USA > Virginia > Narratives of early Virginia, 1606-1625 > Part 12
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1 On March 9, 1608.
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all his library, and al that he had but the cloathes on his backe, yet [did] none ever see him repine at his losse. This hapned in the winter, in that extreame frost, 1607.1 Now though we had victuall sufficient, I meane only of Oatmeale, meale, and corne, yet the ship staying there 14. weeks (when shee might as well have been gone in 14. daies), spent the beefe, porke, oile, aquavitæ, fish, butter and cheese, beere, and such like, as was provided to be landed us. When they departed, what their discretion could spare us, to make a feast or two with bisket, pork, beefe, fish, and oile, to relish our mouths ; of each some- what they left us, yet I must confess those that had either mony, spare clothes, credit to give bils of payment, gold rings, furres, or any such commodities, were ever welcome to this removing taverne. Such was our patience to obay such vile commanders, and buy our owne provision at 15 times the valew, suffering them feast, we bearing the charge, yet must not repine, but fast; and then leakage, ship-rats and other casualties occasioned the losse. But the vessell and remnants (for totals), we were glad to receive with all our hearts to make up the account, highly commending their providence for pre- serving that. For all this plentie, our ordinarie was but meale and water; so that this great charge little relieved our wants, whereby, with the extreamity of the bitter cold aire, more than halfe of us died, and tooke our deathes, in that piercing winter. I cannot deny but both Skrivener and Smith did their best to amend what was amisse, but with the President went the major part,2 that their hornes were too short. But the worst mis- chiefe was our gilded refiners, with their golden promises, made all men their slaves in hope of recompence. There was no talke, no hope, nor worke, but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, load gold. Such a brute of gold, as one mad fellow desired to bee buried in the sandes, least they should by their art make gold of his bones. Little need there was and lesse reason, the ship should stay, their wages run on, our victuall consume 14 weekes, that the Marriners might say, they
1 1607-1608.
2 The majority of the council
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built such a golden Church, that we can say, the raine washed neare to nothing in 14 daies. Were it that Captaine Smith would not applaud all those golden inventions, because they admitted him not to the sight of their trials, nor golden consultations I knowe not: but I heard him question with Captaine Martin and tell him, except he would shew him a more substantiall triall, hee was not inamored with their durtie skill. Breathing out these and many other passions, never any thing did more torment him, than to see all necessarie businesse neglected, to fraught such a drunken ship with so much gilded durt. Till then wee never accounted Captaine Newport a refiner, who being fit to set saile for England, and wee not having any use of Parliaments, plaies, petitions, ad- mirals, recorders, interpreters, chronologers, courts of plea, nor Justices of peace, sent M. Wingfield, and Captaine Archer with him, for England, to seeke some place of better imploi- ment.
CHAPTER IV
The arival of the Phoenix, her returne, and other accidents.
The authoritie nowe consisting in refining Captaine Martin and the still sickly President, the sale of the stores com- modities maintained their estates as inheritable revenews. The spring approching, and the ship departed, M. Skrivener and Capt. Smith divided betwixt them the rebuilding our towne, the repairing our pallisadoes, the cutting downe trees, prepar- ing our fields, planting our corne, and to rebuild our Church, and re-cover our store-house. Al men thus busie at their severall labours, M. Nelson arived 1 with his lost Phoenix, (lost I say, for that al men deemed him lost), landing safely his men. So well hee had mannaged his ill hap, causing the Indian Iles to feed his company, that his victuall (to 2 that was left us before) was sufficient for halfe a yeare. He had nothing but he freely imparted it, which honest dealing (being a marriner) caused 1 April 20, 1608. 2 Added to.
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us admire him. Wee would not have wished so much as he did for us. Nowe to relade this ship with some good tidings, the President (yet not withstanding 1 with his dignitie to leave the fort), gave order to Captaine Smith and M. Skrivener to dis- cover and search the commodities of Monacans countrie be- yound the Falles. 60 able men was allotted their number, the which, within 6 daies exercise, Smith had so well trained to their armes and orders, that they little feared with whome they should encounter. Yet so unseasonable was the time, and so opposite was Captain Martin to every thing but only to fraught his ship also with his phantasticall gold, as Captaine Smith rather desired to relade her with Cedar, which was a present despatch, than either with durt, or the reports of an uncertaine discoverie. Whilst their conclusion was resolving, this hapned.
