Travels of Captaine John Smith Volume I - Pages 295-330



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The project and offer of Captaine John Smith, to the Right Honourable, and 
Right Worshipfull Company of Virginia.

IF you please I may be transported with a hundred Souldiers and thirty 
Sailers by the next Michaelmas, with victuall, munition, and such 
necessary provision, by Gods assistance, we would endevour to inforce the 
Salvages to leave their Country, or bring them in that feare and 
subjection that every man should follow their businesse securely, whereas 
now halfe their times and labours are spent in watching and warding, onely 
to defend, but altogether unable to suppresse the Salvages, because every 
man now being for himselfe will be unwilling 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 understand 
any there can or will yet give them.

These I would imploy onely in ranging the Countries, and tormenting the 
Salvages, and that they should be as a running Army till this were 
effected, and then settle themselves in some such convenient place, that 
should ever remaine a garison of that strength, ready upon any occasion 
against the Salvages, or any other for the defence of the Countrey, and to 
see all the English well armed, and instruct them their use. But I would 
have a Barke of one hundred tunnes, and meanes to build sixe or seven 
Shalops, to transport them where there should bee occasion.

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 discouraged, how ever 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 leaving those gilded 
conceits, and dive into the true estate of the Colony; I thinke if his 
Majestie were

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truly informed of their necessitie, and the benefit of this project, he 
would be pleased to give the custome 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 
leave that to my discretion, to accept or refuse such voluntaries, that 
will hazard their fortunes in the trialls of these events, and discharge 
such of my company that had rather labour the ground then subdue their 
enemies: what releefe I should have from your Colony I would satisfie and 
spare them (when I could) the like courtesie. Notwithstanding these 
doubts, I hope to feede them as well as defend them, and yet discover you 
more land unknowne then they all yet know, if you will grant me such 
priviledges as of necessity must be used.

For against any enemy we must be ready to execute the best can be devised 
by your state 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 use I can of my best 
experiences, within the limits of those two Patents, and to bring them 
both in one Map, and the Countries betwixt them, giving alwaies that 
respect to the Governors and government, as an Englishman doth in 
Scotland, or a Scotchman in England, or as the regiments in the Low-
countries doe to the Governors of the Townes and Cities where they are 
billited, or in Garrison, where though they live with them, and are as 
their servants to defend them, yet not to be disposed on at their 
pleasure, but as the Prince and

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State doth command them, and for my owne paines in particular I aske not 
any thing but what I can produce from the proper labour of the Salvages.

Their answer.

I cannot say, it was generally for the Company, for being published in 
their Court, the most that heard it liked exceeding well of the motion, 
and some would have been very large Adventurers 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 decayed, and they did thinke the Planters should doe that 
of themselves if I could finde meanes to effect it; they did thinke I 
might have leave of the Company, provided they might have 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 give twenty pound for all the pillage is to be got 
amongst the Salvages in twenty yeeres: but because they supposed I spake 
only for my owne ends, it were good those understand providents for the 
Companies good they so much talke of, were sent thither to make triall of 
their profound wisdomes and long experiences.

The manner of the Sallary.

About this time also was propounded a proposition concerning a Sallery of 
five and twenty thousand pounds to be raised out of Tobacco, as a yeerely 
pension to bee paid to certaine Officers for the erecting a new office, 
concerning the sole importation of Tobacco, besides his Majesties custome, 
fraught, and all other charges. To nominate the undertakers, favourers and 
opposers, with their arguments (pro) and (con) would bee too tedious and 
needlesse being so publikely knowne; the which to establish, spent a good 
part of that yeere, and the beginning of the next. This made many thinke 
wonders of Virginia, to pay such pensions extraordinary to a few here that 
were never there, and also in what state and

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pompe some Chieftaines and divers of their associates live in Virginia, 
and yet no money to maintaine a Garrison, pay poore men their wages, nor 
yet five and twenty pence to all the Adventurers here, and very little to 
the most part of the Planters there, bred such differences in opinion it 
was dissolved.

Captaine Croshaw staies at Patawomek, and his adventures.

Now let us 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, assuring 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 fearefull message the King told this Captaine, who 
replied, he had seene both the cowardise and trechery of Opechancanough 
sufficiently tried by Captaine Smith, therefore his threats he feared not, 
nor for his favour cared, but would nakedly fight with him or any of his 
with their owne swords; if he were slaine, he would leave a letter for his 
Country men to know, the fault was his owne, not the Kings; two daies the 
King deliberated upon an answer, at last told him the English were his 
friends, and the Salvage Emperour Opitchapam now called Toyatan, was his 
brother, therefore there should be no bloud shed betwixt them, so hee 
returned the Presents, willing the Pamaunkes to come no more in his 
Country, lest the English, though against his will, should doe them any 
mischiefe.

The escape of Waters and his Wife.

Not long after, a Boat going abroad to seeke out some releefe amongst the 
Plantations, by Nuports-newes met such ill weather, though the men were 
saved they lost their boat, which the storme and waves cast upon the shore 
of Nandsamund, where Edward Waters one of the three that first stayed in 
Summer Iles, and found the great peece of Amber-greece, dwelling in 
Virginia at this Massacre, hee and his wife these Nandsamunds kept 
Prisoners till it chanced they found this Boat, at which purchase they so 
rejoyced, according to their custome of triumph, with songs, dances and 
invocations, they were

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so busied, that Waters and his wife found opportunity to get secretly into 
their Canow, and so crossed the River to Kecoughtan, which is nine or ten 
miles, whereat the English no lesse wondred and rejoyced, then the 
Salvages were madded with discontent. Thus you may see how many desperate 
dangers some men escape, when others die that have all things at their 
pleasure.

The arrivall of Captaine Hamar at Patawomeke.

All men thinking Captaine Croshaw dead, Captaine Hamer arriving with a 
Ship and a Pinnace at Patawomeke, was kindly entertained both by him and 
the King; that Don Hamar told the King he came for Corne: the King replied 
hee 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 
40. or 50 choise Bow-men to conduct and assist them. Those Salvages with 
some of the English they sent, who so well played their parts, they slew 
I8. of the Nacotchtanks, some write but 4. and some they had a long 
skirmish with them; where the Patawomeks were so eager of revenge, they 
drive them not onely out of their towne, but all out of sight through the 
woods, thus taking what they liked, and spoiling the rest, they retired to 
Patawomek, where they left Captaine Croshaw, with foure men more, the rest 
set saile for James towne. Captaine Croshaw now with five men and himselfe 
found night and day so many Alarums, he retired into such a convenient 
place, that with the helpe of the Salvages, hee had quickly fortified 
himselfe against all those wilde enemies. Captaine Nuse his Pinnace 
meeting Hamar by the way understanding all this, came to see Captaine 
Croshaw: after their best enterchanges of courtesies, Croshaw writ to Nuse 
the estate of the place where he was, but understanding by them the poore 
estate of the Colony, offered if they would send him but a bold Shallop, 
With men, armes and provision for trade, the next Harvest he would provide 
them Corne sufficient, but as yet it being but the latter end of June, 
there was little or none in all the Country.

