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 8
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77
Captoinc Nuses Relation.
convenient with what they had, hauing such strong houses as they reported they had, which with small labour might have been made invincible Castles against the Saluages in the Land, and theu presently raised a company, as a running Armie to torment the Barbarous and secure the rest, and so hane had all that Country betwixt the Rivers of Powhatan and Pumarnke to range and sustaine them; especially all the territories of Kecoughion, Chiskact and Paspahege, from Oconies to that branch of Pumaenke, comming from Yough- tonund, which strait of land is not past 4. or. 5. miles, to have made a peninsula much bigger then the Summer Iles, inuironed with the broadest parts of those two maine Riuers. which for plenty of such things as Virginia affords is not to be exceeded, and were it well manured, more then sufficient for ten thousand men. This, were it well vnderstood, can- not but be thought better then to bring fiue or six hundred to lodge and liue on that. which before would not well re- ceine and maintaine a hundred, planting little or nothing, but spend that they have vpon hopes out of England, one euill begetting another, till the disease is past cure: Therefore it is impossibe but such courses must produce most fearofull miseries and extreme extremities; if it proue otherwise, I should be exceeding glad. I confesse I am somewhat too bold to censure other mens actions being not present, but they have done as much of me; yea many here in England that were neuer there, and also many there that knowes little more then their Plantations, but as they are informed; and this doth touch the glory of God, the honour of my Country, and the publike good so much, for which there hath beene so many faire pretences, that I hope none will be angry for speaking my opinion, seeing the old Prouerbe doth allow losers leaue to speake; and Du Børtas saith.
Euen as the wind the angry Ocean moues, Wane hunteth Waue; and Billow Billow shoues, So doe all Nations iustell each the other, And so one people doe pursue another, And scarce a second hath the first vnhoused, Before a third him thence againe haue roused,
Amongst the multitude of these seuerall Relations, it ap- pears Captaine Nuse seeing many of the difficulties to ensue, cause as much Corne to be planted as he could at Elisabeths ity, and though some destroyed that they had set, fearing
78
Captaine Nuses Relation.
it would serue the Saluages for Ambuscadoes, trusting to releefe by trade, or fr. m England, which hath euer beene one cause of our miseries, for from England wee haue not had much, and for trading, cuery one hath not Ships, Sha- lops, Interpreters, men and provisions to performe it, and those that hauc, vse them onely for their owne priuate gaine, not the publicke good, so that our beginning this yeere doth cause mamy to distrust the cuent of the next. Here wee will leaue Captaine Nuse for a while, lamenting the death of Captaine. Norton, a valiant industrious Gentlemen, adorned with many good qualities besides Physicke and Chirurgory, which for the publike good he freely imparted to all gratis, but most bountifully to the poore; and let vs speake a little of Captaine Croshar amongst the midst of those broiles in in the River of Patawomcke.
Being in a small Barke called the Elizabeth, vnder the command of Captaine Spilman, at Cekacawcone, a Saluage stole aboord them, and told them of the Massacre, and that Opechankanough had plotted with his King and Country to betray them also, which they refused, but them of Wighco- comoco at the mouth of the riner had undertaken it; ypon this Spilman went thither, but the Saluages seeing his men so vigilant and well armed, they suspected themselues discouered, and to colour their guilt, the better to delude him, so contented bis desire in trade, his Pinnace was neore fraught; but seeing no more to be had, Croshaw went to Pa- tawomek, where he intended to stay and trade for himselfe, by reason of the long acquaintance he had with this King that so earnestly entreated him now to be his friend. his countenancer, his Captaine, and director against the Pacati- cuns, the Nacotchtanks, and Moyaons his mortall enemies. Of this opportunity Croshaw was glad, as well to satisfie his owne desire in some other purpose he had, as to keepe the King as an opposite to Opechancanough, and adhere him vito vs, or at least make him an instrument against our ene- mies; so onely Elis Hill staved with him, and the Pinnace returned to Elizabeths City; here shall they rest also a little. till we see how this newes was entertained in England.
It was no small grief to the Councell and Company, to understand of such a supposed impossible losse, as that. so many should fall by the hands of men so contemptible; and yet hauing such warnings, especially by the death of N ...
