USA > Virginia > The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer isles: with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours, from their first beginning, an. 1584. To this present 1626. With the proceedings of those severall colonies > Part 10
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Necessity thus did inforce me with cight or nine, to try conclusions amongst the Saluages, that we got provision which recovered the rest being most sicke. Six weekes I was led captiuc by those Barbarians, though some of my men were slaine, and the rest fled. yet it pleased Ciol to make their great Kings daughter the meanes to returne ac safe to lames towne, and relceue our wants, and then our Commonwealth was in all eight and thirty, the remainder of one hundred and fine.
Being supplied with one hundred and twenty, with twelue men in a boat of three tuns, I spent fourteene weeks in those large waters: the contents of the way of my boat protracted
100
Of the Commodities of the Countrey.
by the skale of proportion, was about three thousand miles. besides the Riner we dwell vpon, where no Christian knowne euer was, and our diet for the most part what we could finde, yet but one died.
The Saluages being acquainted, that by command from England we durst not hurt them, were much imboldued; that famine and their insolencies did force me to breake our Commission and instructions, cause Powhatan fly his Coun- trey, and take the King of Pamuruke Prisoner; and also to keepe the King of Paspuhegh in shackles, and put his men to double taskes in chaines, till nine and thirty of their Kings paied vs contribution, and the offending Saluages sent to lumes towne to punish at our owne discretions: in the two last yeares I staid there, I had not a man slaine.
All those conclusions being not able to prevent the bad euents of pride and idienosse, bauing received another supply of seuentie, we were about two hundred in all, but not to catie work-men: In following the strict directions from Englund to doe that was impossible at that time; So it hapned, that neither wee nor they had any thing to eat, but what the Countroy afforded naturally; yet of eightie who lived vpon Oysters in June and July, with a pint of corne a week for a man lying vnder trees, and 120 for the most part liuing vpon Sturgion, which was dried til we pounded it to pow- der for meale, yet in ten weeks but seuen died.
It is true, we had of Tooles, Armes, and Munition suffici- ent, some Aquavit@, Vineger, Meale, Pease, and Oatmeale, but in two yeares and a halfe not sufficient for six months, though by the bils of loading the proportions sent vs, would woll haue contented vs, notwithstanding we sent home am- ple proofes of Pitch, 'Tar, Sope Ashes, Wainskot, Clapboord. Silke grasse, Iron Ore, some Sturgion and Glasse, Saxefras. Cedar, Cypris, and blacke Walnut, crowned Pourhoton. sought the Monacans Countrey, according to the instruc- tions sent vs, but they caused vs neglect more necessary workes: they had better haue giuen for Pitch and Sope ashes one hundred pound a tun in Denmarke: Wee also maintained fiue or six seuerall Plantations.
lames towne being burnt, wee rebuilt it and three Forts more, besides the Church and Store-house, we bad about fortic or Atie seuerall houses to keepe vs warme and dry. inuironed with a palizado of fourteene or fifteene foot, and
101
The reason Captaine Smith left the Countrey.
each as much as three or foure men could carrie. We dig- ged a faire Well of fresh water in the Fort, where wee had three Bulwarks, fonre and twenty pecce of Ordnance, of Culoering, Demiculuering, Sacar and Falcon, and most well mounted ypon convenient plat-formes. planted one hundred acres of Corne. We had but six ships to transport and sup- ply vs, and but two hundred seventy seuen men. boles. and women, by whose labours Firginio being brought to this kinde of perfection, the most difficulties past, and the foun- dation thus laid by this small incanes: yet because we had done no more, they called in our Commission, tooke a new in their owne names, and appointed vs neare as many offices and Officers as I had Souldiers, that neither knew vs nor wer them, without our consent of knowledge; since there hauc gone more then one hundred ships of other proportions, and eight or ten thousand people. Now if you please to com- pare what hath beene spent, seat, discovered and done this fifteene yeares, by that we did in the three first yeares, and euery Gouernour that hath beene there since. giue you but such an account as this, you may casily finde what hath beene the cause of those disasters in Virginia.
Then came in Captaine Argall, and Master Sedan, in a ship of Master Cornelius, to fish for Sturgion, who had such good prouision, we contracted with them for it, whereby wo were better furnished then euer.
