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 2
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
The fertiliti , of the soile, the temperature of the climate, the ferme of :ouernment, the condition of our people, their daily inuocating of the Name of God being thus expressed;
7
Sir George Summers returne to the Bermudas.
why should the successe, by the rules of mortall judgement, bee disparaged? why should not the rich haruest of our hopes be seasonably expected? I dare say, that the resolution of Cæsar in France, the designes of Alexander, the discoueries of Hernando Cortes in the West, and of Emanuel King of Portugall in the East, were not encouraged ypon so firme grounds of state and possibilitie.
But his Lordship being at the fales, the Salvages assault- ed his troopes and slew three or foure of his men. Not long after, his Honour growing very sicke, he returned for Eng- land the 28. of March; in the ship were about fiue and fiftie men, but ere we arrived at Fyall, fortie of vs were neare sicke to death, of the Scuruie, Callenture, and other diseases: the Gouernour being an English-man, kindly vsed vs, but small reliefe we could get, but Oranges, of which we had plenty, whereby within eight daies wee recouered, and all were well and strong by that they came into England. Written by William Box.
The Counsell of Virginia finding the smalnesse of that re- turne which they hoped should haue defrayed the charge of a new supply, entred into a deep consultation, whether it were fit to enter into a new Contribution, or in time to send for them home, and giue ouer the action, and therefore they ad- iured Sir Thomas Gates to deale plainly with them, who with a solemne and sacred onth replyed, That all things before reported were true, and that all men know that wee stand at the deuotion of politicke Princes and. States, who for their proper vtilitie, deuise all courses to grind our Merchants, and by all pretences to confiscate their goods, and to draw from vs all inanner of gaine by their inquisitive inuentions, when in Virginia, a few years labour by planting and husbandry, will furnish all our defects with honour and securitie. Out of a Declaratiou published by the Counsell, 1610.
8
The government of Cuptaine George Piercie.
The government left againe to Captaine George Pier- cie, and the return of the Lord la Ware, with his relation to the Councell.
MY Lords, now by accident returned from my charge at Virginia, contrary either to my owne desire, or other mens expectations, who spare not to censure me, in point of dutie, and to discourse and question the reason, though they appre- hend not the true cause of my returne, I am forced out of a willingnesse to satisfie euery man, to doliuer vnto your Lord- ships and the rest of this assemiblie, in what state I haue lig- ed euer since my arriuall to the Colonie, what hath beenc the iust cause of my sudden departure, and on what tearmes I have left the same, the rather because I porceiuc, that since my comming into England, such a coldnosso and irresolu- tion is bred in many of the Adventurers, that some of them seeke to withdraw their payments, by which the action must be supported, making this my returne colour of their need- lesse backwardnesse and vniust protraction: which that you may the better understand, I was welcomed to James towne by a violent ague; being cured of it, within three weekes af- ter I began to be distempered with other grieuous sicknesses which successively and sonerally assailed me, for besides a relapse into the former disease, which with much more vio- lence held me more than a moneth, and brought me to great- er weaknesse: the flux surprised mee, and kept me many daies, then the crampe assaulted my weake body with strong paines, and after the gout; all those drew me to that weak- nesse, being vnable to stirre, brought vpon me the scuruie, which though in others it be a sicknesse of slothfulnesse, vet was it in me an effect of weaknesse, which neuer left me, till I was ready to leaue the world.
In these extremities I resolued to consult with my friends, who finding nature spent in me, and my body almost con- sumed, my paines likewise daily increasing, gaue me aduice to preferre a hopefull recouerie, before an assured ruine, which must necessarily haue ensued, had I liued but twentie daies longer in Virginia, wanting at that instant both food and Physicke, fit to remedie such extraordinary diseases; wherefore I shipped my selfe with Doctor Bohun and Cap- taine Argall, fe : Meuis in the West Indies, but being crossed with Southerl; winds. I was forced to shape my course for
9
The gouernment surrendered to Sir Thomas Dale.
the Westerne Iles, where I found helpe for my health, and my sicknesse asswaged, by the meanes of fresh dyet, especi- ally Oranges and Limons, and vndoubted remedie for that disease: then I intended to haue returned backe againe to Vir- ginia, but I was aduised not to hazard my selfe, before I had perfectly recouered my strength: so I came for England; in which accident, I doubt not but men of judgement will im- agine, there would more prejudice haue happened by my death there, than I hope can doe by my returne.
