all his Souldiers with a tripple power and twice tripple better meanes by what they haue done in his absence the world may see what they would haue done in his presence had he not prevented their indiscretions it doth iustly proue what cause he had to send them for England and that he was neither factious mutinous nor dishonest But they haue made it more plaine since his returne for England having his absolute authoritie freely in their power with all the advantages and opportunitie that his labours had effected As I am sorry their actions haue made it so manifest so I am vnwilling to say what reason doth compell me but onely to make apparant the truth least I should seeme partiall reasonlesse and malicious CHAPTER XII The Arrivall of the third Supply TO redresse those jarres and ill proceedings the Treasurer Councell and Company of Virginia not finding that returne and profit they expected and them ingaged there not having meanes to subsist of themselues made meanes to his Maiestie to call in their Commission and take a new in their owne names as in their owne publication 1610. you may â—eade at large Having thus annihilated the old by vertue of a Commission made to the right Honourable Sir Thomas West Lord de la Warre to be Generall of Virginia Sir Thomas Gates his Lieutenant Sir George Somers Admirall Sir Thomas Dale high Marshall Sir Fardinando Wainman Generall of the Horse and so all other offices to many other worthy Gentlemen for their liues though not any of them had ever beene in Virginia except Captaine Newport who was also by Patent made vice-Admirall those noble Gentlemen drew in such great summes of money that they sent Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Somers and Captaine Newport with nine shippes and fiue hundred people who had each of them a Commission who first arrived to call in the old without the knowledge or consent of them that had endured all those former dangers to beat the path not any regard had at all of them All things being ready because those three Captaines could not agree for place it was concluded they should goe all in one ship so all their three Commissions were in that Ship with them called the Sea-Venture They set sayle from England in May 1609. A small Catch perished at Sea in a Hericano the Admirall with an hundred and fiftie men with the two Knights and their new Commission their Bils of Loading with all manner of directions and the most part of their provision arrived not With the other seaven Ships as Captaines arrived Ratliffe whose right name as is sayd was Sicklemore Martin and Archer with Captaine Wood Captaine Webbe Captaine Moone Captaine King Captaine Davis and divers Gentlemen of good meanes and great parentage But the first as they had beene troublesome at Sea began againe to marre all ashore for though as is said they were formerly sent for England yet now returning againe graced by the titles of Captaines of the passengers seeing the Admirall wanting and great probabilitie of her losse strengthened themselues with those new companies so exclaiming against Captaine Smith that they mortally hated him ere ever they saw him Who vnderstanding by his Scouts the arrivall of such a Fleet little dreaming of any such supply supposed them Spanyards But he quickly so determined and ordered our affaires as we little feared their Arrivall nor the successe of our incounter nor were the Salvages any way negligent for the most part to ayd and assist vs with their best power Had it so beene we had beene happy for we would not haue trusted them but as our foes where receiuing them as our Countreymen and friends they did what they could to murther our President to surprise the Store the Fort and our Iudgings to vsurpe the government and make vs all their servants and slaues till they could consume vs and our remembrance and rather indeed to supplant vs then supply vs as master William Box an honest Gentleman in this voyage thus relateth In the tayle of a Hericano wee were separated from the Admirall which although it was but the remainder of that Storme there is seldome any such in England or those Northerne parts of Europe Some lost their Masts some their Sayles blowne from their Yards the Seas so over-raking our Ships much of our prouision was spoyled our Fleet separated and our men sicke and many dyed and in this miserable estate we arrived in Virginia But in this Storme When ratling Thunder ran along the Clouds Did not the Saylers poore and Masters proud A terror feele as strucke with feare of God Did not their trembling ioynts then dread his rod Least for foule deeds and black mouth'd blasphemies The rufull time be come that vengeance cryes To a thousand mischiefes those lewd Captaines led this lewd company wherein were many vnruly Gallants packed thither by their friends to escape ill destinies and those would dispose and determine of the government sometimes to one the next day to another to day the old Commission must rule to morrow the new the next day neither in fine they would rule all or ruine all yet in charitie we must endure them thus to destroy vs or by correcting their follies haue brought the worlds censure vpon vs to be guiltie of their blouds Happie had we beene had they never arrived and we for ever abandoned and as we were left to our fortunes for on earth for the number was never more confusion or misery then their factions occasioned The President seeing the desire those Braues had to rule seeing how his authoritie was so vnexpectedly changed would willingly haue left all and haue returned for England But seeing there was small hope this new Commission would arriue longer he would not suffer those factious spirits to proceede It would be too tedious too strange and almost incredible should I particularly relate the infinite dangers plots and practices he daily escaped amongst this factious crew the chiefe whereof he quickly layd by the heeles till his leasure better served to doe them iustice and to take away all occasions of further mischiefe Master Percie had his request granted to returne for England being very sicke and Mr West with an hundred and twentie of the best he could chuse he sent to the Fâ—lles Martin with neare as many to Nandsamund with their due proportions of all provisions according to thir numbers Now the Presidents yeare being neare expired he made Captaine Martin President to follow the order for the election of a President every yeare but he knowing his owne insufficiency and the companies vntowardnesse and little regard of him within three houres after resigned it againe to Captaine Smith and at Nandsamund thus proceeded the people being contributers vsed him kindly yet such was his iealous feare in the midst of their mirth he did surprise this poore naked King with his Monuments houses and the Isle he inhabited and there
vs with their Ordnances and put vs in minde we had another worke in hand Whereupon we separated the dead and hurt bodies and manned the ship with the rest and were so well incouraged wee waifed them amaine The Admirall stood aloofe off and the other would not come within Falcon shot where she lay battering vs till shee receiued another paiment from a Demiculuering which made her beare with the shore for smooth water to mend her leakes The next morning they both came vp againe with vs as if they had determined to deuour vs at once but it seemed it was but a brauado though they forsooke not our quarter for a time within Musket shot yet all the night onely they kept vs company but made not a shot During which time we had leasure to prouide vs better than before but God bethanked they made onely but a shew of another aâ—sault ere suddenly the Vice-admirall fell a starne and the other lay shaking in the wind and so they both left vs. The fight continued six houres and was the more vnwelcome because we were so ill prouided and had no intent to sight nor giue occasion to disturbe them As for the losse of men if Religion had not taught vs what by the prouidence of God is brought to passe yet daily experience might informe vs of the dangers of wars and perils at sea by stormes tempests shipwracks encounters with Pirats meeting with enemies crosse winds long voâ—ages vnknowne shores barbarous Nations and an hundred inconueniences of which humane