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 7
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A relation of the massacre.
to one Morgans house, knowing he had many commo- dities that hee desired, perswaded Morgan to goe with him to Pamauke to trucke, but the Saluage murdered him by the way; and after two or three daies returned againe to Morgans house, where he found two youths his Seruants, who asked for their Master: Jack replied directly he was dead; the Boves suspecting as it was, by seeing him weare his Cap, would haue had him to Master Thorp: But Jack so moued their patience, they shot him, so he fell to the ground, put him in a Boat to haue him before the Gouernor, then seuen or eight miles from them. But by the way luck finding the pangs of death vpon him, desired of the Boves two things; the one was, that they would not make it knowne hee was slaine with a bullet; the other, to bury him amongst the English. At the losse of this Saluage Opechankanough much grieved and repined, with great threats of rouenge; but the English returned him such terrible answers, that he cunningly dis- sembled his intent, with the greatest signes he could of loue and peace, yet within foureteene daies after he acted what followeth.
Sir Francis Wyat at his arriuall was advertised, he found the Countrey serled in such a firme peace, as most men there thought sure and vnuiolable, not onely in regard of their pro- mises, but of a necessitie. The poore weake Saluages being euery way bettered by vs, and safely sheltred and defended. whereby wee might freely follow our businesse: and such was the conceit of this conceited peace, as that there was sel- dome or neuer a sword, and seldomer a peece, except for a Deere or Fowle, by which assurances the most plantations were placed stroglingly and scatteringly, as a choice veins of rich ground inuited them, and further from neighbours the better. Their houses generally open to the Saluages, who were alwaies friendly fed at their tables, and lodged in their bed-chambers, which made the way plaine to effect their in- tents, and the conversion of the Saluages as they supposed.
Hauing occasion to send to Cpcckankanough about the middle of March, hee vsed the Messenger well, and told him he held the peace so firme, the sky should fall or he dissolu- ed it; yet such was the trechery of those people, when they had contrived our destruction, euen but two daies before the massacre, they guided our men with much kind- nosse thorow the woods, and one Browne that lined among
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A relation of the massacre.
them to learne the language, they sent home to his Master; vea, they borrowed our Boats to transport themselues ouer the River to consult on the deuilish murder that insued, and of our vtter extirpation, which God of his mercy (by the meanes of one of themselues converted to Christianitie) prenented, and as well on the Friday morning that fatall day, being the two and twentieth of March, as also in the cuening before, as at other times they came varmed into our houses, with Deere, Turkies, Fish, Fruits, and other provisions to sell vs. yea in some places sat downe at breakfast with our people, whom immediately with their owne tooles they slew most barbarously, not sparing either age or sex, man woman or childe, so sudden in their execution, that few or none discern- ed the weapon or blow that brought them to destruction: In which manner also they slow many of our people at severall works in the fields, well knowing in what places and quar- ters each of our men were, in regard of their familiaritie with vs, for the effecting that great master-peece of worke their conuersion; and by this meanes fell that fatall morning vnder the bloudy and barbarous hands of that perfidious and inhumane people, three hundred forty seuen men, women and children, most by their owne weapons, and not being content with their lives they fell againe vpon the dead bo- dies, making as well as they could a fresh murder, defacing, dragging, and mangling their dead carcasses into many pee- ces, and carrying some parts away in derision, with base and brutish triumph.
Neither yet did these beasts spare those amongst the rest well knowne vnto them, from whom they had daily received many benefits, but spitefully also massacred them without any remorse or pitie: being in this more fell then Lions and Dragons, as Histories record, which haue preserued their Benefactors; such is the force of good deeds, though done to cruell beasts, to take humanitie vpon them, but these miscre- ants put on a more vnnaturall brutishnesse then beasts, as by those instances may appeare.
That worthy religious Gentleman M. George Thorp, De- puty to the College lands, sometimes one of his Maiesties Pensioners, and in command one of the principall in Virginia, did so truly affect their conuersion, that whosoeuer vnder him did them the least displeasure, were punished severely. Hle thought nothing too deare for them, he neuer denied
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A relation of the massacre.
them any thing, in so much that when they complained that our Mastines did feare them, he to content them in all things, caused some of them to be killed in their presence, to the great displeasure of the owners, and would have had all the rest guelt to make them the milder, might he haue had his will The King dwelling but in a Cottage, he built him a faire house after the English fashion, in which he tooke such pleasure, especially in the locke and key, which he so ad- mired, as locking and vnlocking his doore a hundred times a dav, he thought no denice in the world comparable to it.
