USA > Virginia > The history of Virginia, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 7
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Another and more doubtful privilege was also
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1612.
given by the new charter : it was that of raising money by lotteries for the benefit of the colony. These lotteries, after being tolerated for a few years, were found productive of so many evils, that upon the complaint of the Commons they were suspended by an order of council. In the mean while they had produced to the company nearly thirty thousand pounds.
CHAPTER IX.
Administration of Sir Thomas Gates-Cautious forbearance of · Powhattan-Treachery of Japazaws-Capture of Pocahon- tas-She is taken to Jamestown-A ransom demanded for her release-Powhattan sends back men and muskets-Sir Thomas Dale sent to enforce the remainder of the ransom- Reaches Werowocomoco-Is assaulted-Defeats the savages and burns the town-Parleys with the Indians-Returns to Jamestown-John Rolfe instructs Pocahontas in the Chris- tian faith-She is baptized-Marriage of Pocahontas to Rolfe -Satisfaction of Powhattan-Its beneficial consequences --- Dale treats with Powhattan for another daughter-His re- fusal-Rolfe and his wife sail for England-Pocahontas honourably received-Her death at Gravesend.
THE administration of Sir Thomas Gates was eminently judicious. The condition of the colo- nists was greatly ameliorated and improved, a spirit of industry was fostered, and the savages effectually restrained.
Powhattan was cautious and forbearing, re- signing himself to the increase of the colonists, as to an evil which it was now too late to remedy.
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CAPTURE OF POCAHONTAS.
1612.]
An event at length occurred which threatened at first to involve the country in a sanguinary war. Its romantic termination fortunately led to a firmer and more lasting peace.
In 1612, Captain Argall was sent to the Po- tomac to purchase corn : while he remained in that river, he learned from Japazaws, an old chief, and a tried friend to the English, that the Princess Pocahontas was secreted in the neigh- bourhood. Singular enough, the daughter of Powhattan had never entered Jamestown from the day Smith left it ; but had resided for some time on the shores of the Potomac, in the family of Japazaws. A scheme was now entered upon by Japazaws to betray her to the English, and Argall, well knowing the value of the prize, bribed the treacherous chief to entice her on board his vessel. This was effected by a cun- ning stratagem. The wife of Japazaws pretend- ed to be exceedingly anxious to see one of the big canoes of the white people, while the old chief expressed himself vehemently in opposition to her going alone. The wife redoubled her en- treaties, and Japazaws, as if losing all patience, threatened to chastise her unless she ceased her importunities. This harsh conduct producing a flood of tears, Japazaws pretended to relent, and consented that his wife should have her curiosity satisfied, provided the Princess Pocahontas would agree to accompany her. Little suspecting the
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1612.
1
snare which had been laid for her, the kind- hearted maiden consented. The members of the little party were courteously received in the cabin by Argall, and feasted with the best he could provide ; Japazaws treading occasionally on the captain's foot to remind him that he had fulfilled his compact. When the hour arrived for their departure, Argall told Pocahontas she must return with him to Jamestown ; whereupon Japasaws and his wife, with loud cries and la- mentations, bewailed the manner in which their young charge had been taken prisoner. Poca- hontas, also, at first, fell to weeping; but grew composed when she learned that the object of her detention was to hasten a treaty of peace be- tween the colonists and her father. A copper- kettle and a few beads pacified Japazaws and his companion, both of whom left the vessel rejoicing that Pocahontas still believed them to be among her best and most devoted friends.
Pocahontas was treated with the utmost kind- ness and attention at Jamestown, and soon be- I came reconciled to her captivity. In the mean while, messengers were sent to Powhattan, demand- ing a ransom. The conditions insisted upon were, that the emperor should return all the prisoners he had captured, and all the swords, guns, and implements which had been stolen at different times by his people. Powhattan loved his daugh- ter dearly, but he was desirous of retaining both
1612.] WAR WITH POWHATTAN. 113 1
his prisoners and his spoils. The prisoners were useful to him as mechanics, and the spoils gratified his pride.
Nature, however, at length prevailed. After a silence of three months, he sent back seven of his prisoners, and the same number of unservice- able muskets. He also sent word, that if his daughter was released, he would atone satis- factorily for all the injuries which had been done to the colony, and remain for ever after a firm friend.