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79
The proiect of Captaine Iohn Smith.
mottanow, whom the Saluages did thinke was shot-free, as he had perswaded them, hauing so long escaped so many dangers without any hurt. But now to leape ont of this la- byrinth of melancholy, all this did not so discourage the no- ble aduenturers, nor diuers others still to vndertake new se- uerall Plantations, but that diuers ships were dispatched away, for their supplies and assistance thought sufficient. Yet Captaine Smith did intreat and moue them to put in practice his old offer. seeing now it was time to vse both it and him, how slenderly heretofore both had beene regarded, and be- cause it is not impertinent to the businesse, it is not much amisse to remember what it was.
The proiect and offer of Captaine John Smith, to the Right Honourable, and Right Worshipfull Com- pany of Virginia.
Ir you please I may be transported with a hundred Soul- diers and thirty Sailers by the next Michaelmas, with victuall, munition, and such necessary prouision, by Gods assistance, we would endeuour to inforce the Saluages to leave their Country, or bring them in that feare and subiection that eue- ry man should follow their businesse securely, whereas now halfe their times and labours are spent in watching and ward- ing, onely to defend, but altogether vnable to suppresse the Saluages, because euery man now being for himselfe will be vnwilling to be drawne from their particular labours, to be made as pack-horses for all the rest, without any certainty of some better reward and preferment then I can vnderstand any there can or will yet giue them.
These I would imploy onely in ranging the Countries, and tormenting the Saluages, and that they should be as a run- ning Army till this were effected, and then settle themselues in some such couenient place, that should euer remaine a ga- rison of that strength, ready vpon any occasion against the Saluages, or any other for the defence of the Country, and to see all the English well armed, and instruct them their vse. But I would haue a Barke of one hundred tunnes, and meanes to build sive or seuen Shalops, to transport them where there should bee occasion.
08
The proiect of Captaine John Smith.
Towards the charge, because it is for the generall good, and what by the massacre and other accidents, Virginia is disparaged, and many men and their purses much discourag- ed, how cuer a great many doe hasten to goe, thinking to bee next heires to all the former losses, I feare they will not finde all things as they doe imagine; therefore leauing those gilded conceits, and diue into the true estate of the Colony; I thinke if his Maiestie were truly informed of their necessitie, and the benefit of this proiect, he would be pleased to giue the eustome of Virginia, and the Planters also according to their abilities would adde thereto such a contribution, as would be fit to maintaine this garison till they be able to subsist, or cause some such other collections to be made, as may put it with all expedition in practice; otherwise it is much to be doubted, there will neither come custome, nor any thing from thence to England within these few yeares.
Now if this should be thought an imploiment more fit for ancient Souldiers there bred, then such new commers as may goe with me: you may please to leaue that to my discretion, to accept or refuse such volumaries, that will hazard their fortunes in the trials of these euents, and discharge such of my company that had rather labour the ground then subdue their enemies: what releefe I should haue from your Colony I would satisfe and spare them (when I could) the like cour- tesie. Notwithstanding these doubts, I hope to feede theni as well as defend them, and yet discouer you more land vn- knowne then they all yet know. if you will grant me such priviledges as of necessity must be vsed.
For against any enemy we must be ready to execute the best can be deuised by your estate there, but not that they shall either take away my men, or any thing else to imploy as they please by vertue of their authority, and in that I have done somewhat for New-England as well as Virginia, so I would desire liberty and authority to make the best vse I can of my best experiences, within the limits of those two Patents, and to bring them both in one Map, and the Coun- tries betwixt them, giuing alwaies that respect to the Go- uernors and goueriment, as an Englishman doth in Scotland. or a Scotchman in England, or as the regiments in the Low- countries doe to the Gouernors of the Townes and Cities where they are billetted, or in Garrison, where though they fue with them, and are as their servants to defend them. ver
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81
The Companies answer.
not to be disposed on at their pleasure, but as the Prince and State doth command them, and for my owne paines in par- ticular I aske not any thing but what I can produce from the proper labour of the Saluages.
Their Answer.
I CANNOT say, it was generally for the Company, for being published in their Court, the most that heard it liked exceed- ing well of the motion, and some would have been very large Aduenturers in it, especially Sir John Brookes and Master David Wyffin, but there were such divisions amongst them, I could obtaine no answer but this, the charge would be too great; their stocke was decaved, and they did thinke the Plan- ters should doe that of themselues if I could finde meanes to effect it: they did thinke I might haue leaue of the Company, prouided they might haue halfe the pillage, but I thinke there are not many will much strive for that imploiment, for except it be a little Corne at some time of the yeere is to be had, I would not gine twenty pound for all the pillage is to be got amongst the Saluages in twenty yeeres: but because they supposed I spake only for my owne ends, it were good those vnderstand prouidents for the Companies good they so much talke of, were sent thither to make triall of their profound wisdomes and long experiences.