Not long after came in seuen ships, with about three hun- dred people; but rather to supplant vs then supply vs. their Admirall with their authoritie being cast away in the Ber- mudas, very angry they were we had made no better proui- sion for them. Seuen or cight weekes we withstood the in- vndations of these disorderly homors, till I was neere blowne to death with Gun-powder, which occasioned me to returne for England.
In the veare 1609 about Michaelmas, I left the Countrey, as is formerly related, with three ships, seven Boats, Comme- dities to trade, harvest newly gathered, eight weeks proti- sion of Corne and Meale, about five hundred persons, three hundred Muskets, shot, powder, and maich, with armes for more men then we had. The Saluages their language and habitation, well knowne to two hundred expert Souliers; Nets for fishing, tooles of all sorts, appareli to supply their Sants: six Mares and a Horse, fue or six hundred wine,
4.
102. The reason why Captaine Smith left the Country.
many more Powliry, what was brought or bred, but victoall there remained.
Having spent some fine yeares, and more then five hun- dred pounds in procuring the Letters Patents and setting for- ward, and neere as much more about New England, &C === Thus these nineteene veares I baue here and there por spar- ed any thing according to my abilitie, nor the best aduice I could, to perswede how those strange miracles of misery might have been presented. which lamentable experience plainly taught me of necessity must insue. but few would belecue me till now too deerely they have paid for it. Where- fore hitherto I baue rather loft all'then vndertake imporsi- bilities, or any more such costly taskes at such chargeable rates: for in neither of those two Countries hane I one foot of Land, nor the very house I builded, not the ground I digged with my owne hands, nor euer any content or satis- faction at all, and though I see ordinarily those two Coun- tries shared before me by them that neither haue them nor knowes them, but by my descriptions: Yet that doth not so much trouble me, as to heare and see those contentions and divisions which will hazard if not ruine the prosperitie of Virginia, if present remedy bee not found, as they haue hin- dred many hundreds, who would baue been there ere now, and makes them yet that are willing to stand in a demurre.
For the Books and Maps I hauc made. I will thanke bint that will shew me so much for so little recompence, and beare with their errors till I haue done better. For the ma- terials in theni I cannot deny, but am ready to affirme them both there and here, vpon such grounds as I haue propound- ed, which is to have but. fifteene hundred men to subdue againe the Saluages, fortifie the Countrey, discouer that vet voknowne, and both defend and feed their Colony, which I most humbly refer to his Maiesties most iudiciall judgement. and the most honourable Lords of bis Priuy Councell, you his trusty and well-beloued Commissioners, and the honour- able company of Planters and well-willers to Virginia, Ne England and Sommer-Ilands.
The observations of his Muiesties Commissioners. 103
Out of these Obseraations it pleased his Maiesties Commissioners for the reformation of Virginia, to desire my answer to these seuen Questions.
Quest. 1. What conceive you is the cause the Planta- tion hath prospered no better since you left it in so good o forwardnesse?
Answ. - Idlenesse and carelesnesse brought all I did in three yeeres in six moneths to nothing, and of fue hundred I left, scarce threescore remained, and had Sir Thomas Gutes not got from the Bermudas. I thinke they had beene all dead before they could be supplied.
Quest. 2. What conceive you should be the cause, though the Country be good. there comes nothing but Tobacco?
Answ. The oft altering of Gouernours it seemes causes euery man make vse of his time, and because Corne was stinted at two shillings six pence the bushell; and Tobacco at three shillings the pound, and they value a mans labour a yeere, worth fifty or threescore pound, but in Corne not worth ten pound, presuming Tobacco will furnish them with all things: now make a mans labour in Corne worth threescore pound, and in Tobacco but ten pound a man, then shall they haue Corne sufficient to entertaine all commers, and keepe their people in health to doe any thing, but till then, there will be little or nothing to any purpose.
Quest. 3. What conceive you to have beene the cause of the Massacre, and had the Saluages had the use of any per- ces in your time, or when, or by whom they were taught?
Answ. The cause of the Massacre was the want of mar- shall discipline, and because they would have all the English had by destroying those they found so carelesly secure, that they were not provided to defend themselves against any enemy, being so dispersed as they were. In my time, though Caprime Nuport farnished them with swords by truck. and many fugitives did the like, and some Peeces they got acci- dentally, yet I got the most of them againe, and it was death to him that should shew a Saluage the vse of a Peecc .--- Since I understand they became so good shot, they were imployed for Fowlers and Huntsmen by the English.