Thus insinuating himselfe into this Kings fauour for his religious purpose, he conferred oft with him about Religion, as many other in this former Discourse had done, and this Pagan confessed to him as he did to them, our God was bet- ter then theirs, and seemed to be much pleased with that Discourse, and of his company, and to requite all those cour- tesies: yet this viperous brood did, as the sequell shewed, not onely murder him, but with such spight and scorne abused his dead corps as is vnfitting to be heard with ciuill cares .- One thing I cannot omit, that when this good Gentleman vpon this fatall houre, was warned by hisman, who perceiuing some treachery intended by those hell-hounds, to looke to himselfe, and withall ran away for feare he should be appre- hended, and so saued his owne life: yet his Master out of his good meaning was so void of suspition and full of confidence, they had slaine him, or he could or would beleeue they would hurt him. Captaine Nathaniel Powell one of the first Plan- ters, a valiant Souldier, and not any in the Countrey better knowne amongst them; yet such was the error of an ouer- conceited power and prosperitie, and their simplicities, they not onely slew him and his family, but butcher-like hagled their bodies, and cut off his head, to expresse their vttermost height of cruelty. Another of the old company of Captaine Smith, called Nathaniell Causie, being cruelly wounded, and the Saluages about him, with an axe did cleaue one of their heads, whereby the rest fled and he escaped: for they hurt not any that did either fight or stand vpon their guard. In one place where there was but two men that had warning of it, they defended the house against 60. or more that assaulted it. M. Baldwin at Hurraskoyack, his wife being so wound- ed, she lay for dead, yet by his oft discharging of his peece. saued her, his house, himselfe, and diners others. At the
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A relation of the massacre.
same time they came to one Master Horisons house, neere halfe a mile from Bulduines, where was Master Thomas Hamer with six men, and eighteque or nineteene women and children. Here the Saluages with many presents and faire perswasions, fained they came for Capt. Ralfe Humer to go to their King, then hunting in the woods, presently they sent to him, but he not comming as they expected, set fire of a Tobacco-house, and then came to tell them in the dwelling house of it to quench it; all the men ran towards it, but Mas- ter Hamer not suspecting any thing, whom the Saluages pursued, shot them full of arrowes, then beat out their braines. Humer hauing finished a letter hee was a writing, followed after to see what was the matter, but quickly they shot an arrow in his backe, which caused him returne and barricado vp the doores, whereupon the saluages set fire on the house. Harisons Boy finding his Masters peece loaded, discharged it at randome, at which bare report the Saluages all fled, Baldwin still discharging his peece, and Mr Hamer with two and twentie persons thereby got to his house, leauing their owne burning. In like manner, they had fired Lieutenant Busse his house, with all the rest there about, slaine the peo- ple, and so left that Plantation.
Captaine Humer all this while not knowing any thing. comming to his Brother that had sent for him to go hunt with the King, meeting the Saluages chasing some, yet es- caped, retired to his new house then a building, from whence he came; there only with spades, axes, and brickbats, he defended himselfe and his Company till the Saluages depart- ed. Not long after, the Master from the ship had sent six Musketiers, with which he recouered their Merchants store- house, where he armed ten more, and so with thirtie more varmed workmen found his Brother and the rest at Bald- wins: Now seeing all they had was burnt and consumed, they repaired to James Towne with their best expedition: yet not far from Martins hundred, where seuenty three were slaine, was a little house and a small family, that heard not of any of this till two daies after.
All those, and many others whom they haue as malicious- ly murdered, sought the good of those poore brutes, that thus despising Gods merc'es, must needs now as miscreants be corrected by Justice: to which leading them, I will knit toge- ther the thread of this discourse, At the time of the massacre,
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A relation of the massacre.
there were three or foure ships in James River, and one in the next, and daily more to come in, as there did within fourteene daies after, one of which they indeuoured to haue surprised: yet were the hearts of the English euer stupid, and auerted from beleeuing any thing might weaken their hopes, to win them by kinde vsage to Christianitie. But diners write from thence, that Almighty God hath his great worke in this Tragedy, and will there out draw honor and glory to his name, and a more flourishing estate and safetie to themselues, and with more speed to convert the Saluage children to his:selfe, since he so miraculously had preserved the English; there being yet, God be praised, eleuen parts of twelue remaining, whose carelesse neglect of their owne safeties, seemes to have beene the greatest cause of their des- tructions: yet you see, God by a converted Saluage that dis- closed the plot, saued the rest, and the Pinnace then in Po- merakes Riuer, whereof (say they) though our sinnes made vs vnworthy of so glorious a conversion, yet his infinite wis- dome can neuerthelesse bring it to passe, and in good time, by such meanes as we thinke most vnlikely: for in the deli- uery of them that suruiue, no mans particular carefulnesse saued one person, but the meere goodnesse of God himselfe. freely and miraculously preseruing whom he pleased.
