USA > Virginia > Narratives of early Virginia, 1606-1625 > Part 27
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Captain Samuel Argall, with many English planters, prepared to make a settlement on the Hudson, but in 1623 a number of French-speaking Wal- loons came over and constituted the first regular Dutch colony in America.
1 "Old Paspahegh," where the Paspahegh Indians had their chief town previous to the arrival of the English, was the site of Argall's "Gift" or "Town."
2 Captain John Woodlief arrived in Virginia in the Margaret of Bristol on December 4, 1619, bringing the first colony for Berkeley Hundred, es- tablished by a private company of which Sir William Throckmorton, Richard Berkeley, William Tracy, George Thorpe, and John Smyth of Nibley were the leading members.
3 George Thorpe was appointed manager of the college lands (set aside this year for the support of a college), and Captain Thomas Newce manager of the company's lands.
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and leave to his Successor in like manner ; fifty to the Deputy- Governour of the College land, and fifty to the Deputy of the Companies land, fifty to the Treasurer, to the Secretary five and twenty, and more to the Marshall and Cape merchant; which they are also to leave to their successors; and likewise to every particular Officer such a competency, as he might live well in his Office, without oppressing any under their charge : which good law I pray God it be well observed, and then we may truly say in Virginia, we are the most happy people in the world.1
By me JOHN ROLFE.
There went this yeere by the Companies records, 11. ships, and 1216. persons to be thus disposed on: Tenants for the Governors land fourescore, besides fifty sent the former spring ; for the Companies land a hundred and thirty, for the College a hundred, for the Glebe land fifty, young women to make wives ninety,2 servants for publike service fifty, and fifty more whose labours were to bring up thirty of the infidels children : the rest were sent to private Plantations.
Two persons unknowne have given faire Plate and Orna- ments for two Communion Tables, the one at the College, the other at the Church of Mistris Mary Robinson,3 who towards the foundation gave two hundred pound. And another un- knowne person sent to the Treasurer five hundred and fifty pounds, for the bringing up of the salvage children in Chris- tianity. Master Nicholas Farrar deceased, hath by his Will given three hundred pounds to the College, to be paid when
1 The object of assigning men and land to the different standing officers was to save the people from being taxed for their support. The experiment, however, proved a failure, and the land thus reserved was ultimately granted away to private persons.
2 These ninety young maidens were sold with their consent to the set- tlers as wives, at the cost of their transportation, viz. : one hundred and twenty pounds of tobacco (equivalent to $500 in present currency). Cargoes of this interesting merchandise continued to arrive for many years.
3 This church was in Southampton Hundred; i.e., the country from Weya- noke to Chickahominy River. There is still preserved a cup, the gift of Mrs. Mary Robinson to this church, with the hall-mark 1617.
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there shall be ten young Salvages placed in it, in the meane time foure and twenty pound1 yeerely to bee distributed unto three discreet and godly young men in the Colony, to bring up three wilde young infidels in some good course of life; also there were granted eleven Pattents, upon condition to transport people and cattle to increase the Plantations.2
A desperat Sea-fight 3 betwixt two Spanish men of warre, and a small English ship, at the Ile of Dominica, going to Virginia, by Captaine Anthony Chester.
Having taken our journey towards Virginia in the begin- ning of February, a ship called the Margaret and John, of one hundred and sixty tuns, eight Iron Peeces and a Falcon, with eightie Passengers besides Sailers; After many tempests and foule weather, about the foureteenth of March4 we were in thirteene degrees and an halfe of Northerly latitude, where we descried a ship at hull; it being but a faire gale of wind, we edged towards her to see what she was, but she presently set saile, and ran us quickly out of sight. This made us keepe our course for Mettalina, and the next day passing Dominica, we came to an anchor at Guardalupo, to take in fresh water. Six French-men there cast away sixteene moneths agoe came aboord us; they told us a Spanish man of Warre but seven daies before was seeking his consort, and this was she we descried at hull. At Mevis we intended to refresh our selves,
1 The interest on £300 at the rate of eight per cent., a rate then usual, and made the legal rate a few years later, by 21 Jac. I. c. 17.
2 "But few performe them," says the margin.
