USA > Virginia > Narratives of early Virginia, 1606-1625 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
Upon this, awaie went their bowes and arrowes; and men, women, and children brought in their commodities. But 2 or three houres they so thronged about the President, and so overwearied him, as he retired himself to rest, leaving Mr. Beheathland and Mr Powel to accept their presents. But some Salvage perceiving him fast asleepe, and the guard care- lessly dispersed, 40 or 50 of their choice men each with an English sword in his hand, began to enter the house; with 2 or 300 others that pressed to second them. The noise and hast they made in, did so shake the house as they awoke him from his sleep; and being halfe amazed with this suddaine sight, betooke him straight to his sword and target; Mr Crashaw and some other charging in like manner, they thronged faster back, then before forward. The house thus clensed, the king and his ancients, with a long oration came to excuse this in- trusion. The rest of the day was spent with much kindnesse: the company againe renuing their presents of their best pro- vision. And whatsoever we gave them, they seemed well contented with it.
1 Rawsenac.
174
NARRATIVES OF EARLY VIRGINIA
[1609
Now in the meane while, since our departure, this hapned at the fort. Mr Scrivener willing to crosse 1 the surprizing of Powhatan, 9 daies after the Presidents departure, would needs visit the Ile of hogges; 2 and took with him Captaine Waldo (though the President had appointed him to bee readie to second his occasions) with Mr Antony Gosnoll and eight others : but so violent was the wind (that extreame frozen time) that the boat sunke; but where, or how, none doth knowe, for they were all drowned. Onlie this was knowne, that the Skiffe was much overloaded, and would scarse have lived in that extreme tempest had she beene emptie : but by no perswasion could hee bee diverted, though both Waldo and 100 others doubted as it hapned. The Salvages were the first that found their bodies, which so much the more encouraged them to effect their projects. To advertise the President of this heavie newes, none could bee found would undertake it: but the journey was often refused of all in the fort, untill Mr Wiffin undertooke alone the performance thereof. Wherein he was encountred with many dangers and difficulties; and in all parts as hee passed, as also that night he lodged with Powhatan, perceived such preparation for warre that assure[d] him some mischiefe was intended: but with extraordinarie bribes and much trouble, in three daies travell, at length, he found us in the midst of these turmoiles. This unhappie newes, the President swore him to conceale from the rest; and so, dis- sembling his sorrow with the best countenance he could, when the night approached, went safely abord with all his companie.
Now so extreamely Powhatan had threatned the death of his men, if they did not, by some meanes, kill Captaine Smith, that the next day they appointed the Countrie should come to trade unarmed: yet unwilling to be treacherous but that they were constrained, hating fighting almost as ill as hanging ; such feare they had of bad successe. The next morning, the sunne had not long appeared, but the fieldes appeared covered with people, and baskets to tempt us ashore. The President
1 Counterwork. 2 Hog Island, about seven miles from Jamestown.
175
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONY
1609]
determined to keepe abord; but nothing was to bee had with- out his presence, nor would they not indure the sight of a gun. Then the President, seeing many depart, and being unwilling to lose such a booty, so well contrived the Pinnace and his barges with Ambuscadoes; as only with Mr Persie, Mr West, and Mr Russell armed, he went ashore. Others unarmed, he appointed to receive what was brought. The Salvages flocked before him in heapes, and (the bancke serving as a trench for retreat) hee drewe them faire open to his ambuscadoes. For he not being to be perswaded to go to visit their king, the King 1 came to visit him, with 2 or 300 men, in the forme of two halfe- moons, with some 20 men and many women loaded with great painted baskets. But when they approached somewhat neare us, their women and children fled. For when they had en- vironed and beset the fieldes in this manner, they thought their purpose sure; yet so trembled with fear as they were scarse able to nock their arrowes. Smith standing with his 3 men readie bent, beholding them till they were within danger of our ambuscado; who, upon the word, discovered themselves, he retiring to the banke : which the Salvages no sooner perceived, but away they fled, esteeming their heeles for their best ad- vantage.
That night, we sent to the fort Mr Crashaw and Mr Foard; who, in the midway betweene Werawocomoco and the fort, met 4 or 5. of the Dutch mens confederates going to Powhatan : the which (to excuse 2 those gentlemens Suspition, of their running to the Salvages) returned to the fort, and there con- tinued.