pollicies are not capable nor mens coniectures apprehensiue We lost Doctor Bohun a worthy valianâ— Gentleman a long time brought vp amongst the most learned Surgeons and Physitions in Netherlands and this his second iourney to Virginia and seuen slaine out right two died shortly of their wounds sixteâ—nâ— was shot whose limbs God be thanked was recouered without maime and now setled in Virginia how many they lost we know not but we saw a great many lie on the decks and their skuppers runne with bloud they were abouâ— three hundred tunnes a peece each sixteene or twentie Brasse peeces Captaine Chester who in this fight had behaued himselfe like a most vigilant resolute and a couragious souldier as also our honest and valiant master did still so comfort and incourage vs by all the meanes they could at last to all our great contents we arriued in Virginia and from thence returned safely to England The Names of the Aduenturers for Virginia Alphabetically set downe according to a printed Booke set out by the Treasurer and Councell in this present yeere 1620. A SIr William Aliffe Sir Roger Aston Sir Anthony Ashley Sir Iohn Akland Sir Anthonie Aucher Sir Robert Askwith Doctor Francis Anthony Charles Anthony Edward Allen. Edmund Allen Esquire Iohn Allen. Thomas Allen. William Atkinson Esquire Richard Ashcroft Nicholas Andrews Iohn Andrews the elder Iohn Andrews the youngeâ— Iames Ascough Giles Allington Morris Abbot Ambrose Asten Iames Askew Anthony Abdey Iohn Arundell Esquire B Edward Earle of Bedford Iames Lord Bishop of Bathe and Wells Sir Francis Barrington Sir Morice Barkley Sir Iohn Benet Sir Thomas Beamont Sir Amias Bamfield Sir Iohn Bourcher Sir Edmund Bowyer Sir Thomas Bludder Sir George Bolles Sir Iohn Bingley Sir Thomas Button Sir Henry Beddingfield Companie of Barbers-Surgeons Companie of Bakers Richard Banister Iohn Bancks Miles Bancks Thomas Barber William Bonham Iames Bryerley William Barners Anthony Barners Esquire William Brewster Richard Brooke Hugh Brooker Esquire Ambrose Brewsey Iohn Brooke Matthew Bromridge Christopher Brooke Esquire Martin Bond. Gabriel Beadle Iohn Beadle Dauid Borne Edward Barnes Iohn Badger Edmund Branduell Robert Bowyer Esquire Bobert Bateman Thomas Britton Nicholas Benson Edward Bishop Peter Burgoney Thomas Burgoney Robert Burgoney Christopher Baron Peter Benson Iohn Baker Iohn Bustoridge Francis Burlâ—y William Browne Robert Barker Samuel Burnham Edward Barkley William Bennet Captaine Edward Brewster Thomas Brocket Iohn Bullock George Bache Thomas Bayly William Barkley George Butler Timothie Bathurst George Burton Thomas Bret. Captaine Iohn Brough Thomas Baker Iohn Blunt Thomas Bayly Richard and Edward Blunt Mineon Burrell Richard Blackmore William Bâ—ck Beniamin Brand. Iohn Busbridge William Burrell William Barret Francis Baldwin Edward Bâ—rber Humphrey Basse. Robert Bell. Matthew Bromrick Iohn Beaumont George Barkley Peter Bartle Thomas Bretton Iohn Blount Arthur Bromfeld Esquire William Bâ—rbloke Charles Beck C George Lord Archbishop of Canterburie William Lord Cranborne now Earle of Salisburie William Lord Compton now Earle of North-hampton William Lord Cauendish now Earle of Deuonshire Richard Earle of Clanricard Sir William Cauendish now Lord Cauendish Gray Lord Chandos Sir Henry Cary. Sir George Caluert Sir Lionell Cranfield Sir Edward Cecill Sir Robert Cotten Sir Oliuer Cromwell Sir Anthony Cope Sir Walter Cope Sir Edward Carr. Sir Thomas Conisbie Sir George Cary. Sir Edward Conwey Sir Walter Chute Sir Edward Culpeper Sir Henry Cary Captaine Sir William Crauen Sir Walter Couert Sir George Coppin Sir George Chute Sir Thomas Couentry Sir Iohn Cutts Lady Cary. Company of Cloth-workers Citie of Chichester Robert Chamberlaine Richard Chamberlaine Francis Couill William Coyse Esquire Abraham Chamberlaine Thomas Carpenter Anthony Crew Richard Cox William Crosley Iames Chatfeild Richard Caswell Iohn Cornelis Randall Carter Executâ—rs of Randall Carter William Canning Edward Carue Esquire Thomas Cannon Esquire Richard Champion Rawley Crashaw Henry Collins Henry Cromwell Iohn Cooper Richard Cooper Ioâ—n Casson Thomas Colthâ—rst Allâ—n Cotten Edward Cage Abraham Carthwright Robert Coppin Thomas Conock Ioâ—n Clapham Thomas Church William Carpenter Laurence Campe. Iames Cambell Christopher Clâ—theroe Matthew Cooper Georgâ— Chamber Captaine Iohn Cooke Câ—ptaine Thomas Conwey Esquire Edward Culpeper Esquire Master William Crashaw Abraham Colmâ—r Iohn Culpeper Edmund Colbey Richard Cooper Robert Creswell Iohn Cage Esquire Matthew Caue William Crowe Abraham Carpenter Iohn Crowe Thomas Cordell Richard Connock Esquire William Compton William Chester Thâ—mas Couel Richard Carmarden Esquire William and Paul Canning Hâ—nry Cromwell Esquire Simon Codrington Clement Chichley Iames Cullemore William Cantrell D Richard Earle of Dorset Edward Lord Dâ—nny Sir Iohn Digbie now Lord Digbie Sir Iohn Doderidge Sir Drew Drewry the elder Sir Thomas Dennis Sir Robert Drewry Sir Iohn Dauers Sir Dudley Digs Sir Marmaduke Dorrel Sir Thomas Dale Sir Thomas Denton Companie of Drapers Thomas Bond Esquire Dauid Bent Esquire Comanie of Dyers Towne of Douer Master Richard Deaâ—e Alderman Henry Dawkes Edward Dichfield William Dunne Iohn Dauis Matthew Dâ—quâ—stâ—r Philip Durdent Abraham Dawes Iohn Dike Thomas Draper Lancelot Dauis Rowley Dawsey William Dobson Esquire Anthony Dyot Esquire Auery Dranfield Roger Dye Iohn Downes Iohn Drake Iohn Delbridge Beniamin Decroâ— Thomas Dyke Ieffery Duppa Daniel Darnelly Sara Draper Clement and Henry Dawkneâ— E Thomas Earle of Exeter Sir Thomas Euerfield Sir Francis Egiock Sir Robert Edolph Iohn Eldred Esquire William Euans Richard Euans Hugh Euans Raph Ewens Esquire Iohn Elkin Robert Euelin Nicholas Exton Iohn Exton George Etheridge F Sir Moyle Finch Sir Henry Fanshaw
Sir Thomas Freake Sir Peter Fretchuile Sir William Flâ—â—twood Sir Henry Fane Company of Fishmongers Iohn Fletcher Iohn Farmer Martin Freâ—man Esquire Ralph Freeman William and Ralph Frâ—â—man Michael Fetiplace VVilliam Fettiplace Thomas Forrest Edward Flâ—etwood Esquire William Fâ—lgate William Field Nicholâ—s Fâ—rrar Iohn Farrar Giles Francis Edward Fawcet Richard Farrington Iohn Francklin Richard Frith Iohn Ferne. George Farmer Thomas Francis Iohn Fenner Nicholas Fuller Esquire Thomas Fâ—xall William Flâ—et Peter Franck Esquire Richard Fishborne VVilliam Faldoe Iohn Fletcher and Company VVilliam Ferrars G Lady Elizabeth Gray Sir Iohn Gray Sir VVilliam Godolfine Sir Thomas Gates Sir VVilliam Gee Sir Riâ—hard Grobham Sir VVilliam Garaway Sir Francis Goodwin Sir George Goring Sir Thomas Grantham Company of Grocers Company of Goldsmiths Company of Girdlers Iohn Geering Iohn Gardiner Richard Gardiner Iohn Gilbert Thomas Graue Iohn Gray Nicholas Griece Richard Goddard Thomas Gipps Peter Gates Thomas Gibbs Esquire Laurence Greene. William Greenwell Robert Garset Robert Gore Thomas Gouge Francis Glanuile Esquire G Henry Earle of Huntington Lord Theophilus Haward L. Walden Sir Iohn Harrington L. Harington Sir Iohn Hollis now Lord Hautein Sir Thomas Holecroft Sir William Harris Sir Thomas Harefleet Sir George Haiward Sir VVarwicke Heale Sir Baptist Hicks Sir Iohn Hanham Sir Thomas Horwell Sir Thomas Hewit Sir VVilliam Herrick Sir Eustace Hart. Sir Pory Huntley Sir Arthur Harris Sir Edward Heron. Sir Perseuall Hart. Sir Ferdinando Heiborne Sir Lawrence Hide Master Hugh Hamersley Alderman Master Richard Heron Alderman Richard Humble Esquire Master Richard Hackleuit Edward Harrison George Holeman Robert Hill Griffin Hinton Iohn Hawkins VVilliam Hancocke Iohn Harper George Hawger Iohn Holt. Iohn Huntley Ieremy Heiden Ralph Hamer Ralph Hamer Iunior Iohn Hodgeson Iohn Hanford Thomas Harris Richard Howell Thomas Henshaw Leonard Harwood Tristram Hill Francis Haselridge Tobias Hinson Peter Heightley George Hawkenson Thomas Hackshaw Charles Hawkens Iohn Hodgis William Holland Robert Hartley Gregory Herst Thomas Hodgis William Hodgis Roger Harris Iohn Harris M. Iohn Haiward Iames Haiward Nicholas Hide Esquire Iohn Hare Esquire William Hackwell Esquire Gressam Hoogan Humfrey Hanford William Haselden Nicholas Hooker Doctor Anthony Hunten Iohn Hodsale George Hooker Anthony Hinton Iohn Hogsell Thomas Hampton William Hicks William Holiland Ralph Harison Harman Harison I Sir