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Captaine Madyson sent to Patawomek.

This being made knowne to the Governour and the rest, they sent Captaine 
Madyson with a ship and pinnace, and some six and thirtie men: those 
Croshaw a good time taught the use of their armes, but receiving a letter 
from Boyse his Wife, a prisoner with nineteene more at Pamaunke, to use 
meanes to the Governour for their libertie; 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 Pamaunke, there to stay 
till he sent one of his two to them, to perswade Opachankanough to send 
two of his with two of the Patawomekes, to treat about those prisoners, 
and the rest should remaine their hostage at Pamaunke; but the Commanders, 
at James towne, it seemes, liked not of it, and so sent the Patawomekes 
backe againe to their owne Countrie, and Captaine Croshaw to his owne 
habitation.

The industry of Captaine Nuse.

All this time we have forgot Captaine Nuse, where we left him but newly 
acquainted with the Massacre, calling all his next adjoyning dispersed 
neighbours together, he regarded not the pestring his owne house, nor any 
thing to releeve 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 Salvages, yet when victuall grew scant, some 
that would forrage without order, which he punished, neere occasioned a 
mutiny. Notwithstanding, he behaved himselfe 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 under his government. These 
crosses and losses were no small increasers of his malady, nor

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the thus abandoning our Plantations, the losse of our Harvest, 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 
covetousnesse, as though they had vowed heere to keepe their Court with 
all the pestilent vices in the world for their attendants, inchanted with 
a conceited statelinesse, even in the very bottome of miserable 
senselesnesse.

Captaine Powel kils 3 Salvages.

Shortly after, Sir George Yearly and Captaine William Powel, tooke each of 
them a company of well disposed Gentlemen and others to seeke their 
enemies. Yearley ranging the shore of Weanock, could see nothing but their 
old houses which he burnt, and so went home: Powel searching another part, 
found them all fled but three he met by chance, whose heads hee cut off, 
burnt their houses, and so returned; for the Salvages are so light and 
swift, though wee see them (being so loaded with armour) they have much 
advantage of us though they be cowards.

The opinion of Captaine Smith.

I confesse this is true, and it may cause some suppose they are grown 
invincible: but will any goe to catch a Hare with a Taber and a Pipe? for 
who knowes not though there be monsters both of men and beasts, fish and 
fowle, yet the greatest, the strongest, the wildest, cruellest, fiercest 
and cunningest, by reason, art and vigilancy, courage and industry hath 
beene slaine, subjected or made tame, and those are still but Salvages 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 inclosed within Palizados, or affrighting them out of your 
sights, thinking they have done well, can but defend themselves: and to 
doe this to any purpose, will

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require both charge, patience and experience. But to their proceedings.

Sir George Yearleys journy to Accomack.

About the latter end of June, Sir George Yearley accompanied with the 
Councell, and a number of the greatest Gallants in the Land, stayed three 
or foure daies with Captaine Nuse, he making his moane to a chiefe man 
amongst them for want of provision for his Company, the great Commander 
replied hee should turne them to his greene Corne, which would make them 
plumpe 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 devoured it greene though it did them small 
good. Sir George with his company went to Accomack to his new Plantation, 
where he staied neere six weekes; some Corne he brought home, but as he 
adventured 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 live upon 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 Captaine 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 seeke 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 have 
lived 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,

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and his vertuous wife was no lesse charitable and compassionate according 
to her power. For my owne part, although I found neither Mulberies 
planted, houses built, men nor victuall provided, as the honourable 
Adventurers did promise mee in England; yet at my owne charge, having made 
these preparations, and the silke-Wormes ready to be covered, all was 
lost, but my poore life and children, by the Massacre, the which as God in 
his mercy did preserve, I continually pray we may spend to his glory. The 
9. of September, we had an alarum, and two men at their labours slaine; 
the Captaine, though extreme sicke, sallied forth, but the Salvages 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.

The kindnesse of the King of Patawomek.

About this time Captaine Madyson passed by us, having taken Prisoners, the 
King of Patawomek, his sonne, and two more, and thus it happened; Madyson 
not liking so well to live amongst the Salvages as Croshaw did, built him 
a strong house within the Fort, so that they were not so sociable as 
before, nor did they much like Poole the Interpreter; many Alarums they 
had, but saw no enemies: Madyson before his building went to Moyaoncs, 
where hee got provision for a moneth, and was promised much more, so he 
returned to Patawomek and built this house, and was well used by the 
Salvages. Now by the foure great men the King sent to Pamaunke 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 usage, that hee swore by the Skyes, if they 
returned not well, he would have warres with Opechankanough so long as he 
had any thing: at this time two of Madysons men ranne from him, to finde 
them he sent Master John Upton and three more with an Indian guide to 
Nazatica, where they heard they were. At this place

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was a King beat out of his Country by the Necosts, enemies to the 
Patawomeks; this expulsed King though he professed much love to the 
Patawomeks, yet hee loved not the King because he would not helpe him to 
revenge his injuries, but to our Interpreter Poole hee protested great 
love, promising if any treason were, he would reveale it; our guide 
conducted this Bandyto with them up to Patawomek, and there kept him; our 
Fugitives we found the Patawomeks had taken and brought home, and the 
foure great men returned from Pamaunke; not long after, this expulsed King 
desired private conference with Poole, urging him to sweare by his God 
never to reveale what hee would tell him, Poole promised he would not; 
then quoth this King, those great men that went to Pamaunke, went not as 
you suppose they pretended, but to contract with Opechankanough how to 
kill you all here, and these are their plots.

A Salvages policy.

First, they will procure halfe of you to goe a fishing to their furthest 
towne, and there set upon them, and cut off the rest; if that faile, they 
will faine a place where are many strangers would trade their Furres, 
where they will perswade 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 upon you, 
yet of all this, said he, there is none acquainted but the King and the 
great Conjurer.

Madison takes the King and kils 30. or 40.

