It Ml • fj? 26083 A TRVE DISCOVRSE OF THE PRESENT ESTATE OF Vir- ginia, and the fucceffe of the affaires there till the 18 of Iune. 1614. TOGETHER. WITH A RELATION OF THE feuerall Englifh Townes and fortes, the allu- red hopes of that countrie and the peace concluded with the Indians. The Chriftening of Powhatans daughter and her marriage with an Englifh-man. Written by Raphe'Hamor the yon- ger, late Secretarie in that Colony. Alget, qui non ardet. Printed at London by Iohn Beale for Wil- liam Welby dwelling at the figne of the Swanne in Pauls Church-yard 1615. r6o. - < 2IJl*03 TO THE TRVLY Honorable and right worthy Knight, S r . Thomas Smith, Gouernour of the Eajl India, Mufcouia, North-weft paflages, Somer Iflands Companies, and Treafurer for the firjl Colony in V i r g i n i a. Honourable Sir : Auing in the time of my refidence in Virginia ( as it is true , my imployment then inuited mee thereunto) collected for my owne vie and benefit, fome few occur- rents and accidents, which are obuious in all new imployments , a thing which perhaps but few regard there to buiie themfelues with, and fewer heer to peruie : I refolued indeed on- ly to delight my felfe, and fome who I am bound to be thankefull vnto in that kinde, with the vn- worthy view of them, the rather, becaufe I haue feen many publications & impreffions of thofe affairs, by thofe, whole books I mould be proud to beare after them : but fuch is the peruerfenes of mankinde, fuch their incredulity of euery thing, iaue what their eies tell them to be true: yea, fuch their backwardnes in the purluit of ho- norable enterprifes, that though there ihould be no end ot writing, but euery day mould drawe foorth his line, and euery line his reall encou- ragement, as mine may in the ftate of the Colo- ny, as it now ftandeth, it were hard to fay whe- A 2 ther The Epijlle Dedicatory. ther one of fo many thoufands as abound in Eng- land, might be thereby moued to ioine with o~ thers right worthyly difpofed, to become a har- ry and deuoted furtherer of an action fo noble, as is this, which thing if I faile in effecting, I mall not lofe much labour, lince when I vndertook this tafke, I imagined no fuch thing : but meer- ly my owne delight and content. It fhall be re- ward enough for me to expreffe my indeauours there, though not equall with the beft, yet not idly mifpent. I labor not to feduce or betray any into an acti- on or imployment , wherein once perfonally ingaged, they mould haue any caufe to blame me, neither would I force the helpe of any mans purfe, more then voluntary, if I could beyond my art, vfe fuch effectuall perfwafions. There are enough in my opinion, and thofe the worthyeft of England already vnited, as the way is now laid downe, to perfect this bufineffe, whofe indeuours, if they proceed without back flyding, and therein perfift fome fewe yeers lon- ger, fhall be requited and paid with fuch treble intereft, as it fhall not repent him that is now molt cold in the purfuit, to haue refufed more Competitors to be fharers in the returnd profit. Your noble felfe Sir, euer emulous of vertue, and honourable Enterprifes, fhould fhine to the world more noble in the vpholding of this im- ployment, though it apeared, as in the begin- ning, full of difcouragement , which neuerthe- leffe The Epijlle Dedicatory. lefle, I know yourfelfe refts fo allured is now- more neer, than euer to perfection. Your in- nate and habituall vertue needs no fpurre, your honourable indeauours well witneiTe the fame : would God (as is yours) al mens ofFrings, though not fo ample, were fo free, fo hartily facrifked : then could they not thus long haue wanted their rewards, perhaps for no other end detained, but to make others, a thing which God profeffeth to loue and delight in, more cheerful giuers. Ac- cept (worthy Sir) this vnworthy Treatife, the heft teftimony of my gratuity, which as yet my difabilities may render. Trueth fhall fhroud and patronize it , from the maleuolent detracting multitude; whofe blame though it incurre their fhame and imputation, it fcorns, and returns vn- to them. My zeale to the Action, though I may feeme to haue forfaken it, giues mee the heart to pub- liih, what I know, to the world : To your felfe particularly your own worth, and deierts to me, irrequitable, graunt but that fauourable accep- tation, which euer accompanies your worth; and I thai euer acknowledge my felfe wholly yours, in hope wherof I conclude with my feruice : & reft, At your commaund to be difpofed off; Ralph Hamor. To the Reader. Gnorant, or enuious, if you be Readers : it is not tojatijfie the bejl of you that I now write , a more feafonahle time I mufl take to imbarque my felfe in Jo rough a Sea and come offjafe : onely his authoritie {who hath power to compell my felfe and duety) hath commaunded me to fat iff e his affetlions (couetous of the dignitie and truth of this pi- ous Plantation) with thefe particulars : that they are got abroade, and become publike, was no purpofe in their firft conception , though Jome refpetl haue made them Jo now : A naked and vnjludied difcourfe, / acknow- ledge, without notes rejerued (but in Memorie) to helpe it: yet thus much I doe auow, that it hath duety and truth to make good all other the wants, and imperfetlions of it, I will labour in no further excufe. Concerning the Virgine pious worke it felfe, how it hath thriued vnder the commaund both of Sir Thomas Gates Knight, Gouernour , and Sir Thomas Dale Knight, and Marfhall of the Collonie, thefe three yeeres and more : let me Jay, if (fetting aftde thine owne ouer- weening and fmgularity) thy vnhooded eye, can now at length looke vpon it {after fo many yeeres of her patience and paffions) thou wilt eqfily acknowledge, whqje finger hath the alone-guidance of it, and then {I doubt no- thing) bepleafed to hea r thy felfe intreated {out ofthoje great plenties and hauings which God hath lent thee) to Jpare a little-little portion to thefulfetling andfinifhing vp To the Reader. vp a Sanctum Sanctorum an holy houfe, a Sanctuary to him, the God of the Spirits, of all flefti, amongft fuch poore and innocent feduced Sauages as we treate of on whom let our hopes be, that it hath vouchfafed him now to be fufficiently reuengedfor their forefathers Ingrati- tude and treafons, and now in his appointed time to defcend in mercie, to lighten them that fit in darknes, and in the fhadow of death, and to direct their feete in the waies of peace. Sure, yong though inyeeres and knowledge, I may be faid to be, yet let me remember, to thee perhaps much knowing Reader, what the wifeft man that euer writ or fpake (excepting him that was both God and man) hath faid, that fuch who bring others vnto righteoufneffe fhal themfelues Jhine as the ftars in the firmament. And doubt leffe I doe beleeue, euen amongft the reft of my Ar- ticles, when thefe poore Heathens Jhall be brought to enter taine the honour of the name, and glory of the Gof- pell of our bleffed Sauiour, when they Jhall teftifie of the true and euer lining God, and Iefus Chrift to be their Sal- uation, their knowledge Jo inlarged andfanclified, that without him theyconfeffe their eternal death: I do beleeue I fay (and how can it be other wife?) that they fhal breake out and cry with the rapture of fo inexplicable mercie : Bleffed be the King and Prince of England, and bleffed be the Englifh Nation, and bleffed for euer be the moft high God, poffeffor of Heauen and earth, that fent thefe En- glijh as Angels to bring fuch glad tidings amongft vs. Thefe will be doubt leffe the empaticke effecls and exulta- tion of this fo Chriftian worke, and may thefe nothing moue ? Alas let Sanballat and Tobiah, Papifts and Plaiers, Ammonites and Horonites, the fcumme and dregges of the people, let them mocke at this holy Bufi- neffe,they that be Jilt hie, let them be Jilt hie ft ill, and let fuchfwine wallow in the mire, but let not the rod of the wicked fall vpon the lot of the righteous, let not them fhrinke To the Reader. fhrinke backe, and call in their helpes from this Jo glori- ous enterprise, which the prophet Ifaiah cals, the decla- ring of God to the left hand, but let them that know the worke, reioice and be glad in the happiejucceffe of it, pro- claiming that it is the euerliuing God that raigneth in England, and vnto the ends of the world. Excufe me (curteous reader) if carried beyond my pur- pofe, I declaime paffionately in thispaffiue and innocently defpifed worke, which I am Jure is Jo full of goodnejfe, and haue bin almoft fix yeers a Sufferer and eye witnes of his now well nigh atchieued happinefje, the full andvn- Jlained reportory of euery accident whereof euen from his beginning, together with the caujes of the backwardnes, inprofperity thus log, touching at the miraculous deliuery of the Jcattered company, caft vpon the Bermudas, when thofe fortunate IJlands like Jo many fair e Neriades which receiued our wrackt company, with the death of that pure and noble hearted