The council at Jamestown quietly accepted the prisoners and old muskets as part payment ; but kept possession of his daughter until the remain- der of the arms and implements which had been stolen were returned.
Powhattan was indignant. Discovering that they were not likely to make terms with him by diplomacy, the council resolved to resort to arms. Accordingly Sir Thomas Dale, having with him the Princess Pocahontas, and further accompa- nied by one hundred and fifty men well armed and equipped, set sail for Werowocomoco. When Dale reached the town, he was hailed from the shore, and the reason of his presence demanded. His reply was, that he had come to receive the ransom for the Princess Pocahontas, or to take it by force. He immediately received a spirited . answer. They told him, if he chose to fight he was welcome to do so, as they were perfectly pre-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1612.
pared for him; but if he valued his own life, or the lives of his m'en, they would advise him to retire, or they would use him as they had done Captain Ratcliffe.
Dale said he would have a better answer, and the reply was a flight of arrows.
But savage spirit, though supported by num- bers, was no match for armed and disciplined men. The forces of Powhattan were speedily routed, and the town set on fire.
The next day, Dale proceeded higher up the river. He was again hailed by the Indians, and asked why he had attacked them and destroyed their town ? " Why did you shoot at us ?" was his reply. They said it was done by some strag- gling savages, and without their consent ; that they did not intend to provoke hostilities, de- siring rather to be friends. Dale responded in an equally pacific strain, and then sending mes- sengers to Powhattan, proceeded further up the river. Here, at one of the royal houses, he en- countered four hundred men, who desired him and his company to come ashore; but at the same time demanded a truce until they could send to Powhattan to know his pleasure. It was granted until the next day at noon.
When this short armistice had been agreed upon, the two brothers of Pocahontas presented themselves and requested an interview with their sister. When they found she was well in health
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1612.]
CONVERSION OF POCAHONTAS.
and in excellent spirits, they were exceedingly rejoiced, and promised-to use their best endea- vours to persuade her father to redeem her and to become the firm friend of the colonists. With this promise Dale was obliged to be content. Powhattan resolutely refused to see the messen- gers which had been sent to treat with him, and the period of corn-planting approaching, Dale returned with Pocahontas to Jamestown and dis- banded his men.
But the friendship of the aged Emperor Pow- hattan, which could neither be purchased by gifts nor influenced by threats, was at length to be acquired in a simple and a far more honourable manner.
John Rolfe, a young gentleman whose family connections were highly respectable, conceived the design of instructing Pocahontas in the doc- trines of the Christian faith. He found the prin- cess both quick and docile ; and the labour for the conversion of the unregenerated maiden daily be- came less a task of duty than of love. Nor was the princess herself insensible to the endearing kindness of her amiable and enthusiastic instruc- tor. She soon acquired a partial knowledge of the English tongue, and as her perceptions became clearer, the pure morality of the Christian religion won her willingly to embrace its doctrines. In the little rudely-constructed church at Jamestown, before the font, which was hewn out of the trunk
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
[1613.
of a tree, hollowed into the shape of a canoe, the Princess Pocahontas openly renounced her coun- try's idolatry, professed the faith of Jesus Christ, and was baptized.
In April, 1613, with the full approbation of her father, she was married to John Rolfe. Pow- hattan not only authorized Sir Thomas Dale to give the bride away, but sent her uncle Opachisco and two of her brothers to be present at the cere- mony.
The marriage between the Princess Pocahontas -now called the Lady Rebecca-and John Rolfe, won, not only the friendship of Powhattan and the various tribes over whom he exercised control, but induced the Chickahominies also to send mes- sengers with presents to Sir Thomas Dale, ex- cusing all former injuries, and desiring to form a treaty of alliance with him as new Englishmen, who were henceforth willing to become the sub- jects and tributaries of King James.
With a view to strengthen, to a still greater degree, the bonds of amity between the colonists and their barbarian neighbours, Sir Thomas Dale made a proposition to Powhattan for another of - his daughters.