The Salvages hearing our barge depart in the night,3 were so terriblie afraide that we sent for more men (we having so much threatned their ruine, and the rasing of their houses, boats, and canowes), that the next day the King sent our Cap- taine a chaine of pearle to alter his purpose and stay his men ; promising, though they wanted themselves, to fraught our ship, and to bring it abord to avoid suspition: so that, 5 or 6
1 Opechancanough. 2 Remove.
3 With Crowshaw and Ford.
176
NARRATIVES OF EARLY VIRGINIA
[1609
daies after, from al parts of the countrie within 10 or 12 miles, in the extreame cold frost and snow, they brought us provision on their naked backes.
Yet notwithstanding this kindnesse and trade, had their art and poison bin sufficient, the President with Master West and some others had been poysoned. It made them sicke but expelled it selfe. Wecuttanow, a stout yong fellow, knowing hee was suspected for bringing this present of poison, with 40 or 50. of his choice companions, seeing the President with but a few men at Pontauncat, so prowdlie braved it, as though he expected to incounter a revenge. Which the President perceiv- ing, in the midst of his companie, did not onlie beat, but spurned him like a dogge, as scorning to doe him any worse mischiefe: whereupon all of them fled into the woods, thinking they had done a great matter to have so well escaped; and the towns- men remaining presentlie fraughted our barge, to bee rid of our companies, framing manie excuses to excuse Wecutta- now, being son to their chiefe king but Powhatan,1 and told us if we would shew them him that brought the poyson, they would deliver him to us to punish as wee pleased.
Men maie thinke it strange there should be this stir for a little corne : but had it been gold with more ease wee might have got it; and had it wanted,2 the whole colonie had starved. We maie be thought verie patient to indure all those injuries. Yet onlie with fearing 3 them, we got what they had : whereas if we had taken revenge, then by their losse, we should have lost our selvs. We searched also the countries of Yough- tanund and Mattapamient, where the people imparted what little they had with such complaints and tears from women and children, as he had bin too cruell to be a Christian that would not have bin satisfied and moved with compassion.4 But had this happened in October, November, and December, when that unhappie discoverie of Monacan was made; wee
1 I.e., their chief next in power to Powhatan.
? Been lacking. 3 Frightening.
4 The Indians were improvident, and their grief was real.
177
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONY
1609]
might have fraughted a ship of 40 tuns, and twice as much might have bin had from the rivers of Toppahannock, Patawomeck, and Pawtuxunt. The maine occasion of our temporizing with the Salvages was to part friends, as we did, to give the lesse cause of suspition to Powhatan to fly: by whom we now re- turned, with a purpose to have surprised him and his provision. For effecting whereof, when we came against the towne, the President sent Mr Wiffin and Mr Coe a shore, to discover and make waie for his intended project. But they found that those. damned Dutchman had caused Powhatan to abandon his new house and werawocomoco, and to carrie awaie all his corne and provision : and the people, they found, by their means, so ill affected, that had they not stood well upon their guard, they had hardlie escaped with their lives. So the President finding his intention thus frustrated, and that there was noth- ing now to be had, and therefore an unfit time to revenge their abuses, helde on his course for James Towne : we having in this Jornie (for 251 of copper, 501 of Iron and beads) kept 40 men 6. weekes; 1 and dailie feasted with bread, corne, flesh, fish, and fowle. Everie man having for his reward (and in consideration of his commodities) a months provision, no trade being allowed but for the store; and we delivered at James Towne to the Cape Marchant, 279 bushels of corne.
Those temporall 2 proceedings, to some maie seeme too charitable, to such a dailie daring trecherous people; to others unpleasant that we washed not the ground with their blouds, nor shewed such strange inventions in mangling, murdering, ransaking, and destroying (as did the Spaniards) the simple bodies of those ignorant soules; nor delightful, because not stuffed with relations of heaps and mines of gold and silver, nor such rare commodities as the Portugals and Spaniards found in the East and West Indies. The want wherof hath begot us, that were the first undertakers, no lesse scorne and contempt, than their noble conquests and valiant adventures (beautified with it), praise and honor. Too much, I confesse,
1 From December 29, 1608, to about February 8, 1609.
2 Temporizing.
N
178
NARRATIVES OF EARLY VIRGINIA
[1609
the world cannot attribute to their ever memorable merit. And to cleare us from the worlds blind ignorant censure, these fewe words may suffise to any reasonably understanding.