This being made known to the Captain, we all stood more punctually upon 
our guard, at which the Salvages wondering, desired to know the cause; we 
told them we expected some assault from the Pamaunkes, whereat they seemed 
contented, 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 Salvages, sent home with Captaine Croshaw: 
by those the Governour sent to Madyson, that this King should send him 
twelve of his great men; word of this was sent to the King at another towne

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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, having so many 
enemies 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 sonne and one other; my sonne, said the 
King, is gone abroad about businesse, but the other you desire you shall 
have, and that other sits by him, but that man refused to goe, whereupon 
Madyson went forth and locked the doore, leaving the King, his sonne, and 
foure Salvages, and five English men in the strong house, and setting upon 
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 having 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, 
promising when all his men were shipped, he should returne at libertie; 
notwithstanding he brought them to James towne, where they lay some daies, 
and after were sent home by Captaine Hamer, that tooke Corne for their 
ransome, and after set saile for New found Land.

The King set at liberty.
But, alas the cause of this was onely this
They understood, nor knew what was amisse.

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A digression.

Ever since the beginning of these Plantations, it hath beene supposed the 
King of Spaine would invade them, or our English Papists indevour to 
dissolve them. But neither all the Counsels of Spaine, nor Papists in the 
world could have devised a better course to bring them all to ruine, then 
thus to abuse their friends, nor could there ever have beene a better 
plot, to have overthrowne Opechankanough then Captaine Chroshaws, had it 
beene fully managed with expedition. But it seemes God is angry to see 
Virginia made a stage where nothing but murder and indiscretion contends 
for victory.

Their proceedings of the other plantations.

Amongst the rest of the Plantations all this Summer little was done, but 
securing themselves and planting Tobacco, which passes there as current 
Silver, and by the oft turning and winding it, some grow rich, but many 
poore, notwithstanding ten or twelve ships or more hath arrived there 
since the massacre, although it was Christmas ere any returned, and that 
returne greatly revived all mens longing expectation, here in England: for 
they brought newes, that notwithstanding their extreme sicknesse many were 
recovered, and finding the Salvages 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 revenge 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 themselves amongst 
the Salvages to surprize their Corne, under the conduct of Sir George 
Yearley, being imbarked in convenient shipping, and all things necessary 
for the enterprise, they went first to Nandsamund, 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 revenge. Their Corne fields being newly gathered, they surprized 
all they found, burnt the houses remained unburnt, and so departed. 
Quartering about Kecoughtan, after the Watch was set, Samuell Collyer one 
of the most ancientest Planters, and very

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well acquainted with their language and habitation, humors and conditions, 
and Governor of a Towne, when the Watch was set going the round, 
unfortunately by a Centinell that discharged his peece, was slaine.

They surprise Pamaunke.

Thence they sailed to Pamaunke, the chiefe seat of Opechankanough, the 
contriver of the massacre: the Salvages seemed exceeding fearefull, 
promising to bring them Sara, and the rest of the English yet living, with 
all the Armes, and what they had to restore, much desiring peace, and to 
give them any satisfaction they could. Many such devices they fained to 
procrastinate the time ten or twelve daies, till they had got away their 
Corne from all the other places up the River, 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 
houses: and in following the Salvages that fled before them, some few of 
those naked Devils had that spirit, they lay in ambuscado, and as our men 
marched discharged some shot out of English peeces, and hurt some of them 
flying at their pleasures where they listed, burning their empty houses 
before them as they went to make themselves sport: so they escaped, and 
Sir George returned with Corne, where for our paines we had three bushels 
apeece, but we were enjoyned before we had it, to pay ten shillings the 
bushell for fraught and other charges. Thus by this meanes the Salvages 
are like as they report, to endure no small misery this Winter, and that 
some of our men are returned to their former Plantations.

The opinion of Captaine Smith.

What other passages or impediments hapned in their proceedings, that they 
were not fully revenged of the Salvages before they returned, I know not; 
nor could ever heare more, but that they supposed they slew two, and how 
it was impossible 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 Salvages dwelled in strong houses: but 
because they were a civilized people, had

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wealth, and those meere Barbarians as wilde as beasts have nothing; I 
intreat your patience to tell you my opinion, which if it be Gods pleasure 
I shall not live to put in practice, yet it may be hereafter usefull for 
some, but howsoever I hope not hurtfull to any, and this it is.

How to subject all the Salvages in Virginia.

Had these three hundred men beene at my disposing, I would have sent first 
one hundred to Captaine Rawley Chroshaw to Patawomek, with some small 
Ordnance for the Fort, the which but with daily exercising them, would 
have struck that love and admiration into the Patowomeks, and terror and 
amazement into his enemies, which are not farre off, and most seated upon 
the other side the River, they would willingly have beene friends, or have 
given any composition 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 Argall, Chroshow, nor Hamar, never found 
themselves in fifteene 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 better advantage then such an advertisement, 
to have prepared the Fort for such an assault, and surely it must be a 
poore Fort they could hurt, much more take, if there were but five men in 
it durst discharge a peece: Therefore a man not well knowing their 
conditions, may be as wel too jealous as too carelesse; Such another Lope 
Skonce would I have had at Onawmanient, and one hundred men more to have 
made such another at Atquacke upon the River of Toppahanock, which is not 
past thirteene miles distant from Onawmanient: each of which twelve 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 have beene done, if not by

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courtesie, yet by compulsion, 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 every creeke, that men if they would doe 
any thing, could not want victuall. This done, there remained yet one 
hundred who should have done the like at Ozinieke, upon the River of 
Chickahamania, not past six miles from the chiefe habitations of 
Opechankanough. These small Forts had beene cause sufficient to cause all 
the Inhabitants of each of those Rivers to looke to themselves. Then 
having 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 five or six Boats in one night; forty to range 
the branch of Mattapanyent, fortie more that of Youghtanund, and fortie 
more to keepe their randivous at Pamaunke it selfe. All which places lie 
so neere, they might heare from each other within foure or five 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 having thus so 
many convenient randevous to releeve 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 upon all those Rivers in two or 
three daies? Then without fires they could not live, which they could not 
so hide but wee should finde, and quickly so tire them with watching and 
warding, they would be so weary of their lives, as either fly all their 
Countries, or give all they had to be released of such an hourely misery. 
Now if but a small number of the Salvages would assist us, as there is no 
question but divers of them would; And to suppose they could not be drawne 
to such faction, were to beleeve they are more vertuous then many 
Christians, and the best governed people in the world. All the Pamaunkes 
might have beene dispatched as well in a moneth as a yeare, and then to 
have dealt with any

