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 9
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This being made known to the Captain, we all stood more punctually vpon our guard, at which the Saluages wonder- ing, desired to know the cause; we told them we expected some assault from the Pamarukes, whereat they seemed con- tented, and the next day the King went on hunting with two of our men, and the other a fishing and abroad as before, till our Shallop returned from James towne with the two Salna- ges, sent home with Captaine Croshaw: by those the Go- uernour sent to Madyson, that this King should send him twelue of his great men: word of this was sent to the King at another towne where he was, who not comming presently with the Messenger, Madyson conceited hee regarded not the message, and intended as he supposed the same treason .- The next morning the King comming home, being sent for, he came to the Captaine and brought him a dish of their daintiest fruit; then the Captaine fained his returne to James towne, the King told him he might if he would, but desired not to leave him destitute of aid, hauing so many enemies
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88
The proceedings of the Plantations in Virginia.
about him; the Captaine told him he would leave a guard. but intreated his answer concerning the twelve great men for . the Governour; the King replied, his enemies lay so about him he could not spare them, then the Captaine desired his soane and one other; iny sonne, said the King, is gone abroad about businesse, but the other you desire you shall haue, and that other sits by him, but that man refused to goe, wherevpon Mudyson went forth and locked the doore, leau- ing the King, his soune, and foure Saluages, and fiue Eng- lish men in the strong house, and setting vpon the towne with the rest of his men, slew thirty or forty men, women and children; the King demanding the cause, Poole told him the treason, crying out to intreat the Captaine cease from such cruelty: but hauing slaine and made flye all in the towne, hee returned, taxing the poore King of treason, who denied to the death not to know of any such matter, but said, This is some plot of them that told it, onely to kill mee for being your friend. Then Madyson willed him to command none of his men should shoot at him as he went aboord, which he presently did, and it was performed: so Madyson departed. leading the King, his sonne, and two more to his ship, pro- mising when all his men were shipped, he should returne at libertie; notwithstanding he brought them to lames towne, where they lay some daies, and after were sent home by Captaine Hamar, that tooke Corne for their ransome, and after set saile for New found Land.
But, alas the cause of this was onely this They understood, nor knew what was amisse.
Euer since the beginning of these Plantations, it hath beene supposed the King of Spaine would inuade them, or our English Papists indeuour to dissolue them. But neither all the Counsels of Spaine, nor Papists in the world could haue deuised a better course to bring them all to ruine, then thus to abuse their friends, nor could there euer haue bonne a better plot, to haute ouerthrowne Opechankanough then Captaine Chroshaws, had it beene fully managed with expe- dition. But it seemes God is angry to see Virginia made a stage where nothing but murder and indiscretion contends for victory.
Amongst the rest of the Plantations all this Summer little was done, but securing themselues and planting Tobacco.
89
The proceedings of the Plantations in Virginia.
which passes there as current Siluer, and by the off turning and winding it, some grow rich, but many poore, not ; ith- standing ten or twelue ships or more bath arrived there since the massacre, although it was Christmas ere any returned, and that retorne greatly revived all mens longing expectation here in England: for they brought newes, that notwithstand- ing their extreme sicknesse many were recouered, and find- ing the Saluages did not much trouble them, except it were sometimes some disorderly straglers they cut off: To lull them the better in securitie, they sought no reuenge till their Corne was ripe, then they drew together three hundred of the best Souldiers they could, that would leave their private businesse, and adventure themselues amongst the Saloages to surprize their Corne, vnder the conduct of Sir George Yearlem: being imbarked in convenient shipping, and all things necessary for the enterprize, they went first to Nand- samund, where the people set fire on their owne houses, and spoiled what they could. and then fled with what they could carry: so that the English did make no slaughter amongst them for reuenge. Their Corne fields being newly gathered, they surprized all they found, burnt the houses remained vn- burnt, and so departed. Quartering about Kecoughtun, after the Watch was set, Samuell Collyer one of the most ancient- est Planters, and very well acquainted with their lan- guage and habitation, humors and conditions, and Gouernor of a Towne, when the Watch was set going the round, vn- fortunately by a Centinell that discharged his peece, was slaine.
