USA > Virginia > Narratives of early Virginia, 1606-1625 > Part 25
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While I here remained, by chance came an Englishman, whom there had beene surprized three yeeres agoe 2 at Fort Henry, growne so like, both in complexion and habit like a Salvage, I knew him not, but by his tongue: hee desired mee to procure his libertie, which I intended, and so farre urged Powhatan, that he grew discontented, and told mee, You have
1 Roanoke shells. 2 1611. The margin reads, "William Parker recovered."
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one of my daughters, and I am content : but you cannot see one of your men with mee, but you must have him away, or breake friendship; if you must needs have him, you shall goe home without guides, and if any evill befall you, thanke your selves.
I told him I would, but if I returned not well, hee must expect a revenge; and his brother might have just cause to suspect him. So in passion he left me till supper, and then gave me such as hee had with a cheerefull countenance: About midnight he awaked us, and promised in the morning my returne with Parker; but I must remember his brother to send him ten great pieces of Copper, a Shaving-knife, a Frowe,1 a Grind-stone, a Net, Fish-hookes, and such toies; which lest I should forget, he caused me write in a table-booke he had; how ever he got it, it was a faire one, I desired hee would give it me; he told me, no, it did him much good in shewing to strangers, yet in the morning when we departed, having fur- nished us well with provision, he gave each of us a Bucks skin as well dressed as could be, and sent two more to his sonne and daughter: And so we returned to James towne.
Written by Master RALPH HAMOR and JOHN ROLPH.
I have read the substance of this relation, in a Letter writ- ten by Sir Thomas Dale, another by Master Whitaker, and a third by Master John Rolfe; how carefull they were to instruct her in Christianity, and how capable and desirous shee was thereof, after she had beene some time thus tutored, shee never had desire to goe to her father, nor could well endure the society of her owne nation: the true affection she constantly bare her husband was much, and the strange apparitions and violent passions he endured for her love, as he deeply protested, was wonderful, and she openly renounced her countries idola- try, confessed the faith of Christ, and was baptized. But either the coldnesse of the adventurers, or the bad usage of that was collected, or both, caused this worthy Knight2 to write thus.
1 A wedge-shaped tool for splitting rails or staves.
2 Sir Thomas Dale. What follows is an abridgment of his letter printed in Hamor, pp. 51-59.
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Oh why should so many Princes and Noblemen ingage them- selves, and thereby intermedling herein, have caused a number of soules transport themselves, and be transported hither? Why should they, I say, relinquish this so glorious an action : for if their ends be to build God a Church, they ought to persevere; if other- wise, yet their honour ingageth them to be constant; howsoever they stand affected, here is enough to content them. These are the things have animated me to stay a little season from them, I am bound in conscience to returne unto; leaving all contenting pleasures and mundall delights, to reside here with much turmoile, which I will rather doe than see Gods glory diminished, my King and Country dishonoured, and these poore soules I have in charge revived, which would quickly happen if I should leave them; so few I have with me fit to command or manage the businesse.
Master Whitaker their Preacher complaineth, and much museth, that so few of our English Ministers, that were so hot against the surplice and subscription come hether, where neither is spoken of. Doe they not wilfully hide their talents, or keepe themselves at home, for feare of losing a few pleasures ; be there not any among them of Moses his minde, and of the Apostles, that forsooke all to follow Christ, but I refer them to the Judge of all hearts, and to the King that shall reward every one according to his talent.
From Virginia, June 18. 1614.1
The businesse being brought to this perfection, Captaine Argall returned for England, in the latter end of June, 1614. ariving in England, and bringing this good tidings to the Councell and company by the assistances of Sir Thomas Gates, that also had returned from Virginia but the March before; it was presently concluded, that to supply this good successe with all expedition, the standing Lottery should be drawne with all diligent conveniency, and that posterity may remem- ber upon occasion to use the like according to the declaration, I thinke it not amisse to remember thus much.
.1 This is from Rev. Alexander Whitaker's letter printed in Hamor, pp. 59-61.
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The Contents of the declaration of the Lottery published by the Counsell.1
It is apparent to the world, by how many former Proclama- tions, we manifested our intents, to have drawn out the great standing Lottery long before this, which not falling out as we desired, and others expected whose monies are adventured therein, we thought good therefore for the avoiding all unjust and sinister constructions, to resolve the doubts of all indifferent minded, in three speciall points for their better satisfaction.