The Letters of Master George Sands, a worthy Gentle- man, and many others besides them returned, brought vs this vnwelcome news, that bath beene heard at large in publickc Court, that the Indians and they lived as one Nation, vet by a generall combination in one day plotted to subuert the whole Colony, and at one instant, though our seuerall Plan- tations were one hur dred and fortie miles vpon the River on both sides.
But for the better understanding of all things, you must remember these wilde naked patines liue not in great numbers together, but dispersed, commonly in thirtie, fordie, Giftie, or sixtie in a company. Some places haue two hundred, few places more, but many lesse; yet they had all warning giuen them one from another in all their habitations, though farre asuader, to meet at the day and houre appointed for our des . truction at al our seucrall Plantations: some directed to one place, some to another, all to be done at the time appointed, which they di accordingly: Some entring their houses vouer colour of trading, so tooke their aduantage; others drawing
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How Pace discovered the massacre.
vs abroad vnder faire pretences, and the rest suddenly falling vpon those that were at their labours.
Six of the counsell suffered vnder this treason, and the slaughter had beene vniversall, if God had not put it into the heart of an Indian, who lying in the house of one Pace, was vrged by another Indian his Brother, that lay with him the night before to kill Pace, as he should doe Perry which was his friend, being so commanded from their King; telling him also how the next day the execution should be finished: Perrys Indian presently. arose and roueales it to Pace, that vsed him as his sonne; and thus them that escaped was saued by this one conuerted Infidell. And though three hundred fortie seuen were slaine, vet thousands of ours were by the meanes of this alone thus preserued, for which Gods name be praised for euer and euer.
Pace vpon this, securing his house, before day rowed to James Towne. and told the Governor of it, whereby they were preuented, and at such other Plantations as possibly intel - ligence could be giuen: and where they saw vs vpon our guard at the sight of a peece they ranne away; but the rest were most slaine, their houses burnt, such Armes and Munition as they found they tooke away, and some cattell also they destroied. Since wee finde Opechankanough the last yeare had practised with a King on the Easterne shore, to furnish him with a kind of poison, which onely growes in his Coun- try to poison vs. But of this bloudy acte neuer griefe and shame possessed any people more then themselves, to be thus butchered by so naked and cowardly a people, who dare not stand the presenting of a staffe in manner of a peece, nor an vncharged peece in the hands of a woman. (But I must tell all those Authors, though some might be thus cowardly, there were many of them had better spirits.)
Thus haue you heard the particulars of this massacre, which in those respects some say will be good for the Plan- tation, because now we have just cause to destroy them by all meanes possible: but I thinke it had beene mich better it had neuer happened, for they have giuen vs an hundred times as lust occasions long ago to subiect them. (and i won- der I can heare of none but Master Stockhim and Master Whitaker of my opinion.) Morcouer, where before we were troubled ia clearing the ground of great funber, which was to them of small vse: now we may take their owne plaine
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How Pace discovered the massacre.
fields and Habitations, which are the pleasantest places in the Countrev. Besides, the Decre, Turkies, and other Beasts and Fowle will exceedingly increase if we beat the Saluages out of the Countrey, for at all times of the yeere they neuer spare Male nor Female, old nor young, egges nor birds, fat nor leane, in season nor out of season with them all is one. The like they did in our Swine and Goats, for they haue vsed to kill eight in ten more then we, or else the wood would most plentifully abound with vietuall; besides it is more easie to ciuilize them by conquest then faire meanes; for the one may be made at once, but their cinilizing will require a long time and much industry. The manner how to suppresse them is so often related and approued, I omit it here: And you have twenty examples of the Spaniards how they got the West-Indies, and forced the trecherous and re- bellious Infidels to doe all manner of drudgery worke and slauery for them, themselues liuing like Souldiers vpon the fruits of their labours. This will make vs more circumspect, and be an example to posteritie: (But I say, this might as well haue boone put in practise sixteene yeeres agoe as now.)