It was the Spaniards good hap to happen in those parts where were infinite numbers of people, whoe had manured the ground with that providence that it afforded victuall at all times; and time had brought them to that perfection they had the use of gold and silver, and the most of such commod- ities as their countries affoorded: so that what the Spaniard got was only the spoile and pillage of those countrie people, and not the labours of their owne hands. But had those fruitfull Countries beene as Salvage, as barbarous, as ill-peopled, as little planted laboured and manured, as Virginia; their proper labours, it is likely would have produced as small profit as ours. But had Virginia bin peopled, planted, manured, and adorned with such store of pretious Jewels and rich commodities as was the Indies: then, had we not gotten and done as much as by their examples might bee expected from us, the world might then have traduced us and our merits, and have made shame and infamy our recompence and reward.
But we chanced in a lande, even as God made it. Where we found only an idle, improvident, scattered people, ignorant of the knowledge of gold, or silver, or any commodities; and carelesse of anything but from hand to mouth, but for bables of no worth; nothing to encourage us but what accidentally wee found nature afforded. Which ere wee could bring to recompence our paines, defray our charges, and satisfie our adventurers; we were to discover the country, subdue the peo- ple, bring them to be tractable civil and industrious, and teach them trades that the fruits of their labours might make us recompence, or plant such colonies of our owne that must first make provision how to live of themselves ere they can bring to perfection the commodities of the countrie: which doubtless will be as commodious for England as the west Indies for Spaine, if it be rightly managed; notwithstanding all our home-bred opinions that will argue the contrarie, as formerly such like have done against the Spaniards and Portugals. But to con-
179
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONY
1609]
clude, against all rumor of opinion I only say this for those that the three first yeares began this plantation: notwithstanding al their factions, mutenies, and miseries, so gently corrected and well prevented, peruse the Spanish Decades, the relations of M. Hacklut; 1 and tell mee how many ever, with such smal meanes as a barge of 2 Tunnes, sometimes with 7. 8. 9, or but at most 15 men, did ever discover so many faire and navigable rivers, subject so many severall kings people and nations to obedience and contribution, with so little bloud shed.
And if in the search of those Countries, wee had hapned where wealth had beene, we had as surely had it, as obedience and contribution; but if wee have overskipped it, we will not envy them that shall chance to finde it. Yet can wee not but lament it was our ill fortunes to end, when wee had but only learned how to begin, and found the right course how to pro- ceed.
By RICHARD WIFFIN, WILLIAM PHETTIPLACE, and ANAS TODKILL.
CHAPTER X
How the Salvages became subject to the English.
When the shippes departed 2 al the provision of the store but that the President had gotten, was so rotten with the last somers rain, and eaten with rats and wormes as the hogs would scarsely eat it; yet it was the souldiers diet till our returnes: so that wee found nothing done, but victuall spent, and the most part of our tooles, and a good part of our armes convayed to the Salvages. But now, casting up the store and finding sufficient till the next harvest, the feare of starving
1 Hakluyt. "The Spanish Decades " means such works as the Decades of Peter Martyr and the general histories of Oviedo and Herrera, organized in decades of ten books each.
2 November, 1608.
180
NARRATIVES OF EARLY VIRGINIA
[1609
was abandoned: and the company divided into tennes, fif- teenes, or as the businesse required, 4 houres each day was spent in worke, the rest in pastimes and merry exercise. But the untowardnesse of the greatest number caused the Presi- dent to make a generall assembly; and then he advised them as followeth.
Countrimen, the long experience of our late miseries, I hope is sufficient to perswade every one to a present correction of himselfe ; and thinke not that either my pains, or the adventurers purses, will ever maintaine you in idlenesse and sloth. I speake not this to you all; for diverse of you, I know, deserve both honor and reward better then is yet here to bee had; but the greater part must be more industrious, or starve. Howsoever you have bin heretofore tolerated by the authoritie of the Councell from that I have often commanded you : yet seeing nowe the authoritie resteth wholly in my selfe, you must obay this for a law, that he that will not worke, shall not eate, except by sicknesse he be disabled. For the labours of 30 or 40 honest and industrious men shall not bee consumed to maintaine 150 idle varlets. Now though you presume the authoritie here is but a shaddow, and that I dare not touch the lives of any but my own must answer it; the letters patents each week shall be read you, whose contents will tell you the contrary. I would wish you therefore, without contempt, seeke to observe these orders set downe; for there are now no more Councells to protect you, nor curbe my indeavours. Therefore hee that offendeth, let him as- suredly expect his due punishment.
Hee made also a table 1 as a publike memoriall of every mans deserts, to encourage the good, and with shame to spurne on the rest to amendment. By this, many became very indus- trious: yet more by severe punishment performed their busi- nesse; for all were so tasked, that there was no excuse could prevail to deceive him. Yet the Dutchmens consorts so closely still convai[e]d powder, shot, swords, and tooles; that though we could find the defect, we could not find by whom it was occasioned, till it was too late.