But ere I goe any farther, let us remember there was a running Lottery used a long time in Saint Pauls Churchyard, where this stood, that brought into the Treasury good summes of mony dayly, though the Lot was but small.
Now for the points, the first is, for as much as the Ad- venturers came in so slackly for the yeere past, without preju- dice to the generality; in losing the blankes and prises, we were forced to petition to the honourable Lords, who out of their noble care to further this Plantation, have recommended their Letsenters 2 to the Countries, Cities, and good townes in England, which we hope by adding in their voluntary Ad- venturers, will sufficiently supply us.
The second for satisfaction to all honest well affected minds, is, that though this expectation answer not our hopes, yet wee have not failed in our Christian care, the good of that Colony, to whom we have lately sent two sundry supplies, and were they but now supplied with more hands, wee should soone resolve the division of the Country by Lot, and so lessen the generall charge.
The third is our constant resolution, that seeing our credits are so farre ingaged to the honourable Lords and the whole State, for the drawing this great Lottery, which we intend shall
1 During Gates's governorship the prospects of the colony were much depressed by the mortality of the climate; and the cruelties perpetrated under the name of martial law deterred settlers from coming over. To raise money, resort was had to lotteries, but with poor results.
2 Perhaps this word means distributers of lottery tickets.
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be without delay, the 26. of June next, desiring all such as have undertaken with bookes to solicit their friends, that they will not with-hold their monies till the last month be expired, lest we be unwillingly forced to proportion a lesse value and number of our Blankes and Prises which hereafter followeth.
Welcomes.
Crownes.
To him that first shall be drawne out with a blanke,
100
To the second,
50°
To the third, 25
To him that every day during the drawing of this
Lottery, shall bee first drawne out with a blanke,
10
Prizes.
Crownes.
1 Great Prize of
4500
2 Great Prizes, each of
2000
4 Great Prizes, each of
1000
6 Great Prizes, each of
500
10 Prizes, each of
300
20 Prizes, each of
200
200 Prizes, each of
50
400 Prizes, each of
20
1000 Prizes, each of
10
1000 Prizes, each of
8
1000 Prizes, each of
6
4000 Prizes, each of
4
1000 Prizes, each of
3
1000 Prizes, each of
2
Rewards.
Crownes.
To him that shall be last drawne out with a blanke,
25
To him that putteth in the greatest Lot, under one name, 400
To him that putteth in the second greatest number, 300
100 Prizes, each of
100
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To him that putteth in the third greatest number, 200 To him that putteth in the fourth greatest number, 100
If divers be of equall number, their rewards are to be divided proportionally.
Addition of new Rewards. Crownes.
The blanke that shall bee drawne out next before the great Prize shall have 25
The blanke that shall be drawne out next after the said great Prize 25
The blancks that shall be drawne out immediately before the two next great Prizes, shall have each of them 20
The severall blankes next after them, each shall have 20
The severall blankes next before the foure great Prizes, each shall have
15
The severall blankes next after them, each shall have 15
The severall blankes next before the six great Prizes, each shall have 10
The severall blankes next after them, each shall have 10
The prizes, welcomes, and rewards, shall be payed in ready Mony, Plate, or other goods reasonably rated; if any dislike of the plate or goods, he shall have mony, abating only the tenth part, except in small prizes of ten Crownes or under.
The mony for the Adventurers is to be paied to Sir Thomas Smith, Knight, and Treasurer for Virginia, or such Officers as he shall apoint in City or Country, under the common seale of the company for the receit thereof.
All prizes, welcomes and rewards drawne where ever they dwell, shall of the Treasurer have present pay, and whosoever under one name or poesie1 payeth three pound in ready money, shall receive six shillings and eight pence, or a silver spoone of that value at his choice.
About this time it chanced a Spanish ship, beat too and againe before point Comfort, and at last sent a shore their
1 " Posy " or motto used in place of an assumed name.