Powhatan to expresse his love to Newport, when he de- parted, presented him with 20 Turkies, conditionally to re- turne him 20 Swords, which immediately were sent him.2 Now after his departure, hee presented Captaine Smith with the like luggage, but not finding his humour obaied, in sending him weapons, he caused his people with 20. devises to obtain them. At last, by ambuscadoes at our very ports, they would take them perforce, surprise us at work or any way, which was so long permitted that they became so insolent, there was no rule. The command from England was so straight not to offend them, as our authority bearers (keeping their houses) would rather be any thing then peace breakers. This charitable humor pre- vailed, till well it chaunced they medled with Captaine Smith, who, without farther deliberation, gave them such an incoun- ter, as some he so hunted up and downe the Ile, some he so terrified with whipping beating and imprisonment, as for re- venge, they surprised two of his forraging disorderly souldiers, and having assembled their forces, boldly threatned at our ports to force Smith to redeliver 7 Salvages which for their villanies he detained prisoners. But to try their furies, in
1 I.e., it not standing.
2 " An ill example, to sell swords to Salvages," says the margin.
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lesse then halfe an houre, he so hampered their insolencies, that they brought the 2. prisoners, desiring peace without any farther composition for their prisoners, who being threatned and examined their intents, and plotters of their villanies, confessed they were directed only by Powhatan, to obtaine him our owne weapons to cut our own throats, with the man- ner how, where, and when, which wee plainely found most true and apparant. Yet he sent his messengers and his dearest Daughter Pocahuntas to excuse him of the injuries done by his subjects, desiring their liberties, with the assuraunce of his love. After Smith had given the prisoners what correction hee thought fit, used them well a day or two after, and then delivered them [to] Pocahuntas, for whose sake only, he fained to save their lives and graunt them liberty. The patient Councel, that nothing would move to warre with the Salvages, would gladly have wrangled with captaine Smith for his cruelty, yet none was slaine to any mans knowledge, but it brought them 1 in such feare and obedience, as his very name would sufficiently affright them. The fraught of this ship being concluded to be Cedar, by the diligence of the Master, and captaine Smith, shee was quickly reladed; Mr Scrivener was neither Idle nor slow, to follow all things at the fort. The ship falling to the Cedar Ile, captaine Martin having made shift to be sicke neare a yeare, and now neither pepper, suger, cloves, mace, nor nugmets 2 ginger, nor sweet meates in the country : (to enjoy the credit of his supposed art) at his earnest request, was most willingly admitted to returne for England. Yet having beene there but a yeare, and not past halfe a year since the ague left him, that he might say somewhat he had seene, hee went twice by water to Paspahegh a place neere 7 miles from James towne, but lest the dew should distemper him, was ever forced to returne before night. Thus much I thought fit to expresse, he expresly commanding me to record his journies, I being his man, and he sometimes my master.
THOMAS STUDLY, ANAS TODKILL.
1 The Indians.
2 Nutmegs.
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Their names that were landed in this supply :
Matthew Scrivener, appointed to be of the Councell.
Michaell Phetyplace. William Phetyplace. Ralfe Morton.
Robert Alberton, a Perfumer. Richard Belfield, Goldsmith. Ramon Goodyson. John Speareman. William Spence.
William Cantrill.
Richard Wyffin.
Robert Barnes.
Richard Brislow.
George Hill.
William Simons. John Bouth.
George Pretty.
John Taverner.
William Burket.
Robert Cutler.
Nicholas Ven.
William Perce.
Michaell Sickelmore. Thomas Coo.
Francis Perkins.
Peter Pory.
Francis Perkins. William Bentley. Richard Gradon.
Doctor Russell.
Rowland Nelstrop. Richard Salvage.
Richard Prodger.
Thomas Salvage.
William Bayley.
Richard Miler.
Richard Molynex. Richard Pots. Jefry Abots. John Harper. Timothy Leds. Edward Gurganay.
Vere.
Michaell.
Bishop Wyles.
John Powell.
Thomas Hope.
George Forest.
John Nickoles. William Gryvill. Daniel Stalling, Jueller.
William Dawson, Refiner. Abraham Ransacke, Refiner. William Johnson, Goldsmith. Peter Keffer, a Gunner.
William Beckwith. William Yonge. Lawrence Towtales. William Ward. Christopher Rodes. James Watkings. Richard Fetherstone. James Burne.
Labour- ers.
Richard Killingbeck.
William Causey.
Gent.
Richard Worley.
William May.
Tailers.
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Thomas Feld. Apothecaries. John Harford.
Post Gittnat, a C[hir]urgion. John Lewes, a Couper.
Robert Cotten, a Tobaco-pipe- maker.
Richard Dole, a blacke Smith and divers others, to the number of 120.