Thomas Iermyn Sir Robert Iohnson Sir Arthur Ingram Sir Francis Iones Company of Ironmongers Company of Inholders Company of Imbroyderers Bailiffes of Ipswich Henry Iackson Richard Ironside M. Robert Iohnson Alderman Thomas Iones William Iobson Thomas Iohnson Thomas Iadwine Iohn Iosua George Isam Philip Iacobson Peter Iacobson Thomas Iuxson Senior Iames Iewell Gabriel Iaques Walter Iobson Edward Iames. Zachary Iones Esquire Anthony Irbye Esquire William I-anson Humfrey Iobson K Sir Valentine Knightley Sir Robert Killegrew Sir Charles Kelke Sir Iohn Kaile Richard Kirrill Iohn Kirrill Raph King Henry Kent Towne of Kingslynne Iohn Kettleby Esquire Walter Kirkham Esquire L Henry Earle of Lincolne Robert L. Lisle now Earle of Leicester Thomas Lord Laware Sir Francis Leigh Sir Richard Lowlace Sir William Litton Sir Iohn Lewson Sir William Lower Sir Samuel Leonard Sir Samson Leonard Company of Lethersellers Thomas Laughton William Lewson Peter Latham Peter Van Lore Henry Leigh Thomas Leuar Christofer Landman Morris Lewellin Edward Lewis Edward Lewkin Peter Lodge Thomas Layer Thomas Lawson Francis Lodge Iohn Langlâ—y Dauid Loide Iohn Leuitâ— Thomas Fox and Luke Lodge Captaine Richard Linley Arnold Lulls William Lawrence Iâ—hn Landman Nicholas Lichfield Nicholas Leate Gedâ—on de Laune M Philâ—p Earle of Montgomerie Doctor George Mountaine now Lord Bishop of Lincolne William Lord Mounteagle now Lord Morley Sir Thomas Mansell Sir Thomas Mildmay Sir William Maynard Sir Humfrey May. Sir Peter Manhood Sir Iohn Merrick Sir George More Sir Robert Mansell Sir Arthur Mannering Sir Dauid Murrey Sir Edward Michelborn Sir Thomas Middleton Sir Robert Miller Sir Caualiero Maicott Doctor Iames Meddas Richard Martin Esquire Company of Mercers Company of Merchant Taylors Otho Mowdite Captaine Iohn Martin Arthur Mouse Adrian More Thomas Mountford Thomas Morris Ralph Moorton Francis Mapes Richard Maplesden Iames Monger Peter Monsell Robert Middleton Thomas Maile Iohn Martin Iosias Maude Richard Morton George Mason Thomas Maddock Richard Moore Nicholas Moone Alfonsus van Medkerk Captaine Henry Meoles Philip Mutes Thomas Mayall Humfrey Marret Iaruis Munaz Robert Mildmay William Millet Richard Morer Iohn Miller Thomas Martin Iohn Middleton Francis Middleton N Dudly Lord North. Francis Lord Norris Sir Henry Neuill of Barkshire Thomas Nicols Christopher Nicols VVilliam Nicols George Newce Ioseph Newberow Christopher Newgate Thomas Norincott Ionathan Nuttall Thomas Norton O William Oxenbridge Esquire Robert Ossley Francis Oliuer P VVilliam Earle of Pembroke VVilliam Lord Paget Iohn Lord Petre. George Percy Esquire Sir Christofer Parkins Sir Amias Preston Sir Nicholas Parker Sir VVilliam Poole Sir Stephen Powell Sir Henry Peyton Sir Iames Perrot Sir Iohn Pettus Sir Robert Payne VVilliam Payne Iohn Payne Edward Parkins Edward Parkins his widow Aden Perkins Thomas Perkin Richard Partridge William Palmer Miles Palmer Robert Parkhurst Richard Perciuall Esquire Richard Poyntell George Pretty George Pit Allen Percy Abraham Peirce Edmund Peirce Phenice Pet. Thomas Philips Henry Philpot. Master George Procter Robert Penington Peter Peate Iohn Prat. William Powell Edmund Peashall Captaine William Proude Henry Price Nicholas Pewriffe Thomas Pelham Richard Piggot Iohn Pawlet Esquire Robert Pory Richard Paulson Q William Quicke R Sir Robert Rich now Earle of Warwicke Sir Thomas Row Sir Henry Rainsford Sir William Romney Sir Iohn Ratcliffe Sir Steuen Ridlesdon Sir William Russell Master Edward Rotheram Alderman Robert Rich. Tedder Roberts Henry Robinson Iohn Russell Richard Rogers Arthur Robinson Robert Robinson Millicent Ramsden Iohn Robinson George Robins Nichalas Rainton Henry Rolffe Iohn Reignolds Elias Roberts Henry Reignolds Esquire William Roscarrocke Esquire Humfrey Raymell Richard Robins S Henry Earle of Southampton Thomas Earle of Suffolke Edward Semer Earle of Hartford Robert Earle of Salisbury Mary Countesse of Shrewâ—bury Edmund Lord Sheffeld Robert Lord Spencer Iohn Lord Stanhope Sir Iohn Saint-Iohn Sir Thomas Smith Sir Iohn Samms Sir Iohn Smith Sir Edwin Sandys Sir Samuel Sandys Sir Steuen Some Sir Raph Shelton Sir Thomas Stewkley Sir William Saint-Iohn Sir William Smith Sir Richard Smith Sir Martin Sinteuill Sir Nicolas Salter Doctor Matthew Sutcliffe of Exeter Captaine Iohn Smith Thomas Sandys Esquire Henry Sandys Esquire George Sandys Esquire Company of Skinners Company of Salters Company of Stationers Iohn Stokley Richard Staper Robert Singleton Thomas Shipton Cleophas Smith Richard Strongtharâ— Hildebrand Spruson Matthew Scriuener Othowell Smith George Scot. Hewet Staperâ— Iames Swift Richard Stratford Edmund Smith Robert Smith Matthias Springham Richard Smith Edward Smith Ionathan Smith Humfrey Smith Iohn Smith George Swinhow Ioseph Some William Sheckley Iohn Southick Henry Shelley Walter Shelley Richard Snarsborow George Stone Hugh Shepley William Strachey Vrion Spencer Iohn Scarpe Thomas Scott William Sharpe Steuen Sparrow Thomas Stokes Richard Shepard Henry Spranger William Stonnard
Commission I was content to be overrulâ—d by the maior part of the Councell I feare to the hazard of vs all which now is generally confessed when it is too late Onely Captaine Winne and Captaine Waldo I haue sworne of the Councell and Crowned Powhatan according to you instructions For thâ— charge of this Voyage of two or three thousand pounds we haue not receiued the value of an hundred pounds And for the quartred Boat to be borne by thâ— Souldiers over the Falles Newport had 120 of the best men he could chuse If he had burnt her to ashâ—s one might haue carried her in a bag but as she is fiue hundred cannâ—t to a navigable place aboue the Falles And for him at that time to find in the South Sea a Mine of gold or any of them sent by Sir Walter Raleigh at our Consultation I told them was as likely as the rest But during this great discovery of thirtie myles which might as well haue beene done by one man and much more for the value of a pound of Copper at a seasonable tyme they had the Pinnace and all the Boats with thâ—m but one that remained with me to serue the Fort. In their absence I followed the new begun workes of Pitch and Tarre Glasse Sope-ashes and Clapboord whereof some small quantities we haue sent you But if you rightly consider what an infinite toyle it is in Russia and Swethland where the woods are proper for naught els and though there be the helpe both of man and beast in those ancient Common-wealths which many an hundred yeares haue vsed it yet thousands of those poore people can scarce gâ—t necessaries to liue but from hâ—nd to mouth And though your Factors there can buy as much in a week as will fraught you a ship or as much as you please you must not expect from vs any such matter which are but a many of ignorant miserable soules that are scarce able to get wherewith to liue and defend our selues against the inconstant Salvages finding but here and there a tree fit for the purpose and want all things els the Russians haue For the Coronation of Pâ—whatan by whose advice you sent him such presents I know not but this giue me leaue to tell you I feare thâ—y will be the confusion of vs all ere we heare from you againe At your Ships arrivall the Salvages harvest was newly gathered and we going to buy it our owne not being halfe sufficient for so great a number As for the two ships loading of Corne Nâ—wport prâ—mised to provide vs from Powhatan he brought vs but foureteene Bushels and from the Monacans nothing but the most of the men sicke and neare famished From your Ship we had not provision in victuals worth twenty pound and we are more then two hundred to liue vpon this the one halfe sicke the other little better For the Saylers I confesse they daily make good cheare but our dyet is a little meale and water and not sufficient of that Though there be fish in the Sea foules in the ayre and Beasts in the woods their bounds are so large they so wilde and we so weake and ignorant we cannot much trouble them Captaine Newport we much suspect to be the Authour of those inventions Now that you should know I haue made you as great a discovery as he for lesse charge then he spendeth you every meale I haue sent you this Mappe of the Bay and Rivers with an annexed Relation of the Countries and