3 This sea-fight was accounted in its day among the most notable ex- ploits of the English people. Two accounts were published, one at Am- sterdam and the other at London. In 1707 there was printed in Dutch at Leyden an account which is said to have been "narrated by a distinguished passenger." See William and Mary College Quarterly, IX. 203-214. An account also was written by Thomas Hothersall "late zityson and grocer of London being an I witness and interpreter of the exployte." Brown MS. to editor. The quotation made by Brown in his First Republic, p. 415, was doubtless from this writer.
4 The margin has the note, "1620. The Earle of Southampton Treasurer [i.e., of the Virginia Company] and Master John Ferrar Deputy."
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having beene eleven weeks 1 pestered in this unwholsome ship; but there we found two tall ships with the Hollanders colours ; but necessitie forcing us on shore, we anchored faire by them, and in friendly manner sent to hale them : but seeing they were Spaniards, retiring to our ship, they sent such a volley of shot after us, that shot the Boat, split the Oares, and some thorow the clothes, yet not a man hurt; and then followed with their great Ordnance, that many times over-racked our ship, which being so cumbred with the Passengers provisions, our Ordi- nance was not well fitted, nor any thing as it should have beene. But perceiving what they were, we fitted our selves the best we could to prevent a mischiefe. Seeing them warp them- selves to windward, we thought it not good to be boorded on both sides at an anchor; we intended to set saile, but that the Vice-Admirall battered so hard our starboord side, that we fell to our businesse, and answered their unkindnesse with such faire shot from a Demiculvering,2 that shot her betweene wind and water, whereby she was glad to leave us and her Admirall together. Comming faire by our quarter, he tooke in his Hol- land flag, and put forth his Spanish colours, and so haled us.
We quietly and quickly answered him, both what wee were, and whither bound; relating the effect of our Commission, and the cause of our comming thither for water, and not to annoy any of the King of Spaines Subjects, nor any. She commanded us amaine 3 for the King of Spaine. We replied with inlarging the particulars what friends both the Kings our Masters were; and as we would doe no wrong, we would take none. They commanded us aboord to shew our Commission; which we refused, but if they would send their Boat to us willingly they should see it. But for answer they made two great shot at us, with a volley of small shot, which caused us to leave the decks; then with many ill words they laid us aboord,4 which caused us to raise our maine saile, and give the word to our small shot which lay close and ready, that paid
1 From February to April, 1620.
2 A demi-culverin was a cannon of about 4000 pounds.
3 To lower the top-sail.
4 Ran alongside of us.
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them in such sort, they quickly retired. The fight continued halfe an houre, as if we had beene invironed with fire and smoke, untill they discovered the waste of our ship naked, where they bravely boorded us loofe for loofe, hasting with pikes and swords to enter ; but it pleased God so to direct our Captaine, and en- courage our men with valour, that our pikes being formerly placed under our halfe deck, and certaine shot lying close for that purpose under the Port holes, encountred them so rudely, that their fury was not onely rebated, but their hastinesse in- tercepted, and their whole company beaten backe. Many of our men were hurt, but I am sure they had two for one.
In the end they were violently repulsed, untill they were reinforced to charge againe by their commands, who standing upon their honors, thought it a great indignity to be so affronted, which caused a second charge, and that answered with a second beating backe: whereat the Captaine grew inraged, and con- strained them to come on againe afresh, which they did so effectually, that questionlesse it had wrought an alteration, if the God that tosseth Monarchies, and teareth Mountaines, had not taught us to tosse our Pikes with prosperous events, and powred out a volley of small shot amongst them, whereby that valiant Commander was slaine, and many of his Souldiers dropped downe likewise on the top of the hatches. This we saw with our eies, and rejoyced with it at our hearts, so that we might perceive good successe comming on, our Captaine presently tooke advantage of their discomfiture, though with much comiseration of that resolute Captaine, and not onely plied them againe with our Ordnance, but had more shot under the Pikes, which was bestowed to good purpose, and amazed our enemies with the suddennesse.
