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 3
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When our people were fed out of the common store, and laboured jointly together, glad was he could slip from his labour, or slumber ouer his taske he cared not how, nay the most honest among them would hardiv take so much true paines in a weeke, as now for themselues they will doe in a day, neither cared they for the increase, presuming that low- soquer the harvest prospered, the generall store. must main- taine them, so that wee reaped not so much Corne from the labours of thirtie, as now three or foure doe prcuide for them- selues. To prevent which, Sir That & D. le bath Hoved enery man three Acres of cleare ground, in the nature of Vol. 2-D
18
The government left to Sir Thomas Dale.
Farmes, except the Bermudas, who are exempted, but for one moneths seruice in the yeere, which must neither bee in seed-time, nor haruest; for which doing, no other dutie they pay yeerely to the store, but two barrels and a halfe of Corne (from all those Farmers, whereof the first was William Spence, an honest, valiant, and an industrious man, and hath continued from 1607. to this present) from those is expected such a con- tribution to the store, as wee shall neither want for onr selues, nor to entertaine our supplies; for the rest, they are to worke eleven moneths for the store, and hath one moneth onely allowed them to get prouison to keepe them for twelue, ex- cept two bushels of Corne they haue out of the store; if those can live so, why should any ferre staruing, and it were much better to denie them passage, that would not ere they come, bee content to ingage themselves to those conditions: for one- ly from the slothfull and idle drones, and none else, hath sprung the manifold imputations, Virginia innocently hath vndergone; and therefore I would deter such from comming here that cannot well brooke labour, except they will vnder- goe much punishment and penurie, if they escape the skuruie, but for the industrious, there is reward sufficient, and if any thinke there is nothing but bread, I referre you to his relations that discouered the Countrie first.
The government left to Sir Thomas Dale apon Sir Thomas Gates returne for England.
SIR Thomas Dale vnderstanding there was a plantation of Frenchmen in the north part of Virginia, about the degrees of 45. sent Captaine Argall to Port Royal and Santa Cruz, where finding the Frenchmen abroad dispersed in the Woods, surprized their Ship and Pinnace, which was but newly come from France, wherein was much good apparell, and other prouision, which he brought to James towne but the men escaped, and lived among the Saluages of those Coun- trics.
It pleased Sir Thomas Dale, before iny returne to England, because I wo ild be able to speake somewhat of my owne knowledge, o giue mee leane to visit Powhatan and his Court: being prouided, I had Thomas Saluage with mee,
19
The government left to Sir Thomas Dale.
for my Interpreter, with him and two Saluages for guides, I went from the Bermuda in the morning, and came to Matchot the next night, where the King lay vpon the Riuer of Pamaruke; his entertainment was strange to me, the boy he knew well. and told him; My child, I gaue you leane, be- ing my boy, to goe sce your friends, and these foure yeeres I have not seene vou, nor heard of my owne man Namou- tack I sent to England, though many ships since haue beene returned thence: Hauing done with him, hee began with mee, and demanded for the chaine of pearle he sent his brother Sir Thomas Dule at his first arriuall, which was a token be- twixt them when euer hee should send a messenger from himselfe to him, he should weare that chaine about his necke, since the peace was concluded, otherwaies he was to binde him and send him home.
It is true Sir Thomas Dale had sent him such word, and gaue his Page order to giue it me, but he forgot it, and till this present I neuer heard of it, yet I replyed I did know there was such an order, but that was when vpon a sudden he should haue occasion to send an Englishman without an Indian Guide: but if his owne people should conduct his messenger, as two of his did me who knew my message. it was sufficient; with which answer he was contented, and so conducted vs to his house, where was a guard of two hun- dred Bow-men, that alwaies attend his person. The first thing he de did, he offered me a pipe of Tobacco, then asked mee how his brother Sir Thomas Dale did, and his daughter, and vnknowne sonne, and how they liued, loued and fixed; I told him his brother was well, and his daughter so content- ed, she would not liue againe with him: whereat he laughed, and demanded the cause of my comming: I told him my mes- sage was priuate, and I was to deliver it onely to bimsche and Papaschicher, one of my guides that was acquainted with it; instantly he commanded all out of the house, but onely his two Queenes, that alwaies sit by him, and bade me speake on.
I told him, by my Interpreter, Sir Thomas Dale hath sent you two pieces of Copper, fine strings of white and blue Beads, five woodden Combes, ten Fish-hookes. a pure of Kuiues, and that when you would send for it, hee would giue vou a Grind-stone: all this pleased Bim: But then i told him his brother Dal. hearing of the name of his youngest
20
The government left to Sir Thomas Dale.
daughter, desiring in any case he would send her by me vnto him, in testimonie of his loue, as well for that he intended to marry her, as the desire her sister had to see her, because being now one people, and hee desirous for cuer to dwell in his Countrie, he conceived there could not be a truer assur- ance of peace and friendship, than in such a naturall band of an vnited vnion.