Thence they sailed to Pumaruke, the chiefe seat of Ope- `chankanough, the contriuer of the massacre: the Saluages seemed exceeding fearefull, promising to bring them Sura, and the rest of the English yet luing, with all the Armes, and what they had to restore, much desiring peace, and to giue them any satisfaction they could. Many such denices they fained to procrastinate the time ten or twolue doies. till they had got away their Come from all the other phers vp the Riuer, but that where the English kept their quarter: at last, when they saw all those promises were but delusions, they seised on all the Corne there was, set fire on their hou- ses: and in following the Saluages that fled before them, some few of those nakec Deuils had that spirit, they lay in ambus- cado, and as our taen marched discharged some shot our of
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How to bring the Salvages under subiection.
English peeces, and hurt some of them flying at their plea- sures where they listed, burning their empty houses before them as they went to make themselues sport: so they escap- ed, and Sir George returned with Corne, where for our paines we hed three bushels apeece, but we were enlovned before we had it, to pay ten shillings the bushell for fraught and other charges. Thus by this meanes the Saluages are like as they report, to endure no small misery this Winter, and that some of our men are returned to their former Plan- tations.
What other passages or hapediments hapned in their pro- ceedings, that they were not fully reuenged of the Salutages before they returned, I know not; nor could euer heare more. but that they supposed they slew two, and how it was im- possible for any men to doe more then they did: yet worthy Ferdinando Courtus had scarce three hundred Spaniards to conquer the great Citie of Mexico, where thousands of Saluages dwelled fa strony houses: but because they were a civilized people, had wealth, and those mecre Barbarians as wilde as beasts baue nothing; I intreat your patience to tell you my opinion, which if it be Gods pleasure I shall not liue to put in practice, yet it may be hereafter vsefull for some, but howsooner I hope not hurtfull to any, and this it is.
Had these three hundred men beene at my disposing, I would have sent first one hundred to Captaine Rowley Chroshar to Patawomek, with some small Ordnance for the Fort, the which but with daily exercising them, would haue streek that loue and admiration into the Patawomeks, and terror and amazement into his enemies, which are not farre off, and most seated vpon the other side the River, they would willingly haue beene friends, or haue giuen any com- position they could, before they would be tormented with such a visible feare.
Now though they be generally perfidious, yet necessity constraines those to a kinde of constancy because of their enemies, and neither my selfe that first found them, Captaine Argull, Croshui, nor Hlamor, neuer found themselves in fif- teene yeares trials: nor is it likely now they would have so hostaged their men, suffer the building of a Fort, and their women and children amongst them, had they intended any villany: but suppose they had, who would have desired a bet- ter adgantage then such an aduertisement. to haue prepares
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How to bring the Salouges ender subiection.
the Fort for such an assault, and surely it must be a poore Fort they could hurt, much more take, if there were but fiue men in it durst discharge a peece: Therefore a man not well knowing their conditions, may be as wel too icalous as too carelesse; Such another Lope Skonce would I have had at Onmonamient, and one hundred men more to have made such another at Atquacke vpon the River of Toppahanoch, which is not past thirteene miles distant from Onawmanient: each of which twelue men would keepe, as well as twelve thousand, and spare all the rest to bee imploied as there should be occasion, And all this with these numbers might easily haue beene done, if not by courtesie, yet by compul- sion, especially at that time of September when all their fruits were ripe, their beasts fat, and infinite numbers of wilde Fowle began to repaire to eucry creeke, that men if they would doe any thing, could not want victuall. This done, there remained vet one hundred who should have done the like at Orinieke, vpon the River of Chickahamania, not past six miles from the chiefe habitations of Opechanka- nough. These small Forts had beene cause sufficient to cause all the Inhabitants of each of those Riuers to looke to themselues. Then hauing so many Ships, Barks, and Boats in Virginia as there was at that present, with what facility might you have landed two hundred and twentie men, if you had but onely fiue or six Boats in one night; forty to range the branch of Mattapangent, fortic more that. of Youghtanund, and fortie more to keepe their randenous at Pamucoke it selfe. All which places lie so neere, they might heare from each other within foure or fine houres. and not any of those small parties, if there were any valour, discretion, or industry in them, but as sufficient as foure thousand, to force them all to contribution, or take or spoile all they had. For hauing thus so many convenient rande- nous to releque each other, though all the whole Countries had beene our enemies, where could they rest, but in the depth of Winter we might burne all the houses vpon all those Rivers in two or three daies? Then without fires they could not liue, which they could not so hide but wec should finde, and quickly so tire them with watching and warding, they would be so weary of their lives, as either fly all their Coun- tries, or gine all they had to be released of such an hourely misery. Now ifbut a small number of the Saluages would
92
How to bring the Suluuges under subiection.
assist vs, as there is no question but divers of them would; And to suppose they could not be drawne to such faction, weir to beleeue they are more vertuous then many Chris- tans, and the best gouerned people in the world ; All the Pamacukes might have beene dispatched as well in a moneth as a yeare, and then to have dealt with any other enemies at our pleasure, and yet made all this toile and danger but a recreation.