Amongst the rest, one Lucas, our Carpenters Mate, must not be forgotten, who perceiving a way how to annoy them; As they were thus puzled and in a confusion, drew out a Minion 1 under the halfe decke, and there bent it upon them in such a manner, that when it was fired, the cases of stones and
1 A small cannon weighing about 1500 pounds and shooting a four-pound ball.
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1620]
peeces of Iron fell upon them so thick, as cleared the decke, and slew many; and in short time we saw few assailants, but such as crept from place to place covertly from the fury of our shot, which now was thicker than theirs: for although as far as we may commend our enemies, they had done something worthy of commendations; yet either wanting men, or being overtaken with the unlooked for valour of our men, they now began to shrinke, and give us leave to be wanton with our advantage. Yet we could onely use but foure peece of Ord- nances, but they served the turne as well as all the rest: for she was shot so oft betweene wind and water, we saw they were willing to leave us, but by reason she was fast in the latch of our cable, which in haste of weighing our anchor hung aloofe, she could not cleare her selfe as she wrought to doe, till one cut the Cable with an axe, and was slaine by freeing us. Hav- ing beene aboord us two houres and an halfe, seeing her selfe cleere, all the shot wee had, plaied on both sides, which lasted till we were out of shot; then we discovered the Vice-Admirall comming to her assistance, who began a farre off to ply us with their Ordnances, and put us in minde we had another worke in hand. Whereupon we separated the dead and hurt bodies, and manned the ship with the rest, and were so well incouraged wee waifed them amaine.1 The Admirall stood aloofe off, and the other would not come within Falcon 2 shot, where she lay battering us till shee received another paiment from a Demiculvering, which made her beare with the shore for smooth water to mend her leakes. The next morning they both came up againe with us, as if they had determined to devour us at once, but it seemed it was but a bravado, though they forsooke not our quarter for a time within Musket shot; yet all the night onely they kept us company, but made not a shot. During which time we had leasure to provide us better than before: but God bethanked they made onely but a shew of another assault, ere suddenly the Vice-admirall fell a starne, and the other lay shaking in the wind, and so they both left
1 Signalled them to come ahead.
2 A falcon was a cannon weighing about 1000 pounds.
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us. The fight continued six houres, and was the more un- welcome, because we were so ill provided, and had no intent to fight, nor give occasion to disturbe them. As for the losse of men, if Religion had not taught us what by the providence of God is brought to passe, yet daily experience might informe us, of the dangers of wars, and perils at sea, by stormes tem- pests, shipwracks, encounters with Pirats, meeting with ene- mies, crosse winds, long voiages, unknowne shores, barbarous Nations, and an hundred inconveniences, of which humane pollicies are not capable, nor mens conjectures apprehensive. We lost Doctor Bohun,1 a worthy valiant Gentleman, (a long time brought up amongst the most learned Surgeons and Physitions in Netherlands, and this his second journey to Virginia :) and seven slaine out right; two died shortly of their wounds; sixteene was shot, whose limbs God be thanked was recovered without maime, and now setled in Virginia. How many they lost we know not, but we saw a great many lie on the decks, and their skuppers runne with bloud. They were about three hundred tunnes apeece, each 2 sixteene or twentie Brasse-peeces. Captaine Chester, who in this fight had behaved himselfe like a most vigilant, resolute, and a couragious souldier, as also our honest and valiant Master, did still so comfort and incourage us by all the meanes they could. At last, to all our great contents, we arrived in Vir- ginia, and from thence returned safely to England.3
That most generous and most honourable Lord, the Earle of Southampton, being pleased to take upon him the title of Treasurer, and Master John Farrar his Deputy, with 4 such instructions as were necessary, and admonitions to all Officers
1 Dr. Bohun received a mortal wound, and Captain Chester embraced him and exclaimed, "Oh, Dr. Bohun, what a disaster is this." The noble doctor replied, "Fight it out, my brave man, the cause is good, and the Lord receive my soul." Brown, Genesis of the United States, II. 830.
2 I.e., each had.
3 Next follows in the Generall Historie (pp. 130-138 of the original), an alphabetical list of the adventurers for Virginia, or subscribers to the Vir- ginia Company, here omitted. 4 Sent.