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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 surprise a house with the 
people, if not a whole towne in a night, or incounter all the power they 
could make, as a whole Army, as formerly at large hath beene related: And 
it seemes by these small parties last amongst them, by Captaine Crashow, 
Hamar, and Madyson, they are not growne to that excellency in policy and 
courage but they might bee encountred, and their wives and children 
apprehended. I know 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, have writ their owne actions, nor 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 have many Irons in the fire some 
must burne; but I thinke no if they have men enow know how to worke them, 
but howsoever, it were better some burne then have none at all. The King 
of Spaine regards but how many powerfull Kingdomes he keepes under his 
obedience, and for the Salvage Countries he hath subjected, they are more 
then enow for a good Cosmographer to nominate, and is three Mole-hills so 
much to us; and so many Empires so little for him? For my owne part, I 
cannot chuse but grieve, that the actions of an Englishman should be 
inferior to any, and that the command of England should not be as great as 
any Monarchy that ever 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 worlds compasse, both by Sea and Land,
Or any seas, or heaven, or earth extended,
And yet that Nation could not be contented.

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The arrivall of Captaine Butler, & his accidents.

Much about this time arrived a small Barke of Barnestable, which had beene 
at the Summer Iles, and in her Captaine Nathaniel Butler, who having beene 
Governor there three yeares, and his Commission expired, he tooke the 
opportunity of this ship to see Virginia: at James Towne he was kindly 
entertained by Sir Francis Wyat the Governor. After he had rested there 
foureteene daies, he fell up with his ship to the River of Chickahamania, 
where meeting Captaine William Powell, joyning together such forces as 
they had to the number of eighty, they set upon the Chickahamanians, that 
fearefully fled, suffering the English to spoile all they had, not daring 
to resist them. Thus he returned to James towne, where hee staied a 
moneth, at Kecoughtan as much more, and so returned for England.

A strange deliverance of Master Argent & others.

But riding at Kecoughtan, M. John Argent, sonne to Doctor Argent, a young 
Gentleman that went with Captaine Butler from England to this place, 
Michael Fuller, William Gany, Cornelius May, and one other going ashore 
with some goods late in a faire evening, such a sudden gust did arise, 
that drive them thwart the River, in that place at least three or foure 
miles in breadth, where the shore was so shallow at a low water, and the 
Boat beating upon the Sands, they left her, wading neere halfe a mile, and 
oft up to the chin: So well it hapned, Master Argent had put his Bandileir 
of powder in his hat, which next God was all their preservations: 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 hee 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 
withered leaves, reeds, and brush, make a small fire, being upon the 
Chisapeaks shore, their mortall enemies, great was their feare to be 
discovered. The joyfull morning appearing, they found their Boat and goods 
drive ashore, not farre from them, but so split shee was unserviceable: 
but so much was the frost, their

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clothes did freeze upon their backs, for they durst not make any great 
fire to dry them, lest thereby the bloudy Salvages might discry them, so 
that one of them died the next day, and the next night digging a grave in 
the Sands with their hands, buried him. In this bodily feare they lived 
and fasted two daies and nights, then two of them went into the Land to 
seeke fresh water; the others to the Boat to get some meale and oyle, 
Argent and his Comrado found a Canow, in which they resolved to adventure 
to their ship, but shee was a drift in the River before they returned: 
thus frustrate of all hopes, Captaine Butler the third night ranging the 
shore in his Boat to seeke them, discharged his Muskets, but they 
supposing it some Salvages had got some English peeces, they grew more 
perplexed then ever, so he returned and lost his labour. The fourth day 
they unloaded their Boat, and stopping her leakes with their 
handkerchiefes, and other rags, two rowing, and two bailing out the water; 
but farre they went not ere the water grew upon them so fast, and they so 
tired, they thought themselves 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 upon a little peece 
of an old Canow; so well it pleased God the wind and tide served, by 
padling with his hands and feet in the water, beyond all expectation God 
so guided him three or foure houres upon this boord, he arrived at their 
ship, where they no lesse amazed then he tired, they tooke him in. 
Presently as he had concluded with his Companions, he caused them 
discharge a peece of Ordnance if he escaped, which gave no lesse comfort 
to Master Argent and the rest, then terror to those Plantations that heard 
it, (being late) at such an unexpected alarum: but after, with warme 
clothes and a little strong water, they had a little recovered him, such 
was his courage and care of his distressed friends, he returned that night 
againe with Master Felgate to conduct him to them, and so giving thanks to 
God for so hopelesse a deliverance,

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it pleased his Divine power, both they and their provision came safely 
aboord, but Fuller they doubt will never recover his benumbed legs and 
thighes.

Now before Butlers arrivall in England, many hard speeches were rumored 
against him for so leaving his charge, before he received order from the 
Company: Divers againe of his Souldiers as highly commended him, for his 
good government, art, judgement and industry. But to make the misery of 
Virginia appeare that it might be reformed in time, how all those Cities, 
Townes, Corporations, Forts, Vineyards, Nurseries of Mulberies, Glasse-
houses, Iron forges, Guest-houses, Silke-wormes, Colleges, the Companies 
great estate, and that plenty some doe speake of here, are rather things 
in words and paper then in effect, with divers reasons of the causes of 
those defects; if it were false, his blame nor shame could not be too 
much: but if there bee such defects in the government, 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 help it selfe. 
Notwithstanding, it was apprehended so hardly, and examined with that 
passion, that the brute thereof was spread abroad with that expedition, it 
did more hurt then the massacre; and the fault of all now by the vulgar 
rumour, must be attributed to the unwholesomnesse of the ayre, and 
barrennesse of the Countrey, as though all England were naught, because 
the Fens and Marshes are unhealthy; or barren, because some will lie under 
windowes and starve in Cheap-side, rot in Goales, die in the street, high-
waies, or any where, and use a thousand devices to maintaine themselves in 
those miseries, rather then take any paines to live 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.