Gentleman Sir George Sumers di- ing there, my purpofe is/hortly at large topublifh, that at length fame one efcaped Leaper, amongft Jo many Jaued, may returne backe and pay his vowes of thanks-giuing vnto that euer to be praijed mercifull prouidence that brought vs thither, vntil when I wifh thy zealous andfer- uent thoughts and indeuours to a bujinejfe Jo full of piety, as is this our Virginie Plantation. Raphe Hamo r. TRVE DISCOVRSE of the prefent eftate of Virginia, and the fuccefle of the affaires there till the 1 8 of Iutie. i 6 i 4. He many publications and impreflions of Vir- ginia, an imployment wherein to this day my felfe with many other vnftaid heads & thirftie after new defignes, haue bin to vnproritably in- gaged, might iuftly ex- cufe my (ilence, did not the filia.ll duty whereby in all things to the vtmoft of my power I am bound to obey my Father, compell me vnwillingly thereun- to : A taske I know by himfelfe and others, meerely becaufe I hauc bin Oculatus teftis, thus impofed vpon me, in the vndertaking and performance whereof, I hartily wim that my poore relation, rich onely in truth (as I (hall cleerely iuftifie my felfe by eie witnef- fes alfo) may giue any credit or incouragement to proceede in a bufinerfe fo full of honour, and worth, whereunto (if there were no fecondary caufes) the al- ready publifht ends, I meane the glory of God in the B con- 2 A Relation of the prefent conuerfion of thofe Infidels, and the honour of our King and country (which by right may claime at the leaft their fuperfluities, from thofe whom God hath in this world made his difpenfors and purfe-bearers) might be a fufficient fpurre to refolued Chriflians, ef- pecially the ftate and condition of our collonie, fo Handing when I left it, and I afTure my felfe in this time growne more mature, that an honeft hart would euen relent, and mourne to thinke how poorely, I dare not fay vnworthily it is profecuted. 1 1 being true that now after fiue yeeres interline warre with the reuengefull implacable Indians, a flrme peace (not a- gaine eafily to be broken) hath bin lately concluded, not onely with the nighbour, and bordering Indi- dians, as on Pataomecke, Topahanah, and other Ri- uers, but euen with that fubtill old reuengefull Pow- hatan and all the people vnder his fubieftion, for all whom Powhatan himfelfe (lands firmely ingaged, by which meanes we fhall not onely be furnifhed with what commodities their countrie yeeldeth, and haue all the helpes they mayaffordevsin our indeuours (as they are eafily taught, and may by lenitie and faire v- fage, as Sir Thomas Dale now principall commander there, and mofl worthy the honour he houlds, is well experienced in their difpofitions, and accordingly makes vfe of them) be brought , being naturally though ingenious, yet idlely giue, to be no lefle indu- flrious, nay to exceede our Englifh, efpecially thofe which we hitherto and as yet are furnifhed with, who for the moil part no more fenfible then beads, would rather ftarue in idleneffe (witnefie their former pro- ceedings) than feafl in labour, did not the law com- pel! them thereunto, but alfo which will be mofl for our benefit, our owne men may without hazard, I might fay with fecurity (by felfe-experience) follow their feuerall labours, whereby twentie fhall now be eft ate of Virgina 1 6 1 4. 3 bee able to performe more then heretofore hath bin fortie. Though I coniecture and afture my felfe that yee cannot be ignorant by what meanes this peace hath bin thus happily both for our proceedings and the welfare of the Naturals concluded, yet for the honour of Captain Argol whofe indeuours in the aftion inti- tuled him moft worthy, I iudgeit no whit impertinet in my difcourfe to infert them, which w th as much breuityas I mav, not omitting thecircumftances moft pertinent and materiall, I mail indeuour. The general letters vpon my knowledge, directed and lent to the honourable Virginia Councell, being moft of them (though my felfe moft vnworthy) by me penned, haue intimated, how that the euerworthy gentlema Capt. Argall'm the heate of our home furies & difagreements by his beft experience of the difpofi- tio of thofe people, partly by gentle vfage & partly by the compofition & mixture of threats hath euer kept faire & friendly quarter with our neighbours borde- ring onother riuers of affinity, yeaconfanguinity, no lefle neere than brothers to Powhatan, {uch is his well knowne temper and difcretion. yea to this pafle hath he brought them, that they affuredlv truft vpon what he promifeth. and are as carefull in performing their mutuall promifes. as though they contended to make that Maxim, that there is no faith to be held with Infidels, a meere and abfurd Paradox : Nay as I haue heard himfelfe relate, who \sjide dignus, thev haue e- uen binpenfiueand difcontented with themfelues, be- caufe they knew not how to doe him fome accepta- ble good turne, which might not onelv pleafure him, but euen be profitable to our whole Collonie. and Plantation, yea euer afluring him that when the times ftiould prefent occafion, they would take hold of her forelocke, and be the inftruments to worke him con- B 2 ten 4 A Relation of the prefent tent, and euen thus they proued themfelues as honeft performers, as liberall promifers. It chaunced Pow- batans delight and darling, his daughter Pocahuntas, (whofe fame hath euen bin fpred in England by the title of Nonpar ella of Virginia) in her princely pro- greffe, if I may fo terme it,tooke fome pleafure (in the abfence of Captaine Argall (to be among her friends ntPataomecke, (as it feemethby the relation I had) im- ploied thither, as fhopkeepers to a Fare, to exchange fome of her fathers commodities for theirs, where re- fiding fome three months or longer, it fortuned vp- on occafion either of promife or profit, Captaine Ar- gall to arriue there, whom Pocahuntas, defirous to renue hir familiaritie with the Englifh, and delight- ing to fee them, as vnknowne. fearefull perhaps to be furprifed, would gladly vifit as fhe did, of whom no fooner had Captaine Argall intelligence, buthedelt with an old friend, and adopted brother of his Iapa- zeus, how and by what meanes he might procure hir captiue, afluring him, that now or neuer, was the time to pleafure him, if he entended indeede that loue which he had made profeflion of, that in ranfome of hir he might redeeme fome of our Englifh men and armes, now in the pofTeflion of her Father, promifing to vfe herwithall faire. and gentle entreaty: Iapazeus well afTured that his brother, as he promifed would vfe her curteouflv promifed his beft indeuours and fecrefie to accomplish his defire, and thus wrought it, making his wife an inftrument (which fexhaue euer bin moft powerful! in beguiling intice- ments) to efFecl his plot which hee had thus laid, he agreed that himfelfe, his wife, and Pocahuntas, would accompanie his brother to the water fide, whether come, his wife mould faine a great and longing defire to goe aboorde , and fee the fhippe, which being there three or foure times, be- fore ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 5 fore fhe had neuer feene, and fhould bee earneft with her hufband to permit her : he feemed angry with her, making as he pretended fo vnneceflary a re- queft, especially being without the company of wo- men, which denial me taking vnkindely, muft faine to weepe (as who knows not that women can com- mand teares) whereupon her hufband feeming to pitty thofe counterfeit teares, gaue her leaue to goe aboord, fo that it would pleafe Pochabuntas to ac- company her : now was the greateft labour to win her, guilty perhaps of her fathers wrongs, though not knowne as fhe fuppofed to goe with her, yet by her earneft perfwafions, fhe afTented: fo forthwith aboord they went, the beft cheere that could be made was feafonably prouided , to flipper they went, merry on all hands, efpecially Iapazeus and his wife, who to expres their ioy, would ere be treading vpfi Capt. Ar- gals foot, as who fhould fay tis don, fhe is your own. Supper ended, Pochabuntas was lodged in the Gun- ners roome, but Iapazeus and his wife defired to haue fome conference with their brother, which was one- ly to acquaint him by what ftratagem they had be- traied his prifoner, as I haue already related : after which difcourfe to fleepe they went , Pocabuntas nothing miftrufting this policy, who neuertheles be- ing moft pofTefTed with feare, and defire of returne, was firft vp, and haftened Iapazeus to be gon. Capt. Argall hauing fecretly well rewarded him , with a fmall Copper kettle, and fom other les valuable toies fo highly by him efteemed, that doubtleffe he would haue betraied his owne father for them , permit- ted both him and his wife to returne, but told him, that for diuers confiderations, as for that his father had then eigh of our Englifh men, many fwords, pee- ces, and other tooles, which he had at feuerall times by trccherons murdering our men, taken from them, B 