Master Ralph Hamor, his messenger, left Bermudas in the morning, and reached the royal residence of Powhattan the next evening. The aged king received his visitor but coldly ; but to Thomas Savage, the interpreter, whom he knew
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1614.] DALE'S REQUEST OF POWHATTAN.
well, he said : "My child, I gave you leave to visit your friends, and this is the first time I have seen you these four years past." Turning to Hamor, he asked him for the chain of pearl which he had given to Sir Thomas Dale as a token to pass be- tween them whenever an approved messenger should be sent. Hamor, having neglected to bring it with him, plausibly denied the necessity of it at all, since he did not come alone, having been attended in his journey by two of Powhat-
tan's own people. The emperor expressed him- self satisfied with the explanation, and after pre- senting the messenger a pipe of tobacco, con- tinued the conversation by asking how his bro- ther Sir Thomas Dale did, and his daughter and unknown son; and how they lived, loved, and liked ? Hamor told him that Sir Thomas Dale was well, and his daughter, the Lady Rebecca Rolfe, so well contented, she would not live with him again. Powhattan laughed, and then asked Hamor the cause of his coming. The latter re- plied that the message with which he was in- trusted was a private one, and could be delivered to himself only. The room was immediately cleared of all the inmates except Powhattan and his two wives, and then the emperor bade Hamor speak on.
Speaking through the medium of Savage, his interpreter, Hamor told Powhattan that Sir Thomas Dale had sent him a present of two
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1614,
pieces of copper, five strings of white and blue beads, five wooden combs, ten fish-hooks, and a couple of knives ; and that when the emperor chose to send for it, he would also give him a grindstone. Thus far Powhattan expressed him- self well pleased; but when Hamor told the emperor that his brother Dale, hearing of the fame of his youngest daughter, desired that she might be sent to the colony in charge of his messenger, both for a testimony of his love, and for the pleasure of her sister, Powhattan replied gravely :
"I gladly except from Sir Thomas Dale his salutations of love and peace, which while I live I will exactly keep. I also thank him for his presents, though they are fewer than has been customary ; but for my daughter, I have already disposed of her hand, within a few days past, to a great Werowance, for two bushels of Roanoke."
Hamor instantly replied, that he knew very well it would not be difficult to revoke this arrangement, by returning the Roanoke, espe- cially as the child was at that time but twelve years of age. He said it would have the further effect of gratifying Sir Thomas Dale, who would gladly bestow in return for the compliment, a present in beads, copper, hatchets, and other articles, worth at least three times as much as the Roanoke. The answer of Powhattan was as fatherly as it was direct and to the purpose.
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1616.] POWHATTAN REFUSES DALE.
" I love my daughter as my life, and though I have many children, I delight in none of them as much as I do in her, whom if I do not often behold I cannot possibly live. If she lived with you I should never be able to see her again, as I have resolved, upon no consideration, to place myself in your hands, or to come in person among you. Tell my brother, Sir Thomas Dale, that I desire no better assurance of his friendship than the promise he has made. One of my daughters is already a pledge for my good faith, which, so long as she lives, shall be sufficient. When she dies he shall have another. I do not think it the part of a brother to desire to bereave me of two daughters at once. Tell Sir Thomas Dale this. If he had no pledge whatever from me, he need fear no injury, either from myself or my people. There have been too many of his men and mine slain already, and with my consent there shall be no more ; for I am old, and would gladly end my days in peace. If you offer me injury, my coun- try is large enough for me to go from you. This I hope will satisfy my brother; and as you are weary, and I am sleepy, we will now end."
The Lady Rebecca Rolfe remained in the colony until 1616, when, in company with her husband and Sir Thomas Dale, she sailed for England. Through the unwearied diligence of John Rolfe, assisted by that meek and self-de- nying apostle of the wilderness, Alexander Whita-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1617.
ker, she had been taught to speak the English tongue, and to understand, though perhaps dimly, the more essential truths of Christianity. Happy in the enthusiastic love of her husband, she never expressed any desire to return to her father, and in the society of those of her own nation she no longer took any delight. When she left the shores of Virginia, her fame had already_pre-
ceded her. Her presence was no sooner known in England, than all classes vied with each other in doing honour to the young wife and mother. On her way to London, many persons of rank and quality entertained her in a hospitable manner. The London Company took upon themselves the expenses of herself and child. The queen in- vited her to court, and Captain Smith evinced his gratitude to his preserver by writing a pamphlet expressly to exhibit the many and important ser- vices she had rendered to the colonists.