Quest. A. Wind charge thinke you would have setled the government both for defence and planting when you left it?
104
Answer to the Commissioners Questions.
- dasw. Twenty thousand pound would haue hired good labourers and mechanicall men, and haue furnished them with cattell and all necessaries, and 100. of them would bane done more then a thousand of those that went, though the Lord Lawcare, Sir Ferdinando Waynman, Sir Thomas Gates snd Sir Thomas Dale were perswaded to the contrary, but when they had tried, they confessed their error.
Quest. 5. What conceive you would be the remedy and the charge?
Answ. . The remedy is to send Souldiers and all sorts of labourers and necessaries for them, that they may be there by next Michaelmas, the which to doe well will stand you in five thousand pound, but if his Majesty would please to lend two of his Ships to transport them, lesso would serne, besides the benefit of his grace to the action would encou- rage all men.
Quest. 6. What thinke you are the defects of the go- vernment both here and there?
Answ. The multiplicity of opinions here, and officers there, makes such delaies by questions and formalitie, that as much time is spent in complement as in action: besides, some are so desirous to imploy their ships, bauing six pounds for cuery Passenger, and three pounds for euerv tun of goods, at which rate a thousand ships may now better be procured then one at the first, when the common stocke de- frayed all fraughts, wages, prouisions and Magazines, where- by the ships are so pestred, as occasions much sickneste, diseases and mortality, for though all the Passengers die they are sure of their fraught; and then all must be satisfied with Orations, disputations, excuses and hopes. As for the letters of aduice from hence, and their answers thence, they are so well written. men would beleeue there were no great doubt of the performance, and that all things were wel, to which error here they have beene euer much subiect; and there not to belecue, or not to releeue the true and poore es- tate of that Colony, whose fruits were commonly spent be- fore they were ripe, and this losse is nothing to them here. whose great estates are not sensible of the loose of their ad- uentures, and so they thinke, or will not take notice: but it is so with all men: but howsoeuer they thinke or dispose of all things at their pleasure, I am sure not my selle onely. but a thousand others haue not onely speat the most of their
105
Answer to the Commissioners Questions.
estates, but the most part haue lost their lives and all, onely but to make way for the triall of more new conclusions, and he that now will adventure but twelve pounds ten shillings, shall haue better respect and as much favour than he thar sixteene yeare agoe aduentured as much, except he have money as the other hath, but though he haue aduentured fiue hundred pound, and spent there neuer so much time, if hee haue no more and not able to begin a family of himselfe, all-is lost by order of Court.
But in the beginning it was not so, all went then out of one purse, till those new denices baue consumed both money and purse; for at first there were but six Patentees. now more than a thousand, then but thirteene Counsailors, now not lesse then a hundred ; I speak not of all, for there are some both honourable and honest, but of those Officers, which did they manage their owne estates no better than the affaires of Vir- ginia, they would quickly fall to decay so well as it; but this is most euident, few Officers in England it hath caused to turne Banquerupts, nor for all their complaints would leave their places, neither yet any of their Officers there, nor few of the rest but they would be at home, but fewer Aduenturers here will adventure any more till they see the businesse bet- ter established, although there be some so wilfully improui- dent they care for nothing but to get thither, and then if their friends be dead, or want themselues, they die or line but poorely for want of necessaries, and to thinke the old Plan- ters can releeue them were two much simplicity; for who here in England is so charitable to feed two or three stran- gers, haue they neuer so much; much lesse in Virginia where they want for themselues. Now the generall complaint saith, that pride, couetousuesse, extortion and oppression in a few that ingrosses all, then sell all againe to the comminalty at what rate they please, yea caen men, women and children for who will giue most, occasions no small mischiefe amongst the Planters.
As for the Company, or those that doe transport them, prouided of necessaries, God forbid but they should receive their charges againe with aduantage, or that masters there should not haue the same privilege ouer their sernants as here, but to sell him or her for fortv, fifty, or threescore pounds, whom the Company hath seut ouer for eight or ten pounds at the most, without regard how they shall be main-
Vol. 2-P
106
Answer to the Commissioners Questions.
tained with apparell, ment, drinke and lodging, is odious, and their fruits sutable, therefore such merchants it were better they were made such merchandize themselues, then suffered any longer to vse that trade, and those are defects sufficient to bring a well setled Common-wealth to misery, much more Virginia.