3 which 6 A Relation of the prefent though of no vfe to him, he would not redeliuer, he would referve Pocahuntas, whereat fhe began to bef exceeding penfiue, and discontented, yet ignorant o the dealing of Iapazeus, who in outward appearance was no les difcontented that he mould be the meanes of her captiuity, much a doe there was to perfwade her to be patient, which with extraordinary curteous vfage, by little and little was wrought in her, and fo to lames towne fhe was brought, a meflenger to her father forthwith difpached to aduertife him. that his only daughter was in the hands & pofTeffion of the Englifh: ther to be kept til fuch time as he would ran- fom her with our men, fwords, peeces, & other tools treacheroufly taken from vs : the news was vnwel- come, and troublefom vnto him, partly for theloue he bare to his daughter, and partly for the loue he bare to our men his prifoners, of whom though with vs they were vnapt for any imployment) he made great vfe : and thofe fwords , and peeces of ours, (which though of no vfe to him) it delighted him to view, and looke vpon. He could not without long aduife & delibertion with his Councell, refolue vpon any thing, and it is true, we heard nothing of him till three moneths af- ter, by perfwafions of others he returned vs feauen of our men, with each of them a Musket vnferuiceable, and by them fent vs word, that whenfoeuer wee pleafed to deliuer his daughter, he would giue vs in fatisfaclion of his iniuries done to vs , and for the reft of our peeces broken and ftolne from him, 500 Bufhells of Corne, and be for euer friends with vs, the men and Peeces in part of payment we recei- ued : and returned him anfwere, that his daughter was very well, and kindely intreated, and fo mould be howfoeuer he dealt with'vs : but we could not be- leeue that the reft of our Arms were either loft, or ftolne from him, and therefore till he returned them all, we would not by any meanes deliuer his daugh- ter, ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 7 ter, and then it fhould be at his choice, whether he would eftablifh peace, or continue enemies with vs. This anfwere as it feemed, pleafed him not very wel, for we heard no more from him till in March laft, when with Captaine Argalls Shippe, and fome other Veflells belonging to the Colony, Sir Thomas Dale with an hundred and fifty men well appointed, went vp into his owne Riuer, where his chiefeft habitati- ons were, and carried with vs his daughter, either to moue them to fight for her, if fuch were their cou- rage and boldneffe,, as hath been reported, or to re- ftore the refidueofour demands, which were our peeces, fwords, tooles. Some of the fame men which he returned (as they promifed) ran to him again, and becaufe he had put vs to the trouble to fetch them fiue hundred bufhels of Corne : A great brauado all the way as we went vp the Riuer they made, demaun- ding the caufe of our comming thither, which wee tould them was to deliuer Pocahuntas, whom pur- pofely we had brought with vs, and to receiue our Armes, men, & corn, or elfe to fight with them, burn their howfes. take away their Canoas, brealce downe their fifhing Weares, and doe them what other da- mages we could.' Some of them to fet a good face on the matter, replied, that if wee came to fight with them? we were welcome, for they were prouided for vs, councelling vs rather to retire (if wee loued our fafeties) then proceed, bragging, as well they might, that wee had euer had the worfl of them in that Riuer, inftancing by Capt: Ratliefe (not worthy remembring, but to his difhonor) who, with moft of his company they betrayed and murthered: we told them fince they durft remember vs of that mifchief, vnlefTe they made the better and more fpeedy agree- ment, we would now reuenge that trechery, and with this difcourfe by the way as we went, we proceeded, and 8 A Relation of the prefent and had nofooner entred the narrow of the riuer,the channell there lying within fhot of the fhoare, but they let their arrowes flie amongft vs in the fhippe, themfelues vnfeene to vs, and in the forehead hurt one of our men, which might haue hazarded his life without the prefent helpe of a skilfull Chirur- gion. Being thus iuftly prouoked, we prefently manned our boates, went afhoare, and burned in that verie place fome forty houfes, and of the things we found therein, made freeboote and pillage, and as them- felues afterward confeft vnto vs, hurt and killed flue or fixe of their men, with this reuenge fatisfying our felues, for that their prefumption in (hooting at vs, and fo the next day proceeded higher vp the Riuer, the Indians calling vnto vs, and demaundingwhy we went a fhoare, burnt their houfes, killed and hurt their men, and tooke away their goods. We replied that though we came to them in peaceable manner, and would haue beene glad to haue receiued our de- maunds with loue and peace, yet we had hearts and power to take reuenge, and punifh where wrongs fiSold be offered, which hauing now don, though not fo feuerely as we might, we refted content therewith and are ready to imbrace peace with them if they pleafed. Many excufes they feemed to pretend, that they fhot not at vs, but (if any fuch abufe were offe- red) it was fome ftragled Indian, ignorant of our pre- tence in comming to them, affirming that they them- felues would be right glad of our loue, and would in- deauour to helpe vs to what we came for, which be- ing in the poffefiion of Powhatan their King, they would without delay difpatch meffengers to him, to know his purpofe and pleafure, defiring faire quarter fome 24 howers, for fo long they pretended it would be before their meffengers might returne : this wee graun- eft ate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 9 graunted, and what we promifed, we euer exa&ly per- formed, the time now come, we inquired what Pow- hatan would doe, and had for anfwere, that our En- glifhmen lately with him, fearefull to be put to death by vs, were runne away, and fome of Powhatans men fent abroade in queft of them, but our fwords and peeces fo many as he had mould be brought the next day, which meerely to delay time, they bare vs in hand the next day they came not, higher vp the riuer we went, and ancored neere vnto the chiefeft refidencie Powhatan had, at a towne called Matchcot where were aflembled (which we faw) about 400 men, well appointed with their bowes and arrowes to welcome vs, here they dared vs to come a fhoare, a thing which we purpofed before, fo a fhoare we went, our beft landing being vp a high fteepe hill which might haue giuen the enemy much aduantage againft vs, but it feemed they as we were vnwilling to begin, and yet would gladly haue bin at blowes, being landed as if they had no fhew of feare, they ftirred not from vs, but walked vp and downe, by and amongft vs, the beft of them inquiring for our Weroance or king, with whom they would gladly confult to know the occafion of our comming thither, whereof when they were informed, they made anfwere that they were there ready to defend themfelucs, if we pleafed to af- fault them, defiring neuerthelefle fome fmall time to difpatch two or three men once more to their king, to know his refolution, which if not anfwerable to our requefts, in themorning if nothing elfe but blood would then fatisfie vs, they would fight with vs, and thereby determine our quarrell, which was but a fur- ther delay to procure time to carrie away their pro- uifions, neuerthelefTe we agreed to this their requeft, aflurine them till the next day by noone we would not moleft, hurt, nor detaine any of them, and then C before i o A Relatioti of the prefent before we fought, our Drum and Trumpets mould giue them warning: vpon which promife of ours, two of Powhatans fonnes being very defirous to fee their fifter who was there prefent afliore with vs, came vn- to vs, at the fight of whom, and her well fare, whom they fufpefted to be worfe intreated, though they had often heard the contrary, they much reioiced, and promifed that they would vndoubtedly perfwade their father to redeeme her, and to conclude a firme peace foreuer with vs, and vpon this refolution the two brothers with vs retired aboarde, we hauing firft difpatched two Englifh men, Maifter Iohn Rolfe and maifter Sparkes to acquaint their father with the bu- finefTe in hand, the next day being kindly intreated, they returned, not at all admitted Powhatans pre- fence, but fpake with his brother Apachamo, his fuc- ceflbr, one who hath already the commaund of all the people, who likewife promifed vs his beft indeauors to further our iuft requefts, and we becaufe the time of the yeere being then Aprill, called vs to our bufi- nefte at home to prepare ground, and fet corne for our winters prouifion, vpon thefe termes departed, giuing them refpite till harueft to refolue what was beft for them to doe, with this Prouifo, that if finall agreement were not made betwixt vs before that time, we