CHAPTER V
The accidents that happened in the Discoverie of the bay.
The prodigality of the Presidents state went so deepe in the store, that Smith and Scrivener had a while tyed both Martin and him to the rules of proportion, but now Smith being to depart, the Presidents authorite so overswayed Mr Scriveners discretion, as our store, our time, our strength and labours, was idlely consumed to fulfill his phantasies. The second of June 1608. Smith left the fort, to performe his dis- coverie; with this company.
Walter Russell Doctour of Physicke.
Ralp Morton. Thomas Momford. William Cantrill. Richard Fetherstone. James Bourne. Michael Sicklemore.
Gent.
Anas Todkill. Robert Small. 1. Sould. James Watkins. John Powell. James Read, blacke smith. Richard Keale, fishmonger. Jonas Profit, fisher.
These being in an open barge of two tunnes burthen, leav- ing the Phenix at Cape-Henry, we crossed the bay to the Easterne shore, and fell with the Iles called Smiths Iles.1 The first people we saw were 2. grimme and stout Salvages
1 In 1611 Sir Thomas Dale established a settlement under Lieutenant Craddock at Smith's Island near Cape Charles for the purpose of making salt out of sea-water. He called this settlement "Dale's Gift."
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upon Cape-Charles, with long poles like Javelings, headed with bone. They boldly demanded what we were, and what we would, but after many circumtances, they in time seemed very kinde, and directed us to Acawmacke, the habitation of the Werowans, where we were kindly intreated. This king was the comliest proper civill Salvage wee incountred. His country is a pleasant fertill clay-soile. Hee told us of a straunge accident lately happened him, and it was: Two deade children, by the extreame passions of their parents, or some dreaming visions, phantasie, or affection moved them againe to revisit their dead carkases, whose benummed bodies reflected to the eies of the beholders such pleasant delightfull countenances, as though they had regained their vital spirits. This, as a miracle, drew many to behold them: all which, (being a great part of his people) not long after died, and not any one escaped. They spake the language of Powhatan wherein they made such de- scriptions of the bay, Iles, and rivers that often did us exceed- ing pleasure. Passing along the coast, searching every inlet and bay fit for harbours and habitations: seeing many Iles in the midst of the bay, we bore up for them, but ere wee could attaine them, such an extreame gust of wind, raine, thunder, and lightning happened, that with great daunger, we escaped the unmercifull raging of that ocean-like water. The next day, searching those inhabitable Iles (which we called Russels Isles) to provide fresh water, the defect whereof forced us to follow the next Easterne channell, which brought us to the river Wighcocomoco. The people at first with great furie seemed to assault us, yet at last with songs, daunces, and much mirth, became very tractable. But searching their habitations for water, wee could fill but 3,1 and that such puddle that never til then wee ever knew the want of good water. We digged and search many places but ere the end of two daies, wee would have refused two barricoes of gold for one of that puddle water of Wighcocomoco. Being past these Isles, falling with a high land upon the maine, wee found a great pond of fresh water,
1 I.e., three barricoes.
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but so exceeding hot, that we supposed it some bath. That place we called Point ployer. Being thus refreshed, in crossing over from the maine to other Iles, the wind and waters so much increased with thunder lightning and raine, that our fore-mast blew overbord, and such mightie waves overwrought us in that smal barge, that with great labour wee kept her from sinking, by freeing out the water. 2 daies we were inforced to inhabit these uninhabited Iles, which (for the extremitie of gusts, thunder, raine, stormes, and il weather) we called Limbo .. Repairing our fore saile with our shirts, we set saile for the maine, and fel with a faire river on the East called Kuskarana- ocke. By it inhabit the people of Soraphanigh, Nause, Arsek, and Nautaquake, that much extolled a great nation called Massawomekes, in search of whome wee returned by Limbo. But finding this easterne shore shallow broken Iles, and the maine for most part without fresh water, we passed by the straights of Limbo, for the weasterne shore. So broad is the bay here, that we could scarse perceive the great high Cliffes on the other side. By them, wee ancored that night, and called them Richards Cliffes. 30 leagues we sailed more Northwards, not finding any inhabitants, yet the coast well watred, the mountaines very barren, the vallies very fertil, but the woods extreame thicke, full of Woolves, Beares, Deare, and other wild beasts. The first inlet we found, wee called Bolus, for that the clay (in many places) was like (if not) Bole-Armoni- acke. When we first set saile, some of our gallants doubted nothing, but that our Captaine would make too much hast home. But having lien not above 12 daies in this smal Barge, oft tired at their oares, their bread spoiled with wet, so much that it was rotten (yet so good were their stomacks that they could digest it), did with continuall complaints so importune him now to returne, as caused him bespeak them in this manner.