About this time also was propounded a proposition con- cerning a Sallery of fue and twenty thousand pounds to be raised out of Tobacco, as a yeerly pension to bee paid to certaine Officers for the erecting of a new office, concerning the sole importation of Tobacco, besides his Maiesties cus- tome, fraught, and all other charges. To nominate the vn- dertakers, fauourers and opposers, with their arguments ( pro ) and (con ) would bee too tedious and needlesse being so pub- likely knowne: the which to establish, spent a good part of that yeere, and the beginning of the next. This made ma- ny thinke wonders of Virginia, to pay such pensions extra- ordinary to a few here that were neuer there, and also in what state and pompe some Chieftaines and diuers of their associates liue 'in Virginia, and yet no money to maintaine a Garrison, pay poore men their wages, nor yet fine and twen- ty pence to all the adventurers here, and very little to the Vol. 2-MI
82 The arrivall of Captaine Hamar to Patawomek.
most part of their Planters there, bred such differences in opi- nion it was dissolued.
Now let vs returne to Captaine Croshaw at Patawomek, where he had not beene long ere Opechancanough sent two baskets of beads to this King, to kill him and his man, assur- ing him of the Massacre he had made, and that before the end of two Moones there should not be an Englishman in all their Countries: this fearfull message the King told this Captaine, who replied, he had seene both the cowardise and trechery of Opechancanough sufficiently tried by Captainc Smith, therefore his threats he feared not, nor for his fauour cared, but would nakedly fight with him or any of his with their owne swords; if he were slaine, he would leaue a letter for his Country men to know, the fault was his owne, not the Kings; two daies the King deliberated vpon an answer, at last told him the English were his friends, and the Saluage Emperour Opitchapam now called Toyatan, was his brother. therefore there should be no bloud shed betwixt them, so hee returned the Presents, willing the Pamacukes to come no more in his Country, lest the English, though against his will, should doe them any mischiefe.
Not long after, a Boat going abroad to secke out some re- leefe amongst the Plantations, by Nuports-news met such ill weather, though the men were saued they lost their boat, which the storme and waues cast vpon the shore of Nandsa- mund, where Edward Waters one of the three that first stayed in Summer Iles, and found the great piece of Amber-greece, dwelling in Virginia at this Massacre, hee and his wife these Nandsamund. kept prisoners till it chanced they found this Boat, at which purchase they so reioyced, according to their custome of triumph, with songs, dances and inuocations, they were so busied, that Waters and his wife found opportunity to get secretly in their Canow, and so crossed the River to Kecoughtun, which is nine or ten miles, whereat the English no lesse wondred and reioveed. then the Saluages were mad- ded with discontent. Thus you may see how many despe- rate dangers some men escape, when others die that have all things at their pleasure.
All men thinking Captaine Croshuur dead, Captaine Hu- mar arriving with a Ship and a Pinnace at Patouomeke, was kindly entertained both by him and the King; that Don Hlu- nor told the King he came for Corne: the King replied her
83
The arriuall of Captaine Hamar to Patawomek.
had none, but the Nacotchtanks and their confederats had, which were enemies both to him and them; if they would fetch it, he would give them 10. or 50 choise Bow-men to conduct and assist them. Those Saluages with some of the English they sent, who so well played their parts, they slew 18. of the Nacotchtanks, some write but 4. and some they had a long skirmish with them: where the Patawomeks were so eager of reuenge, they drine them not onely out of their towne, but all out of sight through the woods, thus tak- ing what they liked, and spoiling the rest, they retired to Patawomek, where they left Captaine Croshow, with foure men more, the rest set saile for James towne. Captaine Croshaw now with fiue men and himselfe found night and day so many Alarums, he retired into such a convenient place, that with the helpe of the Saluages, hee had quickly fortifi- ed himselfe against all those wilde enemies. Captaine Nuse his Pinnace meeting Hamar by the way vnderstanding all this, came to see Captaine Croshaw: after their best enter- changes of courtesies, Croshaw writ to Nuse the estate of the place where he was, but vnderstanding by them the poore estate of the Colony, offered if they would send him but a bold Shallop, with men, armes and prouision for trade, the next Haruest he would prouide them Corne sufficient, but as yet it being but the latter end of Iune, there was little or none in all the Country.