If you think this strange or impossible, 12 men with my- · selfe I found sufficient, to goe where I would adaies, and sur- prise a house with the people. if not a whole towne in a night, or incounter all the power they could make, as a whole Ar- my, as formerly at large hath been related: And it seemes by these small parties last amongst them, by Captaine Cra- show, Hamar, and Madyson, they are not growne to that excellency and policy and courage but they might bee en- countred. and their wives and children apprehended. Iknow I shall bee taxed for writing so much of my selfe, but I care not much, because the judiciall know there are few such Souldiers as are my examples, hane writ their owne actions, nó- know I who will or can tell my intents better then my selfe.
Some againe finde as much fault with the Company for medling with so many Plantations together, because they that haue many Irons in the fire some must burne; but I thinke no, if they haue men enow know how to worke them: but howsoeuer, it were better sowie burne then have none at all. The King of Spaine regards but how many powerfull Kingdomes he keepes vader his obedience, and for the Sal- uage Countries he hath subiected, they are more then enow for a good Cosmographer to nominate, and is three Mole- hills so much to vs; and so many Empires so little for him? For my owne part. I cannot chuse but grieue, that the ac- tions of an Englishman should be inferior to any, and that the command of England should not be as great as any Mo- narchy that ener was since the world began, I meane not as a Tyrant to torment all Christendome, but to suppresse her . disturbers, and conquer her enemies.
For the great Romans got into their hand The whole worldis compasse, both by Sea and Land, Or any seas, or heaven, or earth extended, And yet that Nation could not be contented.
93
The arriuall of Captains Butler into Virginia.
Much about this time arriued a small Barke of Barnesta- ble, which had beene at the Summer Iles, and in her Cap- taine Nathaniel Butler, who having beene Governor there three veares, and his Commission expired, he sooke the op- portunity of this ship to see Virginia: at James Towne he was kindly entertained by Sir Francis Wget the Gouerner. After he had rested there fourteene daies, he fell to with his ship to the River of Chickahamania, where meeting Cap- taine William Powell, ioyning together such forces as they had to the number of eighty, they set vpon the Chickahora- nians, that fearefully fled, suffering the English to spoile all they had, not daring to resist them. Thus he returned to James towne, where hee stated a moneth, at Kecoughtan as much more, and so returned for England.
But riding at Kycoughum. M. John Argent, sonne to Doe- tor Argent, a young Gentleman that went with Captaine Butler from England to this place, Michael Fuller, Willem Gany, Cornelius May, and one other going ashore with some goods late in a faire euening, such a sudden gust did arise, that drive them thwart the River, in that place at least three or foure miles in bredth, where the shore was so shallow at a low water, and the Boat, beating vpon the Sands, they left her, wading neore halle a mile, and oft vp to the ch well it hapned, Master Argent had put his Bandileir of pow- der in his hat, which next God was all their preseruations: for it being February, and the ground so cold, their bodies became so benumbed, they were not able to strike fire with a steele and a stone he had in his pocket; the stone they lost twice, and thus those poore soules groping in the darke, it was Master Argents chance to finde it, and with a few wi- thered leaues, reeds, and brush, make a small fire, being vpon the Chisepeaks shore, their mortall encinles, great was their feare to be discouered. The ioyfull morning appcaring, they found their Boat and goods drive ashore, not farre from them, but so split shee was viseruiceable: but so much was the frost, their clothes did freeze vpon their backs, for they durst not make any great fire to dry them, lest thereby the bloudy Saluages miight disery them, so that one of them died the next day, and the next night digging a graue in the Sands with their hands, buried him. in this bodily feare they lived and fasted two daies and nights, thea two of them went into the Land to sseke fresh water; the others to the Boat to get
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A very strange deliverance of M. Argent.