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boat, as desirous of a Pilot. Captaine James Davis the gov- ernor, immediately gave them one: but he was no sooner in the boat, but a way they went with him, leaving three of their companions behind them; this sudden accident occasioned some distrust, and a strict examination of those three thus left, yet with as good usage as our estate could afford them. They only confessed, having lost their Admirall, accident had forced them into those parts; and two of them were Captaines, and in chiefe authority in the fleet : thus they lived till one of them was found to be an Englishman, and had been the Span- iards Pilot for England in 88.1 and having here induced some male-contents, to beleeve his projects, to run away with a small barke, which was apprehended, some executed, and he expecting but the Hangmans curtesie, directly confessed that two or three Spanish ships was at Sea, purposely to discover the estate of the Colony: but their Commission was not to be opened till they arrived in the Bay, so that of any thing more he was utterly ignorant. One of the Spaniards at last dyed; the other was sent for England, but this reprieved, till Sir Thomas Dale hanged him at Sea in his voyage homeward: the English Pilot they carried for Spaine, whom after a long time imprisonment, with much sute2 was returned for England.
Whilst those things were effecting, Sir Thomas Dale, having setled to his thinking all things in good order, made choice of one Master George Yearly, to be Deputy-Governour in his absence, and so returned for England; accompanied with Pocahontas the Kings Daughter, and Master Rolfe her hus- band: and arrived at Plimmoth the 12. of June. 1616.
The government left to Captaine Yearly.
Now a little to commentary upon all these proceedings, let me leave but this as a caveat by the way; if the alteration of government hath subverted great Empires, how dangerous
1 1588, the year of the Spanish Armada.
2 Suit, i.e., solicitation. For a better account of this episode, see the letter of Diego de Molina, on pp. 215-224, above, and the many documents from the Spanish archives printed by Brown in his Genesis of the United States.
Y
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is it then in the infancy of a common-weale ? The multiplicity of Governors is a great damage to any State; but uncertaine daily changes are burdensome, because their entertainments are chargeable, and many will make hay whilst the sunne doth shine, how ever it shall faire with the generality.
This deare bought Land with so much bloud and cost, hath onely made some few rich, and all the rest losers. But it was intended at the first, the first undertakers should be first preferred and rewarded, and the first adventurers satisfied, and they of all the rest are the most neglected; and those that never adventured a groat, never see the Country, nor ever did any service for it, imploied in their places adorned with their deserts, and inriched with their ruines: and when they are fed fat, then in commeth others so leane as they were, who through their omnipotency doth as much. Thus what one Officer doth, another undoth, only ayming at their owne ends; thinking all the world derides his dignity, [who] cannot fill his Coffers being in authority with any thing. Every man hath his minde free, but he can never be a true member to that estate, that to enrich himselfe beggers all the Countrie. Which bad course, there are many yet in this noble plantation, whose true honour and worth as much scornes it, as the others loves it; for the Nobilitie and Gentrie, there is scarce any of them expects any thing but the prosperitie of the action: and there are some Merchants and others, I am confidently per- swaded, doe take more care and paines, nay, and at their continuall great charge, than they could be hired to for the love of money; so honestly regarding the generall good of this great worke, they would hold it worse than sacrilege, to wrong it but a shilling, or extort upon the common souldier a penny. But to the purpose, and to follow the Historie.
Master George Yearly now invested Deputie Governour by Sir Thomas Dale, applied himselfe for the most part in plant- ing Tobacco, as the most present commoditie they could devise for a present gaine, so that every man betooke him- selfe to the best place he could for the purpose: now though Sir Thomas Dale had caused such an abundance of corne to
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be planted, that every man had sufficient, yet the supplies 1 were sent us, came so unfurnished, as quickly cased us of our superfluitie. To relieve their necessities, he sent to the Chickahamanias for the tribute Corne Sir Thomas Dale and Captaine Argall had conditioned for with them: But such a bad answer they returned him, that hee drew together one hundred of his best shot, with whom he went to Chickaha- mania; the people in some places used him indifferently, but in most places with much scorne and contempt, telling him he was but Sir Thomas Dales man, and they had payed his Master according to condition, but to give any to him they had no such order, neither would they obey him as they had done his Master; after he had told them his authoritie, and that he had the same power to enforce them that Dale had, they dared him to come on shore to fight, presuming more of his not daring, than their owne valours. Yearly seeing their insolencies, made no great difficultie to goe on shore at Ozinies, and they as little to incounter him : but marching from thence towards Mamanahunt, they put themselves in the same order they see us, lead by their Captaine Kissanacomen, Governour of Ozinies, and so marched close along by us, each as threat- ning other who should first begin. But that night we quartered against Mamanahunt, and they passed the River. The next day we followed them; there are few places in Virginia had then more plaine ground together, nor more plentie of Corne, which although it was but newly gathered, yet they had hid it in the woods where we could not finde it: a good time we spent thus in arguing the cause, the Salvages without feare standing in troupes amongst us, seeming as if their counte- nances had beene sufficient to dant us: what other practises they had I know not; but to prevent the worst, our Captaine caused us all to make ready, and upon the word, to let flie among them, where he appointed: others also he commanded to seize on them they could for prisoners ; all which being done according to our direction, the Captaine gave the word, and