Thus vpon this Anuill shall wee now beat our selues an Armour of proofe hereafter to defend vs against such incur- sions, and euer hereafter make vs more circumspect: but to helpe to repaire this losse, besides his Maiesties bounty in Armes, he gauc the Company out of the Tower, and diuers other Honorable persons haue renewed their aduentures, we must not omit the Honorable Citie of London, to whose endlesse praise wee may speake it, are now setting forward one hundred pesrsons, and divers others at their owne costs are a repairing, and all good men doe thinke neuer the worse of the businesse for all these disasters.
What growing state was there euer in the world which had not the like? Rome grew by oppression, and rose vpon the back of her enemies: and the Spaniards have had many of those counterbuffes, more than we. Columbus, vpon his returne from the West-Indies into Spaine, hauing left his people with the Indies, in peace and promise of good vsage amongst them, ar his returne backe found not one of them lining, but all treacherously slaine by the Saluages. After this againe, when the Spanish Colonies were increased to great numbers, the Indiany from whom the Spaniards for trucking stuffe vsed to hane all their corne, generalis
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The manner how the Spaniard gets his wealth.
conspired together to plant no more at all, intending thereby to famish them; themselves living in the meane time vpou Cassaua, a root to make bread, onely then knowne to them- selves. This plot of theirs by the Spaniards oversight, that foolishly depended vpon strangers for their bread, tooke such effect, and brought them to such misery by the rage of famine, that they spared no vneleane nor loathsome beast. no not the poisonous and hideous Serpents, but eat them vp also, deuouring one death to saue them from another; and by this meanes their whole Colony well-neere surfeted, sickned and died miserably, and when they had againe recovered this losse, by their incontinency an infinite number of them di- ed on the Indian disease, we call the French Pox, which at first being a strange and an unknowne malady, was deadly vpon whomsoeuer it lighted: then had they a little ilca called Nigua which got betweene the skinue and the flesh before they were aware, and there bred and multiplied, making swellings and putrifactions, to the decay and losse of many of their bodily members.
Againe, diuers times they were neere vndone by their am- bition, faction, and malice of the Commanders. Columbus, to whom they were also much bebolden, was sent with his Bro- ther in chaines into Spaine: and some other great Commanders killed and murdered one another. Piscoro was killed by Al- magros sonne, and him Fusco beheaded, which Vasco was ta- ken by Blasco, and Blasco was likewise taken by Pizzaros Bro- ther: Andthus by their coretous and spightfull quarrels, they were ever shaking the maine pillars of their Common-weale. These and many more mischiefes and calamities hapned them, more then euer did to vs, and at one time being euen at the last gaspe, had two ships not arriued with supplies as they did, they were so disheartned, they were a leading the Coun- trey: yet we see for all those miseries they have attained to their ends at last, as is manifest to all the world, both with honour, power, and wealth: and whereas before few could be hired to goe to inhabit there, now with great sute they must obtaine it; but where there was no honesty, nor equity, nor sanctitie, nor veritie. nor pietie, nor good ciuilitie in such a Countrey, certainly there can bee no stabilitic.
Therefore let vs not be discouraged, but rather animated by those conclusion:, seeing we are so well assured of the goodnesse and commodities may bee bad in Virginia, nor is Vol. 2-L
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The manner how the Spaniard gets his wealth.
it to be much doubted there is any want of Mines of most sorts, no not of the richest, as is well knowne to some yet liuing that can make it manifest when time shall serue: and yet to thinke that gold and silver Mines are in a country otherwise most rich and fruitfull, or the greatest wealth in a. Plantation, is but a popular error, as is that opinion likewise, that the gold and siluer is now the greatest wealth of the West Indies at this present. True it is indeed, that in the first conquest the Spaniards got great and mighty store of treasure from the Natiues, which they in long space had. heaped together, and in those times the Indians shewed them entire and rich Mines, which now by the relations of them that have beene there, are exceedingly wasted, so that now the charge of getting those Metals is growne excessiue, be- sides the consuming the lives of many by their pestilent smoke and vapours in digging and refining them, so that all things considered, the cleere gaines of those metals, the Kings part defraied, to the Aduenturers is but small, and nothing neere so much as vulgarly is imagined; and were it not for other rich Commodities there that inrich them, those of the Con- traction house were neuer able to subsist by the Mines onely; for the greatest part of their Commodities are partly naturall, and partly transported from other parts of the world, and planted in the West-Invlies, as in their mighty wealth of Su- garcanes, being first transported from the Canaries; and in Ginger and other things brought out of the East-Indies, in their Cochanele. Indicos, Cotton, and their infinite store of Hides, Quick-siluer, Allum, Woad, Brasill woods, Dies, Paints, Tobacco, Gums, Balmes, Oiles, Medicinals and Per- fumes, Sassaparilla, and many other physicall drugs: These are the meanes whereby they raise that mighty charge of' drawing out their gold and siluer to the great and cleare re- uenue of their King. Now seeing the most of those com- modities, or as ysefull, may be had in Virginia by the same meanes, as I haue formerly said; let vs with all speed take the priority of time, where also may be had the priority of place, in chusing the best seats of the Country, which now by vanquishing the saluages. is like to offer a more faire and ample choice of fruitfall habitations, then hitherto our gentle . nesse and faire comportments could attaine vuto.