But she did not long enjoy these manifold honours. In less than one year after her arrival, at the age of twenty-two, she fell a victim to the English climate, just as she was on the eve of embarking at Gravesend for her native land.
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EFFECTS OF LABOUR IN COMMON.
1617.]
CHAPTER X.
Evils arising from the system of common labour-Right of pri- vate property-Conditions of tenure-Indentured servants- Bounty land-Dale embarks for England-Appointment of Yeardley-Cultivation of tobacco-Careless security of the colonists-The savages taught the use of fire-arms-Argall supersedes Yeardley-His character and arbitrary conduct- His removal from office-Yeardley reappointed-Second ad- ministration of Yeardley-The first general assembly con- vened at Jamestown-How composed-Energy of Sandys- Large numbers of immigrants sent to Virginia-Importation of females-Beneficial effect upon the colonists-Rapid in- crease of immigrants-Introduction of negro slavery-Resig- nation of Sandys-His successor nominated by King James -Spirited conduct of the London Company-Earl of South- ampton elected treasurer-The first constitution of Vir- ginia.
DURING the period that the colonists were fed from the public stores, and all were alike compel- led to labour for the common benefit, every excuse to avoid work was taken advantage of by the numerous idlers in the community ; while such as were disposed to be industrious grew disheart- ened on finding themselves, at the end of each successive year, in no better condition than those who had systematically evaded all species of in- dustry.
The beneficial effects of establishing the right of private property in lands soon displayed them-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1617.
selves, and proved, in the most emphatic manner, the wisdom of the measure. The conditions of tenure were, however, very unequal. Such of the colonists as had been sent over at the sole expense of the company received only. three acres of land. Eleven months of each year they were required to work for the company, the other month they could employ as they thought fit. But this kind of enforced servitude soon grew out of favour, the number gradually de- creased, and in 1617 there were of this descrip- tion but fifty-four persons, of all ages, within the limits of the colony.
Those who farmed the plantations at the Ber- mudas hundreds fared much better. The set- tlers at this place paid annually into the public store but two barrels and a half of corn, and were not required to perform any more than one month's public service, which was not to be de- manded of them either in seedtime or harvest.
During the earlier struggles of the colony, the bounty in land offered by the company to such as migrated to the new country at their own ex- pense, or who had defrayed the cost of others, was one hundred acres for each person; but after the colony was more firmly established, the bounty was reduced to fifty acres, the actual oc- cupancy and cultivation of which entitled the im- migrant to claim fifty acres more. By a payment of twelve pounds ten shillings, each adventurer
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1617.] CULTURE OF TOBACCO.
could obtain a grant of one hundred acres, and a claim to as much more as soon as the previous tract was settled and improved.
After remaining five years in the country, Sir Thomas Dale embarked for England in 1616, leaving the government in the hands of Sir George Yeardley. 1
The first articles of commerce, to the produc- tion of which the early settlers almost exclusively devoted themselves, were potash, soap, glass, and tar. Distance, however, and a want of the proper facilities to enable them to manufacture cheaply, rendered the cost of these commodities so great, that exports of a similar character from Russia and Sweden were still enabled to maintain their old ascendency in the markets of Europe. After many fruitless and costly experiments in the cul- ture of the vine, the growing demand for tobacco enabled the planters to turn their labour into a profitable channel. As the demand increased the profits became correspondingly great, and every other species of labour was abandoned for the cul- ture of tobacco. The houses were neglected, the palisades suffered to rot down, the fields, gar- dens, and public squares, even the very streets of Jamestown, were planted with tobacco. The townspeople, more greedy of gain than mindful of their own security, scattered abroad into the wilderness, where they, broke up small pieces of rich ground and made their crops, regardless of
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1619.
their proximity to the Indians, in whose good faith so little reliance could be placed.
So imprudent were the colonists in this respect, that, encouraged by the example of the Deputy- governor Yeardley, they taught the savages the use of fire-arms, and employed them as hunters. It is true they were on good terms with all the surrounding tribes, but the danger to which this reckless mode of living exposed the colony was none the less imminent.