1623. How Captaine Spilman was left in the River of Patawomek. The Earle 
of Southampton Treasurer.

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,

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one of the best Interpreters in the Land, being furnished with a Barke and 
six and twentie men, hee was sent to trucke in the River of Patawomek, 
where he had lived a long time amongst the Salvages, whether hee presumed 
too much upon his acquaintance amongst them, or they sought to be revenged 
of any for the slaughter made amongst them by the English so lately, or 
hee sought to betray them, or they him, are all severall relations, but it 
seemes but imaginary: for then returned report they left him ashore about 
Patawomek, but the name of the place they knew not, with one and twentie 
men, being but five in the Barke, the Salvages ere they suspected any 
thing, boorded them with their Canowes, and entred so fast, the English 
were amazed, till a Sailer gave fire to a peece of Ordnance onely at 
randome; at the report whereof, the Salvages leapt overboord, so 
distracted with feare, they left their Canowes, and swum a shore; and 
presently after they heard a great brute amongst the Salvages a shore, and 
saw a mans head throwne downe the banke, whereupon they weighed Anchor and 
returned home, but how he was surprised or slaine, is uncertaine.

Thus things proceed and vary not a jot,
Whether we know them, or we know them not.

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A particular of such necessaries as either private families, or single 
persons, shall have cause to provide to goe to Virginia, whereby greater 
numbers may in part conceive the better how to provide for themselves.

Apparell.

Apparell for one man, and so after the rate for more.
A Monmouth Cap.   1s. 10d. 
3 falling bands.   1s. 3d. 
3 shirts.   7s. 6d. 
1 Waste-coat.   2s. 2d. 
1 suit of Canvase.   7s. 6d. 
1 suit of Frize.   10s. 
1 suit of Cloth.   15s. 
3 paire of Irish stockings.   4s. 
4 paire of shoes.   8s. 8d. 
1 paire of garters.   10d. 
1 dozen of points.   3d. 
1 paire of Canvas sheets.   8s. 
7 ells of Canvas to make a bed and boulster, to be filled in Virginia,
  serving for two men.   8s. 
5 ells of course Canvas to make a bed at Sea for two men.   5s. 
1 course rug at sea for two men.   6s. 
  41.

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Victuall for a whole yeare for a man, and so after the rate for more.

8 bushels of meale.   21. 
2 bushels of pease.   6s. 
2 bushels of Otemeale.   9s. 
1 gallon of Aquavitæ.   2s. 6d. 
1 gallon of oyle.   3s. 6d. 
2 gallons of Vineger.   2s. 
  3l. 3s.

Armes for a man, but if halfe your men be armed it is well, so all have 
swords and peeces.

1 Armor compleat, light.   17s. 
1 long peece five foot and a halfe, neere Musket bore.   1l. 2s. 
1 Sword.   5s. 
1 Belt.   1s. 
1 Bandilier.   1s. 6d. 
20 pound of powder.   18s. 
60 pound of shot or Lead, Pistoll and Goose shot.   5s. 
   3l. 9s. 6d.

Tooles for a family of six persons, and so after the rate for more.

5 broad howes at 2s. a peece.   10s. 
5 narrow howes at 16d. a peece.   6s. 8d. 
2 broad axes at 3s. 8d. a peece.   7s. 4d. 
5 felling axes at 18d. a peece.   7s. 6d. 
2 steele handsawes at 16d. a peece.   2s. 8d. 
2 two handsawes at 5s. a peece.   10s. 
1 whipsaw, set and filed, with box, file and wrest.   10s. 
2 hammers 12d. a peece.   2s. 
3 shovels 18d. a peece.   4s. 6d. 
2 spades at 18d. a peece.   3s. 
2 Augers at 6d. peece.   1s.

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6 Chissels at 6d. a peece.   3s. 
2 Percers stocked 4d. a peece.   8d. 
3 Gimblets at 2d. a peece.   6d. 
2 Hatchets at 21d. a peece.   3s. 6d. 
2 frowes to cleave pale 18d. each.   3s. 
2 hand Bills 20d. a peece.   3s. 4d. 
1 Grindstone.   4s. 
Nailes of all sorts to the value of   2l. 
2 Pickaxes.   3s. 
   6l. 2s. 8d.

Houshold implements for a family and six persons, and so for more or lesse 
after the rate.

1 Iron pot.   7s. 
1 Kettell.   6s. 
1 large Frying-pan.   2s. 6d. 
1 Gridiron.   1s. 6d. 
2 Skellets.   5s. 
1 Spit.   2s. 
Platters, dishes, spoones of wood.   4s. 
   1l. 8s.
For Sugar, Spice, and Fruit, and at Sea for six men.   12s. 6d. 
So the full charge after this rate for each person, will amount about the 
summe of   1l. 10s. 
The passage of each man is   6l. 
The fraught of these provisions for a man, will be about halfe a tun, 
which is   12l. 10s. 10d. 
So the whole charge will amount to about   20l.

Now if the number be great, Nets, Hooks and Lines, but Cheese, Bacon, Kine 
and Goats must be added. And this is the usuall proportion the Virginia 
Company doe bestow upon their Tenents they send.

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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 Navigable Rivers so neere 
adjoyning, and piercing thorow so faire a naturall Land, free from any 
inundations, or large Fenny unwholsome Marshes, I have 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 ebbe nor floud, Nature in 
few places affoords any so convenient, for salt Marshes or[IV. 
163.]Quagmires. In this tract of James Towne River I know very few; some 
small Marshes and Swamps there are, but more profitable then hurtfull: and 
I thinke there is more low Marsh ground betwixt Eriffe and Chelsey, then 
Kecoughton and the Falls, which is about one hundred and eighty miles by 
the course of the River.

The causes of our first miseries.

Being enjoyned by our Commission not to unplant nor wrong the Salvages, 
because the channell was so neere the shore, where now is James Towne, 
then a thicke grove of trees; wee cut them downe, where the Salvages 
pretending as much kindnesse as could bee, they hurt and slew one and 
twenty of us 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 five men a 
meale, and thus we lived neere three moneths: our lodgings under boughes 
of trees, the Salvages being our enemies, whom we neither knew nor 
understood;

Page 319

occasions I thinke sufficient to make men sicke and die.

But 38 English in all Virginia.

Necessity thus did inforce me with eight or nine, to try conclusions 
amongst the Salvages, that we got provision which recovered the rest being 
most sicke. Six weeks I was led captive by those Barbarians, though some 
of my men were slaine, and the rest fled, yet it pleased God to make their 
great Kings daughter the means to returne me safe to James towne, and 
releeve our wants, and then our Common-wealth was in all eight and thirty, 
the remainder of one hundred and five.

Proofes of the healthfulnesse of the Countrey.

Being supplied with one hundred and twenty, with twelve men in a boat of 
three tuns, I spent foureteene weeks in those large waters; the contents 
of the way of my boat protracted by the skale of proportion, was about 
three thousand miles, besides the River we dwell upon, where no Christian 
knowne ever was, and our diet for the most part what we could finde, yet 
but one died.