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1621]
to take heede of extortion, ingrosing commodities, forestalling of markets, especially to have a vigilant care,1 the familiarity of the Salvages living amongst them made them not way to betray or surprize them, for the building of Guest-houses to relieve the weake in, and that they did wonder in all this time they had made no discoveries, nor knew no more then- 2 the very place whereon they did inhabit, nor yet could ever see any returne for all this continuall charge and trouble; therefore they sent to be added to the Councell seven Gentle- men, namely Mr Thorp, Captaine Nuce, Mr Tracy, Captaine Middleton, Captaine Blount, Mr John Pountas, and Mr Harwood, with men, munition, and all things thought fitting; but they write from Virginia, many of the Ships were so pestred with diseased people, and thronged together in their passage, there was much sicknesse and a great mortality, wherefore they desired rather a few able sufficient men well provided, then great multitudes. And because there were few accidents 3 of note, but private advertisements by letters, we will conclude this yeere, and proceed to the next.
Collected out of the COUNCELS letters for Virginia.
The instructions and advertisements for this yeere 4 were both from England and Virginia, much like the last: only whereas before they had ever a suspicion of Opechankanough, and all the rest of the Salvages, they had an eye over him more then any; but now they all write so confidently of their assured peace with the Salvages, there is now no more feare nor danger either of their power or trechery; so that every man planteth himselfe where he pleaseth, and followeth his businesse securely. But the time of Sir George Yearley being neere expired, the Councel here made choise of a worthy young Gentleman Sir Francis Wyat to succeed him, whom they forthwith furnished and provided, as they had done his Prede- cessors, with all the necessary instructions all these times had
1 Supply "that." 2 Than. 3 Happenings. 4 The margin has the note, "1621. The Earle of Southampton Treasurer. Master John Ferrar Deputy."
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acquainted them, for the conversion of the Salvages; the suppressing of planting Tobacco, and planting of Corne; not depending continually to be supplied by the Salvages, but in case of necessity to trade with them, whom long ere this, it hath beene promised and expected should have beene fed and relieved by the English, not the English by them; and care- fully to redresse all the complaints of the needlesse 1 mor- tality of their people: and by all diligence seeke to send some- thing home to satisfie the Adventurers, that all this time had only lived upon hopes, grew so weary and discouraged, that it must now be substance that must maintaine their proceed- ings, and not letters, excuses and promises; seeing they could get so much and such great estates for themselves, as to spend after the rate of 100. pounds, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. nay some 2000. or 3000.2 pounds yearely, that were not worth so many pence when they went to Virginia, can scarce containe them- selves either in diet, apparell, gaming, and all manner of such superfluity, within a lesse compasse than our curious, costly, and consuming Gallants here in England, which cannot pos- sibly be there supported, but either by oppressing the Com- minalty there, or deceiving the generality here (or both).
Extracted out of the COUNCELS Letters for Virginia.
From Virginia, by the relations of the Chieftains there, and many I have conferred with, that came from thence hither, I have much admired to heare of the incredible pleasure, profit and plenty this Plantation doth abound in, and yet could never heare of any returne but Tobacco: but it hath oft amazed me to understand how strangely the Salvages hath beene taught the use of our armes, and imploied in hunting and fowling with our fowling peeces; and our men rooting in the ground about Tobacco like Swine. Besides, that the
1 It was, as observed before, a part of the council's policy to "promote " the country at the expense of the settlers.
2 Three thousand pounds sterling at that time was equivalent to $75,000 in present values.
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Salvages that doe little but continually exercise their bow and arrowes, should dwell and lie so familiarly amongst our men that practised little but the Spade; being so farre asunder, and in such small parties dispersed, and neither Fort, exercise of armes used, Ordnances mounted, Courts of guard,1 nor any preparation nor provision to prevent a forraine enemy, much more the Salvages howsoever : for the Salvages uncertaine con- formity I doe not wonder ; but for their constancy and conver- sion, I am and ever have beene of the opinion of Master Jonas Stockam 2 a Minister in Virginia, who even at this time, when all things were so prosperous, and the Salvages at the point of conversion, against all their Governours and Councels opinions, writ to the Councell and Company in England to this effect.
May 28, Master Stockams relation.
We that have left our native country to sojourne in a strange land, some idle spectators, who either cowardly dare not, or covetously will not adventure either their purses or persons in so commendable a worke; others supporting Atlas of this almost unsupportable burdens as your selves, without whose assistance this Virginia Firmament, in which some, and I hope in short time will shine many more glorious Starres, though there be many Italiannated and Spaniolized English- men envies our prosperities, and by all their ignominious scandals they can devise seekes to dishearten what they can, those that are willing to further this glorious enterprize, to such I wish according to the decree of Darius, that whosoever is an enemy to our peace, and seeketh either by getting moni- policall paten[t] s, or by forging unjust tales to hinder our wel- fare, thath is house were pulled downe, and a paire of gallowes made of the wood, and he hanged on them in the place.