some mcale and oyle. Argent and his Comrado found a Ca- now, in which they resolued to aduenture to their ship, but shee was a drift in the River before they returned: thus frus- trate of all bropes, Captaine Butler the third night ranging the shore in his Boat to seeke them, discharged his Sluskets, but thes supposing it some Saluages had got some English pecces, they grew more perplexed then euer, so he returned and lost his labour. The fourth day they vnloaded their Bont. and stopping her leakes with thelr handkerchiefs, and other rags, two rowing, and two bailing out the water; but farre they went not ere the water grew vpon them so fast, and they so tired, they thought themselues happy to be on shore againe, though they perceived the Indians were not farre off by their fires. Thus at the very period of despaire, Fuller undertooke to sit a stride vpon a little peece of an old Ca- now; so well it pleased God the winde and tide serued, by padling with his hands and feet in the water, beyond all ex- pectatica God so guided him three or foure houres vpon this boord, he arrived at their ship, where they no lesse amazed then he tired, they tooke him in. Presently as he had con- cluded with his Companions, he caused them discharge a pecce of Ordnance if he escaped, which gaue no lesse com- fort to Master Argent and the rest, then terror to those Plan- tations that heard it, (being late) at such an vnexpected alarum: but after, with warme clothes and a little strong water, they had a little recoucred him, such was his courage and care of his distressed friends, he returned that night againe with Master Felgute to conduct him to them, and so giuing thanks to God for so hopelesse a deliverance, it pleas- ed his Divine power, both they and their prouision came sate- ly aboord, but Fuller they doubt will neuer recouer his be- numbed legs and thighes.
Now before Butlers arriuall in England, many hard speech- es were rumored against him for so leaning his charge, before he received order from the Company: Divers assine of his Souldiers highly commended nha, for his good government, art, indgement and industry. Eut to make the misery of Virginia appeare that it might be reformed in time. how all those Cities, Townes. Corporations. Forts, Vineyards. Nur- series of Mulberies, Class-houses, Iron forges, Guest houses, Silke-wormes, Colleges, the Companies great estate, and that plenty some doe speake of here are rather things in
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95
How Captaine Spilman was left in Patawomek.
words and paper then in effect, with diuers reasons of the causes of those defects; if it were false, his blame nor shame could not be too much: but if there hee such defects in the gouernment, and distresse in the Colony, it is thought by many it hath beene too long concealed, and requireth rather reformation then disputation: but however, it were not amisse to provide for the worst, for the best will helpe it selfe .--- Notwithstanding, it was apprehended so hardly, and cxam- ined with that passion, that the brute thereof was spread abroad with that expedition, it did more hurt then the massa- cre; and the fault of all now by the vulgar rumour, must be attributed to the vnwholsomenesse of the ayre, and barren- nesse of the Countrey, as though all England were naught. because the Fens and Marshes are vnhealthy: or barren, he- cause some will lie vnder windowes and starue in Cheap-side. rot in Goales, die in the street, high-waies, or any where, and vse a thousand deuices to maintaine themselues in those mi- series, rather then take any paines, to line as they may by honest labour, and a great part of such like are the Planters of Virginia, and partly the occasion of those defailements.
In the latter end of this last yeare, or the beginning of this. Captaine Henrie Spilman a Gentleman, that hath lived in those Countries thirteene or foureteene yeares, one of the best Interpreters in the Land, being furnished with a Barke and six and twentie men, hec was sent to trucke in the River of Patawomek, where he had lived a long time amongst the Saluages: whether hoe presumed too much vpon his acquain- tance amongst them, or they sought to be reuenged of any for the slaughter made amongst them by the English solately, or hee sought to betray them, or they him, are all seuerall relations, but it seemes but imaginary: for they returned report they left him ashore about Putawomen, but the name of the place they knew not, with one and twentie men, being but fue in the Backe, the Saluages ere they suspected any thing. boorded them with their Canowes, and entred so fast, the English were amazed, till a Sailer gaue fire to a peece of Ordnance onely at randome; at the report whereof, the Sal- tages leapt ouer-boord, so distracted with feare, they left their Canowes and swum a shore: and presently after they heard a great brute among the Saluages a shore, and saw a mans head throw ne downe the banke, whereupon they weigh-
96
Such things as men ought to
ed Anchor and returned home, but how he was surprised er ? slaine, is vncertaine.
Thus things proceed and vary not a iot, Whether we know them, or we know them not.
particular of such necessaries as either priuate families, or single persons, shall have cause to pro- uide to goe to Virginia, achereby greater numbers may in part conceiue the better how to provide for themselues.
Apparell. S. d. !
A monmoth Cap.
1 101
3 falling bands. 1 3:
3 shirts. 7.6
1 Waste-coat. 2.23
1 suit of Canuase.
7 61
1 suit of Frize.