How the Salvages became subjected.

The Salvages being acquainted, that by command from England we durst not 
hurt them, were much imboldned; that famine and their insolencies did 
force me to breake our Commission and instructions, cause Powhatan fly his 
Countrey, and take the King of Pamaunke Prisoner; and also to keepe the 
King of Paspahegh in shackels, and put his men to double taskes in 
chaines, till nine and thirty of their Kings paied us contribution, and 
the offending Salvages sent to James towne to punish at our owne 
discretions: in the two last yeares I staied there, I had not a man slaine.

How we lived of the natural fruits of the Countrey.

All those conclusions being not able to prevent the bad events of pride 
and idlenesse, having received another supply of seventie, we were about 
two hundred in all, but not twentie work-men: In following the strict 
directions from England to doe that was impossible at that time; So it 
hapned, that neither wee nor they had any thing to eat, but what the 
Countrey afforded naturally; yet of eightie who lived upon Oysters in June 
and July, with a pint of corne a week for a man lying under trees,

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and 120 for the most part living upon Sturgion, which was dried til we 
pounded it to powder for meale, yet in ten weeks but seven died.

Proofe of the Commodities we returned.

It is true, we had of Tooles, Armes, & Munition sufficient, some Aquavitæ, 
Vineger, Meale, Pease, and Otemeale, but in two yeares and a halfe not 
sufficient for six moneths, though by the bils of loading the proportions 
sent us, would well have contented us, notwithstanding we sent home ample 
proofes of Pitch, Tar, Sope Ashes, Wainskot, Clapboord, Silke grasse, Iron 
Ore, some Sturgion and Glasse, Saxefras, Cedar, Cypris, and blacke Walnut, 
crowned Powhaton, sought the Monacans Countrey, according to the 
instructions sent us, but they caused us neglect more necessary workes: 
they had better have given for Pitch and Sope ashes one hundred pound a 
tun in Denmarke: Wee also maintained five or six severall Plantations.

What we built.

James towne being burnt, wee rebuilt it and three Forts more, besides the 
Church and Store-house, we had about fortie or fiftie severall houses to 
keepe us warme and dry, invironed with a palizado of foureteene or 
fifteene foot, and each as much as three or foure men could carrie. We 
digged a faire Well of fresh water in the Fort, where wee had three 
Bulwarks, foure and twentie peece of Ordnance, of Culvering, 
Demiculvering, Sacar and Falcon, and most well mounted upon convenient 
platformes, planted one hundred acres of Corne. We had but six ships to 
transport and supply us, and but two hundred seventy seven men, boies, and 
women, by whose labours Virginia being brought to this kinde of 
perfection, the most difficulties past, and the foundation thus laid by 
this small meanes; yet because we had done no more, they called in our 
Commission, tooke a new in their owne names, and appointed us neere as 
many offices and Officers as I had Souldiers, that neither knew us nor wee 
them, without our consents or knowledge; since there have gone more then 
one hundred ships of other proportions, and eight or ten thousand people. 
Now if

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you please to compare what hath beene spent, sent, discovered and done 
this fifteene yeares, by that we did in the three first yeares, and every 
Governor that hath beene there since, give you but such an account as 
this, you may easily finde what hath beene the cause of those disasters in 
Virginia.

Then came in Captaine Argall, and Master Sedan, in a ship of Master 
Cornelius, to fish for Sturgion, who had such good provision, we 
contracted with them for it, whereby we were better furnished then ever.

Not long after came in seven ships, with about three hundred people; but 
rather to supplant us then supply us, their Admirall with their authoritie 
being cast away in the Bermudas, very angry they were we had made no 
better provision for them. Seven or eight weekes we withstood the 
inundations of these disorderly humors, till I was neere blowne to death 
with Gun-powder, which occasioned me to returne for England.

How I left the Country.

In the yeare 1609 about Michaelmas, I left the Countrey, as is formerly 
related, with three ships, seven Boats, Commodities to trade, harvest 
newly gathered, eight weeks provision of Corne and Meale, about five 
hundred persons, three hundred Muskets, shot, powder, and match, with 
armes for more men then we had. The Salvages their language and 
habitation, well knowne to two hundred expert Souldiers; Nets for fishing, 
tooles of all sorts, apparell to supply their wants: six Mares and a 
Horse, five or six hundred Swine, many more Powltry, what was brought or 
bred, but victuall there remained.

My charge.

Having spent some five yeares, and more then five hundred pounds in 
procuring the Letters Patents and setting forward, and neere as much more 
about New England, &c. Thus these nineteene yeares I have here and there 
not spared any thing according to my abilitie, nor the best advice I 
could, to perswade how those strange miracles of misery might have beene 
prevented, which lamentable experience plainly taught me of necessity must

Page 322

insue, but few would beleeve me till now too deerely they have paid for 
it. Wherefore hitherto I have rather left all then undertake 
impossibilities, or any more such costly taskes at such chargeable rates: 
for in neither of those two Countries have I one foot of Land, nor the 
very house I builded, nor the ground I digged with my owne hands, nor ever 
any content or satistaction at all, and though I see ordinarily those two 
Countries shared before me by them that neither have them nor knowes them, 
but by my descriptions: Yet that doth not so much trouble me, as to heare 
and see those contentions and divisions which will hazard if not ruine the 
prosperitie of Virginia, if present remedy bee not found, as they have 
hindred many hundreds, who would have beene there ere now, and makes them 
yet that are willing to stand in a demurre.

For the Books and Maps I have made, I will thanke him that will shew me so 
much for so little recompence, and beare with their errors till I have 
done better. For the materials in them I cannot deny, but am ready to 
affirme them both there and here, upon such grounds as I have propounded, 
which is to have but fifteene hundred men to subdue againe the Salvages, 
fortifie the Countrey, discover that yet unknowne, and both defend & feed 
their Colony, which I most humbly refer to his Majesties most judiciall 
judgement, and the most honourable Lords of his Privy Councell, you his 
trusty and well-beloved Commissioners, and the Honourable company of 
Planters and well-willers to Virginia, New-England and Sommer-Ilands.

Out of these Observations it pleased his Majesties Commissioners for the 
reformation of Virginia, to desire my answer to these seven Questions.

Quest. I. What conceive you is the cause the Plantation hath prospered no
better since you left it in so good a forwardnesse?