For the Colony I left it to the charge of Captaine George Piercie, a Gentleman of honour and resolution, vitill the comming of Sir Thomas Dale, whose Commission was like- wise to bee determined vpon the arriuall of Sir Thomas Gates, according to the order of your Lordships appomted: the number I left were about two hundred, the most in health, and prouided of at least ten moneths victuall, and the Coun- trie people tractable and friendly. What other defects they had, I found by Sir Thomas Gates at the Cowes; his Fleet was sufficiently furnished with supplies, but when it shall please God that Sir Thomas Dale, and Sir Thomas Gates shall arriue in Virginia with the extraordinarie supply of 100. Kine, and 200, Swine, besides store of other prouision, for the maintenance of the Colonie, there will appeare that successe in the action, as shall giue no man cause of distrust, that hath already aduentured, but incourage euery good minde to further so good a workc, as will redound both to the glory of God, to the credit of our nation, and the comfort of all those that have beene instruments in the furthering of it. Out of the Lord la Wares discourses, published by Au- thoritie, 1611.
The gouernment surrendered to Sir Thomas Dale, who arrived in Virginia the tenth of May, 1611. out of MMaster Hamors Booke.
BEFORE the Lord la Ware arrived in England, the Coun- cell and Companie had dispatched away Sir Thomas Dale with three ships, men and cattell, and all other prouision necessarie for a ver: all wynich arrived well the tenth of Vol. 2-€
10 The government surrendered to Sir Thomas Dale.
May 1611. where he found them growing againe to their former estate of penuric, being so improuident as not to put Corne in the ground for their bread, but trusted to the store, then furnished but with three months prouision; his first care therefore was to imploy all hands about setting of Corne, at the two Forts at Kccoughtan, Henry and Charles, whereby the season then not fully past, though about the end of May, wee had an indifferent crop of good Corne.
This businesse taken order for, and the care and trust of it committed to his vnder-Officers, to James towne he hasteni- ed, where most of the companie were at their daily and vsuall works, bowling in the streets; these hee imploved about ne- cessarie workes, as felling of Timber, repayring their houses ready to fall on their heads, and prouiding pales, posts and railes, to impale his purposed new towne, which by reason of his ignorance, being but newly arrived, hee had not resolu- ed where to seat; therefore to better his knowledge, with one hundred men he spent some time in viewing the Riuer of Nausamund, in despight of the Indians then our enemies; then our owne River to the Fales, where vpon a high land, inuironed with the maine Riner, some twelue miles from the Fales, by Arsahottock he resolued to plant his new towne.
It was no small trouble to reduce his people so timely to good order, being of's . ill a condition, as may well witnesse his seueritie and strick imprinted booke of Articles, then needfull with all extremitie to be executed; now much mitiza- ted; so as if his Lawes had not beene so strickly executed, I see not how the ytter subuersion of the Colonie should haue beene preuented, witnesse Webbes and Prices designe the first yeere, since thit of Abbots, and others, more dangerous than the former. Here I entreat your patience for an Apo- logie, though not a pardon. This Jeffrey Abbots, how euer this Author censures him; and the Gouerpour executes him. I know he had long served both in Ireland and Netherlands. here hee was a Sargeant of my Companie, and I neuer saw in Virginia a more sufficient Souldier, lesse turbulent, a bet- ter wit, more hardy or industrious, nor any more forward to cut off them that sought to abandon the Countrie, or wrong the Colonie: how ingratefully those deserts might bee re- warded, enu ed or neglected, or his farre inferiors prefered to ouer-top hin, I know not, but such occasions might moue a Saint, much more a man, to an vnaduised passionate impatience,
11
The government returned to Sir Thomas Gates.
but how euer, it seemes he hath beene punished for his offences, that was neuer rewarded for his deserts. And cuen this Summer Cole and Kichins plot with three more, bending their course to Ocanahowan, fiue daies journey from vs, where they report are Spaniards inhabiting. There were cut off by the Saluages, hired by vs to hunt them home to receive their deserts: So as Sir Thomas Dale bath not beene so ty- rannous nor seuere by the halfe, as there was occasion, and just cause for it and though the manner was not vsuall, wee were rather to haue regard to those, whom we would haue terrified and made fearefull to commit the like offences, than to the offenders iustly condemned, for amongst them so hard- ned in cuill, the feare of a cruell, painfull and vousuall death more restraines them, than death it selfe. Thus much I haue proceeded of his endeuours, vatill the comming of Sir Tho- mas Gates, in preparing himselfe to procced as he intended.