In May, 1619, Captain Samuel Argall super- seded Yeardley, as deputy-governor of Virginia. This change of administration was by no means. for the better. Argall was a stern arbitrary seaman, rugged and self-willed to a degree. Un- fortunately, these ill qualities were not tempered, as is often the case in seamen, by generosity. Argall was appointed both military and naval commander in Virginia, and, as martial law was still in force, his power was despotic in the ex- treme. Had he exercised his authority with the same mildness and forbearance which character- ized the acts of his predecessors, even though the laws were rigid and their mode of operation sum- mary, it is not probable that the colonists would have preferred any cause of complaint. But
Argall rendered his power subservient to his avarice, and sought, for his own selfish purposes, to make even innocent persons amenable to the severe military code. For a long time he suc-
1619. ]SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY GOVERNOR. 125
ceeded in carrying on a system of exaction and extortion without rebuke. At length his avari- cious grasp took a wider sweep. Not satisfied with confiscating to his own use the property of the colonists, he sought to increase his means by de- frauding the company. These acts finally occa- sioned his deposition from office, and in 1619 Sir George Yeardley was appointed captain-gene- ral of the colony.
Before the latter arrived in Virginia, a pin- nace had been despatched to the colony by the friends of Argall in London, to warn him of the · charges which had been preferred against him, and of his removal from office. Argall at once made preparations for his own safety.
The pinnace reached Jamestown about the 1st of April, and within five days Argall set sail from the colony, leaving for his deputy Captain Nathaniel Powell. On the 18th of April, Sir George Yeardley reached Virginia, and informed the colonists of the favourable change which had taken place in the affairs of the London Com- pany, and of the great supplies they were pre- paring to send out.
The administration of the new governor was as much distinguished by its gentleness and libe- rality as that of Argall's was for its tyranny and rapacity. The planters were released henceforth from all service to the colony, and were confirmed
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1619
in their property, both personal and real, as amply as the subjects of England.
The removal of all restrictions upon labour, and the grant to the colonists of all the rights and privileges of freemen, mark the second period of Yeardley's administration as one of more than ordinary interest. Argall's imposi- tions were denounced, the rigorous military code qualified and softened, and the English statute law gradually substituted in its stead. From this time there was no fear of scarcity, for food became so plentiful in the colony that the In- dians, who formerly supplied a considerable por- tion of the corn consumed by the settlers, became occasional purchasers.
Self-interest, and the consciousness of enjoying a rational degree of liberty, and the right to dispose of their property in any manner they thought proper, incited every ambitious spirit to exert himself to the utmost. The demand for tobacco increased, the profits became enormous, and large sums were realized, as well by indi- viduals as by the company, who had expended such a vast amount in sustaining a great project under so many and such serious discouragements.
The London Company, at this period, moved by an honourable spirit of liberality, rescinded nearly all their former colonial regulations, and substituted others of a far milder and more at- tractive character. The authority of the gover-
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SIR EDWIN SANDYS.
1619.]
nor, which had latterly been despotic in the ex- treme, was now tempered and controlled by a . council, who possessed the power to redress his errors. The colonists were also called upon to meet at Jamestown, and in a properly organized assembly assume the duties of local legislation.
This was almost exclusively the act of Yeard- ley. He convened at Jamestown, toward the close of June, 1619, the first colonial assembly that ever met in Virginia. It consisted of two burgesses from each of the eleven boroughs or corporations into which the colony was divided. Several acts were passed during the first session of this body, which, on being sent to England for ratification, were received with expressions of ap- proval.
The scheme of colonization now proceeded rapidly. The affairs of the London Company were in the hands of a council possessing both energy and patriotism. Sir Edwin Sandys, the new treasurer, was a man whom neither lures nor threats could prevent from exposing the cor- ruptions and abuses which had prevailed for so many years under the previous management. During twelve years, eighty thousand pounds had been expended by the company, and as yet the colony contained but six hundred persons.
In one year, Sandys provided a passage for twelve hundred and sixty-one immigrants, among whom were ninety young and incorrupt women,
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