USA > Virginia > The history of Virginia, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 5
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In regard to the conduct of Smith toward the natives, the opinions of men will naturally differ ; but he who seeks to form a correct judgment in this matter, must weigh the acts of the young soldier by the standard of the times in which he lived, and not by the finer balance of the present day.
In all nobility of spirit; in self-abnegation where the wants of others conflicted with his own ; in manly piety, energy, and daring; in sound- ness of judgment, quickness of decision in emer- gencies, and in the art of winning the love of all with whom he came in contact,-except, perhaps,
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1608.
the most depraved,-he will compare worthily with the most popular of those who have been called heroes, either in ancient or in modern times.
On the 3d of September, 1608, Smith was elected governor of the colony. Newport arrived shortly after with seventy immigrants, among whom were Mistress Forest and Annie Burras, these being the first English women that set- tled in the colony. The council was reorga- nized by the admission of new members; and then, as Newport had brought with him a tinsel crown, a scarlet cloak, and other mock insignia of royalty, Smith was despatched to Powhattan for the purpose of bringing the latter to James- town, where Newport proposed to perform the ceremony of investiture and coronation.
But though Powhattan was always gratified at receiving presents from the English, he was by no means inclined to place the safety of his royal person in their hands. He therefore answered haughtily.
" If your king has sent me presents, I also am a king, and this is my land ; eight days I will re- main here to receive them. Newport is to come to me, not I to him, nor to your fort. I will not bite at such a bait."
Accordingly, Newport, finding the emperor in- tractable, was compelled to go in person to We- rowocomoco.
The next day was appointed for the corona-
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1608.] CORONATION OF POWHATTAN.
tion. As soon as the time arrived, the presents were brought in. They consisted of a ewer and bason, a bedstead with its customary furni- ture, a gay scarlet cloak, and other apparel, and a gilded crown.
After much ado and solicitation, King Powhat- tan suffered himself, though with great reluctance, to be inducted into his regal habiliments ; but neither persuasion nor argument could induce him to kneel for the purpose of receiving his crown. Though the English self-constituted mas- ters of ceremonies sought to explain that such was the approved and fashionable method in use among his brother monarchs in the old world, kneel he would not.
The difficulty, however, was at length happily removed, by some of them leaning heavily on the emperor's shoulder, which causing him to stoop a little, three of the company, lifting the crown between them, placed it upon his head.
And thus ended the coronation of King Pow- hattan, who did not forget that it was the duty of a monarch to bestow largesse upon any occa- sion which implied increase of dignity ; in token whereof, he graciously presented Newport with his cast-off mantle and old shoes !
The state of affairs at Jamestown, under the rigid supervision of Governor Smith, quickly as- sumed a more promising aspect.
Buildings were erected and renovated ; the
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1608.
church repaired; the fort altered and strength- ened; a military guard organized, and trained in squads daily ; while every Saturday, the whole of the colonists were exercised in arms on the plain by the west bulwark.
The savages too, well knowing the character of the man with whom they would now have to ` deal, became all at once remarkably friendly and conciliating. The Princess Pocahontas also visited the town occasionally, with her wild fol- lowers, always bringing with her presents of corn, and game, and fruit, as substantial evidences of her regard.
In assigning the various duties in the way of labour among the colonists, Smith spared none. The rustic, in his eyes, was equal to the gentle- man; or, rather, he regarded the former as a more important member of the body politic, especially if he was able-bodied and an efficient master of his craft. Nor did the brave young governor spare himself. Whatever was to be done, he led the way, and bade others profit by the example.
Thirty of them he took down the river some five miles below Jamestown, where he taught them to cut down trees and make clap boards ; but the axes so often blistered the delicate fingers of the labouring gentlemen, that almost every third stroke was accompanied by an oath.
Smith's remedy for idleness was no food, and
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CURE FOR SWEARING.
1606.]
a very excellent remedy it proved. His recipe for the cure of profane swearing was far more whimsical, but equally successful. He had a regular account kept of the number of expletives which each man gave vent to; and at night, for. every separate oath, a can of cold water was poured down the sleeve of the offender.