Nations that inhabit them as you may see at large Also two barrels of stones and such as I take to be good Iron ore at the least so devided as by their notes you may see in what places I found them The Souldiers say many of your officers maintaine their families out of that you send vs and that Newport hath an hundred pounds a yeare for carrying newes For every master you haue yet sent can find the way as well as he so that an hundred pounds might be spared which is more then we haue all thâ—t helpe to pay him wages Cap. Ratliffe is now called Sicklâ—more a poore counterfeited Imposture I haue sent you him home least the company should cut his throat What he is now every one can tell you if he and Archer returne againe they are sufficient to keepe vs alwayes in factions When you send againe I intreat you rather send but thirty Caâ—penters husbandmen gardiners fisher men blacksmiths masons and diggers vp of trees roots well provided then a thousand of such as we haue for except wee be able both to lodge them and feed them the most will consume with want of necessaries before they can be made good for any thing Thus if you please to consider this account and of the vnnecessary wages to Captaine Newport or his ships so long lingering and staying here for notwithstanding his boasting to leaue vs victuals for 12 monâ—ths though we had 89 by this discovery lame and sicke and but a pinte of Corne a day for a man we were constrained to giue him three hogsheads of that to victuall him homeward or yet to send into Germany or Poleland for glasse-men the rest till we be able to sustaine our selues and relieue them when they come It were better to giue fiue hundred pound a tun for those grosse Commodities in Denmarke then send for them hither till more necessary things be provided For in over-toyling our weake and vnskilfull bodies to satisfie this desire of present profit we can scarce ever recover our selues from one Supply to another And I humbly intreat you hereafter let vs know what we should receiue and not stand to the Saylers courtesie to leaue vs what they please els you may charge vs with what you will but we not you with any thing These are the causes that haue kept vs in Virginia from laying such a foundation that â—re this might haue given much better content and satisfaction but as yet you must not looke for any profitable returnes so I humbly rest The Names of those in this Supply were these with their Proceedings and Accidents Captaine Peter Winne Captaine Richard Waldo were appoynted to be of the Councell Master Francis VVest brother to the Lord La VVarre Gent. Thomas Graues Raleigh Chroshaw Gabriel Beadle Iohn Beadle Iohn Russell William Russell Iohn Cuderington William Sambage Henry Leigh Henry Philpot. Harmon Harrison Daniel Tucker Henry Collins Hugh Wolleston Iohn Hoult Thomas Norton George Yarington George Burton Thomas Abbay William Dowman Thomas Maxes Michael Lowick Master Hunt Thomas Fâ—rrâ—st Iohn Dauxe Tradsmen Thomas Phâ—lps Iohn Prat. Iohn Clarke Ieffrey Shortridge Dionis Oconor Hugh Winne Dauid ap Hugh Thomas Bradley Iohn Burraâ— Thomas Lâ—vander Henry Bell. Master Powell David Ellis Thomas Gibson Labourers Thomas Dawse Thomas Mallard William Tayler Thomas Fox Nicholas Hancock Walker Williams Floud Morley Rose Scot. Hardwyn Boyes Milman Hilliard Mistresse Forrest and Anne Burras her maide eight Dutch men and
Poles with some others to the number of seaventie persons c. These poore conclusions so affrighted vs all with famine that the President provided for Nâ—ndsamund and tooke with him Captaine Winne and Mr Scrivener then returning from Captaine Newport These people also long denied him not onely the 400 Baskets of Corne thâ—y promised but any trade at all excusing themselues they had â—pent most they had and were commanded by Powhatan to keepe that they had and not to let vs come into their river till we were constrained to begin with them perforce Vpon the discharging of our Muskets they all fled and shot not an Arrow the first house we came to we set on fire which when they perceiued they desired we would make no more spoyle and they would giue vs halfe they had how they collected it I know not but before night they loaded our three Boats and so we returned to our quarter some foure myles downe the River which was onely the open woods vnder the lay of a hill where all the ground was covered with snow and hard frozen the snow we digged away and made a great fire in the place when the ground was well dryed we turned away the fire and covering the place with a mat there we lay very warme To keepe vs from the winde we made a shade of another Mat as the winde turned we turned our shade and when the ground grew cold we remoued the fire And thus many a cold winter night haue wee laine in this miserable manner yet those that most commonly went vpon all those occasions were alwayes in health lusty and sat For sparing them this yeare the nâ—xt yeare they promised to plant purposely for vs and so we returned to Iames towne About this time there was a marriage betwixt Iohn Laydon and Anne Burras which was the first marriage we had in Virginia Long he stayed not but fitting himselfe and Captaine Waldo with two Barges From Chawopoweanock and all parts thereabouts all the people were fled as being iealous of our intents till we discovered the rivâ—r and people of Apamatuck where we found not much that they had we equally divided but gaue them copper and such things as contented them in consideration Master Scrivener and Lieutenant Percie went also abroad but could find nothing The President seeing the procrastinating of time was no course to liue resolved with Captaine Waldo whom he knew to be sure in time of need to surprise Powhatan and all his provision but the vnwillingnesse of Captaine Winne and Master Scrivener for some private respect plotted in England to ruine Captaine Smith did their best to hinder their proiect but the President whom no perswasions could perswade to starue being invited by Powhatan to come vnto him and if he would send him but men to build him a house giue him a gryndstone fiftie swords some peeces a cock and a hen with much copper and beads he would loâ—d his Ship with Corne. The President not ignorant of his devises and subtiltie yet vnwilling to neglect any opportunitie presently sent three Dutch-men and two English having so small allowance few were able to doe any thing to purpose knowing there needed no better a Castle to effect this proiect tooke order with Captaine Waldo to second him if need required Scrivener he left his substitute and set forth with thâ— Pinnace two Barges and fortie-six men which onely were such as voluntarily offered themselues for his Iourney the which by reason of Mr Scriveners ill successe was censured very desperate they all knowing Smith would not returne emptie if it were to be had howsoever it caused many of those that he had appointed to find excuses to stay behinde CHAP. VIII Captaine Smiths Iourney to Pamavnkee THe twentie-nine of December he set forward for Werowocomoco his Company were these In the Discovery Barge himselfe Gent. Robert Behethland Nathanael Graues Iohn Russell Raleigh Chrashow Michael Sicklemore Richard Worley Souldiers Anas Todkill William Loue. William Bentley Ieffrey Shortridge Edward Pising William Ward In the Pinnace Lieutenant Percie brother to the Earle of Northumberland Master Francis West brother to the Lord La Warre William Phittiplace Captaine of the Pinnace Gent. Michael Phittiplace Ieffrey Abbot Serieant William Tankard George Yarington Iames Browne Edward Brinton George Burton Thomas Coe Ionas Profit Master Robert Ford Clarke of the Councell Iohn Dods Souldier Henry Powell Souldier Thomas Gipson David Ellis Nathanael Peacock Saylers Iohn Prat George Acrig Iames Read Nicholas Hancock Iames Watkins Thomas Lambert foure Dutch-men and Richard Salvage were sent by land before to build the house for Powhatan against our Arrivall This company being victualled but for three or foure dayes lodged the first night at Warraskoyack where the President tooke sufficient provision This kind King did his best to divert him from seeing Powhatan but perceiuing he could not prevaile he advised in this manner Captaine Smith you shall find Powhatan to vse you kindly but trust