10
1 suit of Cloth.
15 4
3 paire of Irish stockings.
4 paire of shooes.
8
1 paire of garters.
10
1 dozen points.
1 paire of Canuas sheets. 8
7 elis of Canuas to make a bed and boulster, to be filled in Virginia, seruing for tivo men. 8
5 ells of course Cannas to make a bed at Sea for two men. - 5
1 course rug at sea for two men. 6
Victuall for a whole yeare for a man, and so after the rat for more. S. d.
8 bushels of meale. 2
2 bushels of pease.
2. bushels of Otomeale.
£
97
Provide when they go to Virginia.
€ s. d.
1 gallon of Aquavitæ.
2. 6
1 gallon of oyle.
3 6
2 gallons of Vineger.
2
£3 3
Armes for a man, but if' halfe your men be armed it is well, so all have swords and peeces.
1 Armor complete, light. s. d.
17
1 long peece five foot and a halfe, neere Musket bore. 1 2
1 Sword.
5
1 Belt.
1
1 Bandilier. 1
6
20 pound of powder. 18
60 pound of shot or Lead, Pistoll and Goose shot. 5
£3 9 6
Tooles for a family of six persons, and so after the rate for more
£ s. d.
5 broad howes at 2s. a peece. 10
6
8
2 broad axes at 3s. Sd. a peece. 7
4
5 felling axes at 18d. a peece. 7
6
2 steele handsawes at 16d. a peece. 2
8
2 two handsawes at 5s. a peece.
10
1 whipsaw, set and filed, with box, file and wrest. 10
2 hammers 12d. a peece.
2
3 shouels 18d. a peece. 4
6
2 spades at 18d. a peece. -
3
2 Augers at 6d. a peece.
1
6 Chissels at 6d. a peece.
3
2 Percers stocked 4d. a peece.
8
3 Gimblets at 2d. a peece.
6
2 Hatchets at 21d. a peece.
3 3
6
2 frowes to cleaue pale 182. each. - -
Vol. 2-0
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5 narrow howes at 16d. a peece,
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Such things as men ought to &c.
2 hand Bills 20d. a peece.
1 Grindstone.
C s. d. 3 .4
Nailes of all sorts to the value of . 2
2 Pickaxes.
3
£6 2 8
Household implements for a family and six persons, and so for more or lesse after the rate. C S. d. 7
1 Trọn pot.
1 Kettell.
1 large Frying-pan.
1 Gridiron.
6 2 1 5
6 6
2 Skellets
1 Spit. - -
Platters, dishes, spoones of wood. 4
£1 8
For Sugar, Spice, and Fruit, and at Sea for six men. 12 6 So the full charge after this rate for each person, will : mount about the summe of 1 10 The passage of each man is 6
The fraught of these provisions for a man, will be about balfe a tun, which is 12 10 10 So the whole charge will amount to about - £20
Now if the number be great. Ners, Hooks and Lines, but Cheese, Bacon, Kine and Goats must be added. And this is the ysuall proportion the Virginie Company doe beston vpon their Tenents they send.
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Of the Commodities of the Countrey.
A briefe relation written by Captaine Smith to his Majesties Commissioners for the reformation of Virginia, concerning some aspersions against it.
HONOURABLE Gentlemen, for so many faire and Naviga- ble Fuers so neere adioyning, and piercing thorow so faire a naturall Land, free from any inundations, or large Femy vnwholesome Marshes, I baue not seene, read, nor heard of: And for the building of Cities, Townes and Wharfage, if they will use the meanes, where there is no more ebb nor floud, Nature in few places affoords any so convenient, for salt Marshes or Quagmires. In this tract of James Towne River I know very few: some small Marshes and Swamps there are, but more profitable then bortfull: and I think there is more low Marsh ground betwixt Erife and Chelsey, then Kecoughaan and the Falls, which is about one hundred and eighty miles by the course of the River.
Being iniovned by our Commission not to vuplant nor wrong the Saluages, because the channell was so neere the shore, where now is James Towne, then a thicke grone of trees; wer cut them downe, where the Salvages pretending as much kindnesse as could bec, they hurt and slew one and twenty of vs in two houres: At this time our diet was for most part water and bran, and three ounces of little better stuffe in bread for fue men a meale, and thus we liucd neere three moneths: our lodgings vnder boughes of trees, the Sal- uages being our enemies, whom we neither knew nor vnder- stood; occasions I thinke sufficient to make men sicke and die.
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