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Answ. Idlenesse and carelesnesse brought all I did in three yeeres in six 
moneths to nothing, and of five hundred I left, scarce threescore 
remained, and had Sir Thomas Gates not got from the Bermudas, I thinke 
they had beene all dead before they could be supplied.

Quest. 2. What conceive you should be the cause, though the Country be 
good, there comes nothing but Tobacco?

Answ. The oft altering of Governours it seemes causes every man make use 
of his time, and because Corne was stinted at two shillings six pence the 
bushell, and Tobacco at three shillings the pound, and they value a mans 
labour a yeere worth fifty or threescore pound, but in Corne not worth ten 
pound, presuming Tobacco will furnish them with all things; now make a 
mans labour in Corne worth threescore pound, and in Tobacco but ten pound 
a man, then shall they have Corne sufficient to entertaine all commers, 
and keepe their people in health to doe any thing, but till then, there 
will be little or nothing to any purpose.

Quest. 3. What conceive you to have beene the cause of the Massacre, and 
had the Salvages had the use of any peeces in your time, or when, or by 
whom they were taught?

Answ. The cause of the Massacre was the want of marshall discipline, and 
because they would have all the English had by destroying those they found 
so carelesly secure, that they were not provided to defend themselves 
against any enemy, being so dispersed as they were. In my time, though 
Captaine Nuport furnished them with swords by truck, and many fugitives 
did the like, and some Peeces they got accidentally, yet I got the most of 
them againe, and it was death to him that should shew a Salvage the use of 
a Peece. Since I understand they became so good shot, they were imployed 
for Fowlers and Huntsmen by the English.

Quest. 4. What charge thinke you would have setled the government both for 
defence and planting when you left it?

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Answ. Twenty thousand pound would have hyred good labourers and 
mechanicall men, and have furnished them with cattle and all necessaries, 
and 100. of them would have done more then a thousand of those that went, 
though the Lord Laware, Sir Ferdinando Waynman, Sir Thomas Gates and Sir 
Thomas Dale were perswaded to the contrary, but when they had tried, they 
confessed their error.

Quest. 5. What conceive you would be the remedy and the charge?

Answ. The remedy is to send Souldiers and all sorts of labourers and 
necessaries for them, that they may be there by next Michaelmas, the which 
to doe well will stand you in five thousand pound, but if his Majesty 
would please to lend two of his Ships to transport them, lesse would 
serve, besides the benefit of his grace to the action would encourage all 
men.

Quest. 6. What thinke you are the defects of the government both here and 
there?

Answ. The multiplicity of opinions here, and Officers there, makes such 
delaies by questions and formalitie, that as much time is spent in 
complement as in action; besides, some are so desirous to imploy their 
ships, having six pounds for every Passenger, and three pounds for every 
tun of goods, at which rate a thousand ships may now better be procured 
then one at the first, when the common stocke defrayed all fraughts, 
wages, provisions and Magazines, whereby the Ships are so pestred, as 
occasions much sicknesse, diseases and mortality, for though all the 
Passengers die they are sure of their fraught; and then all must be 
satisfied with Orations, disputations, excuses and hopes. As for the 
letters of advice from hence, and their answers thence, they are so well 
written, men would beleeve there were no great doubt of the performance, 
and that all things were wel, to which error here they have beene ever 
much subject; and there not to beleeve, or not to releeve the true and 
poore estate of that Colony, whose fruits were commonly

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spent before they were ripe, and this losse is nothing to them here, whose 
great estates are not sensible of the losse of their adventures, and so 
they thinke, or will not take notice; but it is so with all men: but 
howsoever they thinke or dispose of all things at their pleasure, I am 
sure not my selfe onely, but a thousand others have not onely spent the 
most of their estates, but the most part have lost their lives and all, 
onely but to make way for the triall of more new conclusions, and he that 
now will adventure but twelve pounds ten shillings, shall have better 
respect and as much favour then he that sixteene yeere agoe adventured as 
much, except he have money as the other hath, but though he have 
adventured five hundred pound, and spent there never so much time, if hee 
have no more and not able to beg in a family of himselfe, all is lost by 
order of Court.

But in the beginning it was not so, all went then out of one purse, till 
those new devices have consumed both mony and purse; for at first there 
were but six Patentees, now more then a thousand, then but thirteene 
Counsailors, now not lesse then an hundred; I speake not of all, for there 
are some both honourable and honest, but of those Officers, which did they 
manage their owne estates no better then the affaires of Virginia, they 
would quickly fall to decay so well as it; but this is most evident, few 
Officers in England it hath caused to turne Banquerupts, nor for all their 
complaints would leave their places, neither yet any of their Officers 
there, nor few of the rest but they would be at home, but fewer 
Adventurers here will adventure any more till they see the businesse 
better established, although there be some so wilfully improvident they 
care for nothing but to get thither, and then if their friends be dead, or 
want themselves, they die or live but poorely for want of necessaries, and 
to thinke the old Planters can releeve them were too much simplicity; for 
who here in England is so charitable to feed two or three strangers, have 
they never so much; much lesse in Virginia where they want for themselves.



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Now the generall complaint saith, that pride, covetousnesse, extortion and 
oppression in a few that ingrosses all, then sell all againe to the 
comminalty at what rate they please, yea even men, women and children for 
who will give most, occasions no small mischiefe amongst the Planters.

As for the Company, or those that doe transport them, provided of 
necessaries, God forbid but they should receive their charges againe with 
advantage, or that masters there should not have the same privilege over 
their servants as here, but to sell him or her for forty, fifty, or 
threescore pounds, whom the Company hath sent over for eight or ten pounds 
at the most, without regard how they shall be maintained with apparell, 
meat, drinke and lodging, is odious, and their fruits sutable, therefore 
such merchants it were better they were made such merchandize themselves, 
then suffered any longer to use that trade, and those are defects 
sufficient to bring a well setled Common-wealth to misery, much more 
Virginia.

Quest. 7. How thinke you it may be rectified?