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The number of the people that were slaine.
The number that was slaine in those seuerall Plan- tations.
1 Ar Captaine Berkleys Plantation, himselfe and 21. others, seated at the Falling-Crick, 66. miles from Iumes City. 22
2 At Master Thomas Shoffelds Plantation, some three miles from the Falling-Crick, himselfe hnd 12. others. 13
3 At Honrico Iland, about two miles from Sheffchls Plantation. 6
4 Slaine of the College people, twenty miles from Henrico. 17
5 At Charles City, and of Captaine Smiths men. -
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6 At the next adioyning Plantation.
8
7 At William Farrars house. 10
8 At Brickley hundred, fifty miles from Charles City, Master Thorp and 10
9 At Westover, a mile from Brickley. : 2
10 At Master John Wests Plantation. 2
11 At Captaine Nathaniel Wests Plantation. 2
12 At Lieutenant Gibs his Plantation. - 12
13 At Richard Owens house, himselfe and 6
14 At Master Owen Macars house, himselfe and -
3
15 At Martins hundred, seuen miles from lames City. 73
16 At another place. 7
17 At Edward Bonits Plantation. 50
18 At Master Waters his house, himselfe and
19 At Apamatucks Riuer, at Master Perce his Planta- tion, fiue miles from the College. 4
20 At Master Macocks Diuident, Captaine Samuel Ma- cock, and 4
21 At Flowerda hundred, Sir George Yearleys Planta- tion. 6
22 On the other side opposite to it. 7
23 At Master Swinhows house, himselfe and 7
24 At Master William Bickars house, himselfe and 4
25 At Weunock, of Sir George Yearleys people. 21
26 At Powel Brooke, Captaine Nathaniel Powel, and 12
27 At South-hampton hundred.
28 At Martin Brandons hundred. 7
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Gookins and Iordens resolutions.
.. 29 At Captaine Henry Spilmans house. .2
30 At Ensigne Spences house. 5
31 At Master Thomas Perse his house by Mulbery lle, himselfe and
The whole number 347
Men in this taking bettered with affliction, Better attend, and mind, and marke Reli ion, For then true voyces issue from their hearts, Then speake they what they thinke in iomost parts,
.The truth remaines, they cast off fained Arts.
This lamentable and so vnexpected a disaster caused them all beleeue the opinion of Master Stockholm, and drove them all to their wits end: it was twenty or thirty daics ere they could resolue what to doe, but at last it was concluded, all the petty Plantations should be abandoned, and drawne onely to make good 'fue or six places, where all their la- bours now for the most part must redound to the Lords of those Lands where they were resident. Now for want of Boats, it was impossible spou such a sudden to bring also their cattle, and many other things, which with much time, charge and labour they had then in possession with them; all which for the most part at their departure was burnt, ruined and destroyed by the Saluages. Only Master Goo- kins at Nuports-news would not obey the Commanders com- mand in that, though he had scarce fiue and thirty of all sorts with him, yet he thought himselfe sufficient against what could happen, and so did to his great credit and the content of his Aduenturers. Master Samuel Jorden gathered together but a few of the stragglers about him at Beggers- bush, where he fortified and lued in despight of the enemy. Nav, Mistrisse Proctor, a proper, ciuill, modest Gentles o.pan did the like, till perforce the English Officers forced her and all them with herto goe with them, or they would fire herhouse themselues, as the Saluages did when they were gone, in whose despight they had kept it, and what they had a moneth or three weeks after the Massacre; which was to their hearts a griefe beyond comparison, to lose all they had in that manner, onely to secure others pleasures. Now ho in England it was thought, all those remainders might pre . t- Jy haue beene redaced into Ittes or hundreds in places most
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