him not and be sure he haue no oportunitie to seize on your Armes for he hath sent for you onely to cut your throats The Captaine thanking him for his good counsell yet the better to try his loue desired guides to Chawwonock for he would send a present to that King to bind him his friend To performe this iourney was sent Mr Sicklemore a very valiant honest and a painefull Souldier with him two guides and directions how to seeke for the lost company of Sir Walter Raleighs and silke Grasse Then we departed thence the President assuring the King perpetuall loue and left with him Samuâ—l Collier his Page to learne the Language So this Kings deeds by sacred Oath adiur'd More wary proues and circumspect by ods Fearing at least his double forfeiture To offend his friends and sin against his Gods The next night being lodged at Kecoughtan six or seaven dayes the extreame winde rayne frost and snow caused vs to keepe Christmas among the Salvages where we were never more merry nor fed on more plentie of good Oysters Fish Flesh Wild-soule and good bread nor never had better fires in England then in the dry smoaky houses of Kecoughtan but departing thence when we found no houses we were not curious in any weather to lye three or foure nights together vnder the trees by a fire as formerly is sayd An hundred fortie eight foules the President Anthony Bagnall and Serieant Pising did kill at three shoots At Kiskiack the frost contrary winds forced vs three or foure dayes also to suppresse the insolency of those proud Salvages to quarter in their houses yet guard our Barge and cause them giue vs what we wanted though we were but twelue and himselfe yet we never wanted shelter where we found any houses The 12 of Ianuary we arrived at Werowocomoco where the river was frozen neare halfe a myle from the shore but to neglect no time the President with his Barge so
Padget 5. Pembrok 6. Cauendish 7. Smith 8. Hambleton St Catherins forte F Pembroks forte K Kings Castell M Southampton forte L Devonshire Redute O A Scale of 8 Miles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 St George Towne D Warwicks forte E The 3 Bridges A.B.C. P Riches Mount State house The Letters A.B.C. shew the sittuation of the 3 bridges P the Mount D.E.F.G.H.I.K.L.M.N.O. the forts how and by whom they wer made the history will shew you The discription of the land by Mr Norwood All contracted into this order by Captaine Iohn Smith Smiths forte I Pagets forte H Penistons Redoute G Charles forte N Printed by Iames Reeve THE FOVRTH BOOKE TO MAKE PLAINE THE TRVE PROCEEdings of the Historie for 1609. we must follow the examinations of Doctor Simons and two learned Orations published by the Companie with the relation of the Right Honourable the Lord De la Ware What happened in the first gouernment after the alteration in the time of Captaine George Piercie their Gouernour THE day before Captaine Smith returned for England with the ships Captaine Dauis arriued in a small Pinace with some sixteene proper men more To these were added a company from Iames towne vnder the command of Captaine Iohn Sickelmore alias Ratliffe to inhabit Point Comfort Captaine Martin and Captaine West hauing lost their boats and neere halfe their men among the Saluages were returned to Iames towne for the Saluages no sooner vnderstood Smith was gone but they all reuolted and did spoile and murther all they incountered Now wee were all constrained to liue onely on that Smith had onely for his owne Companie for the rest had consumed their proportions and now they had twentie Presidents with all their appurtenances Master Piercie our new President was so sicke hee could neither goe nor stand But ere all was consumed Captaine West and Captaine Sickelmore each with a small ship and thirtie or fortie men well appointed sought abroad to trade Sickelmore vpon the confidence of Powhatan with about thirtie others as carelesse as himselfe were all slaine onely Ieffrey Shortridge escaped and Pokahontas the Kings daughter saued a boy called Henry Spilman that liued many yeeres after by her meanes amongst the Patawomekes Powhatan still as he found meanes cut off their Boats denied them trade so that Captaine West set saile for England Now we all found the losse of Captaine Smith yea his greatest maligners could now curse his losse as for corne prouision and contribution from the Saluages we had nothing but mortall wounds with clubs and arrowes as for our Hogs Hens Goats Sheepe Horse or what liued our commanders officers Saluages daily consumed them some small proportions sometimes we tasted till all was deuoured then swords armes pieces or any thing wee traded with the Saluages whose cruell fingers were so oft imbrewed in our blouds that what by their crueltie our Gouernours indiscretion and the losse of our ships of fiue hundred within six moneths after Captaine Smiths departure there remained not past sixtie men women and children most miserable and poore creatures and those were preserued for the most part by roots herbes acornes walnuts berries now and then a little fish they that had startch in these extremities made no small vse of it yea euen the very skinnes of our horses Nay so great was our famine that a Saluage we slew and buried the poorer sort tooke him vp againe and eat him and so did diuers one another boyled and stewed with roots and herbs And one amongst the rest did kill his wife powdered her and had eaten part of her before it was knowne for which hee was executed as hee well deserued now whether shee was better roasted boyled or carbonado'd I know not but of such a dish as powdered wise I neuer heard of This was that time which still to this day we called the staruing time it were too vile to say and scarce to be beleeued what we endured but the occasion was our owne for want of prouidence industrie and gouernment and not the barrennesse and defect of the Countrie as is generally supposed for till then in three yeeres for the numbers were landed vs we had neuer from England prouision sufficient for six moneths though it seemed by the bils of loading sufficient was sent vs such a glutton is the Sea and such good fellowes the Mariners we as little tasted of the great proportion sent vs as they of our want and miseries yet notwithstanding they euer ouer-swayed and ruled the businesse though we endured all that is said and chiefly liued on what this good Countrie naturally afforded yet had wee beene euen in Paradice it selfe with these Gouernours it would not haue beene much better with vs yet there was amongst vs who had they had the gouernment as Captaine Smith appointed but that they could not maintaine it would surely haue kept vs from those extremities of miseries This in ten daies more would haue supplanted vs all with death But God that would not this Countrie should be vnplanted sent Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Sommers with one hundred and fiftie people most happily preserued by the Bermudas to preserue vs strange it is to say how miraculously they were preserued in a leaking ship as at large you may reade in the insuing Historie of those Ilands The gouernment resigned to Sir Thomas Gates 1610. WHen these two Noble Knights did see our miseries being but strangers in that Countrie and could vnderstand no more of the cause but by coniecture of our clamours and complaints of accusing and excusing one another They embarked vs with themselues with the best meanes they could and abandoning Iames towne set saile for England whereby you may see the euent of the gouernment of the former Commanders left to themselues although they had liued there many yeeres as formerly hath beene spoken who hindred now their proceedings Captaine Smith being gone At noone they fell to the I le of Hogs and the next morning to Mulbery point at what time they descried the Long-boat of the Lord la Ware for God would not haue it so abandoned For this honourable Lord then Gouernour of the Countrie met them with three ships exceedingly well furnished with all necessaries fitting who againe returned them to the abandoned Iames towne Out of the obseruations of William Simmons Doctor of Diuinitie The gouernment deuolued to the Lord la Ware HIs Lordship arriued the ninth of Iune 1610. accompanied with Sir Ferdinando Warnman Captaine Houlâ—roft Captaine Lawson and diuers other Gentlemen of sort the tenth he came vp with his fleet went on shore heard a Sermon read his Commission and entred into consultation for the good of the Colonie in which secret counsell we will a little leaue them that we may duly obserue the reuealed counsell of God Hee that shall but turne vp his eie and behold the spangled canopie of heauen or shall but cast downe his eie and consider the embroydered