I needed not entreat his answer by his oft interrupting mee in my speech, and presently with much grauitie he thus re- plyed.
I gladly accept your salute of loue and peace, which while I liue, I shall exactly keepe, his pledges thereof I receive with no lesse thanks, although they are not so ample as for- merly he had received; but for my daughter, I have sold her within this few dajes to a great Werowance, for two bushels of Rawrenoke, three daies fournie from me. I replyed, I knew his greatnesse in restoring the Rawrenoke, might call her againe to gratifie his brother, and the rather, because she was but twelue veeres old, assuring him, besides the band of peace, hee should haue for her, three times the worth of the Rawrenoke, in Beads, Copper, Hatchets, &c. His answer was, he loued his daughter as his life, and though hee had many children he delighted in none so much as shee, whom if he should not often behold, he could not possibly liue, which she living with vs be could not do, hauing re- solued vpon no termes to put himselfe into our hands, or come amongst vs; therefore desired me to vrge him no fur- ther, but returne his brother this answer: That I desire no former assurance of his friendship, than the promise hee hatn made, from me he hath a pledge, one of my daughters, which so long as she lives shall be sufficient, when she dies, he shall haue another: I hold it not a brotherly part to de- sire to bereaue me of my two children at once. Farther, tell him though he had no pledge at all, hee need not dis- trust any iniurie from me or my people; there have beene too many of his men and mine slaine, and by my occasion there shall neuer be more, (I which haue power to performe it, haue said it) although I should have just cause, for I am now old, and would gladly end my daies in peace; if you of- fer me iniurie, my countrie is large enough to goe from you: Thus much I hope will satisfie my brother. Now because you are wearie, and I sleepie, wee will thus end. So
1
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. ... . .
William Parkers recouerie from among the Saluages. 21
commanding vs victuall and lodging, we rested that night, and the next morning he came to visit vs, and kindly conducted vs to the best cheere hee had. William Parker.
While I here remained, by chance came an Englishman, whom there had beene surprized three yeeres agoe at Fort Henry, growne so like, both in complextion and habit like a Saluage, I knew him not, but by his tongue: hee desired mee to procure his libertie, which l'intended, and so farre vrged Powhatan, that he grew discontented, and told mee, You hauc one of my daughters, and I am content, but you cannot sec one of your men with mec, but you must haue him away. or breake friendship; if you must needs haue him, you shall goe home without guides, and if any euill befall you, thanke your selues: I told him I would, but if I returned not well. hec must expect a reuinge, and his brother might haue iust cause to suspect him. So in passion he left me till supper, and then gane me such as hee had with a cheerfull counte- nance: About midnight hee awaked vs, and promised in the morning my returne with Parker; but I must remember his brother to send him ten great pieces of Copper, a Shauing- knife, a Frowe, a Grindstone, a Net, Fish hookes, and such toies; which lest I should forget, he caused me write in a ta- ble-booke he had; how euer he got it, it was a faire one I desired hee would giue it me; he told me, no, it did him much good in shewing to strangers, yet in the morning when we departed, hauing furnished vs well with prouision, he gauc each of vs 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 neuer had desire to goe to her father, nor could well endure the society of her owne nation: the true affection she con- stantly bare her husband was much, and the strange appari- tions violent passions he endured for her loue, as he deeply protested, was wonderfull, and she openly renounced her countries idolatry, confessed the faith of Christ, and was bap- tized. but either the coldnesse of the aduenturers, or the bad
22 William Parkers recouerie from among the Saluages.
vsage of that was collected, or both, caused this worthy Knight to write thus. Oh why should so many Princes and Nobleman ingage themselues, and thereby intermedling here- in, hane 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 perseuere; if otherwise, yot their ho- nour ingageth them to be constant; howsoeuer they stand af- fected, here is enough to content them. These are the things hane animated me to stay a little season from them, I am bound in conscience to returne vnto; leading all contenting pleasures and mandall delights, to reside here with much turmoile, which I will rather doe than see Gods glory dimi- nished, ny Fing and Country dishonoured, and these poore soules I haue in charge reniued, which would quickly happen if I should leave them; so few I have with me fit to com- mand 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 themselues 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, Iune 18. 1614.
The businesse being brought to this perfection, Captaine Argall returned for England, in the latter end of June, 1614. ariuing in England, and bringing this good tidings to the Councell and company by the assistance of Sir Thomas Gutes, 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 conueniency, and that posterity may remember vpon occasion to vse the like according to the de- claration, I thinke ir not amisse to remember thus much.
23
The declaration of the Lottery.
The Contents of the declaration of the Lottery pub- lished by the Counsell.