Quest. 7. How thinke you it may be rectified?
Answ. If his Maiestie would please to-intitle it to his Crowne, and yearely that both the Gouernours here and there may giue their accounts to you, or some that are not ingaged in the businesse, that the common stocke bee not spent in maintaining one hundred men for the Gouernour, one hundred for two Deputies, fifty for the Treasurer, fue and twenty for the Secretary, and more for the Marshall and other Officers who were neuer there nor aduentured any thing, but onely preferred by fauour to be Lords ouer them that broke the ice and beat the path, and must teach them what to doe, if any thing happen well, it is their glory; if ill, the fault of the old directors, that in all dangers must endure the worst, yet not five hundred of them haue so much as one of the others; also that there bee some present course taken to maintaine a Garrison to suppresse the Saluages, till they be able to subsist, and that his Maiesty would please to remit his custome, or it is to be feared they will lose custome and all. for this cannot be done by promises, hopes, counsels and countenances, but with sufficient workmen and meanes to maintaine them, not such delinquents as here cannot be rul- ed by all the lawes in England, yet when the foundation is laid, as I haue said, and a common-wealth established, then such there may better be constrained to labour then here: but to rectifie a common-wealth with debaushed people is impossible, and no wise man would throw hinseife into such a society. that intends honestly, andi know es what he vnder. takes, for there is no Country to pillage as the Romans found: all you expect from thence must be by labour.
For the government I thinke there is as much adoe about it as the Kingdomes of Scotland and Frelund, men here conceit- ing Virginia as they are, erecting as many stately Offices as Officers with their attendants, as there are labourers in the Countrey, where a Constable were as good as twenty :: their Captain's, and three hundred good Souldies and labo- rers better then all the rest that goe onely to get the fruits o
-------- 4
.... .
107
Answer to the Commissioners Questions.
other mens labours by the title of an office. Thus they spend Michaelmas rent in Mid-summer Moone, and would gather their Haruest before they haue planted their Corne.
As for the maintenance of the Officers, the first that went neuer demanded auv. but aducatured good summes. and it seemes strange to me, the fruits of all their labours. besides the expence of an hundred and fifty thousand pounds. and such multitudes of people, those collaterall Officers could not maintaine themselues so well as the old did; and hauing now such liberty to doe as to the Saluages what they will; the others had not. I more then wonder they bane not fine hundred Saluazes to worke for them towards their generall maintenance, and as many more to returne some content and satisfaction to the Aduenturers, that for all their care, charge and diligence. can heare nor see nothing but miserable com- plaints; therefore vnder your correction to rectifie all. is with all expedition to passe the authority to them who will releeuc Them, lest all bee consumed ere the differences be determined. And except his Maiestie vndertake it, or by act of Parlia- ment some small tax may be granted throughout his Domi- nions, as a Penny vpon euery Poll, called a head-penny; two pence vpon cuery Chimney, or some such collection might be raised, and that would be sufficient to giue a good stocke and many seruants to sufficient men of any facultie, and transport them freely for paying onely homage to the Crowne of England, and such duties to the publike good as their estates increased, reason should require. Were this put in practice, how many people of what quality you please, for all those disasters would yet gladly goe to spend their lines there, and by this meanes more good might be done in one veare, then all those pety particular vndertakings will effect in twenty.
For the Patent the King may, if he please, rather take it from them that hane it, then from ys who had it first. pre- tending to his Maiesty what great matters they would doe, and how little we did, and for any thing I can conceive, had we remained still as at first. it is not likely we could have done much worse; but those oft altering of youertments are not without much charge, hazard and losse. If I be too plaine, I humbly crane your pardon; but you requested me, therefore I doc but my daty. "For the Nobility, who knowes not how freely both in then Purses and assistances many of
108 The King hath pleased to take it into his consideration.
them have beene to aduance it, committing the managing of the businesse to inferior persons, amongst whom question- lesse also many haue done their utmost best, sincerely and truly according to their conceit, opinion and vndersin hug; yer grosse errors have beene committed, but no mon noes ยท without his fauh; for my owne part, I haue so much adoe to amend my owne, I haue no leisure to look into any mans particular, but those in geuerall I conceine to be true. And so I humbly rest
Yours to command, I. S.