Gentlemen, if you would remember the memorable historie of Sir Ralfe Lane, how his company importuned him to proceed in the discoverie of Morattico, alleaging, they had yet a dog, that being boyled with Saxafras leaves, would richly feed them in their
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returnes; what shame would it be for you (that have beene so suspitious of my tendernesse) to force me returne with a months provision, scarce able to say where we have bin, nor yet heard of that wee were sent to seeke. You cannot say but I have shared with you of the worst1 is past; and for what is to come, of lodging, diet, or whatsoever, I am contented you allot the worst part to my selfe. As for your feares, that I will lose my selfe in these un- knowne large waters, or be swallowed up in some stormie gust, abandon those childish feares, for worse then is past cannot happen, and there is as much danger to returne, as to proceed forward. Regaine therefore your old spirits; for returne I wil not, (if God assist me) til I have seene the Massawomekes, found Patawomeck, or the head of this great water you conceit to be endlesse.
3 or 4 daies we expected 2 wind and weather, whose adverse extreamities added such discouragements to our discontents as 3 or 4 fel extreame sicke, whose pitiful complaints caused us to returne, leaving the bay some 10 miles broad at 9 or 10 fadome water.
The 16 of June, we fel with the river of Patawomeck. Feare being gon, and our men recovered, wee were all contente to take some paines to knowe the name of this 9 mile broad river. We could see no inhabitants for 30 myles saile. Then we were conducted by 2 Salvages up a little bayed creeke toward Onawmament, where all the woods were laid with Ambuscadoes to the number of 3 or 400 Salvages, but so strangely painted, grimed, and disguised, showting, yelling, and crying, as we rather supposed them so many divels. They made many bravadoes, but to appease their furie, our Captaine prepared (with a seeming willingnesse, as they) to encounter them. The grazing of the bullets upon the river, with the ecco of the woods so amazed them, as down went their bowes and arrowes; and exchanging hostage, James Watkins was sent 6. myles up the woods, to their kings habitation. Wee were kindly used by these Salvages, of whom we understood, they were commaunded to betray us, by Powhatans direction,
1 After "worst " supply "that."
2 Experienced.
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and hee so directed from the discontents of James towne. The like incounters we found at Patawomeck, Cecocawone, and divers other places; but at Moyaones, Nacothtant, and Taux, the people did their best to content us. The cause of this discovery was to search a glistering mettal, the Salvages told us they had from Patawomeck (the which Newport as- sured that he had tryed 1 to hold halfe silver), also to search what furres, metals, rivers, Rockes, nations, woods, fishings, fruits, victuals, and other commodities the land afforded, and. whether the bay were endlesse, or how farre it extended. The mine we found 9 or 10 myles up in the country from the river, but it proved of no value.2 Some Otters, Beavers, Martins, Luswarts, and sables we found and, in diverse places, that abundance of fish lying so thicke with their heads above the water, as for want of nets (our barge driving amongst them) we attempted to catch them with a frying pan; but we found it a bad instrument to catch fish with. Neither better fish, more plenty or variety, had any of us ever seene in any place, swimming in the water, then in the bay of Chesapeack, but there not to be caught with frying-pans. To expresse al our quarrels, treacheries and incounters amongst those Salvages, I should be too tedious; but in briefe, at al times we so incountred them and curbed their insolencies, as they concluded with presents to purchase peace, yet wee lost not a man. At our first meeting, our captaine ever observed this order, to demaunde their bowes and arrowes, swords, mantles, or furres, with some childe for hostage: whereby he could quickly perceive when they intended any villany.
Having finished this discovery, (though our victuall was neare spent) he intended to have seene his imprisonments acqaintance upon the river of Toppahannock. But our boate (by reason of the ebbe) chansing to ground upon a many shoules lying in the entrance, we spied many fishes lurking amongst the weedes on the sands. Our captaine sporting himselfe to catch them by nailing them to the ground with
1 Tested.
2 "Antimony," says the margin.