This being made knowne to the Gouernour and the rest, they sent Captaine Mudyson with a ship and pinnace, and some six and thirtie men: those Croshaw a good time taught the vse of their armes, but receiving a letter from Boyse his Wife, a prisoner with nineteene more at Pamaruke, to vse meanes to the Gouernour for their libertic; So hee dealt with this King, hee got first two of his great men to goe with him to James towne, and eight daies after to send foure of his counsell to Pamacuke, there to stay till he sent one of his two to them, to perswade Opuchankanough to send two of his with two of the Pataicomeles, to treat about those prisoners, and he should remaine their hostage at Pumaruke; But the Commanders, at Immes towne, it seemes, liked not of it, and so sent the Patawcomekes backe againe to their owne Countrie, and Captaine Croxhow to his owne habi- tation.
84
The arrivall of Captaine Hamar to Patawomek.
All this time we haue forgot Captaine Nuse, where we left him but newly acquainted with the Massacre, calling all his next adioyning dispersed neighbours together, he regarded not the pestring his owne house, nor any thing to releeue them, and with all speed entrenched himselfe, mounted three peece of Ordnance, so that within 14. daies, he was strong enough to defend himselfe from all the Saluages, yet when victuall grew scant, some that would forrage without order, which he punished, neere occasioned a mutiny. Notwith- standing, he bohaued bimselfe so fatherly and kindly to them all, they built two houses for them he daily expected from England, a faire Well of fresh water mantled with bricke, because the River and Cricks are there brackish or salt; in all which things he plaied the Sawyer, Carpenter, Dauber, Laborer, or any thing; wherein though his courage and heart were steeled, he found his body was not made of Iron, for hee had many sicknesses, and at last a Dropsie, no lesse griefe to himselfe, then sorrow to his Wife and all vnder his gouernment. These crosses and losses were no small inerea- sers of his malady, nor the thus abandoning our Plantations, the losse of our Haruest, and also Tobacco which was as our money; the Vineyard our Vineyetours had brought to a good forwardnesse, bruised and destroyed with Deere, and all things ere they came to perfection, with weeds, disorderly persons or wild beasts: so that as we are I cannot perceive but the next yeere will be worse, being still tormented with pride and flattery, idlenesse and couetousnesse, as though they had vowed heere to keepe their Court with all the pes- tilent vices in the world for their attendants, inchanted with a conceited statelinesse, euen in the very bottome of misera- ble senselesnesse.
Shortly after, Sir George Yourly and Captaine William Powel, tooke each of them a company of well disposed Cen- tlemen and others to secke their enemies. Yearley ranging the shore of Wennoch, could see nothing but their old bou- ses which he burnt, and went home: Powel searching ano- ther part, found them all fled but three he met by chance, whose heads he out off, burnt their houses, and so returned; for the Saluages are so light and swift, though wee see them (being so loaded with armour) they baue much aduantage of vs though they be cowards.
85
Sir George Yearleys journey to Accomack.
I confesse this is true, and it may cause some suppose they are grown invincible: but will any goe to catch a Bare with a Taber and a Pipe? for who knows not though there be monsters both of men and beasts, fish and fowle, yet the greatest, the strongest, the wildest, cruellest, fiercest and cun- ningest, by reason, art and vigilaney, courage and industry hath beene slaine, subiccted or made tame, and those are still but Saluages as they were, onely growne more bold by our owne simplicities, and still will be worse and worse till they be tormented with a continuall pursuit, and not with lying in- closed within Palizadoes, or affrighting them out of your sights, thinking they haue done well, can but defend them- selues: and to doe this to any purpose, will require both charge, patience and experience. But to their proceedings.