bloud to effect that your Maiestie and all the Kings honest subiects most earnestly desire And so I humbly kisse your gracious hands Being about this time preparing to set saile for New-England I could not stay to doe her that seruice I desired and she well deserued but hearing shee was at Branford with diuers of my friends I went to see her After a modest salutation without any word she turned about obscured her face as not seeming well contented and in that humour her husband with diuers others we all left her two or three houres repenting my selfe to haue writ she could speake English But not long after she began to talke and remembred mee well what courtesies shee had done saying You did promise Powhatan what was yours should bee his and he the like to you you called him father being in his land a stranger and by the same reason so must I doe you which though I would haue excused I durst not allow of that title because she was a Kings daughter with a well set countenance she said Were you not afraid to come into my fathers Countrie and caused feare in him and all his people but mee and feare you here I should call you father I tell you then I will and you shall call mee childe and so I will bee for euer and euer your Countrieman They did tell vs alwaies you were dead and I knew no other till I came to Plimoth yet Powhatan did command Vitamatomakkin to seeke you and know the truth because your Countriemen will lie much This Saluage one of Powhatans Councell being amongst them held an vnderstanding fellow the King purposely sent him as they say to number the people here and informe him well what wee were and our state Arriuing at Plimâ—th according to his directions he got a long sticke whereon by notches hee did thinke to haue kept the number of all the men hee could see but he was quickly wearie of that taske Comming to London where by chance I met him hauing renâ—wed our acquaintance where many were desirous to heare and see his behauiour hee told me Powhatan did bid him to finde me out to shew him our God the King Queene and Prince I so much had told them of Concerning God I told him the best I could the King I heard he had seene and the rest hee should see when he would he denied euer to haue seene the King till by circumstâ—nces he was satisfied he had Then he replyed very sadly You gaue Powhatan a white Dog which Powhatan fed as himselfe but your King gaue me nothing and I am better than your white Dog The small time I staid in London diuers Courtiers and others my acquaintances hath gone with mee to see her that generally concluded they did thinke God had a great hand in her conuersion and they haue seene many English Ladies worse fauoured proportioned and behauioured and as since I haue heard it pleased both the King and Queenes Maiestie honourably to esteeme her accompanied with that honourable Lady the Lady De la Ware and that honourable Lord her husband and diuers other persons of good qualities both publikely at the maskes and otherwise to her great satisfaction and content which doubtlesse she would haue deserued had she liued to arriue in Virginia The gouernment deuolued to Captaine Samuel Argall 1617. THe Treasurer Councell and Companie hauing well furnished Captaine Samuel Argall the Lady Pocahontas alias Rebecca with her husband and others in the good ship called the George it pleased God at Graues-end to take this young Lady to his mercie where shee made not more sorrow for her vnexpected death than ioy to the beholders to heare and see her mâ—ke so religious and godly an end Her little childe Thomas Rolfe therefore was left at Plimâ—th with Sir Lewis Stukly that desired the keeping of it Captaine Hamar his vice-Admirall was gone before but hee found him at Plimoth In March they set saile 1617. and in May he arriued at Iames towne where hee was kindly entertained by Captaine Yearley and his Companie in a martiall order whose right hand file was led by an Indian In Iames towne he found but fiue or six houses the Church downe the Palizado's broken the Bridge in pieces the Well of fresh water spoiled the Store-house they vsed for the Church the market-place and streets and all other spare places planted with Tobacco the Saluages as frequent in their houses as themselues whereby they were become expert in our armes and had a great many in their custodie and possession the Colonie dispersed all about planting Tobacco Captaine Argall not liking those proceedings altered them agreeable to his owne minde taking the best order he could for repairing those defects which did exceedingly trouble vs we were constrained euery yeere to build and repaire our old Cottages which were alwaies a decaying in all places of the Countrie yea the very Courts of Guard built by Sir Thomas Dale was ready to fall and the Palizado's not sufficient to keepe out Hogs Their number of people were about 400. but not past 200. fit for husbandry and tillage we found there in all one hundred twentie eight cattell and fourescore and eight Goats besides innumerable numbers of Swine and good plentie of Corne in some places yet the next yeere the Captaine sent out a Frigat and a Pinnace that brought vs neere six hundred bushels more which did greatly relieue the whole Colonie For from the tenants wee seldome had aboue foure hundred bushels of rent Corne to the store and there was not remaining of the Companies companie past foure and fiftie men women and Children This yeere hauing planted our fields came a great drought and such a cruell storme of haile which did such spoile both to the Corne and Tobacco that wee reaped but small profit the Magazine that came in the George being fiue moneths in her passage proued very badly conditioned but ere shâ— arriued we had gathered and made vp our Tobacco the best at three shillings the pound the rest at eighteene pence To supply vs the Councell and Company with all possible care and diligence furnished a good ship of some two hundred and fiftie tunne with two hundred people and the Lord la Ware They set saile in Aprill and tooke their course by the westerne Iles where the Gouernour of the I le of Saint Michael receiued the Lord la Ware and honourably feasted him with all the content hee could giue him Going from thence they were long troubled with contrary winds in which time many of them fell very sicke thirtie died one of which number was that most honourable Lord Gouernour the Lord la Ware whose most noble and generous disposition is well knowne to his great cost had beene most forward in this businesse for his Countries good Yet this tender state of Virginia was not growne to that maturitie to maintaine such state and pleasure as was