Now in England againe to second this noble Knight, the Counsell and Companie with all possible expedition prepared for Sir Thomas Gates six tall ships, with three hundred men, and one hundred Kine and other Cattell, with munition and all other manner of prouision that could be thought needfull; and about the first or second of August, 1611. arrived safely at lames towne.
The government returned againe to Sir Thomas Gates, 1611.
THESE worthy Knights being met, after their welcoming salutations, Sir Thomas Dale acquainted him what he had done, and what he intended, which designe Sir Thomas Gates well approuing, furnished him with three hundred and fiftie men, such ashimselfe made choice of. In the beginning of September, 1611. hee set saile, and arrived where hoe in- tended to build his new towne: within ten or twelve daies he had ineironed it with a pale, and in honour of our noble Prince Henry, called it Henrico. The next worke he did, was building at each corner of the Towne, a high command- ing Watch-house, a Church, and Store-houses; which finish- ed, hee began to thinke vpon convenient houses for himselfe
-
- .
- -
-
1º
The government returned to Sir Thomas Gates.
and men, which with all possible speed hec could he effected, to the great content of his companie, and all the Colonie.
This towne is situated vpon a necke of a plaine rising land, three parts inuironed with the maine Riuer, the necke of land well impaled, makes it like an Ile; it hath three streets of well-framed houses, a handsome Church, and the foundation of a better laid, to bee built of Bricke, besides Store-houses, Watch-houses, and such like: Vpon the verge of the Riuer there are fiue houses, wherein live the honester sort of pro- ple. as Farmers in England, and they keepe continuall cen- tinell for the townes securitie. `About two miles from the towne, into the Maine, is another pale, neere two miles in length, from River to River. guarded with seuerall Comman- ders, with a good quantity of Corne-ground impailed, sufti- ciently secured to maintaine more than I suppose will come this three yeeres.
On the other side of the River, for the securitie of the towne, is intended to be impaled for the securitie of our Hogs, about two miles and a halfe, by the name of Hope in Faith, and Corendale, secured by five of our manner of Forts, which are but Palisodoes, called Charitie Fort, Mount Malado, a guest house for sicke people, a high seat and wholesome aire, Elisabeth Fort, and Fort Patience: And here hath Master Whitaker chosen his Parsonage, impailed a faire framed Parsonage, and one hundred acres called Rockc hall, but these are not haife finished.
About Christmas following, in the same yeere 1611. in re- gard of the iniurie done vs by them of Apamatuk, Sir Tho- mas Dale, without the losse of any, except some few Salua- ges, tooke it and their Corne, being but fiue myles by land from Henrico, and considering how commodious it might be for vs, resolued to possessé and plant it, and at the instant called it new Bermudas, whereunto hee hath laid out and an- nexed to the belonging freedome and corporation for euer, many miles of Champian and Woodland ground in seuerall hundreds, as the ypper and nether hundreds, Rochdale hun- dred, West Sherly hundred, and Digs his hundred. In the nether hundred he first began to plant, for there is the most Corne-ground, and with a pale of two miles, cut ouer from Riuer to River, whereby wo haue secured eight English miles in compasse; vpon which circuit, within halfe a hule of each other, are many faire houses already built, besides
-
13
How Pocahontas was taken Prisoner.
particular mens houses neere to the number of fiftie. Roch- dale, by a crosse pale welnigh foure miles long, is also plan- ted with houses along the pale, in which hundred our Hogs and Cattell haue twentie miles circuit to graze in securely. The building of the Citie is referred till our haruest be in. which he intends to make a retreat against any forraignc enemy.
About fiftie miles from these is Iames towne, vpon a fertill peninsula, which although formerly scandaled for an vnhealth- full aire, wee finde it as healthfull as any other part of the Coun- trie; it hath two rowes of houses of framed timber, and some of them two stories, and a garret higher, three large Store-houses joined togetherin length, and hee hath newly strongly impaled the towne. This Ile, and much ground about it, is much inha- bited: To Kecoughtan we accounted it fortie miles, where they liue well with halfe that allowance the rest haue from the store, because of the extraordinario quantitie of Fish, Fowle and Deere; as you may reade at large in the Discoueries of Cap- taine Smith. And thus I haue truly rlated vnto you the pre- sent estate of that small part of Virginia wee frequent and possesse.