A few rigid applications of the prescribed penal- ty effected so complete a cure of the propensity to swear, that in a little while scarcely an oath was to be heard in a week.
The continued influx of immigrants, notwith- standing the presents he had received, began to make Powhattan uneasy; and knowing that the colonists had never yet been able to raise more corn than was sufficient to subsist them for a few weeks, he directed his people to withhold their usual supplies of that necessary article of food.
This course of procedure, being persisted in, brought the condition of the colony down to the starving point. After several voyages in search of provisions had been made without success by his subordinates, Governor Smith, whom no persuasions could induce to starve quietly, de- termined to try whether he could not effect a better result by a journey to head-quarters, and an expedition was immediately organized for that purpose.
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. - [1609.
CHAPTER VI.
Smith sets out for Werowocomoco-Is visited by Powhattan -Smith's speech-Reply of Powhattan -- Difficulties in the way of bartering for corn-Subtle conduct of the emperor -Smith and his companions surrounded by armed Indians- Rout of the latter-Supplies of corn obtained-Powhattan's treachery-Visit of Pocahontas-The project frustrated- Smith sails for Pamunkey-Is entertained by Opechanca- nough-Demands a supply of corn-Fearful situation of the whites-Smith takes Opechancanough prisoner-Surrender ofhis warriors-Their sudden friendship-The barges freight- ed with corn-Return to Jamestown.
ON the 29th of December, 1608, Governor Smith out on his voyage to Werowocomoco. His acknowledged purpose was, either to trade with Powhattan for corn in a fair and impartial man- ner; or, if that was found impossible, to beat up the Indian head-quarters, and seize a supply of provision by force.
The expedition consisted of the pinnace of twenty tons, and the little barge used in the ex- ploration of the Chesapeake Bay. The number of volunteers amounted to forty-six men.
On the 12th of January, after having been warned by the friendly chief of Warraskoyack that the intentions of Powhattan were of the most sanguinary nature, Smith reached the vicinity of Werowocomoco; but could not bring his vessels closer than within half a mile of the land, on ac-
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1609.] SMITH AND POWHATTAN.
count of the ice, which stretched far out into the Pamunkey river, and of the oozy marshes beyond.
This, however, did not deter the governor long. Breaking the thin edge of the ice so as to lay his vessels as near to the town as possible, he sprang from the bow of the barge, crossed the frozen space, and plunging into the mud and ooze, mid- dle deep, called upon his companions to follow. As soon as all were landed, Smith took possession of the nearest houses, and sent a messenger to Powhattan, demanding refreshments for his men. Smothering his resentment, the emperor imme- diately complied with a request the peremptory character of which admitted of no evasion.
The next day he visited Smith in person. Af- ter stating that he had no corn for sale, and that he had not invited them there, he asked, with a gleam of his old spirit, how long the intruders intended to stay ?
It happened, however, that Powhattan really had promised to freight the pinnace with corn, provided the governor would send him men to build a house, together with a specified number of guns and swords ; a grindstone, and some cop- per and beads.
The men and the minor articles were de- spatched accordingly, but the weapons were pru- dently refused.
So when Powhattan protested he had neither sent for mechanics or merchandise ; Smith, point-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1609.
ing to the men themselves, who were standing near by, asked the emperor how it was possible he could be so forgetful ?
Finding himself thus palpably convicted of an untruth, Powhattan burst into a hearty laugh, and asked to be shown their commodities.
These were quickly displayed; but he would barter for nothing but guns and swords. Copper was freely offered him, but he would have nothing to do with it; telling them he could put a value upon his corn, but not upon their copper.
Smith, perceiving the intention of the emperor was not to trade at all, unless he could do it in his own way, threw aside aside all diplomacy, and addressed Powhattan in his usual plain, straight- forward manner. '"Powhattan," said he, " al- though I had many ways whereby I could have obtained the provisions I required, yet, believing in your promise to supply my wants, I neglected them all to satisfy your desire. To give you an evidence of my affection, I sent you my men to complete you a house, leaving my own unfinished. The corn your people had you have seized, for- bidding them to trade with us; and now you think by consuming the time to make us perish with -want, because we cannot comply with your strange demands. As for swords and guns, I told you long ago I had none to spare ; and you well know that those I have can keep me from want- ing food. Yet, steal from you, or wrong you, I
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SUBTILTY OF POWHATTAN.