then one hundred ships of other proportions and eight or ten thousand people Now if you please to compare what hath beene spent sent discouered and done this fifteene yeares by that we did in the three first yeares and euery Gouernor that hath beene there since giue 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 prouision we contracted with them for it whereby we were better furnished then euer Not long after came in seuen ships with about three hundred people but rather to supplant vs then supply vs their Admirall with their authoritie being cast away in the Bermudas very angry they were we had made no better prouision for them Seuen or eight weekes we withstood the invndations of these disorderly humors till I was neere blowne to death with Gun-powder which occasioned me to returne for England In the yeare 1609 about Michaelmas I left the Countrey as is formerly related with three ships seuen Boats Commodities to trade haruest newly gathered eight weeks prouision of Corne and Meale about fiue hundred persons three hundred Muskets shot powder and match with armes for more men then we had The Saluages 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 fiue or six hundred Swine many more Powltry what was brought or bred but victuall there remained Hauing spent some fiue yeares and more then fiue hundred pounds in procuring the Letters Patents and setting forward and neere as much more about New England c. Thus these nineteene yeares I haue here and there not spared any thing according to my abilitie nor the best aduice I could to perswade how those strange miracles of misery might haue beene preuented which lamentable experience plainly taught me of necessity must insue but few would beleeue me till now too deerely they haue paid for it Wherefore hitherto I haue rather left all then vndertake impossibilities or any more such costly taskes at such chargeable rates for in neither of those two Countries haue I one foot of Land nor the very house I builded nor the ground I digged with my owne hands nor euer any content or satisfaction at all and though I see ordinarily those two Countries shared before me by them that neither haue them nor knowes them but by my descriptions Yet that doth not so much trouble me as to heare and see those contentions and diuisions which will hazard if not ruine the prosperitie of Virginia if present remedy bee not found as they haue hindred many hundreds who would haue beene there ere now and makes them yet that are willing to stand in a demurre For the Books and Maps I haue made I will thanke him that will shew me so much for so little recompence and beare with their errors till I haue done better For the materials in them I cannot deny but am ready to affirme them both there and here vpon such grounds as I haue propounded which is to haue but fifteene hundred men to subdue againe the Saluages fortifie the Countrey discouer that yet vnknowne and both defend feed their Colony which I most humbly refer to his Maiesties most iudiciall iudgement and the most honourable Lords of his Priuy Councell you his trusty and well-beloued Commissioners and the Honourable company of Planters and well-willers to Virginia New-England and Sommer-Ilands Out of these Obseruations it pleased his Maiesties Commissioners for the reformation of Virginia to desire my answer to these seuen Questions Quest. 1. WHat conceiue you is the cause the Plantation hath prospered no better since you left it in so good a forwardnesse Answ. Idlenesse and carelesnesse brought all I did in three yeeres in six moneths to nothing and of fiue 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 conceiue you should be the cause though the Country be good there comes nothing but Tobacco Answ. The oft altering of Gouernours it seemes causes euery man make vse 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 haue 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 conceiue you to haue beene the cause of the Massacre and had the Saluages had the vse 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 haue all the English had by destroying those they found so carelesly secure that they were not prouided to defend themselues against any enemy being so dispersed as they were In my time though Captaine Nuport furnished them with swords by truck and many fugitiues 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 Saluage the vse of a Peece Since I vnderstand they became so good shot they were imployed for Fowlers and Huntsmen by the English Quest. 4. What charge thinke you would haue setled the gouernment both for defence and planting when you left it Answ. Twenty thousand pound would haue hyred good labourers and mechanicall men and haue furnished them with cattle and all necessaries and 100. of them would haue 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 conceiue 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 fiue thousand pound but if his Maiesty would please to lend two of his Ships to transport them lesse would serue besides the benefit of his grace to the action would encourage all men Quest. 6. What thinke you are the defects of the gouernment 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 hauing six pounds for euery
see nothing but miserable complaints therefore vnder your correction to rectifie all is with all expedition to passe the authority to them who will releeue them lest all bee consumed ere the differences be determined And except his Maiestie vndertake it or by Act of Parlament some small tax may be granted throughout his Dominions as a Penny vpon euery Poll called a head-penny two pence vpon euery Chimney or some such collection might be raised and that would be sufficient to giue a good stocke and many seruants 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 liues there and by this meanes more good might be done in one yeere then all those pety particular vndertakings will effect in twenty For the Patent the King may if he please rather take it from them that haue it then from vs who had it first pretending to his Maiesty what great matters they would doe and how little we did and for any thing I can conceiue had we remained still as at first it is not likely we could haue done much worse but those oft altering of gouernments are not without much charge hazard and losse If I be too plaine I humbly craue 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 haue beene to aduance it committing the managing of the businesse to inferiour persons amongst whom questionlesse also many haue done their vtmost best sincerely and truly according to their conceit opinion and vnderstanding yet grosse errors haue beene committed but no man liues without his fault for my owne part I haue so much adoe to amend my owne I haue no leisure to looke into any mans particular but those in generall I conceiue to be true And so I humbly rest Yours to command I. S. THus those discords not being to be compounded among themselues nor yet by the extraordinary diligences care and paines of the noble and right worthy Commissioners Sir William Iones 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 Maiesties Priuy Councell now notwithstanding all the Relations Examinations and intercepting of all Letters whatsoeuer came from thence yet it seemes they were so farre vnsatisfied and desired to know the truth as well for the preseruation of the Colony as to giue content and doe all men right they sent two Commissioners strictly to examine the true estate of the Colony Vpon whose returne after mature deliberation it pleased his royall Maiesty to suppresse the course of the Court at Deputy Farrars and that for the present ordering the affaires of Virginia vntill he should make a more full settlement thereof the Lord Viscount Mandeuile Lord President of his Maiesties Priuie Councell and also other Priuy Councellors with many vnderstanding Knights and Gentlemen should euery Thursday in the afternoone meet at Sir Thomas Smiths in Philpot lane where all men whom it should concerne may repaire to receiue such directions and warrant for their better security as more at large you may see in the Proclamation to that effect vnder the great Seale of England dated the 15. of Iuly 1624. But as for the relations last returned what numbers they are how many Cities Corporations townes and houses cattle and horse they haue what fortifications or discoueries they haue made or reuenge vpon the Saluages who are their friends or foes or what commodities they haue 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 resolued in the other at this present time when this went to the Presse I must intreat you pardon me till I be better assured Thus far I haue trauelled 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 leaues that I haue writ too much of some too little of others and many such like obiections To such I must answer in the Companies name I was requested to doe it if any haue concealed their approued experiences from my knowledge they must excuse me as for euery fatherles or stolne relation or whole volumes of sofisticated rehearsals I leaue them to the charge of them that desire them I thanke God I neuer vndertooke 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 iudge more charitably of my imperfections But here I must leaue all to the triall of time both my selfe Virginia's preparations proceedings and good euents praying to that great God the protector of all goodnesse to send them as good