Ir is apparent to the world, by how many former Procla- mations, we manifested our intents, to haue drawne out the great standing Lottery long before this, which not falling out as we desired, and others expected, whose monies are aduen- tured therein, we thought goed therefore for the auoiding all vniust and sinister constructions, to resolue the doubts of all indifferent minded, in three speciall points for their better sa- tisfaction.
But ere I goe farther, let vs remember there was a running Lottery, vsed a long time in Saint Pauls Church-vard, where this stood, that brought into the Treasury good summes of money dayly, though the Lot was but small.
Now for the points, the first is, for as much as the Aduen- turers came in so slackly for the yeere past, without preiu- dice to the generalitie, 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, haue recommend- ed their Letsenters to the Countries, Cities, and good townes in England, which we hope by aiding in their voluntary Ad- uenturers, will sufficiently supply vs.
The second for satisfaction to all honest well affected minds, is, that though this expectation answer not our hopes, yet we have not failed in our Christian care, the good of that Colony, to whom we haue lately sent two sundry supplies, and were they but now supplied with more hands, wee should soone resolue the division of the Country by by Lot, and so lessen the generall charge.
The third is our constant resolution, that seeing our cre- dits are so farre ingaged to the honourable Lords and the whole State, for the drawing this great Lottery, which we intend shall be without delay, the 26. of lune next, desiring all such as haue vndertaken with bookes to solicit their friends, that they will not with-hold their moncis till the last moneth be expired, lest we be vawillingly forced to pro- portion a lesso value and number of our Blankes and Prises which hereafter followeth.
24
The Lottery.
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 cuery day during the drawing of this Lottery, shall be 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
100 Prizes, each of
100
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.
Crounes.
To him that shall be last drawne out with a blanke, 25 To him that putteth in the greatest Lot, vnder one name, -
400
To him that putteth in the second greatest number, 300
To him that putteth in the third greatest number, 200 To him that putteth in the fourth greatest number, 100
If diuers be of equall number, their rewards are to be di- uided proportionally.
ADDITION OF NEW REWARDS.
Crownes. The blanke that shall bee drawne out next before the
great Prize shall haue - 25
... .
--
25
The Lottery.
Crownes.
The blanke that shall be drawne out next after the said great Prize
25
The blanks that shall be drawne out immediately be-
fore the two next great Prizes, shall haue each of them
20
20 The seuerall blankes next after them, each shall haue The seuerall blankes next before the foure great Pri- zes, each shall haue 15
The seuerall blankes next after them, each shall haue 15
'The seuerall blankes next before the six great Psizes,
each shall haue
-
10
The seuerall blankes next after them, each shall haue 10
The prizes, welcomes, and rewards, shall be paved in rea- dy Mony, Plate, or other goods reasonably rated; if any dis- like of the plate or goods, he shall haue mony, abating only the tenth part, except in small prizes of ten Crownes or vnder.
The mony for the Aduenturers is to be paid to Sir Thomas Smith, Knight and Treasurer for Virginia, or such Officers as he shall appoint in City or Country, vnder the common seale of the company for the receit thereof.
All prizes, welcomes and rewards drawne where euer they dwell, shall of the Treasurer haue present pay, and whoso- euer vnder one name or poesie paveth three pound in ready money, shall receive six shillings and eight pence, or a siluer 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 boat, as desirous of a Pilot. Captaine lames Dauis the go- uernor, immediatly gaue them one, but he was no sooner in the boat, but away they went with him, leauing three of their companions behind them; this sudden accident occasi- oned some distrust, and a strict examination of those three thus left, yet with as good vsage as our estate could afford them. They only confessed hauing lost their Admirall, ac- cident had forced them into those parts, and tivo of them were Captaines, and in chiefe authority in the fleet: thus they liued till one of them was found to be an Englishman, and had been the Spaniards Pilot for Englandin China Beingbere induced some male-contents, to b leeue his prefects, to run away with Vol. 2-E
-
٠٠٠
26
The government left to Captaine Yearly.
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 dis . couer the estate of the Colony, but thier Commission was not to be opened till they arrived in the Bay, so that of any thing more he was vtterly ignorant. One of the Spaniards at last dyed, the other was sent for England, but this reprieu- ed, till Sir Thomas Dale hanged at Sea in his voyage home- ward; the English Pilot they caried for Spaine, whom after a long time imprisonment, with much sute was returned for Englund.
Whilst those things were effecting, Sir Thomas Dale. hauing setled to his thinking all things in good order, made choice of one Master George Yearly, to be Deputy-Gouern- our in his absence, and so returned for England, ccompani- ed with Pocahontas the Kings Daughter, and Master Rolfe her husband, and ariued at Plimmoth the 12. of June 1616.
The government left to Captaine Yearly.