would thither returne againe and deftroy and take away all their corne, burne all the houfes vpon that riuer, leaue not afifhing Weere {landing, nor a Canoa in any creeke therabout, and deftroy and kill as many of them as we could. Long before this time a gentleman of approued behauiour and honeft cariage, maifter Iohn Rolfe had bin in loue with Pocahuntas and {he with him, which thing at the inftant that we were in parlee with them, my felte made knowne to Sir Thomas Dale by a letter from him, whereby he intreated his aduife and fur- therance ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 11 therance in his loue, if fo it feemed fit to him for the good of the Plantation, and Pocahuntas her felfe, ac- quainted her brethren therewith ; which refolution Sir Thomas Dalevid approuing,was the onely caufe; hee was fo milde amongft them, who otherwife would not haue departed their riuer without other conditions. The bruite of this pretended marriage came foone to Powhatans knowledge, a thing acceptable to him, as appeared by his fudden confent thereunto, who fome ten daies after fent an olde vncle of hirs, named Opachifco, to giue her as his deputy in the Church, and two of his fonnes to fee the mariage folemnized, which was accordingly done about the fift of Aprill, and euer fince we haue had friendly commerce and trade, not onely with Powhatan himfelfe, but alfo with his fubiedts round about vs ; fo as now I fee no reafon why the Collonie fhould not thriue a pace. Befides this loue by this meanes with Powhatan concluded, it will be worth my paines to run ouer our friendfhip with our next neighbours, the Chicohomi- nies lately confirmed, a luftie and daring people, who haue long time liued free from Powhatans fubieftion, hauing lawes and gouernors within themfelues ; thefe people hearing of our concluded peace with Powha- tan, as the noife thereof was foone bruted abroade, fent two of their men vnto vs, and two fat Bucks for prefent to our king (for fo Sir Thomas Dale is gene- rally reputed and termed amongft them) and offered themfelues and feruice vnto him, alleadging that al- beit in former times they had bin our enemies, and we theirs, yet they would now if we pleafed become not onely our truftie friends, but euen King I AMES his fubiecls and tributaries, and relinquifh their old name of Chicohominies, and take vpon them, as they call vs the name oi'ToJfanteJfas, and becaufe they haue C 1 no 12 A Relation of the prefent no principall commander or Weroance, they would intreate Sir Thomas Dale as King I AMES his de- putie to be their fupreame head, King and gouernor, and in all iuft caufes and quarrels to defend them, as they would be ready at all times to aide him, onely their defire was to inioy their owne lawes and liber- ties, and becaufe himfelfe, by reafon of his many o- ther imployments, befide the charge he hath of his owne people, may not be alwaies prefent amongft them, to be gouerned as formerly by eight of the el- ders and principall men amongft them, as his fubfti- tutes and councellers, and euen this was the fumme and effect of their embaffie. Sir Thomas Dale appoin- ted a day to fend fome men into their riuer, to pro- pofe certaine conditions vnto them, whereunto if they affented he would gladly accept of their proffe- red friendfhip, and be himfelf their Weroance : and with this anfwere offering them copper for their venifon, which they refufed to take, difmiffed them. When the appointed day came, Sir Thomas Dale himfelfe and Captaine Argall 'with 50 men in a barge and frigot, well appointed, leaft any trecherie might be intended, fet forward to Cbicohominie, an arme of our riuer fome feauen miles from lames Town, where we found the people according to promife expecting our comming, affembled and met together, who after their beft and moft friendly manner, bad vs welcome, and becaufe our bufineffe at home would permit vs but fmall time of ftay with them, they presently fent for their principal men, fome of whom were then ab- fent, which haftned vnto vs, & the next morning very early affembled, and fat in counfell about this bufi- neffe, Captaine Argall (fupplying Sir Thomas Dales place amongft them, who though there prefent for fome refpecls, concealed himfelfe, and kept aboarde his barge) after long difcourfe of their former pro- ceedings ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 13 ceedings, Captaine Argall tould them, that now fince thev had intreated peace and promifed their loue and friendfhip, hee was fent vnto them from the great Weroance to conclude the fame, all former iniuries on both fides, fet apart and forgotten, which he would doe vpon thefe conditions. Firft that they mould take vpon them, as they pro- mifed, the name of Tajant ajfes or Englifh men, and be King I AMES his fubiefts, and be foreuer honeft, faithfull and truftie vnto his deputie in their coun- trie. Secondlv, that they mould neuer kill any of our men or cat'tell, but if either our men or cattle mould offend them or runne to them, they fhould bring them home again, and mould receiue fatisfaftion for the trefpafTe done them. Thirdly, they fhould at all times be ready and wil- ling to fu'rnifh vs with three or foure hundred bow- men to aide vs againft the Spaniards, whofe name is odious amongft them, for Powhatans father was dri- uen by them from the weft-Indies into thofe parts, or againft any other Indians which fhould, contrary to the eftablifhed peace offer vs any iniurie. Fourthly, they fhall not vpon any occafion what- foeuer breake downe any of our pales, or come into any of our Townes or forts by any other waies, iffues or ports then ordinary, but firft call, and fay the Tqf- Jantejfas are there, and fo comming they fhall at all times be let in, and kindely entertained. Fifthly, fo many fighting men as they haue which may be at the leaft fiue hundred fhould yeerely bring into our ftore houfe, at the beginning of their harueft two bufhelsof corne a man, as tribute of their obe- dience to his Maieftie, and to his deputy there, for which they fhould receiue fo many Iron Tomabawkes or fmall hatchets. C 3 Laftly, 1 4 A Relation of the prejent Lastly, the eight chiefe men which gouerne as fubftitutes and Councellors vnder Sir Thomas Dale, (hall at all times fee thefe Articles and conditions du- ly performed for which they (hall receiue a red coat, or liuery from our King yeerely, and each of them the pictureof his Maiefty, ingrauen in Copper, with a chaine of Copper to hang it about his necke, wherby they (hall be knowne to be King IAMES his noble Men: fo as if thefe conditions, or any of them be bro- ken, the offenders themfelues (hall not only be pu- ni(hed, but alfo thofe Commaundets, becaufe they ftand ingaged for them. After thefe Articles were thus propofed, the whole affembly affenting thereunto, anfwered with a great fhout, and noife, that they would readily and willing- ly performe them all : and immediately began the chiefe of the eight to make an oration to the reft, ben- ding his fpeech flrft to the old men, then to the yong men, and in conclufion to the women and children, giuing them thereby to vnderftand the fumme of the propofed conditions: and how ftriclly they were to obferue them: in confideration whereof, he further declared what wee haue promifed to doe for them, not onely ro defend and keepe them from the fury & danger of Powhatan, which thing they moft feared, but euen from all other enemies, domefticke, or for- raigne, and that we would yeerely by trade furnifh them with Copper, Beades, Hatchets, and many other neceflaries, yea, which liked them beft, that we would permit them to enioy their owne liberties, freedoms, and lawes, and to be gouerned as formerly, by eight of their chiefeft men. It (hall not be vnneceflarie to infert the occafion (as we imagine) of this their much defired, vnexpec- ted friendfhip, which was queftionlefle fome fodaine feare of Powhatans difpleafure, being vnited with vs, now ejl ate of Virginia 1614. 