1 1609.]
will not ; nor will I dissolve that friendship which has hitherto existed between us, unless you force me to do so by bad usage."
Having listened very attentively to this dis- course, Powhattan promised that both he and his subjects would bring into the town whatever corn they had to spare within two days; and then turning with his grave, subtle manner toward the sturdy governor, he said :
" Captain Smith, it is the doubt I yet have of your true reasons for coming hither, that makes me refrain from relieving your wants. I have been informed by many persons that your object in coming here, is not to trade, but to possess my country and harass my people, who, seeing you and your men thus armed, are afraid to bring you their corn. To free us from this fear, leave your weapons aboard, for we being all friends they are needless here."
To this, however, Smith would by no means consent, and the day passed without either party yielding to the other.
The next morning, before the savages arrived with their supplies from the inland towns, Smith managed to obtain ten quarters of corn from Powhattan, in exchange for a copper kettle. With this barter both were well contented; but the emperor by no means relished trading with men who carried their weapons in one hand, and their commodities in the other. He began, there-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. F1609.
fore, another long discourse, eulogizing the bless- ings of peace, and expressing his wish to maintain friendly relations with his white neighbours. He said pathetically, that he had seen the death of . three generations of his people, not one of whom was then living but himself; that he was very , old, and must soon die, and that he desired to leave the whites on good terms with his successors.
Smith in reply, reminded Powhattan how often the savages had violated the promises which had been made in their behalf, and how kindly they had been treated notwithstanding. As for the wearing of arms, he said, that should not be con- strued into evil intentions, because they had re- peatedly shown that it was not their wish to use them, except in self-defence, or to punish some , aggressive act.
The old emperor, finding it almost impossible to make any impression upon the wary and un- compromising soldier, breathed a deep sigh, and said, in a tone of well-feigned reproach :
" Captain Smith, I never in my life used any chief so kindly as I have you ; and yet, from you I have met with the least friendly return. Cap- tain Newport gave me freely of every thing I de- sired, and received in return whatever I was pleased to offer. He would send away his guns at my request, and if you are disposed to show an equal friendship, let the men put aside their weapons, and I will believe you."
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SMITH'S DECISION.
1609.]
Smith, having at this time but eighteen men on shore, perceiving that Powhattan was only trifling with him until the hordes of armed savages, now flocking in from all quarters, should be able to surround his little band, quietly requested that some of the savages might be allowed to break the ice, so that his boat could approach the shore, and promised on the morrow he would land his followers unarmed.
To dissemble matters as long as possible, Pow- hattan gave permission to some of his people to open a passage for the boat, and while this was doing, having been informed that his warriors were ready to act, he left two or three of his wo- men to engage Smith in conversation, while he secretly left the house in which the conference had been held. It was immediately surrounded by swarms of savages, but Smith was not the man to take these matters quietly. Without pausing until they should gain confidence from his inde- ยท cision, he burst out at the doorway, and after discharging his pistol into the crowd, began to lay about him with his sword. Being well sup- ported by his followers, the savages fled in the utmost confusion, falling one upon another in their eager efforts to escape.
A short time afterward, Powhattan sent a mes- senger to excuse his flight, on the plea that the approach of the boat filled with armed men had alarmed him, and that the multitude of his peo-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1609.
ple, by whom the house was beset, had been sent by him, not with hostile intentions, but for the purpose of defending the corn from being taken away without his having received any equivalent remuneration for it.
A large quantity of corn had indeed been de- posited near the house in baskets, and this fact gave some colour to the explanation which had been proffered. Smith received the excuse with a grim smile, but when the savages officiously proposed to take charge of the arms of his people while they carried the corn to the boat, he re- versed the proposition by suggesting that they should throw down their bows and arrows, and load the boat with corn for him. As the sugges- tion of Smith, though quietly made, was doubt- less accompanied by a significant show of wea- pons on the part of his men, the savages thought it best to acquiesce in the new arrangement. Stimulated by their fears, the corn was soon taken on board, and Smith would have quitted the place . at once, but the ebb having left his barges firmly imbedded in the ooze, he was compelled to remain where he was until the next high tide should float them.