Answ. If his Majestie would please to intitle it to his Crowne, and 
yearely that both the Governours here and there may give their accounts to 
you, or some that are not ingaged in the businesse, that the common stocke 
bee not spent in maintaining one hundred men for the Governour, one 
hundred for two Deputies, fifty for the Treasurer, five and twenty for the 
Secretary, and more for the Marshall and other Officers who were never 
there nor adventured any thing, but onely preferred by favour to be Lords 
over them that broke the ice and beat the path, and must teach them what 
to doe, if any thing happen well, it is their glory; if ill, the fault of 
the old directors, that in all dangers must endure the worst, yet not five 
hundred of them have so much as one of the others; also that there bee 
some present course taken to maintaine a Garrison to suppresse the 
Salvages, till they be able to subsist, and that his Majesty would please 
to remit his custome, or it is to be feared they will lose

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custome and all, for this cannot be done by promises, hopes, counsels and 
countenances, but with sufficient workmen and meanes to maintaine them, 
not such delinquents as here cannot be ruled by all the lawes in England, 
yet when the foundation is laid, as I have said, and a common-wealth 
established, then such there may better be constrained to labour then 
here: but to rectifie a common-wealth with debaushed people is impossible, 
and no wise man would throw himselfe into such a society, that intends 
honestly, and knowes what he undertakes, for there is no Countrey to 
pillage as the Romans found: all you expect from thence must be by labour.

For the government I thinke there is as much adoe about it as the 
Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland, men here conceiting Virginia as they 
are, erecting as many stately Offices as Officers with their attendants, 
as there are labourers in the Countrey, where a Constable were as good as 
twenty of their Captaines, and three hundred good Souldiers and labourers 
better then all the rest that goe onely to get the fruits of other mens 
labours by the title of an office. Thus they spend Michaelmas rent in Mid-
summer Moone, and would gather their Harvest before they have planted 
their Corne.

As for the maintenance of the Officers, the first that went never demanded 
any, but adventured good summes, and it seemes strange to me, the fruits 
of all their labours, besides the expence of an hundred and fifty thousand 
pounds, and such multitudes of people, those collaterall Officers could 
not maintaine themselves so well as the old did, and having now such 
liberty to doe to the Salvages what they will, the others had not. I more 
then wonder they have not five hundred Salvages to worke for them towards 
their generall maintenance, and as many more to returne some content and 
satisfaction to the Adventurers, that for all their care, charge and 
diligence, can heare nor see nothing but miserable complaints; therefore 
under your correction to rectifie all, is with all expedition to passe the 
authority to them who will releeve

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them, lest all bee consumed ere the differences be determined. And except 
his Majestie undertake it, or by Act of Parliament some small tax may be 
granted throughout his Dominions, as a Penny upon every Poll, called a 
head-penny; two pence upon every Chimney, or some such collection might be 
raised, and that would be sufficient to give a good stocke, and many 
servants to sufficient men of any facultie, and transport them freely for 
paying onely homage to the Crowne of England, and such duties to the 
publike good as their estates increased reason should require. Were this 
put in practice, how many people of what quality you please, for all those 
disasters would yet gladly goe to spend their lives there, and by this 
meanes more good might be done in one yeere, then all those pety 
particular undertakings will effect in twenty.

For the Patent the King may, if he please, rather take it from them that 
have it, then from us who had it first, pretending to his Majesty what 
great matters they would doe, and how little we did, and for any thing I 
can conceive, had we remained still as at first, it is not likely we could 
have done much worse; but those oft altering of governments are not 
without much charge, hazard and losse. If I be too plaine, I humbly crave 
your pardon; but you requested me, therefore I doe but my duty. For the 
Nobility, who knowes not how freely both in their Purses and assistances 
many of them have beene to advance it, committing the managing of the 
businesse to inferiour persons, amongst whom questionlesse also many have 
done their utmost best, sincerely and truly according to their conceit, 
opinion and understanding; yet grosse errors have beene committed, but no 
man lives without his fault; for my owne part, I have so much adoe to 
amend my owne, I have no leisure to looke into any mans particular, but 
those in generall I conceive to be true. And so I humbly rest

Yours to command, J. S.

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The King hath pleased to take it into his consideration.

Thus those discords, not being to be compounded among themselves, nor yet 
by the extraordinary diligences, care and paines of the noble and right 
worthy Commissioners, Sir William Jones, Sir Nicholas Fortescue, Sir 
Francis Goston, Sir Richard Sutton, Sir Henry Bourgchier and Sir William 
Pit; a Corante was granted against Master Deputy Farrar, and 20. or 30. 
others of that party to plead their causes before the right Honourable, 
the Lords of his Majesties Privy Councell: now notwithstanding all the 
Relations, Examinations, and intercepting of all Letters whatsoever came 
from thence, yet it seemes they were so farre unsatisfied and desired to 
know the truth, as well for the preservation of the Colony, as to give 
content and doe all men right, they sent two Commissioners strictly to 
examine the true estate of the Colony. Upon whose returne after mature 
deliberation, it pleased his royall Majesty to suppresse the course of the 
Court at Deputy Farrars, and that for the present ordering the affaires of 
Virginia, untill he should make a more full settlement thereof, the Lord 
Viscount Mandevile, Lord President of his Majesties Privie Councell, and 
also other Privy Councellors, with many understanding Knights and 
Gentlemen, should every Thursday in the afternoone meet at Sir Thomas 
Smiths in Philpot lane, where all men whom it should concerne may repaire, 
to receive such directions and warrant for their better security, as more 
at large you may see in the Proclamation to that effect, under the great 
Seale of England, dated the 15. of July, 1624. But as for the relations 
last returned, what numbers they are, how many Cities, Corporations, 
townes, and houses, cattle and horse they have, what fortifications or 
discoveries they have made, or revenge upon the Salvages; who are their 
friends or foes, or what commodities they have more then Tobacco, & their 
present estate or what is presently to be put in execution, in that the 
Commissioners are not yet fully satisfied in the one, nor resolved in the 
other, at this present time when this went

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to the Presse, I must intreat you pardon me till I be better assured.

Thus far I have travelled in this Wildernesse of Virginia, not being 
ignorant for all my paines this discourse will be wrested, tossed and 
turned as many waies as there is leaves; that I have writ too much of 
some, too little of others, and many such like objections. To such I must 
answer, in the Companies name I was requested to doe it, if any have 
concealed their approved experiences from my knowledge, they must excuse 
me: as for every fatherles or stolne relation, or whole volumes of 
sofisticated rehearsals, I leave them to the charge of them that desire 
them. I thanke God I never undertooke any thing yet any could tax me of 
carelesnesse or dishonesty, and what is hee to whom I am indebted or 
troublesome? Ah! were these my accusers but to change cases and places 
with me but 2. yeeres, or till they had done but so much as I, it may be 
they would judge more charitably of my imperfections. But here I must 
leave all to the triall of time, both my selfe, Virginia's preparations, 
proceedings and good events, praying to that great God the protector of 
all goodnesse to send them as good successe as the goodnesse of the action 
and Country deserveth, and my heart desireth.

FINIS.