1 Supplies (of men) which were sent, etc.
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wee presently discharged, where twelve lay, some dead, the rest for life sprawling on the ground, twelve more we tooke prisoners, two whereof were brothers, two of their eight Elders, the one tooke by Sergeant Boothe, the other by Robert a Polonian. Neere one hundred bushels of Corne we had for their ransomes, which was promised the Souldiers for a re- ward, but it was not performed: now Opechankanough had agreed with our Captaine for the subjecting of those people, that neither hee nor Powhatan could ever bring to their obedi- ence; and that he should make no peace with them without his advice: in our returne by Ozinies with our prisoners wee met Opechankanough, who with much adoe, fained with what paines hee had procured their peace, the which to requite, they called him the King of Ozinies, and brought him from all parts many presents of Beads, Copper, and such trash as they had. Here as at many other times wee were beholding to Captaine Henry Spilman our Interpreter, a Gentleman had lived long time in this Countrie, and sometimes a prisoner 1 among the Salvages; and done much good service, though but badly rewarded. From hence we marcht towards James towne, we had three Boats loaded with Corne and other luggage; the one of them being more willing to be at James towne with the newes than the other, was overset, and eleven men cast away with the Boat, Corne and all their provision. Notwithstand- ing this put all the rest of the Salvages in that feare, especially in regard of the great league we had with Opechankanough, that we followed our labours quietly, and in such securitie that divers salvages of other Nations, daily frequented us with what provisions they could get, and would guide our men on hunting, and oft hunt for us themselves. Captaine Yearly had a Salvage or two so well trained up to their peeces, they were as expert as any of the English, and one hee kept pur- posely to kill him fowle. There were divers others had Sal- vages in like manner for their men. Thus we lived together, as if wee had beene one people, all the time Captaine Yearley
1 See p. 202, note 4.
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staied with us, but such grudges and discontents daily increased among our selves, that upon the arrivall of Captaine Argall, sent by the Councell and Companie to bee our Governour, Captaine Yearley returned for England in the yeere 1617.1
From the writings of Captaine NATHANIEL POWELL, WILLIAM CANTRILL, Sergeant BOOTHE, EDWARD GURGANEY.
During this time, the Lady Rebecca, alias Pocahontas, daughter to Powhatan, by the diligent care of Master John Rolfe her husband and his friends, was taught to speake such English as might well bee understood, well instructed in Christianitie, and was become very formall and civill after our English manner; shee had also by him a childe which she loved most dearely, and the Treasurer and Company tooke order both for the maintenance of her and it, besides there were divers persons of great ranke and qualitie had beene very kinde to her; and before she arrived at London, Captaine Smith to deserve her former courtesies, made her qualities knowne to the Queenes most excellent Majestie and her Court, and writ a little booke 2 to this effect to the Queene: An abstract whereof followeth.
To the most high and vertuous Princesse, Queene Anne 3 of Great Brittanie.
MOST ADMIRED QUEENE :
The love I beare my God, my King and Countrie, hath so oft emboldened mee in the worst of extreme dangers, that now honestie doth constraine mee presume thus farre beyond my selfe, to present your Majestie this short discourse: if ingratitude be a deadly poyson to all honest vertues, I must
1 Yeardley's government lasted one year, and the colony "lived in peace and the best plentye that ever it had till that time." Breife Declaration.