successe as the goodnesse of the action and Country deserueth and my heart desireth FINIS THE FIFTH BOOKE THE GENERALL HISTORIE OF THE BERMVDAS now called the Summer Iles from their beginning in the yeere of our Lord 1593. to this present 1624. with their proceedings accidents and present estate BEfore we present you the matters of fact it is fit to offer to your view the Stage whereon they were acted for as Geography without History seemeth a carkasse without motion so History without Geography wandreth as a Vagrant without a certaine habitation Those Ilands lie in the huge maine Ocean and two hundred leagues from any continent situated in 32. degrees and 25. minutes of Northerly latitude and distant from England West South-West about 3300. miles some twenty miles in length and not past two miles and a halfe in breadth enuironed with Rocks which to the North-ward West-ward and South-East extend further then they haue bin yet well discouered by reason of those Rocks the Country is naturally very strong for there is but two places scare two vnlesse to them who know them well where shipping may safely come in and those now are exceeding well fortified but within is roome to entertaine a royall Fleet the Rocks in most places appeare at a low water neither are they much couered at a high for it ebbs and flowes not past fiue foot the shore for most part is a Rocke so hardened with the sunne wind and sea that it is not apt to be worne away with the waues whose violence is also broke by the Rocks before they can come to the shore it is very
hundred in seuen or ten moneths as you see they haue done spending twice so much time in comming and going as in staying there were I there planted seeing the variety of the fishings serue the most part of the yeere and with a little labour we might make all the Salt we need vse as is formerly said and can conceiue no reason to distrust of good successe by Gods assistance besides for the building of ships no place hath more conuenient Harbours ebbe nor floud nor better timber and no Commoditie in Europe doth more decay then wood Master Dee his opinion for the building of ships MAster Dee recordeth in his Brittish Monarchy that King Edgar had a Nauy of foure thousand saile with which he yeerely made his progresse about this famous Monarchy of Great Britaine largely declaring the benefit thereof whereupon hee proiected to our most memorable Queene Elizabeth the erecting of a Fleet of sixty Saile he called a little Nauy Royall imitating that admired Pericles Prince of Athens that could neuer secure that tormented estate vntill he was Lord and Captaine of the Sea At this none need wonder for who knowes not her Royall Maiestie during her life by the incredible aduentures of her Royall Nauy and valiant Souldiers and Sea-men notwithstanding all treacheries at home the protecting and defending France and Holland and reconquering Ireland yet all the world by Sea and Land both feared or loued and admired good Queene Elizabeth Both to maintaine and increase that incomparable honour God be thanked to her incomparable Successor our most Royall Lord and Soueraigne King Iames this great Philosopher hath left this to his Maiestie and his Kingdomes consideration that if the tenths of the earth be proper to God it is also due by Sea The Kings high waies are common to passe but not to dig for Mines or any thing So Englands Coasts are free to passe but not to fish but by his Maiesties Prerogatiue His Maiesty of Spaine permits none to passe the Popes order for the East and West Indies but by his permission or at their perils if all that world be so iustly theirs it is no iniustice for England to make as much vse of her owne shores as strangers doe that pay to their owne Lords the tenth and not to the owner of those liberties any thing to speake of whose subiects may neither take nor sell any in their Teritories which small tribute would maintaine this little Nauy Royall and not cost his Maiesty a peny and yet maintaine peace with all Forrainers and allow them more courtesie then any Nation in the world affords to England It were ashame to alleage that Hollaâ—d is more worthy to enioy our fishing as Lords thereof because they haue more skill to handle it then we as they can our wooll and vndressed Cloth notwithstanding all their warres and troublesome disorders To get money to build this Nauy he saith who would not spare the one hundreth penny of his rents and the fiue hundreth penny of his goods each seruant that taketh forty shillings wages foure pence and euery forrainer of seuen yeeres of age foure pence for seuen yeeres not any of these but they will spend three times so much in pride wantonnesse or some superfluitie And doe any men loue the securitie of their estates that of themselues would not bee humble suters to his Maiesty to doe this of free will as a voluntary beneuolence or but the one halfe of this or some such other course as I haue prounded to diuers of the Companies free from any constraint tax lottery or imposition so it may be as honestly and truly imploied as it is proiected the poorest Mechanicke in this King-would gaine by it Then you might build ships of any proportion and numbers you please fiue times cheaper then you can doe here and haue good merchandize for their fraught in this vnknowne Land to the aduancement of Gods glory his Church and Gospel and the strengthning and releefe of a great part of Christendome without hurt to any to the terror of Pirats the amazement of enemies the assistance of friends the securing Merchants and so much increase of Nauigation to make Englands trade and shipping as much as any Nations in the world besides a hundred other benefits to the generall good of all true subiects would cause thousands yet vnborne to blesse the time and all them that first put it in practise Now lest it should be obscured as it hath beene to priuat ends or so weakely vndertaken by our ouerweening incredulity that strangers may possesse it whilest we contend for New-Englands goods but not Englands good I haue presented it as I haue said to the Prince and Nobility the Gentry and Commonalty hoping at last it will moue the whole land to know it and consider of it since I can finde them wood and halfe victuall with the foresaid aduantages were this Country planted with what facility they may build and maintaine this little Nauy Royall both with honour profit and content and inhabit as good a Country as any in the world within that paralell which with my life and what I haue I will endeuour to effect if God please and you permit But no man will goe from hence to haue lesse freedome there then here nor aduenture all they haue to prepare the way for them will scarce thanke them for it and it is too well knowne there haue beene so many vndertakers of Patents and such sharing of them as hath bred no lesse discouragement then wonder to heare such great promises and so little performance in the Interim you see the French and Dutch already frequent it and God forbid they in Virginia or any of his Maiesties subiects should not haue as free liberty as they To conclude were it not for Master Cherley and a few priuate aduenturers with them what haue we there for all these inducements As for them whom pride or couetousnesse lulleth asleepe in a Cradle of slothfull carelesnesse would they but consider how all the great Monarchies of the earth haue beene brought to confusion or but remember the late lamentable experiences of Constantinople and how many Cities Townes and Prouinces in the faire rich Kingdoms of Hungaria Transiluania Wallachia Moldauia and how many thousands of Princes Earles Barons Knights Merchants and others haue in one day lost goods liues and honours or sold for slaues like beasts in a market place their wiues children and seruants slaine or wandring they knew not whither dying or liuing in all extremities of extreme miseries and calamities surely they would not onely doe this but giue all they haue to enioy peace and liberty at home or but aduenture their persons abroad to preuent the conclusions of a conquering Foe who commonly assaulteth and best preuaileth where he findeth wealth and plenty most armed with ignorance and security Though the true condition of warre is onely to suppresse the proud and defend the