About the latter end of lune, Sir George Yearlcy accompa- nied with the Councell, and a nuraber of the greatest Gal- lants in the Land, stayed three or foure daies with Captainc Nuse, he making his moane to a chiefe man amongst them for want of prouision for his Company, the great Comman- der replied hee should turne them to his greene Corne, which would make them plump and fat: these fields being so neere the Fort, were better regarded and preserved then the rest. but the great mans command, as we call them, was quickly obeied, for though it was scarce halfe growne either to the greatnesse or goodnesse, they deuoured it greene though it did them small good. Sir George with his company wont to Accomack to his new Plantation, where he staied neere six weekes; some Corne he brought home, but as he aduen- tured for himselfe, he accordingly enjoyed the benefit: some pety Magazines came this Summer, but either the restraint by Proclamation, or want of Boats, or both, caused few but the Chieftaines to be little better by them. So long as Captaine Nuse had any thing we had part: but now all being spent, and the people forced to liue ypon Oisters and Crabs, they became so faint no worke could be done: and where the Law was, no worke, no meat, now the case is altered, to no meat. no worke; some small quantity of Milke and Rice the Cap- taine had of his owne, and that he would distribute gratis as he saw occasion; I say gratis, for I know no place else, but it was sold for ready paiment: those eares of Corne that had escaped till August, though not ripe by reason of the late planting, the very Dogs did repaire to the Corne fields to
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86
The kindnesse of the King of Patawomek.
sceke them as the men till they were hanged; and this I protest before God is true that I have related, not to flatter Nuse, nor condemne any, but all the time I haue liued in Virginia, I have not seene nor heard that any Commander hath taken such continuall paines for the publike, or done so little good for himselfe, and his vertuous wife was no lessc charitable and compassionate according to her power. For my owne part, although I found neither Mulberies planted, houses built, men or victuall prouided, as the honourable Ad- venturers did promise mee in England; yet at my owne charge, hauing made these preparations, and the silke- Wormes ready to be conered, all was lost, but my poore life and chil- dren, by the Massacre, the which as God in his mercy did preserue, I continually pray we may spend to his glory. The 3. of September, we had an alarum, and two men at their la- bours slaine; the Captaine, though extreme sicke, sallied forth. but the Saluages lay hid in the Corne fields all night, where they destroyed all they could, and killed two men more, much mischiefe they did to Master Edward Hills cattle, yet he alone defended his house though his men were sicke and could doe nothing, and this was our first assault since the Massacre.
About this time Captaine Madyson passed by vs, haning taken Prisoners, the King of Potatomek, his sonne, and two more, and thus it happened; Madyson not liking so well to lue amongst the Saluages as Croshaw did, built him a strong house within the Fort, so that they were not so soci- able as before, nor did they much like Poole the Interpreter: many Alarums they had, but saw no enemies: Madyson be- fore his building went to Moguones, where hee got provision for a moneth, and was promised much more, so he returned to Putaromek and built this house, and was well vsed by the Saluages. Now by the foure great men the King sent to Pumaruke for the redemption of the [Prisoners, Madyson sent them a letter, but they could neither deliver it nor see them: so long they stayed that the King grew doubtfull of their bad vsage, that he swore by the Skies, if they returned not well. he would have warres with Onechankanough so long as he had any thing: at this time two of Ahidysons men ranne from him, to finde them he sent Master John Upton and three more with an Indian guide to Nasatica, where they heard They were. At this place was a King beat out of his Country
87
The kindnesse of the King of Patawomek.
bythe Necosts; enemiesto the Patamomeks; this cxpulsed King though he professed much loue to the Patawomeks, yet he lou- ed not the King because he would not helpe him to reuenge his iniuries. but to our Interpreter Poole hee protested great loue, promising if any treason were, he would reueale it; our guide conducted this Bandyto with them vp to Patawomek and there kept him; our Fugitives we found the Potawomcks had taken and brought home, and the foure great men returned from Pamaruke; not long after, this expulsed King desired priuate conference with Poole, vrging him to sweare by his God neuer to reveale what he would tell him, Poole promis- ed he would not; then quoth this King, those great men that went to Pamaruke, went not as you suppose they pretended, but to contract with Opechankanough how to kill you all here, and these are their plots.
First, they will procure halfe of you to goe a fishing to their furthest towne, and there set vpon them, and cut off the rest; if that faile, they will faine a place where are many strangers would trade their Furrres, where they will per- swade halfe of you to goe trade, and there murder you and kill them at home: and if this faile also, then they will make Alarums two nights together, to tire you out with watching, and then set vpon you, yet of all this, said he, there is none acquainted but the King and the great Coniurer.
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