2 Letter.
3 Anne was the second daughter of Frederick II., king of Denmark, and married James I. in 1589. She died March 2, 1619.
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bee guiltie of that crime if I should omit any meanes to bee thankfull. So it is,
That some ten yeeres agoe 1 being in Virginia, and taken prisoner by the power of Powhatan their chiefe King, I re- ceived from this great Salvage exceeding great courtesie, especially from his sonne Nantaquaus, the most manliest, comeliest, boldest spirit, I ever saw in a Salvage, and his sister Pocahontas, the Kings most deare and wel-beloved daughter, being but a childe of twelve or thirteene yeeres of age,2 whose compassionate pitifull heart, of my desperate estate, gave me much cause to respect her: I being the first Christian this proud King and his grim attendants ever saw: and thus en- thralled in their barbarous power, I cannot say I felt the least, occasion of want that was in the power of those my mortall foes to prevent, notwithstanding al their threats. After some six weeks 3 fatting amongst those Salvage Courtiers, at the minute of my execution, she hazarded the beating out of her owne braines to save mine; and not onely that, but so pre- vailed with her father, that I was safely conducted to James towne : where I found about eight and thirtie miserable poore and sicke creatures, to keepe possession of all those large territories of Virginia; such was the weaknesse of this poore Common- wealth, as had the Salvages not fed us, we directly had starved.
And this reliefe, most gracious Queene, was commonly brought us by this Lady Pocahontas. Notwithstanding all these passages, when inconstant Fortune turned our peace to warre, this tender Virgin would still not spare to dare to visit us, and by her our jarres have beene oft appeased, and our wants still supplyed; were it the policie of her father thus to imploy her, or the ordinance of God thus to make her his instrument, or her extraordinarie affection to our Nation, I
1 I.e., December, 1607.
2 She was consequently at the time of this letter (1616) twenty or twenty- one years old, which is confirmed by the inscription on the engraving by Simon de Passe, and on the original portrait in England, Etatis suc 21, Aº. 1616.
3 Or rather three weeks. Smith was absent from Jamestown from De- cember 10, 1607, to January 2, 1608.
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know not: but of this I am sure; when her father with the utmost of his policie and power, sought to surprize mee,1 having but eighteene with mee, the darke night could not affright her from comming through the irkesome woods, and with watered eies gave me intelligence, with her best advice to escape his furie; which had hee knowne, hee had surely slaine her. James towne with her wild traine she as freely frequented, as her fathers habitation; and during the time of two or three yeeres, she next under God, was still the instru- ment to preserve this Colonie from death, famine and utter confusion; which if in those times, had once beene dissolved, Virginia might have line2 as it was at our first arrivall to this day. Since then, this businesse having beene turned and varied by many accidents from that I left it at: it is most certaine, after a long and troublesome warre after my depar- ture, betwixt her father and our Colonie; all which time shee was not heard of. About two yeeres after 3 shee her selfe was taken prisoner, being so detained neere two yeeres longer, the Colonie by that meanes was relieved, peace concluded; and at last rejecting her barbarous condition, was maried to an English Gentleman, with whom at this present she is in England; the first Christian ever of that Nation, the first Virginian ever spake English, or had a childe in mariage by an Englishman : a matter surely, if my meaning bee truly con- sidered and well understood, worthy a Princes understanding.
Thus, most gracious Lady, I have related to your Majestie, what at your best leasure our approved Histories will account you at large, and done in the time of your Majesties life; and however this might bee presented you from a more worthy pen, it cannot from a more honest heart, as yet I never begged any thing of the state, or any: and it is my want of abilitie and her exceeding desert; your birth, meanes and authoritie ; hir birth, vertue, want and simplicitie, doth make mee thus bold, humbly to beseech your Majestie to take this knowledge of her, though it be from one so unworthy to be the reporter,
At Werowocomoco, about January 15, 1609.
2 Lain.
3 April, 1613. See above, p. 307.
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as my selfe, her husbands estate not being able to make her fit to attend your Majestie. The most and least I can doe, is to tell you this, because none so oft hath tried it as my selfe, and the rather being of so great a spirit, how ever her stature: 1 if she should not be well received, seeing this King- dome may rightly have a Kingdome by her meanes ; her present love to us and Christianitie might turne to such scorne and furie, as to divert all this good to the worst of evill: where finding so great a Queene should doe her some honour more than she can imagine, for being so kinde to your servants and sub- jects, would so ravish her with content, as endeare her dearest bloud to effect that, your Majestie and all the Kings honest subjects most earnestly desire. And so I humbly kisse your gracious hands.
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