15 now able to reuenge their difobedience done vnto him: for you muft imagine, thefe people prefuming upon their owne ftrength and number (in no one place in thofe parts, which we know, (o many togea- ther) to haue a long time neglecled Powhatan, and refufed, (which the place hath been formerly accu- tomed, and as his right may challenge the homage and duty of fubiects, which they ought to haue per- formed : to which obedience, fearing our power might compell them, they chofe rather to fubiecT: themfelues to vs, then being enemies to both, to ex- pofe & lay themfelues open to Poivhatans tiranny, & oppreffion : for this they did chiefely infift vpon, that he was an ill IVeroaules, full of cruelty, and ininftice, couetous of thofe things they had, and implacable if they denyed him whatfoeuer he demanded, and for thefe reafons, defired to be made one people with vs, to curbe the pride and ambition of Powhatan, from whom to defend them (they tould vs it would be no breach of peace on our parts, fince now they were no longer Chicohomimes, or Naturalls, of that place, but Tojfantejfars, and King I AMES his fub- ie<5ts, whom we are bound to defend. So foone as there was an end of fpeaking, and the peace firmely concluded, and aflented vnto, Captaine Argall by the guift of eight great peeces of Copper, and eight great Tomahawkes, bound the eight great men, or Councellors to the exad; performance, and keeping of the fame, according to the conditions proclaimed, which they very gladly and thanketully accepted, and returned him, as testimonies of their loues, Venijon, Turkies, Frejhfijh, baskets, Mats, and fuch like things as they were then furnilhed with, and fo the Councell brooke vp, and then euery man brought to fell to our men Skinnes, boules, mats, baj- kets, tobacco, i3c. and became as familiar amongll: vs, 1 6 A Relation of the prefent vs, as if they had been Englifh men iudeede. Thus haue I briefely as the matter would permit, difcourfed our eftablifhed friendfhip with the Natu- ralls, and the occafions thereof, which I hope will continue fo long betweene vs, till they (hall haue the vnderftanding to acknowledge how much they are bound to God for fending vs amongft them (then which) what worke would be more acceptable to God, more honourable to our King and counrry? The greater!:, and many enemies and difturbers of our proceedings, and that which hath hitherto de- terd our people to addrefle themfelues into thofe parts haue been onely two; enmity with the Natu- ralls, and the bruit of famine: one of thefe two (and that indeede, which was fome caufe of the other) I haue already remoued, and mail as eafily take away the other: howbeit it were too great folly (I might fay impudency in me) to auer that there hath raig- ned no fuch infection in the Colony, occafioned, meerly by mifgouernment, idlenefle, and faclion, and chiefely by the abfence of the euer worthy Com- maunders, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Sum- mers by the prouidence of God, miraculously wract and faued vpon the hopefull Sumer Iflands, fince my felfe cannot but witneffe) of which I had fome taft) in what a miferable condition, we found the Colo- ny at our ariuall there, from the Bermudas, not liuing aboue threefcore perfons therein, and thofe fcarce a- ble to goe alone, of welnigh fix hundred, not full ten moneths before : yet now I dare and will boldly af- firme to the greater! aduerfary of the Plantation, that mail auer the contrary, that there is that plenty of foode, which euery man by his owne induftry may eafily, & doth procure that the poorer! there, & moft in want, hath not bin fo much pinched with hnnger this 4 yeers that if he would take any pains, he knew not ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 17 not wher to fetch a good meales meate: and true it is, that euery day by the prouidence, and blefling of God, and their owne induftry, they haue more plen- ty then other, the reafon hereof is at hand, for former- ly, when our people were fedde out of the common (lore and laboured iointly in the manuring of the ground, and planting corne, glad was that man that could flippe from his labour, nay the moft honeft of them in agenerall bufineffe, would not take fo much faithfull and true paines in a weekc, as now he will doe in a day, neither cared they for the increafe, pre- fuming that howfoeuer their harueft profpered, the generall ftore muft maintain them, by which meanes we reaped not fo much corne from the labours of 30 men, as three men haue done for themfelues: to preuent which mifchiefe heerafter Sir Thomas Dale hath taken a new courfe, throughout the whole Co- lony, by which meanes, the generall ftore (appar- rell onely excepted) fhall not be charged with any thing: and this it is, he hath allotted to euery man in the Colony, three Englifh Acres of cleere Corne ground, which euery man is to mature and tend, be- ing in the nature of Farmers, (the Bermuda vnder- takers onely excepted) and they are not called vnto any feruice or labor belonging to the Colony, more then one moneth in the yeere, which fhall neither be in feede time, or in Harueft, for which, doeing no o- ther duty to the Colony, they are yeerly to pay into the ftore two barrells and a halfe of Corne: there to be referued to keep new men, which fhall be fent o- uer, the firft yeere after their arriuall: and euen by this meanes I dare fay, our ftore will be bountifully furnifhed, to maintain three or foure hundred men, whenfoeuer they fhall be fent thither to vs, that mo- ny which hitherto hath bin disburfed, to prouide a tweluemoneths vi&ualls, if there were but now D halfe 1 8 A Relation of the prefent halfe fo much beftowed in clothes, and bedding, will be fuch comfort to the men, as euen thereby the Hues of many fhall not onely be preferued, but alfo them- felues kept in ftrength and heart, able to performe fuch bufineffes, as fhall be impofed vpon them: and thus fhall alfo the former charge be well faued, and vet more bufinefTe effected, the action renowned, and more commodity returned to the Merchant, and yet faint for want of encouragement. Concerning the vndertaking of the Bermuda Cit- ty, a bufinefle of greateft hope, euer begunne in our Territories there, their Pattent, which I purpofe in this Treatife to infert, doth apparantly demonftrate, vpon what termes and conditions they voluntarily haue vndertaken that imployment, how forward that bufinefle is, in his due place fhall bee exprefled, onely giue me leaue with as much breuity as I may, leaft any man fhould diuert his minde, and be feare- full to aduenture his perfon thither, for feare of fa- mine and penury, to amplifie a little the plenty there, for if it be true, as moft eertaine it is, that thofe whom I haue defcribed vnder the title of Farmers, can pay into our Store, two barrels and a halfe of Corne yeerely. and others who labour eleauen mo- neths in the generall bufinefle of the Colony, and but one to prouide themfelues victualls, why fhould any man (if he be induftrious) miftruft ftaruing? if o- therwife, for my part, and I thinke all that are inga- ged in the Action, and vnderftand the bufinefle, ac- cord with me heerein, and would not wifh his com- pany there, nay they fhall much wrong themfelues, and the Action, if they doe not withftand fuch, and deny them paflage: for euen they and none elfe haue been the occafions of the manifould imputations, & difgraces. which Virginia hath innocently vndergon, through their defaults: I would therefore by thefe ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 19 relations not onely encourage honeft and induftri- ous : but alfo deterre all lafie, impotent, and ill liuers from addrefling themfeues thither, as being a Coun- try too worthy for them, and altogeather difconfo- nant to their natures, which muft either brooke la- bour or hazard, and vndergoe much difpleafure. pu- nifhment, and penury, if they efcape a thing which few idlers haue don, the fcuruy difeafe, with which few, or none once infected, haue recouered. To proceed therefore in my incouragement to painefull people, fuch as either through croffes in this world, or racl rents, or elfe great charge of children and family Hue heer, and that not without much care and fweat. into extreame pouerty : for thofe this Countrey hath prefent remedy : Euerie fuch perfon, fo well difpofed to aduentnre thither, fhal foon find the difference between their own, and that Country. The affaires in the Colony, being fo well ordered, and the hardeft taskes already ouer- paft. that whofoeuer (now, or heerafter) fhall happi- ly arriue there, fhall findc a hanfome howfe of fome foure roomes or more, if he haue a family, to repofe himfelfe in rent freee, and twelue Englifh Acres of ground, adioyning thereunto, very ftrongly impai- led, which ground is onely allotted vnto him for Roots, Gardaine hearbs, and Come: neither fhall hee need to prouide himfelfe, as were wont the firft plan- ters, of a yeers prouifion of victualls, for that the ftore there will bee able to affoord him, & vpon thefe conditions he fhall be entertained; He fhall haue for himfelfe & family, a competent 1 2 months prouifion deliuered vnto him, in which time it muft bee his care to prouide for himfelfe and family euer after, as thofe already there, to this end he fhall be furnifhed with neceflary tooles of all forts, and for his better fubfiftance he fhall haue Poultry, and fwine, and if D 2 he 20 A Relation of the prefent he deferue it, a Goate or two, perhaps a Cow giuen him, which once compart, how happily he may Hue, as doe many there, who I am fure will neuer returne, I fubmit to their own future well experienced iudge- ments . Now, leaft any man mould yet reft difcouraged becaufe as yet no mention is made of any other pro- uifion of vi&ualls, faue onely of bread-corne, whih graunt, it may with labour be competently procu- red, will affoord but a bare, and miferable liuing, I