L
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his sword, set us all a fishing in that manner. By this devise, we tooke more in an houre then we all could eat. But it chanced, the captaine taking a fish from his sword (not know- ing her condition), being much of the fashion of a thornebacke with a longer taile whereon is a most poysoned sting of 2. or 3. inches long, which shee strooke an inch and halfe into the wrist of his arme. The which, in 4. houres, had so extreamly swolne his hand, arme, shoulder, and part of his body, as we al with much sorrow concluded1 his funerall, and prepared his grave in an Ile hard by (as himselfe appointed), which then wee called Stingeray Ile, after the name of the fish. Yet by the helpe of a precious oile, Doctour Russel applyed, ere night his tormenting paine was so wel asswaged that he eate the fish to his supper : which gave no lesse joy and content to us, then ease to himselfe. Having neither Surgeon nor surgerie but that preservative oile, we presently set saile for James Towne. Passing the mouth of Pyankatanck and Pamaunke rivers, the next day we safely arrived at Kecoughtan. The simple Salvages seeing our captaine hurt, and another bloudy (which came by breaking his shin), our number of bowes, arrowes, swords, targets, mantles and furs, would needs imagine we had bin at warres. The truth of these accidents would not satisfie them; but impaciently they importuned us to know with whom wee fought. Finding their aptnes to beleeve, we failed not (as a great secret) to tel them any thing that might affright them, what spoile wee had got and made of the Masawomeekes. This rumor went faster up the river then our barge. That arrived at Weraskoyack, the 20 of Julie, where trimming her with painted streamers and such devises, we made the Fort jealious of a Spanish frigot; where we all safely arrived the 21. of July. There wee found the Last Supply al sicke; the rest, some lame, some bruised, al unable to do any thing but complain of the pride and unreasonable needlesse cruelty of their sillie President 2 that had riotously consumed the store; and to fulfill his follies, about building
1 Anticipated.
2 Ratcliffe.
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him an unnecessarie pallas in the woodes, had brought them all to that miserie, that had not we arrived, they had as strangely tormented him with revenge. But the good newes of our dis- covery, and the good hope we had (by the Salvages relation) our Bay had stretched to the South sea, appeased their fury ; but conditionally that Ratliffe should be deposed, and that captaine Smith would take upon him the governement. Their request being effected, hee substituted Mr Scrivener, his deare friend, in the Presidencie; equally distributing those private - provisions the other[s] had ingrossed; appointing more honest officers to assist Scrivener (who the[n] lay extreamelie tormented with a callenture) : 1 and in regard of the weaknes of the com- pany, and heat of the yeare, they being unable to worke, he left them to live at ease, but imbarked himselfe to finish his discoverie.
Written by WALTER RUSSELL and ANAS TODKILL.
CHAPTER VI
What happened the second voyage to discover the Bay.
The 20.2 of July, Captaine Smith set forward to finish the discovery, with 12. men. Their names were
Nathaniell Powell. Thomas Momford. Richard Fetherstone. 1 Gent.
Michaell Sicklemore. James Bourne.
Anas Todkill. Edward Pysing. Richard Keale. Anthony Bagnall. James Watkins. William Ward. Jonas Profit.
Sould.
The winde beeing contrary, caused our stay 2 or 3 daies at Kecoughtan, the werowans feasting us with much mirth. His people were perswaded we went purposely to be revenged
1 Fever.
2 Or rather 24th.
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of the Massawomeckes. In the evening, we firing 2. or 3. rackets, so terrified the poore Salvages, they supposed nothing impossible wee attempted, and desired to assist us. The first night, we anchored at Stingeray Ile, the next day, crossed Patawomecks river, and hasted for the river Bolus. Wee went not much farther, before wee might perceive the Bay to devide in 2. heads, and arriving there, we founde it devided in 4, all which we searched so far as we could saile them. 2. of them wee found uninhabited, but in crossing the bay to the other, wee incountered 7. or 8. Canowes-full of Massawomecks. We seeing them prepare to assault us, left our oares, and made way with our saile to incounter them, yet were we but five (with our captaine) could stand; [f]or within 2. daies after wee left Kecoughtan, the rest (being all of the Last Supply) were sicke almost to death (untill they were seasoned to the country). Having shut them under our tarpawling, we put their hats upon stickes by the barge side, to make us seeme many. And so we thinke the Indians supposed those hats to be men, for they fled with all possible speed to the shoare, and there stayed, staring at the sailing of our barge, till we anchored right against them. Long it was ere we could drawe them to come unto us. At last, they sent 2 of their company unarmed in a Canowe: the rest all followed to second them, if need required. These 2 being but each presented with a bell, brought aborde all their fellowes, presenting the captain with venison, beares flesh, fish, bowes, arrows, clubs, targets, and beare-skins. Wee understood them nothing at all but by signes, whereby they signified unto us they had been at warres with the Tock- woghs, the which they confirmed by shewing their green wounds. But the night parting us, we imagined they appointed the next morning to meete, but after that we never saw them.
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