1 Pickets.
2 Jonas Stockden, son of William Stockden, of Berkswell in the county of Warwick, England, author of a letter several times printed, which asserted the futility of any attempt to civilize or convert the Indians until their head men were put to death. He appears to have been the earliest expo- nent of the idea that "the only good Indian is a dead Indian."
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As for those lasie servants, who had rather stand all day idle, than worke, though but an houre in this Vineyard; and spend their substance riotously, than cast the superfluity of their wealth into your Treasury: I leave them, as they are, to the eternall Judge of the world. But you, right worthy, that hath adventured so freely; I will not examine, if it were for the glory of God, or your desire of gaine, which, it may be, you expect should flow unto you with a full tide; for the con- version of the Salvages, I wonder you use not the meanes,1 I confesse you say well to have them converted by faire meanes, but they scorne to acknowledge it; 2 as for the gifts bestowed on them they devoure them, and so they would the givers if they could: and though they 3 have endevoured by all the meanes they could by kindnesse to convert them, they finde nothing from them but derision and ridiculous answers. We have sent boies amongst them to learne their Language, but they returne worse than they went; but I am no Statesman, nor love I to meddle with any thing but my Bookes, but I can finde no probability by this course to draw them to goodnesse : and I am perswaded if Mars and Minerva 4 goe hand in hand, they will effect more good in an houre, then those verball Mer- curians5 in their lives ; and till their Priests and Ancients have their throats cut, there is no hope to bring them to conversion.
The government of Sir Francis Wyat.6
About October arrived Sir Francis Wyat, with Master George Sands,7 appointed Treasurer, Master Davison 8 Secre-
1 I.e., for their conversion. 2 I.e., the fair means.
3 Those in Virginia who were interested in the work.
4 Force and learning.
5 Messengers.
6 Sir Francis Wyatt was governor of Virginia from 1621 to 1626, and from 1639 to 1642. He was son of George Wyatt, Esquire, and grandson of Sir Thomas Wyatt, who was beheaded in the reign of Queen Mary for instigating a rebellion to prevent her marriage with Philip II. of Spain.
7 George Sandys, the poet, brother of Sir Edwin Sandys, and youngest son of the archbishop of York. While in Virginia he experimented in raising silk- worms, had charge of the glass factory, and wrote his translation of Ovid.
8 Christopher Davison, eldest son of Sir William Davison, secretary of state under Queen Elizabeth. He died before 1624.
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tary, Doctor Pot 1 the Physician, and Master Cloyburne the Surgian ; 2 but much provision was very badly conditioned, nay the Hogs would not eat that Corne they brought, which was a great cause of their sicknesse and mortality; and what- soever is said against the Virginia Corne, they finde it doth better nourish than any provision is sent thither. The Sailers- still they complaine are much to blame for imbesling the pro- visions sent to private men, killing of Swine, and disorderly trucking; for which some order would be taken.
In them nine Ships that went with Sir Francis Wyat not one Passenger died. At his arrivall he sent Master Thorpe to Opechancanough, whom hee found much satisfied with his comming, to confirme their leagues as he had done his Prede- cessors, and so contented his people should coinhabit amongst them, and hee found more motions of Religion in him than could be imagined. Every man betaking himselfe to his quarter, it was ordered, that for every head they should plant but 1000. Plants of Tobacco, and upon each plant nine leaves, which will be about 100. weight; the Corne being appointed but at two shillings and six pence the bushell, required such labour, it caused most men neglect it, and depend upon trade : where were it rated at ten shillings the bushell, every man would indevour to have plenty to sell to the new commers, or any that wanted; and seldome any is transported from Eng- land, but it standeth in as much, besides the hazard ; and other necessaries the Ships might transport of that burden. The 22. of November arrived Master Gookin out of Ireland, with fifty men of his owne, and thirty Passengers, exceedingly well furnished with all sorts of provision and cattle, and planted himselfe at Nupors-newes : 3 the Cotton trees in a yeere grew so thicke as ones arme, and so high as a man: here any thing
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