thinke there is no man fo ignorant to conceiue, that fuch a main continent as is Virginia, boundleffe, for ought we haue difcouered, and fo goodly Riuers, no where elfe to be parralled, fhould be more barraine of Cattell, Fifh.and Foule, then other Lands, affured- ly they are not: for true it is, that the Land is ftored with plenty and variety of wild beaftes. Lions, Bears, Deere of all forts, (onely differing from ours in their increafe, hauing vfuall, three or foure Fawnes at a time, none that I haue feen or heard off vnder two: the reafon whereof fom of our people afcribe to the vertue of fome graffe or hearb which they eate, be- caufe our Goats often times bring foorth three, and moft of them two : for my part I rather impute their fecundiry to the prouidence of God, who for euery mouth prouideh meate, and if this increafe were not, the Naturalls would affuredly ftarue : for of the Deere (they kill as doe wee Beefes in England) all the yeer long, neither fparing yong nor olde, no not the Does readie to fawne, nor the yong fawnes, if but two daies ould) Beauers, Otters, Foxes, Racounes, almoft as big as a Fox, as good meat as a lamb, hares, wild Cats, muske rats, Squirills flying, and other of three or foure forts, Apojfumes, of the bigneffe and likeneffe of a Pigge, of a moneth ould, a beaft of as ftrange as incredible nature, (he hath commonly fea- uen ejlate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 21 uen yong ones, fometimes more and fometimes lefle which at her pleafure till they be a moneth olde or more (he talcethvp into her belly. and puttethfortha- gaine without hurt to her felfe or them. Of each of thefe beads, the Lion excepted, my felfe haue many times eaten, and can teftifie that they are not onely taftefull, butalfo wholefome and nourifhing toode. Thereare fouleof diuers forts, Eagles, wildeTurkeis much bigger then our Englifh, Cranes, Herons white and ruffet, Hawkes, wilde Pigeons (in winter beyond number or imagination, my felfe haue feene three or foure houres together flockes in the aire, so thiclce that euen they haue (haddowed the skie from vs) Turckie Bujfards, Partridge, Snipes, Owles, Swans, Geefe, Brants, Ducke and Mallard, Droeis, Sbel Drakes Cormorants, Teale, Widgeon, Curlewes, Puits, befides other fmall birds, as Blacke-birde, hedge fparrowes, Oxeies, wood peckers, and in winter about Chriftmas many flockes of Parakertoths. For fifh the Riuers are plentifully ftored, with6'/«r- g ion, PorpaJJe, Bqfe, Rockfifh, Carpe, Shad, Herring, Ele, Catjifli, Perch, Flat-fifh, froute, Sheepes-head, Drum- mers, Iarfijh, Creuifes, Crabbes, Oijlers and diuerfe o- ther kindes, of all which my felfe haue feene great quantity taken, efpecially the laft summer at Smiths IJland, at one hale, a frigots lading of Sturgion, Bafe and other great fifh in Captaine Argals Sauie: and e- ueh at that very place which is not aboue fifteene miles from Pointeomfort, if we had beene furnifhed with fait, to haue faued it, wee might haue taken as much fifh as would haue ferued vs that whole yeere. Nor are thefe prouicion of bread, flefh and fifh, al we haue for fuftentation of mans life, behold more change and variety of foode, which our foile and cli- mate afFordeth, Carrats, Parsneps, Turneps, Raddish, D 3 Pumpi- 22 A Relation of the prefent Plimptons (of theweft Indie kinde in great abundance, of one feede I haue feen an hundreth, much better then ours and lafting all the yeere) Cabbadge, Par/ley, all manner of pothearbs and other hearbes, Marge- rum, Time, winter-Sauory, Lettice Purjlaine, &c, and befides the naturall graine of that Country, as wheate peafe and beanes, it did me much good to view our Englifh wheate how forward it was, full eard, of one graine fortie eares or more, a fpan long, and onely wanting ripening in mid Iune, our Engliih peafe then ripe, and beanes very forward, and Englifh barly ve- ry hopefull, fuch as mine eies neuer beheld better in England: And if that foile bring forth thefe things (as can thofe which haue bin there with me affirme and witnefTe) as plentifull and vnchangeable for tafte and quantity as England or any other country, why fhold any man that hath his limbes, in a peaceable flate as is that, fo much as dreame of ftaruing ? To goe yet a little further, I know no one Coun- try yeelding without art or induflry fo maniefruites fure I am England doth not: wilde grapes in abun- dance al the woods ouer, their iuice fweete and plea- fant in tafle, some of them wee haue replanted in a vineyard adioyning to Henrico, the quantity of three or foure Akers which were this yeere very plentifully laden, to what perfection they will come, the nextre- turne will aduertife: Cherries little inferior to ours, which if replanted may prooue as much better as now they are worfe Pijfmienplums in bygnes and fa- fhion like a Medlar of a flipticke quality, other forts of plummes like to our wheat plums, and in goodnes anfwerable: great fields and woods abounding with Strawberies much fairer and more fweete then ours, Mulberries of great bignefle, and about the Bermuda Cittie and Hundirds thereunto belonging great ftore thereof, Maricocks of the fafhion of a Lemmon whofe bloflbme ejlate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 23 bloflome may admit comparifon with our moft de- lightfome and bewtifull flowers, and the fruite ex- ceeding pleafant and taftfull: Chefnut-trees towards the fals as many as oalces, and as fertile, many goodly groues of Chincomen trees with a huske like vnto a Chefnut, rawe or boyled, lufcious and harty meate: Walnuts of three or foure forts, whereof there might be yeerely made great quantity of oyles, as vfefull andgoodasthatof Oliues: fomefilberds I haue feene, Crabbes great ftore, lefle, but not fo fower as ours, which grafted with the Siens of Englifh aple trees, without queftion would beare very good fruite, and we doubt not but to haue the Siens enough the next yeere, there being in Sir Thomas Gates his garden at lames town, many forward apple & peare trees come vp, of the kernels fet the yeere before. If all this be not fufficient, loe further incourage- ment, the collony is already furnifhed with two hun- dred neate cattell, as many goates, infinite hogges in heards all ouer the woods, befides thofe to eurie towne belonging in generall, and euery private man, fome Mares, Horfes & Colts, Poultry great ftore, be- fides tame Turkeis. Peacockesand Pigeons plentiful- ly increafing and thriuing there, in no Countrie better. Of our yong Steeres the next winter we doubt not to haue three or foure Ploughes going, which once compaft, we fhall in fhort time be able to repay Eng- land the corne they haue lent vs. If I knew yet any further impediments which might feeme to giue difcouragement to aduenture thither, I should as eafily remoue them. Obiedl thatpleafeth the want of cloathes, fo long as there are wilde beafts there, and the beafts haue skinnes on their backes (if the neceftity were fuch) why (hould not we as doe the naturals, cloath our felues 24 A Relation of the prefent felues therewith, it is no worfe then our fore-fathers haue worne before vs, and fuch as will faue vs from the colde in winter, and heate in fummer: but admit there were no skinnes or being there, our people difdaine to weare them. If there be any man that hath beene fo ill an husband here that he cannot furnifh himfelfe with a yeeres prouifion of appar- rell; if I might counfell he mould not be fuffered to goe thither, for that country is not for him, as for others who can prouide apparrell for the firft yeere, I hold him a worfe husband then the former, that mall at any time after be worfe cloathed then he went ouer: the valuable commoditie of Tobacco of fuch efteeme in England (if there were nothing elfe) which euery man may plant, and with the leaft part of his labour, tend and care will returne him both cloathes and other neceflaries. For the goodnefle whereof, anfwerable to weft-Indie Trinidado or Cra- cus (admit there hath no fuch bin returned) let no man doubt. Intothedifcourfewherof, fince I amobuioufly entred, I may not forget the gentleman, worthie of much commendations, which firft tooke the pains to to make triall thereof, his name M r Iohn Rolfe, Anno Domini 161a, partly for the loue he hath a long time borne vnto it, and partly to raife commodity to the aduenturers, in whofe behalfe I witnefle and vouch- fafe to holde my teftimony in beleefe, that during the time of his aboade there, which draweth neere vpon fixe yeeres, no man hath laboured to his power, by good example there and worthy incouragement into England by his letters, then he hath done,witnes his mariage with Powhatans daughter, one of rude e- ducation,, manners barbarous and curfed generation, meerely for the good and honour of the Plantation: And leaft any man fhould concieue that some finifter refpecls allured him hereunto, I haue made bold con- trary ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 