Since there was a ship fraughted with prouision, and fortic men; and another since then with the like number and pro- uision, to stay twelue moneths in the Countrie, with Captaine Argall, which was sent not long after. After hec had reere- ated and refreshed his Companie, he was sent to the River Patawomeake, to trade for Corne, the Saluages about vs hau- ing small quarter, but friends and foes as they found aduan- tage and opportunities: But to conclude our peace, thus it happened. Captaine Argull hauing entred into a great ac- quaintance with Japaraws, an old friend of Captaine Smiths, and so to all our Nation, euen since hee discouered the Coun- trie: hard by him there was Pocahontas, whom Captaine Smiths Relations intituleth the Numparell of Virginia, and though she had beene many times a preseruer of him and the whole Colonie, yet till this accident shee was neuer seene at lumes towne since his departure, being at Potorromeke, as it seemes, thinking her selfe vuknowne, was easily by her friend lapazais perswaded to goe abroad with him and his wife to see the ship, for Captaine Argall had promised him a Copper Kettle to bring her but to him, promising no way to hurt her, but keepe her till they could conclude a peace
14
How Pocahontas was taken Prisoner.
with her father; the Saluage for this Copper Kettle would haue done any thing. it seemed by the Relation: for though she had seene and beene in many ships, yet hee caused his wife to faine how desirous she was to see one, and that he offered to beat her for her importunitie, till she wept. But at last he told her, if Pocahontas would goe with her, hee was content: and thes they betraied the poore innocent Po- cahontas aboord, where they were all kindly feasted in the Cabbin. lapusuis treading off on the Captaines foot, to remember he had done his part, the Captaine when he saw his time, perswaded Pocahontas to the Gun-roome, faining to have some conference with Japasares, which was onely that she should not perceive hee was any way guiltie of her eaptiuitie: so sending for her againe, hee told her before her friends, she must goe with him, and compound peace betwixt her Countrie and vs, before she euer should see Powhatan, whereat the old lew and his wife began to howle and crie as fast as Pocahontas, that vpon the Captaines faire perswasions, by degrees pacifying her selfe, and lapazaws and his wife, with the Kettle and other toies, went merrily on shore, and shee to lames towne. A messenger forthwith was sent to her father, that his daughter Pocahontas he loued so dearly, he must ransome with our men, swords, peeces, tooles, &c. hee trecherously had stolne.
This vawelcome newes much troubled Powhatan, because hee loued both his daughter and our commodities well, yet it was three months after ere hee returned vs any an- swer: then by the perswasion of the Councell, he returned seuen of our men, with each of them an vnserviceable Mus- ket. and sent vs word, that when we would deliner his daugh- ter, hee would make vs satisfaction for all inivries done vs, and give vs five hundred bushels Corne, and for euer be friends with vs. That he sent, were received in part of pay- ment, and returned him this answer: That his daughter should be well vsed, but we could not beleeue the rest of our armes were either lost or stolne from him, and therefore till he sent them, we would keepe his daughter.
This answer, it seemed much displeased him, for we heard no more from him for a long time after, when with Captainc Argal: ship, and some other vessels belonging to the Colonie, Sir Thomas Dale, with a hundred and fiftie men well ap- pointed, went vp into his owne River, to his chiefe habitation.
a+++
15
How Pocahontas was taken Prisoner.
with his daughter: with many scornfull brauado's they affronted vs, proudly demanding why wee came thither; our reply was, Wee had brought his daughter, and to receive the ransome for her that was promised, or to have it perforce .- They nothing dismayed thereat, told vs, We were welcome if wee came to fight, for they were provided for vs, but ad- uised vs, if wee loued our lives to retiro; else they would vse vs as they had done Captaine Ratcliffe: We told them, we would presently haue a better answer; but we were no soon- er within shot of the shore than they let flie their, Arrowes among vs in the ship.