Now a little to commentary vpon all these proceedings. let me leaue but this as a caucat by the way, if the alteration of government hath subverted great Empires, how dangerous is it then in the intaney of a commonweale? The multipli- city of Gouernors is a great damage to any State, but vneer- taine daily changes are burdensome, because their entertain- ments are chargeable, and many will make hay whilst the sunne doth shine, how euer it shall fare with the generality
This deare bought Land with so much bloud and cost, hath onely made some fw 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 aducuturers satisfied, and they of all the rest are the most neglected; and those that neuer aduentured a groat, neuer see the Country, nor euer 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 doe as much. Thus what one Officer doth, another vndoth, only ayming at their owne ends, thinking all the world derides his dignity, cancet
27
The government of Captaine Yearly.
fill his Coffers being in authority with any thing. Enery man hath bis minde free, but he can neuer 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 loues it: for the Nobilitie and Gentrie, there is scarce any of them expects any thing but the prosperitie of the ac- tion: and therefore are some Merchants and others, I am confidently perswaded, doe take more care and paines, nay, and at their continuall great charge, than they could be hired to for the loue of money, so honestly regarding the generall good of this great worke, they would hold it worse than sa- crilege, to wrong it but a shilling, or extort vpon the common souldier a penny. But to the purpose, and to follow the Ilistoric.
Mr. George Yearly now inuested Depatie Governour by Sr. Thomas Dale, applied himselfe for the most part in plant- ing Tobacco, as the most present commoditie they could de- uise for a present gaine, so that euery man betooke himselfe to the best place he could for the purpose: now though Sir Thomas Dale had caused such an abundance of corne to be planted, that query man had sufficient, yet the supplies were sent vs, came so vnfurnished, as quickly eased vs of our su- perfluitie. To releeue their necessities, he sent to the Chick- chamanias for the tribute Corne Sir Thomas Dale and Cap- taine Argall had conditioned for with them: But such a bad answer they returned him, that he drew together one hun- dred of his best shot, with whom he went to Chickahamania: the people in some places vsed him indifferently, but in most places with much scorne and contempt, telling him he was Sir Thomas Dales man: and they had paid his Master accor- ding to condition. but to giue any to him they had no such or- der, neither would they obey him as they had done his Mas- ter: 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 Osinies, and they as lit- tle to incounter him: but marching from thence towards Ma- minulamt, they put themselves in the same order as they see vs. lead by their Captaine Nissanacomen, Gouernour of Osi- ties, and so marched chere along by vs. cach as threatening
28
The government of Captaine Yearly.
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 good ground together, nor more plentie of Corne, which although it was but newly gathered, yet they had hid ir in the woods where we could not finde it: a good time we spent thus in arguing the cause, the Saluages with- out feare standing in troupes amongst vs, seeming as if their countenances had beene sufficient to dant vs: what other practises they had I know not; but to prevent the worst, our Captaine caused vs all to make ready, and vpon the word, to let flie amongst 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 gaue the word and wee presently discharged, where tweluc lay, some dead, the rest for life sprawling on the ground, twelue 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 reward, but it was not performed: now Ope- chankanough had agreed with our Captaine for the subiect- ing of those people, that neither hee nor Powhatan could euer bring to their obedience, and that he should make no peace with them without hisadvice: in our returne by Osinies with our prisoners we met Opcchankanough, who with much adoe. fained with what paines he 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 wce were beholding to Captaine Henry Spilman our Interpreter, a Gentlemen had lived long time in this Countrie, and soic- times a prisoner among the Saluages, and done much good seruice, though but badly rewarded. From hence we marcht towards lames towne, we had three Boats loaded with Corne and other luggage, the one of them being more wil- ling to be at fumes towne with the newes than the other, was ouerset, and clenen mien cast away with the Boat, Corne and all their prouision; notwithstanding this put all the rest of the Saluages in that feare, especially in regard of the great league we had with Opechankanough, that we follow- ed our labours quietly, and in such securitie, that diuers
4 --...
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29
Captaine Smiths relation to Queene Anne.
saluages of other Nations, daily frequented vs with what proui- sions they could get, and would guide our men on hunting, and oft hunt for vs themselues. Captaine Yearly had a Sal- uage or two so well trained vp to their peeces, they were as expert as any of the English, and one he kept purposely to kill him fowle. There were diners others had Saluages in like manner for their men. Thus we liued together, as if we had beenc one people, all the time Captaine Yearly staied with vs, but such grudges and discontents daily increased among our- selues, that vpon the arrivall of Captaine Argull, sent by the Councell and Companie to bee our Gouernour, Captaine Yearly returned for England in the yeere 1617. From the writings of Captaine Nathaniel Powell, William Cantrill, Sergeant Boothe, Edward Gurganey.
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