, masons and diggers up of tree-roots, well provided; than a thousand such as they had, for unless they could both lodge and feed them, they would perish with want before they could be made good for any thing."

From the departure of the ship, until the next arrival the men were only A. D. 1609. preserved from perishing by the most active and unremitting exertions of their President, the detail of whose conduct in his intercourse with the savages, and his management of the ill-assorted, disor- derly, turbulent spirits under his controul, is one of the most interesting sto- ries in history, and proves him to have been a man of extraordinary abili- ties.

Although the fond anticipations of the Virginia company had been en -: tirely disappointed, a spirit seems to have prevailed, which was rather dis- posed to surmount all difficulties by increased exertion, than to succumb to the accumulated misfortunes which had already been encountered ...

The company seemed to have perceived their error in expecting a sudden acquisition of wealth from their American possessions; and the defects in the government established by the first charter. To remedy these evils a

new charter* was obtained, in which many individuals, May 23, 1609. and corporate bodies were included, of great wealth, power and reputation.

By the new charter the power which had before been reserved by. the king was now transferred to the company itself; which was to have the power of choosing the supreme council in England, and of legislating in all cases for the colony. The powers of the governor were enlarged from those of a mere president of the council, to supreme and absolute, civil and military controul; the instructions and regulations of the supreme council being his only guide or check. There can be no doubt but that this was the only practicable government which could be offered to a colony in the situation and composed of the materials which then existed in Virginia

+ See Stith and Henning.

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The members of the council had only been so many petty tyrants, -- the in- dolent and weak thwarting the exertions of the industrious and the intelli- gent, and the cowardly and factious disputing the authority, and impugning the motives of such as were brave and honorable. In truth whenever any thing good had thus far been done it was by the exercise of absolute author- ity by a mind superior to the rest, and whatever had gone wrong might with truth be attributed almost as much to the opposing views of the various members of the council, as to the disposition of some to do wrong.

Lord De La Ware received the appointment of governor for life under the new charter, and an avarice which would listen to no possibility of de- feat, and which already dreamed of a flourishing empire in America, sur- rounded him with stately officers, suited by their titles and nominal char- ges to the dignity of an opulent kingdom. The condition of the public mind favored colonization; swarms of people desired to be transported ; and the adventurers with cheerful alacrity contributed free-will offerings. The widely diffused enthusiasm soon enabled the company to despatch a fleet of nine vessels, containing more than five hundred emigrants .* Newport was made Admiral, and was joint commissioner with Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers to administer the affairs of the colony until the arrival of the governor. But these three individuals, with a ceremonious punctilio characteristic of little minds, seeking that distinction from artificial positions in society, which they cannot obtain by their own merit, could not agree in a contest for precedence, and hence were compelled as a compromise, all to go in the same ship. Thus exposing the colony to all the danger of anarchy rather than that one should appear by the ship he occupied to be a greater man than the other.

They accordingly embarked with their commission, their directions and much of the provision in the Sea Venture. When near the coast of Vir- ginia they encountered a violent storm which destroyed one small vessel, and drove the Sea Venture so far to sea that she stranded on the rocks of the Bermudas. Seven ships arrived in safety.

When Smith heard of the arrival of this immense fleet, he at first sup- posed it belonged to Spain, and was sent to take possession of the colony, he accordingly made all things ready with his usual promptness and energy of character, to give them a warm reception, and little fear was entertained of the result. Smith had by this time by his good conduct brought the savages so completely into subjection by their admiration for his qualities and fear of his power, that they had become subjects and servants, planting and working for him as he required; and now when it was thought he was about to be attacked by the Spaniards they lent him all the aid in their power.

The company in England had not attended to the wise advice of 'Smith in the selection of their colonists, for it must be remarked that he had no friend at home, whilst his enemies were suffered there to make their own representations. In the new batch of officers Ratcliffe and Archer were sent back, who had been sent home in disgrace for their idle, dissolute and mutinous conduct. . They prejudiced the minds of the other officers so much against Smith, on the voyage, that they hated him mortally before they had seen him. The historian of the times regrets that the fleet was

* Bancroft U. S. I., p. 153 and authorities there quoted,

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not composed of Spaniards instead of Englishmen, and thinks it would have been better for the colony."

The newly imported "unruly gallants, packed hither by their friends to escape ill destinies," taking sides with Ratcliffe, Archer and their confede- rates against the President, whose commission they affected to consider as having been superceded by the new commission, conducted themselves very riotously, and refused. to remain in subordination to any authority. Smith bore, this for some time patiently, expecting every moment the arri- val of the new commission, and wishing when that event happened to de- part for England, and leave the scene of his great sufferings and glorious exertions; being willing to quit the service of a company who could so unceremoniously dispense with his authority for the purpose of putting individuals over him who had no claims upon them, and who knew nothing of the management of the colony. Fortunately the commissioners had been stranded and did not arrive, and Smith could no longer suffer affairs to remain in confusion. . After his resolution was taken he quickly laid by the heels the most factious, who had been perpetually plotting his des- truction and engaging in all kinds of mischief, until he could have leisure to do them justice ..