Being thus uniustly prouoked, wee presently manned our Boars, went on shore, burned all their houses, and spoiled all they had we could finde; and so the next day proceeded high- or vp the River, where they demanded why wee burnt their houses, and wee, why they shot at vs: They replyed, it was some straggling Saluage, with many other excuses, they in- tended no hurt, but were our friends: We toldt them, we came not to hurt them, but visit them as friends also. Vpon this we concluded a peace, and forthwith they dispatched messen- gers to Powhatan, whose answer, they told vs, wee mast ex- pect fourc and twentie houres ere the messengers could re- turne: Then they told vs, our men were runne away for feare we would hang them, yet. Porchatans men were runne after them; as for our Swords and Peeces, they should be brought vs the next day, which was onely but to delay time: for the next day they came not. Then we went higher, to a house of Powhatans, called Matchot, where we saw about foure hundred men well appointed; here they dared vs to come on shore, which wee did; no shew of feare they made at all, nor offered to resist our landing, but walking boldiy vp and downe amongst vs, demanded to conferre with our Capraine. of his comming in that manner, and to haue truce till they could but once more send to their King to know bis pleasure, which if it were not agreeable to their expectation, then they would fight with vs, and defend their owne as they could. which was but onely to deferre the time, to carrie away their prouision; yet we promised them truce till the next day at noone, and then if they would fight with vs, they should know when we would begin by our Drums and Trumpets.
Vpon this promise, two of the Powhatans sonnes came vn- to vs to see their sister, at whose sight, seeing her well,
16
The marrirge of Pocahontas.
though they heard to the contrarie, they much reioiced, pro- mising they would perswade her father to redeeme her, and for euer be friends with vs. And vpon this, the two bre- thren went aboord with vs, and we sent Master John Rolfe and Master Spurkes to Powhatan, to acquaint him with the businesse; kindly they were entertained, but not admitted the presence of Powhatan, but they spoke with Opechaugca- nough, his brother and successor; hee promised to doe the best he could to Powhatan, all might be well. So it being Aprill, and time to prepare our ground and set our Corne, we returned to James Towne, promising the forbearance of their performing their promise, till the next haruest.
Long before this, Master John Rolfe, an honest Gentleman, and of good bebauiour, had beene in loue with Pocahontas, and she with him, which thing at that instant I made knowne to Sir Thomas Dale by a letter from him, wherein hee in- treated his aduice and she acquainted her brother with it, which resolution Sir Thomas Dale well approued: the brute of this mariage came soone to the knowledge of Powhatan. a thing acceptable to him, as appeared by his sudden consent, for within ten daies he sent Opachisco, an old Vncle of hers, and two of his sons, to see the manner of the mariage, and to doe in that behalte what they were requested, for the contir- mation thereof, as his deputie; which was accordingly done about the first of Aprill: And euer since wee haue had friend .- ly trade and commerce, as well with Powhatan himselfe, as all his subiects.
Besides this, by the meanes of Powhatan, we became in league with our next neighbours, the Chicahamanias, a lus- tie and a daring people, free of themselues. These people, so soone as they heard of our peace with Powhatan, sent two messengers with presents to Sir Thomas Dale, and of- fered him their seruice, excusing all former iniuries, hereafter they would euer be King James his subiects, and relinquish the name of Chickahamaniu, to be called Tassautessus, as they call vs, and Sir Thomas Dale their Gouernour, as the Kings Deputic; onely they desired to be gouerned by their owne Lawes, which is eight of their Elders as his substi- tutes. This offer he kindly accepted, and appointed the diy he would come to visit them.
When the appointed day came, Sir Thomas Dale and Captaine Argall with fiftie men well appointed, went to
17
The Articles of peace.
Chickahumania, where wee found the people expecting our comming, they vsed vs kindly, and the next morning sate in counsell, to conclude their peace vpon these conditions.
First, they should for euer bee called Englishmen, and bee true subiects to King James and his Deputies.
Secondly, neither to kill nor detaine any of our men, nor cattell, but bring them home.
Thirdly, to bee alwaies ready to furnish es with three hun- dred men, against the Spaniards or any.
Fourthly, they shall not enter our townes, but send word they are new Englishmen.
Fiftly, that euery fighting man, at the beginning of harvest, shall bring to our store two bushels of Corne, for tribute, for which they shall receive so many Hatchets.
Lastly, the eight chiefe men should see all this performed, or receive the punishment themselves: for their deligence they should have a red coat, a copper chaine, and King James his picture, and be accounted his Noblemen.
All this they concluded with a generall assent, and a great shout to confirme it: then one of the old men began an Ora- tion, bending his speech first to the old men, then to the young, and then to the women and children, to make them vnderstand how strickly they were to obserue these condi- tions, and we would defend them from the furie of Powhatan, or any enemie whatsoeuer, and furnish them with Copper, Beads, and Hatchets; but all this was rather for feare Pow- hatan and we, being so linked together, would bring them againe to his subiection: the which to preuent, they did rather chuse to be protected by vs, than tormented by him, whom they held a Tyrant. And thus wee returned againe to James towne.
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.