In the mean time, the savages seemed to have forgotten their fears and their enmity. They entertained the strangers with all manner of joy- ous sports and games, until it grew dark, when they all returned to Powhattan, who was in the
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1609.] POCAHONTAS'S WARNING.
woods at some distance, busily engaged in reor- ganizing his forces to surprise Smith in the night.
It is impossible to say what might have been the issue of this scheme, if Smith had remained entirely ignorant of the design ; but, fortunately, his former gentle preserver, the youthful Princess Pocahontas, threaded secretly the dark woods and put him upon his guard.
She told Smith, that under pretence of pro- viding himself and his companions with a boun- tiful supply of refreshments for their evening meal, a number of men would be introduced, whose instructions were to seize the weapons of his men while they were at supper, and then mur- der them. If this stratagem was unsuccessful, then an attempt was to be made by a large body of men approaching unawares from without. She entreated him therefore to quit the place at once ; but this Smith would not do, neither would he take refuge on board of his boats. Thanking Pocahontas most warmly and gratefully for the warning she had given him, he pressed upon her a number of trinkets, such as she usually delight- ed in; but she would accept of none, lest their being found upon her person should lead her father to suspect she had betrayed his plans; a suspi- cion which, if confirmed in any way, might involve the safety of her own life. So with many tears she tore herself from them, and departed alone through the dark woods as secretly as she came,
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F HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1609.
Within less than an hour after she had left, eight or ten stout savages came to the house, bearing huge platters of cooked venison and other food. Affecting to be almost suffocated with the smoke of the matches, which were used in those days for the purpose of firing off the guns, they importuned Smith to have them quenched. This modest request was of course refused by the sol- dier, who, suspecting that possibly the food which they had brought might have been tampered with, compelled each of the savages to partake of a portion of it, before he permitted his men to satisfy their appetites. When they had done so, he sent several of them back to Powhattan, to inform him that his intentions were known, and that he might come on as soon as he pleased, as they were fully prepared to receive him.
This bold invitation quite frustrated the project of the emperor, and although a strict watch was kept up the whole of the night, the morning dawned at length without their having received any molestation.
At high-water the next day the barges floated, and when all his followers were once more safely on board, Smith exchanged courtesies with the savages who thronged the banks to see them off, and dropped down the river to Pamunkey. When they reached the vicinity of the latter town, they were entertained by Opechancanough, with a great show of regard. After remaining there
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OPECHANCANOUGH. -
1609.]
three days, Smith, taking with him a detachment of fourteen men, proceeded to the town, a quar- ter of a mile from the river, which they found de- serted by all its usual inhabitants, except a lame man and a boy.
It was not long, however, before Opechanca- nough arrived, accompanied by a considerable number of armed men, but with scarcely any of the provisions he had promised.
Finding himself likely to receive but a scanty supply, unless he took decided steps to procure it, Smith turned to Opechancanough, and after reminding him that the previous year he had freighted with corn the ship which had been sent to him, said with his usual bluntness :
" You know my want, and as I am equally conscious of your plenty, I am resolved by some means to have a portion of it. Here are my commodities ; take your own choice first, and after you have selected such as you prefer, I will barter the remainder with your people."
Upon these terms an exchange was immediate- ly made, the king promising the next day to bring down a further and a larger supply. Ac- cordingly, when the time came, Smith again pro- ceeded to the town, where he at first found only four or five men, each newly arrived, with a great basket of corn. Opechancanough made his appearance with some forty or fifty of his fol- lowers soon after, and held Smith in conversation
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1609.
until some seven hundred warriors, completely armed, had surrounded the house.
Some of Smith's companions expressing a fear of their inability to withstand such numbers, the captain made light of the danger, and told them, at the worst, they could fight like men, and not die like sheep, for " by that means," said he, " God hath often delivered me before, and so I trust will now."