Thus those discords, not being to be compounded among themselues, nor vet by the extraordinary diligences, care and paines of the noble and right worthy Commissioners, Sir William Jones, Sir Nicholas Fortescue, Sir Francis Goston, Sir Richard Sutton, Sir Henry Bourgchier and Sir William Pit: a Corante was granted against Master Deputy Farrar, and 20. or 30. others of that party to plead their causes be- fore the right Honourable, the Lords of his Maiesties Priny Councell: now notwithstanding all the Relations, Examina- tions, and intercepting of all Letters whatsoever came from thence, yet it seemes they were so farre vnsatisfied and de- sired to know the truth, as well for the preseruation of the Colonv, as to give content and doe all men right, they sent two Commissioners strictly to examine the true estate of the Colony. Vpon whose returne after mature deliberation, it pleased his royall Maiestie to suppresse the course of the Conrt at Deputy Farrars. and that for the present ordering the affairs of Virginia, vatill he should make a more full settlement thereof, the Lord Viscount Mandeuile, Lord Pre- sident of his Maiesties Priuie Councell, and also other Priuv Councellors, with many vnderstanding Knights and Gentle- men, should euery Thursday in the afternoone meet at Sir Thomas Smiths in Philpot lane, where all men whom it should concerne may repaire, to receive such directions and warrant for their better security, as more at large you may see in the Proclamation to that effect, under the great Seale of England, dated the 15. of Iulv, 1624. But as for the relations last returned, what numbers they are, how many Cities, Corporations, townes, aud houses, cattle and horse they baue, what fortifications or discoveries they have made, or reuenge vpon the Saluages; who are their friends or foes,
The King hath pleased to take it into his consideration. 100-10
or what Commodities they have more then Tobacco, and their present estate or what is presently to be put in execu . tion, in that the Commissioners are not vet fully satisfied in the one, nor resolued in the other, at this present time when this went to the Presse, I must entreat you pardon me till I be better assured.
Thus far I have travelled in this Wildernesse of Virginia, not being ignorant for all my paines this discourse will be wrested, tossed and turned as many waies as there is lanes: that I haue writ too much of some, too little of others, and many such like objections. To sach I must answer, in the Companies name I was requested to doc it. if any haue con- cealed their approued experiences from my knowledge, they must excuse me: as for enery fatherles or stolne relation, or whole volumes of sofisticated rehearsals, I leaue them to the charge of them that desire them. I thanke God I never vndertooke any thing yet any could tax me of carelesnesse . or dishonesty, and what is hee to whom I am indebted or troublesome? Ah! were these my accusers but to change cases and places with me but 2. veeres, or till they had done but so much as I. it may be they would indge more cheri- tably of my imperfections. But here I must leaue all to the triall of time, both my selfe, Virginia's preparations, pro- ceedings and good euents, praying to that great God the pro- tector of all goodnesse to send them as good successe as the goodnesse of the action and Country doserueth, and my heart desireth.
FINIS.
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THE FIFTH BOOKE.
THE GENERALL HISTORIE
OF THE
BERMUDAS
NOW CALLED
THE SUMMER ILES,
FROM THEIR BEGINNING IN THE VEERE OF OUR LORD 1593. TO THIS PRESENT 1621. WITH THEIR PROCEEDINGS, ACCIDENTS AND PRESENT ESTATE.
BEFORE we present vou the matters of fact, it is fit to offer to your view the Stage whereon they were acted, for as Ge- ography without History seemeth a carkasse without motion, so History without Geography, wandereth as a Vagrant with- out a certaine habitation. Those Ilands lie in the huge maine Ocean, and two hundred leagues from any continent, situated in 32. degrees and 25. minutes, of Northerly lati- tude, and distant from England West South-West, about 3300. miles, some twenty miles in length, and not past two miles and a halfe in breadth. enuironed with Rocks, which to the North-ward, West-ward, and South-East, extend fur- ther then they haue bin yet well disconered: by reason of those Rocks the Country is naturally very strong, for there is but two places, and scarce two, volesse to them who know them well, where shipping may safely come in, and those now are exceeding well fortified, but within is roome to en- tertaine a royall Fleet: the Rocks in most places appeare at a low water, neither are they much couered at high, for it ebbs and flowes not past fue foot: the shore for most part is a Rocke, so hardned with the Sunne, wind and sea, that it is not apt to be worun away with the wsaues, whose violence is also broke by the Rent : before they can come to the shore:
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