The number still. remaining at large in James Town being too great for that position, and more than could be well supported or easily managed,- he despatched West with a hundred and twenty of the best men he could select to form a settlement at the falls ; and Martin with nearly as many more to Nansemond ; providing them with a fair proportion of food and other necessary articles. Martin managed badly ;- his jealous fears in- " duced him to attack the savages in his neighborhood who had treated him well, and take possession of a large quantity of their corn and other pro- perty,-whilst his cowardly caution or criminal tenderness permitted them to rally and in their turn attack his men with impunity, to kill and wound several and retake all they had lost. He sent to James Town for a rein- forcement, which he did not employ when he received, but hastened thither himself, cowering under the protection of Smith's prowess, and leaving his men to their fate.

. The President set out for the falls a few days after West had departed, and found that he had located himself in an exceedingly inconvenient sta- tion, subject to inundation, and surrounded by other intolerable inconven- iences. He offered a fair proposition to Powhatan, for the purchase of his place called Powhatan, which he was willing to accept, but the disorderly spirits he had sent thither, who were dreaming that the country immediate- ly above them was full of gold, to which they wished no one to have access but themselves, refused the place, or to ratify the contract, despising alike his kindness and his authority. The President with his five men went boldly among them, and seized the ringleaders of the mutiny, but the whole number of a hundred and twenty gathering in upon him, forced him to retire, but not without seizing one of their boats, with which he

* "Had it so been we had been happy ; for we would have trusted them but as our foes, where receiving them as our countrymen and friends, they did what they could to murthur our President, to surprise the store, the fort, and our lodgings, to usurp the government, ard make us all their servants and slaves, till they could consume us and our remembrance ; and indeed rather to supplant us than supply us, as master William Box, an honest gentleman in this voyage relateth."-"Narrative of William: Potts, clerk of the councell, William Tankard and G. P." in Smith's Hist. of Var pa. 243.

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took possession of the ship, in which their provision was lodged. For- tunately for Smith he was sustained by the mariners who had learned his character from his old soldiers, and their own.observations of his conduct, as well as by several of the officers who had learned the error of their: first prejudices, deserted his adversaries, and become his firm friends. . The Indians came to Smith, whom they considered as their friend and protec -: tor, complaining bitterly of the maltreatment of the party at the falls, stat- ing that they were worse than their old enemies the Monocans, from whom it was the duty of the party to protect them, and seeing their turbulent disobedience, they offered their aid to chastise them. Smith remained nine days longer trying to heal these differences, and to convince them of the' absurdity of their "guilded hopes of the South sea mines." But finding all in vain he set out for James 'l'own. Such visionary and disorderly .. persons were the first civilized inhabitants of the present polished, intelli- ; gent and hospitable city of Richmond. No sooner was Smith's voyage commenced down the river, than the savages attacked those he left behind .. him, and slew many and so frightened the rest that they suffered the prison. . ers they held in custody to escape. The terrified wrotehes fled for safety to Smith, whose ship had grounded, and submitted without stipulation to. his mercy. He seized six or seven of the ringleaders, and imprisoned : them; the rest he placed in the savage fort Powhatan, which from the beauty of its position, the excellence of its houses and fortifications, and other advantages, was called Non-such. He also satisfied the savages. This fair prospect was again marred by the imbecility of West, who listen- ed to the deceitful tales, and whining entreaties of the prisoners, and re- leased them, which again threw all things into disorder; the evil disposed being the more encouraged in their mutinous conduct now by the posses- sion of their provisions and stores which had been returned to them at the time of their previous submission. They abandoned Non-such and re- turned to their former inconvenient station at West's fort. Smith finding it impossible to restore tranquility, again set sail down the river.

In his progress an unfortunate accident occurred which deprived the colony of his services, and was near depriving him of life. His powder bag accidentally exploded whilst he was sleeping, and tore the flesh from his body and thighs in a horrible manner. The pain was so acute that he threw himself into the river to cool the burning sensation, and was near drowning before he could be recovered. He had yet to go nearly one hun- dred miles in this situation before he could reach a surgeon, or have any soothing application applied to his wound.

When he returned to James Town, the time for the trial of Ratcliffe and Archer was approaching, and these worthies fearing the result, hired an assassin to murder him in his bed, but the heart of the wretch failed him, ere he could fire the fatal shot. Failing in this, their next hope was to save their lives by possessing themselves of the government, but in this they were disappointed by Smith, who having in vain urged all those he thought most worthy to accept the Presidency, resigned it to Mr. Percy, who was about to sail for England but was induced to stay under the pre -: sent embarrassing circumstances, to prevent the supreme control of the colony from falling into the hands of the miscreants who aspired to it.

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 74

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry Publication date: 1835 Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278