When the king saw that his designs were sus- pected, he sought to restore confidence by order- ing a large present of corn to be brought. and laid outside the door. This, however, was but a stratagem to draw Smith and his companions from the house; for lying behind a great tree that was blown down, were numbers of warriors, with their bows bent ready to shoot, the moment any of the whites attempted to pass the door.
Indignant at being encompassed about in this manner, Smith took his resolve at once. He sprang into the midst of the warriors within the house, and seizing Opechancanough by his scalp- lock, planted a pistol against his breast, and led him a prisoner to the door, so that the danger in which their king was could be seen by all his people.
This energetic act disarmed the warriors at once. Seeing their king a prisoner, they threw aside their weapons, brought in corn in abun- dance, and strove to atone by a show of eager
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1609.] SMITH RETURNS TO JAMESTOWN.
friendship for their previous hostility. No fur- ther interruption occurred ; the corn was taken to the barges, as at Werowocomoco, on the backs of the people, and when the loading was com- pleted, Smith set sail for Jamestown.
CHAPTER VII.
Returh of Smith to Jamestown-Loss of Scrivener, Gosnoll, and others-Government of Smith-Activity of the colonists- Growing scarcity of food-Many settlers quartered around Jamestown-Insubordination-Firmness of Smith-Arrival of Captain Argall-The commissioners in England surren- der their charter-A new commission granted-Lord de la Warre appointed Governor-general of Virginia-Nine vessels sail from England for the colony-Parted in a storm-Un- certain fate of the flag ship-The others of the fleet arrive in Virginia-Difficulties with Smith-His resolute conduct- Opens several new plantations-Powhattan settled-Terrible accident to Smith-His return to England-Statistics of the colony-Its prosperous condition.
THE return of Smith to Jamestown was has- tened by the tidings of an unhappy accident which had occurred during his absence. This was no other than the loss of Mr. Scrivener, Captain Waldo, Anthony Gosnoll, and eight others, by the upsetting of their boat in a storm on the James River.
He had no sooner reassumed the reins of government than the colony began to feel the beneficial effects of his watchfulness and energy.
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1609.
Having succeeded in obtaining during his late voyage nearly five hundred bushels of corn, and two hundred pounds of deer suet, he considered an economical disposition of this supply sufficient to last the colonists for three months, or until their own harvest came round.
His anxieties in regard to provision being thus put to rest, he now determined to maintain no idlers, but that all should labour equally for the common benefit. The whole of the colonists were therefore divided into companies of ten and fifteen each, separate duties allotted to each company, and the period of labour, six hours of each day, strictly enforced. The firmness with which an exact performance of these rules was insisted upon soon roused the old spirit of insubordina- tion among the gentlemen colonists, who ima- gined their birth and condition ought to exempt them from the degradation of working for a sub- sistence.
But Governor Smith would admit of no excep- tions. He did not even shield himself, under cover of his office, from the performance of those tasks which he required of others. He demanded no more than that all the ablest bodied colonists should equal him in industry.
When therefore he perceived a mutinous spirit among those who esteemed themselves as the bet- ter class, and that they were disposed to disobey the rules he had laid down, he took a short but
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USEFUL LABOURS.
1609.]
most effectual method of reducing them to obe- dience. Having entire control of the public stores, from which each colonist received his ra- tions daily, Smith decreed that those who did not work should not eat ; and hunger being a forcible stimulant to industry, after a few of the malcon- tents had tested to their satisfaction the opera- tion of the law, they found it far pleasanter to submit than to resist.
During the three months thus busily employed, the colonists got ready for the ships, whose arri- val was expected, large quantities of pitch, tar, pot-ashes ; and succeeded in manufacturing a small supply of glass, most probably for their own use. They also constructed nets and wears for fishing ; built some twenty houses; thatched the church with reeds from the adjoining marsh ; sank a well in the fort; and built a block-house on the point of the peninsula, for the purpose of overawing the savages. In addition to these la- bours, thirty acres of land were broken up and planted with corn, and two other block-houses, easy of defence, erected in commanding situa- tions.
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