25 trary to his knowledge in the end of my treatife to infert the truecoppieof his letter, written to Sir Tho- mas Dale to acquaint him with his proceedings, and purpofe therein, the rather to giue teftimony to the mifconftruing and ill cenfuring multitude of his in- tegritie, in the vndertaking a matter of fo great a con- fequent, who in my hearing haue not fpared to fpeak their pleafures; his owne letter hits them home, and the better fort, who know to cenfure iudicioufly can- not but highly commend and approue fo worthy an vndertaking. Thus farre I haue applied my felfe to incourage perfonall Aduenturers: I would gladly now by wor- thy motiues,allure the heauie vndertakers to perfift with alacritie and cheerefulnefle, both for their owne reputations, the honour of God, and their King and Country. The worthier fort, J meane thofe Nobles and others of that honourable counfell interefled therein, neede no fpurre, their owne innate vertues driues them a pace. The Merchant onely wants fome feeling and prefent returne of thofe commodities which he is perfwaded the country afTbrdeth: to them therefore I will addrefle my fpeech, and if I may per- fwade them to be conftant in their proceedings,fome fmall time longer, the benefit will be the greater and the more welcome when it commeth. It is not for nothing Sir Thomas Dale, fo noblie without refpecT: to his liuing,to his Lady here in Eng- land, paft the prefixed time of his refolued returne, vet remaineth there; I am fure if he pleafed he might re- turne with as much honour as any man from thence, I fav not more. I fhall little neede, and indeede it were but waft and Idle for me to repeate and mention the com- modities, which with onely labour may bee there procured: many Treatifes hath them at full. Sam- E pies 26 A Relation of the prefent pies haue beene fent home, and no man difputeth the goodnes,or the quantitie there to be had .-take there- fore double courage to your felues,and let thefe two yeeres neglect be reftored by a cheerefull and new onfet,and tor your incouragement reade yet a little further,and view the face of the Colony, euen fuper- ficially portraide : fee what effects thefe three yeeres haue wrought. In May 1611 Sir Thomas Dale, with a profpe- rous paffage, not full eight weekes arriued there, with him about three hundred people, fuch as for the prefent fpeede,and difpatch could then be prouided, of worfe condition then thofe formerly there, who I forrow to fpeake it, were not fo prouident, though once before bitten with hunger and pennury, as to put corne into the ground for their winters bread,but trufted to the (lore, then furnifhed but with eight months prouifio. His firfl care therefore was to imploy al hands about fetting of Corne at the two Forts, fea- ted vpon Kecougbtan, Henry and Charles, whereby the feafon then not fully paft,thogh about the end of May, we had there an indifferent Crop of good corn. This bufineffe taken order for, and the care and truft of it committed to his vnder officers, to lames Towne he haftened, where the mod company were, and their daily and vfuall workes, bowling in the ftreetes, these he imployed about neceffary workes,as felling of Timber,repairing their houfes ready to fall vpon their heads, and prouiding pales,poflsand railes to impaile his purpofed new Towne, which by reafon of his ignorance in thofe parts, but newly arriued there, he had not refolued where to feate. For his better knowledge therefore of thofe parts, him- felre with an hundreth men, fpent fome time in difcouery,firft Nanfamund Riuer, which in difpight of the Indians,then our enemies,he difcouered to the head ejlate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 27 head, after that, our owne Riuer, to the fals, where- vpon a high land inuironed with the mayn Riuer,fom fixteene or twentie miles, from the head of the Fals, neere to an Indian Tovvne called Arfahattocke,\\z re- folued to plant his new Towne,and fo did, whereof in his due place I (hall make a briefe relation. It was no meane trouble to him, to reduce his peo- ple,fo timely to good order,beingof fo il a condition as may well witneffe his feuere and drift imprinted bookeof Articles, then needefull with all feuerity and extremity to be executed, now much mitigated, for more deferued death in thofe daies, then do now the leaft punishment,fo as if the law (hould not haue reftrained bv execution, I fee not how the vtter fub- uerfion and ruine of the Colony (hould haue bin pre- uented, witneffe Webbes and Prifes defigne the firft yeere, fince that Abbots and others more daunge- rous then the former, and euen this fummer, Coles and Kitchins Plot, with three more, bending their courfe towards the Southward, to a Spanifh Plantati- on, reported to be there, who had trauelled (it being now a time of peace) fome hue daies iourney toOcana- hoen,there cut offby certaine Indians, hired by vs to hunt them home to receiue their deferts. So as Sir Thomas Dale hath not bin tyranous,nor feuere at all; Indeede the offences haue bin capitall,and the offen- ders dangerous, incurable members, for no vfe fo fit as to make examples to others, but the manner of their death may fome obie&.hath bin cruell, vnufu- all and barbarous,which in deede they haue not bin, witne(feFrance,and other Countries for lefle offen- ces : what if they haue bin more feuere then vfuall in England, there was iuft caufe for it, we were rather to haue regard to thofe whom we would haue terrified, and made fearefull to commit the like offences, then to the offenders iuftly condemned, It being true that E 1 amongft 28 A Relation of the prefent amongft thofe people (who for the mod part are fen- cible onely of the bodies torment) the feare of a cru- ell, painefull and vnufuall death, more reftrains them then death it felfe. Thus much obuioufly, I proceede in his indeuours vntillSirThomasG^/whis happie arriuall, which was onely in preparing timber, pales, pofts and railes for the prefent impaling this new Towne to fecure him- felfeand men from the malliceand trechery of the In- dians, in the midft and hart of whom, he was refolued to fet downe, but before he could make himfelfe rea- dy for that bufinefle, Sir Thomas Gates though his paflage more long than vfuall, to fecond him herein, happily arriued about the fecond of Auguft, with fixe good Shippes, men, prouifions and cattle, whom as yet not fully difcouered, we fuppofed to be a Spanifh fleete, thus induced the rather to beleeue, becaufe in company with him were three Caruals, veflels which neuer before had bin fent thither, and now onely for the tranfportation of the Cattle. It did mee much good, and gaue great courage to the whole company to fee the refolution of Sir Thomas Dale, now wholy bufied(our land fortifications to weake towithftand a forraigne Enemy) in lading our prouifions aboard the two good Shippes, the Starre and Profperous, and our own Deliuerance, then riding before lames town, aboarde which Shippes, he had refolued to encoun- ter the fuppofed Enemy, animating his people, not onely with the hope of victory if they readily obeied his direction, but alfo afluring them that if by thefe meanes God had ordained to fet a period to their Hues, they could neuer be facrificed in a more accep- table feruice, himfelfe promifing, rather to fire the Spani/h Shippes with his owne, then either bafely to yeelde, or to be taken: and in nothing he feemed fo much difcontent as that we could not poflibly lade a- boarde ejiate of 'Virginia 1614. 29 boarde all our prouifions before (the winde being then very faire) they might haue bin with vs, whileft therefore the reft were labouring their vtmoft to lade aboarde our prouifions, hee caufed a fmall fhallop to be manned with thirty readie and good fhot to dif- couer direftly what Shippes they might be, and with- all fpeede to returne him certaine word, which with- in three houres they did, affuring him that is was an Englifh fleete, Sir Thomas Gates Generall thereof: which newes how welcome it was vnto him, princi- pally becaufe now he doubted not the happie pro- greflion of the affaires in hand, let any man (equally with him affefted to the good and welfare of the acti- on) iudge and determine. The worthies being met, after falutation and wel- come giuen, and receiued, Sir Thomas Dale acquain- ted Sir Thomas Gates both with fuch bufinefles as he had affefted fince his arriuall, and alfo of his refoluti- on to buildea new Towne, at the Frt/kr, which defigne and purpofe of his, Sir Thomas Gates then principall Gouernour in Virginia, well approuing,furniihedhim with three hundred and fiftie men, fuch as himfelfe made choife of, and the beginning of September 161 1 he fet from lames town, and in a day & a halfe, landed at a place where he purpofed to feate & builde, where he had not bin ten daies before he had very ftrongly impaled feuen Englifh Acres of ground for a towne, which in honour of the noble Prince Henrie (of euer happie and