1 Notice board.
181
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONY
1609]
All this time, the Dutchmen remaining with Powhatan, received them, instructing the Salvages their use. But their consorts not following them as they expected, to know the cause, they sent Francis their companion, a stout young fellow, dis- guised Salvage like, to the glasse-house,1 a place in the woods neere a myle from James Towne, where was the randavus for all their unsuspected villany. 40 men, they procured of Powhatan to lie in Ambuscadoe for Captaine Smith; who no sooner heard of this Dutchman, but hee sent to apprehend him. Who found he was gon; yet to crosse 2 his returne to Powhatan, Captaine Smith presently dispatched 20 shot after him. And then returning but from the glasse-house alone, hee incountred the King of Paspaheigh, a most strong stout Sal- vage; whose perswasions not being able to perswade him to his ambush, seeing him only armed but with a fauchion,3 attempted to have shot him. But the President prevented his shot by grapling with him; and the Salvage as well pre- vented him from drawing his fauchion, and perforce bore him into the river to have drowned him. Long they struggled in the water, from whence the king perceiving two of the Poles upon the sandes, would have fled: but the President held him by the haire and throat til the Poles came in. Then seeing howe pittifully the poore Salvage begged his life, they conducted him prisoner to the fort. The Dutchman ere long was also brought in, whose villany (though all this time it was suspected), yet he fained such a formall excuse that for want of language 4 Win had not rightly understood them: and for their dealings with Powhatan, that to save their lives, they were constrained to accommodate [him with] his armes; of whome he extreamely complained to have de- tained them perforce, and that hee made his escape with the hazard of his life, and meant not to have returned but only walked in the woods to gather walenuts. Yet for all this faire tale, there was so smal appearance of truth, hee went by the
1 The glass-house was erected about this time on the mainland, at the west end of the connecting neck. 2 Prevent.
3 Falchion. 4 He spoke Dutch or German (High Dutch).
182
NARRATIVES OF EARLY VIRGINIA [1609
heeles.1 The king also he put in fetters, purposing to regaine the Dutch-men, by the saving his life. The poore Salvage did his best, by his daily messengers to Powhatan, but all returned 2 that the Dutchmen would not return: neither did Powhatan stay them; and bring them fiftie myles on their backes,3 they were not able. Daily this kings wives children and people came to visit him with presents, which hee liberally bestowed to make his peace. Much trust they had in the Presi- dents promise : but the king finding his gard negligent, though fettered yet escaped. Captaine Win thinking to pursue him, found such troopes of Salvages to hinder his passages, as they exchanged many volies of shot for flights of arrowes. Cap- taine Smith hearing of this, in returning to the fort, tooke two Salvages prisoners : the one called Kemps, the other Kinsock ; the two most exact villaines in the countrie. With those, Captaine Win and 50 chosen men attempted that night to have regained the king, and revenged his injurie. And so had done, if he had followed his directions, or bin advised by those two villaines (that would have betraied both their king and kindred for a peece of copper); but hee trifling away the night, the Salvages, the next morning by the rising of the sunne, braved him come a shore to fight. A good time both sides let flie at other; but wee heard of no hurt. Only they tooke two Canows, burnt the kings house; and so returned.
The President fearing those bravadoes would but incour- age the Salvages, begun himself to trie his conclusions; whereby 6 or 7 Salvages were slaine, as many made prisoners ; burnt their houses; tooke their boats with all their fishing weares, and planted them at James Towne for his owne use : and now resolved not to cease till he had revenged himselfe upon al that had injured him. But in his journey, passing by Paspaheigh towards Chickahamina, the Salvages did their best to draw him to their ambuscadoes: but seeing him re- gardlesly passe their Countrey, all shewed themselves in their bravest manner, to trie their valours. He could not but
1 Was put in irons. 2 Answered.
3 Overland from Oropaks.
183
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONY
1609]
let flie, and ere he could land, the Salvages no sooner knewe him, but they threw downe their armes and desired peace. Their Orator was a stout young man called Ocanindge ; whose worthie discourse deserveth to be remembered. And this it was.
Captaine Smith, my master is here present in this company, thinking it Captaine Win, and not you; and of him, hee intended to have beene revenged, having never offended him. If hee have offended you in escaping your imprisonment, the fishes swim, the fowles flie, and the very beastes strive to escape the snare and live : then blame not him being a man. Hee would entreat you remember your being a prisoner, what paines he tooke to save your life. If since he hath injured you, he was compelled to it; but, howsoever, you have revenged it with our too great losse. We perceive and well knowe you intend to destroy us, that are here to intreat and desire your friendship, and to enjoy our houses and plant our fields, of whose fruit you shall participate : otherwise you will have the worst by our absence. For we can plant any where, though with more labour; and we know you cannot live if you want our harvest and that reliefe wee bring you. If you promise us peace, we will beleeve you; if you proceed in reveng, we will abandon the Countrie.
Upon these tearmes the President promised them peace till they did us injury, upon condition they should bring in provision. So all departed good friends, and so continued till Smith left the Countrie.
Ariving at James Towne, complaint was made to the President that the Chickahaminos, who al this while con- tinued trade and seemed our friendes, by colour thereof were the only theeves; and amongst other things, a pistol being stolne and the theefe fled, there were apprehended 2 proper young fellows that were brothers, knowne to be his confederats. Now to regain this pistoll, the one we imprisoned; the other was sent, to returne againe within 12 houres, or his brother to be hanged. Yet the President pittying the poore naked Salvage in the dungeon, sent him victuall and some charcole for fire. Ere midnight his brother returned with the pistoll: but the poore Salvage in the dungeon was so smothered with the smoke he had made, and so pittiously burnt that wee found
184
NARRATIVES OF EARLY VIRGINIA
[1609
him dead. The other most lamentably bewailed his death, and broke forth in such bitter agonies, that the President, to quiet him, told him that if hereafter they would not steal, he wold make him alive againe: but little thought hee could be recovered. Yet we doing our best with aquavitæ and vinegar, it pleased God to restore him againe to life: but so drunke and affrighted that he seemed lunaticke, not understanding any thing hee spoke or heard; the which as much grieved and tormented the other, as before to see him dead. Of which maladie, upon promise of their good behaviour afterward, the President promised to recover him; and so caused him to be laid by a fire to sleepe : who in the morning, having well slept, had recovered his perfect senses. And then being dressed of his burning, and each a peece of copper given them; they went away so well contented, that this was spread amongst all the Salvages for a miracle, that Captaine Smith could make a man alive that is dead. These and many other such pretty accidents so amazed and affrighted both Powhatan and all his people, that from all parts with presents they desired peace ; returning many stolne things which wee neither demaunded nor thought of. And after that, those that were taken steal- ing, both Powhatan and his people have sent them backe to James Towne to receive their punishment; and all the coun- trie became absolutely as free for us, as for themselves.
CHAPTER XI
What was done in three monthes having victuall. The store devoured by rats. How we lived 3 monthes of such na- turall fruits as the countrie afforded.
Now wee so quietly followed our businesse that in 3 monthes, we made 3 or 4 Last1 of pitch, and tarre, and sope ashes; pro- duced a triall of glasse; made a well in the forte of excellent
1 A last of pitch or tar is fourteen barrels; of ashes, twelve.
185
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONY
1609]
sweete water, which till then was wanting; built some 20 houses; re-covered our Church; provided nets and weares for fishing; and to stop the disorders of our disorderly theeves and the Salvages, built a blocke house in the necke of our Ile,1 kept by a garrison, to entertaine the Salvages trade, and none to passe or repasse, Salvage nor Christian, without the Presi- dents order ; 30 or 40 acres of ground, we digged and planted; of 3 sowes, in one yeare increased 60 and od pigges ; and neere 500 chickens brought up themselves, without having any. meate 2 given them: but the hogges were transported to Hog Ile, where also we built a blocke house, with a garrison, to give us notice of any shipping; and for their exercise, they made clapbord, wainscot, and cut downe trees against the ships comming. We built also a fort for a retreat, neare a convenient river, upon a high commanding hill, very hard to be assaulted, and easie to be defended: 3 but ere it was halfe finished, this defect caused a stay. In searching our casked corne, wee found it halfe rotten : and the rest so consumed with the many thousand rats, increased first from the ships, that we knewe not how to keepe that little wee had. This did drive us all to our wits ende; for there was nothing in the countrie but what nature afforded.4 Untill this time Kemps and Tassore were fettered prisoners, and daily wrought; and taught us how to order and plant our fields : whom now, for want of victuall, we set at libertie; but so wel were they used, that they little desired it. And to express their loves, for 16 daies continuance, the Countrie brought us (when least) 100 a daie of squirrils, Turkies, Deare, and other wilde beastes. But this want of corne occasioned the end of all our workes, it being worke sufficient to provide victuall. 60 or 80 with Ensigne Laxon were sent downe the river to live upon oysters: and 20 with
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.