bleffed memory, whofe royall heart was euer ftrongly affefted to that adion) he called by the name of Henrico. No fooner was he thus fenced, and in a manner fecured from the Indians, but his next worke (without refpect to his owne health or parti- cular welfare) was building at each corner of the towne, very ftrong and high commanders or watch- towers, a faire and handfome Church, and ftorehou- E 3 fes 30 A Relation of the prefent fes, which finifhed he began to thinke vpon conueni- ent houfes, and lodgings for himfelfe and men, which with as much fpeede as was poflible, were more ftrongly and more handfome then any formerly in Virginia, contriued and finifhed, and euen in foure monethsfpace, he had made Henrico much better and of more worth then all the worke euer fince the Co- lonic began, therein done. I mould be to tedious if I fhould giue vp the ac- compt of euery daies labour, which therefore I pur- pofly omit, and will onely defcribe the towne, in the very ftate and perfection wich I left it, and firft for the fituation, it ftandes vpon a neck of very high land, 3 parts thereof inuironed with the main Riuer, and cut ouer betweene the two Riuers, with a ftrong pale, which maketh the neck of land an ifland. There is in this town 3 ftreets of well framed howfes, a hanfom Church, and the foundation of a more ftately one laid, of Brick, in length, an hundred foote, and fifty foot wide, befide Store houfes, watch houfes, and fuch like : there are alfo, as ornaments belonging to this Town, vpon the verge of this Riuer, fiue faire Block houfes, or commaunders, wherein Hue the ho- nefter fort of people, as in Farmes in England, and there keepe continuall centinell for the townes fecu- rity, and about two miles from the towne into the Main,a Pale of two miles in length,cut ouer from ri- uer to riuer, garded likewife with feuerall Comman- ders, with a great quantity of corne ground impa- led, fufficient if there were no more in the Colony fe- cured, to maintain with but eafiy manuring,and huf- bandry,more men, then I fuppofe, will be addrefTed thither, (the more is the pitty)thefe 3 yeeres. For the further enlargement yet of this Town, on the other fide of the Riuer,by impaling likewife : for we make no other fence,is fecured to our vfe,efpeci- ally ejlate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 31 ally for our hogges to feede in, about twelue Englifh miles of ground, by name, Hope in faith, Coxen- Dale, fecured by fiue Forts, called, Charity Fort, Mount malado,z. retreat, or guejl houfe for fick people, a high feat,and wholfome aire, Elzabeth Fort, and Fort patience: and heere hath M r - Whitacres chofen his Parfonage, or Church land, fom hundred Acres impaled, and a faire framed parfonage houfe built thereupon, called Rocke Hall of this Towne, and all the Forts thereunto belonging, hath Captaine lames Dauis, the principall Commaunde, and Gouern- ment. I proceed to our next and moft hopefull habitati- on, whether we refpeft commodity, or fecurity, (which we principally aime at) againft forraigne de- fignes,and inuafions, I meane the Bermuda Citty.be- gun about Chriftmas laft, which becaufe it is the nee- reft adioyning to Henrico, though the laft vnderta- ken, I hould it pertinent to handle inthe next place. This Towne, or plantation is feated byland, fome 5 miles from Henrico, by water fourteen e, being the yeer before the habitation of the Appamatucks, to reuenge the trecherous iniurie of thofe people.done vnto vs, taken from them befides all their Corne,the former before without the lofle of any, faue onely fome few of thofe Indians, pretending our hurt) at what time Sir Thomas Dale, being himfelf vpon that feruice, and duly confidering how commodious a habitation and feat it might be for vs, tooke refolu- tion to pofleffe and plant it, and at that very inftant, gaue it the name of the new Bermudas, whereunto he hath laid out,and annexed to be belonging to the freedome, and corporation for euer, many miles of Champion,and woodland, in feuerall Hundreds, as the vpper and nether Hundreds, Rochdale hundred, WeftsSherly hundred, and Diggeshh hundred In the nether 32 A Relation of the prefent. nether hundred he firft began to plant,and inhabite for that there lyeth the moft conuenient quantity of Corne ground,and with a Pale cut ouer from Riuer to Riuer, about two miles long, wee haue fecurd fome eight miles circuit of ground, the moft part champion, and exceeding good Corne ground, vp- pon which pale,and round about, vpon the verge of the Riuer in this Hundred, halfe a mile diftant from each other,are very faire houfes, already builded,be- fides diuers other particular mens houfes, not fo few as fifty, according to the conditions of the pattent graunted them, which who fo pleafeth to perufe, fhall in the end of my difcourse finde it inferted. In this Plantation next to Sir Thomas Dale is principal, in the Commaund, Captaine Georg Tardley, Sir 'Thomas Gates his lieftenaunt, who fe endeauours haue euer deferued worthy commendations in that imployment. Rochdale Hundred by a crofte pale, well nigh foure miles long, is alfo already impaled, with bordering houfes all along the pale, in which Hundred our hogges, and other cattell haue twenty miles circuit to graze in fecurely. The vndertaking of the chiefe Citty deferred till their Harueft be in, which once reaped.all hands fhall be imployed ther- on, which Sir Thomas Dale purpofeth, and he may with fome labour eftecT: his defignes, to make an im- pregnable retreat,againft any forraign inuafion, how powrefull fo euer. About fifty miles from this feat,on the other fide of the Riuers,is lames towne fituate, vpon a goodly and fertile Ifland: which although formerly fcando- led with vnhealthfull aire, we haue fince approued as healthfull as any other place in the country : and this I can fay by mine own experience,that that corn and gardaine ground (which with much labour bee- ing when we firft feated vpon it,a thick wood) wee haue ejl ate of Virginia 1614. 33 hauecleered,and impaled, is as fertile as any other we haue had experience and triall off. The Towne it felfe by the care and prouidence of Sir Thomas Gates, who for the moft part had his chiefeft refi- dence there, is reduced into a hanfome forme, and hath in it two faire rowes of howfes, all of framed Timber, two ftories, and an vpper Garret,or Corne loft high,befides three large, and fubftantiall Store- howfes, ioyned togeather in length fome hundred and twenty foot,and in breadth forty,and this town hath been lately newly, and ftrongly impaled, and a faire platforme for Ornance in the weft Bulworke raifed : there are alfo without this towne in the If- land, fome very pleafant, and beutifull howfes, two Blockhoufes, to obferue and watch leaft the Indi- ans at any time fhould fwim ouer the back riuer,and come into the Ifland, and certain other farme how- fes. The commaund and gouernment of this town, hath matter Iohn Scarpe, Liftenant to Captain Fran- cis Weft, Brother to the right Honourable, the Lord Lawarre. From lames towne downewards, fome forty and odde miles at the mouth of the riuer,neer Point Com- fort,vpon Kecoughtan.nre two pleafant and commo- dious Forts, Henrie and Charles, goodly feats,and much corne ground about them, abounding with the commodities oifijh, fowle, Deere, and fruits, whereby the men Hue there, with halfe that mainte- naunce out of the Store, which in other places is al- lowed : certainly this habitation would bee no whit interiour to the beft we haue there, faue,as yet, with the poore meanes we haue; we cannot fecure it, ifa forraigne enemy, as we haue iuft cauf to expedl daily fhould attempt it. And of thefe Forts, Captain Georg ^rf was lately eftabliftid the principall Commander. F It 34 A Relation of the prefent It hath been our greateft care, and labour hither- to, and yet but thefe three yeers . the former foure meerely mifpent,to compaffe«thefe bufineffes, which being thus fetled,and brought to fuch perfection, as I haue defcribed, now doth the time approch, that commodity may be expected, and if meanes bee fent ouer,will affuredly be returned. What honeft fpirit, hauing hitherto laboured herein, would at the vpfhot (as I may fo term it) be difcouraged or defift? I hope none,rather more will be animated, (if need require) to put too their helping hands and purfes. And euen thus I haue fhaddowed I hope, without the guilt of tedious, or prolix difcourfes (as I haue been able) the true condition (though many circum- ftances omitted) of ^7rg7«z'tf,what may the fubftance be, when the externall fhew is fo forward,fo glori- ous. I haue purpofely omitted the relation of the Con- try commodities, which euery former treatife hath abundantly,the hope of the better mines, the more bafe,as Iron, Allom, and fuch like, Perfectly difcoue- red,and made triall off, and furely of thefe things I cannot make fo ample relation,-as others, who in the difcouery of thofe affaires, haue bin, then my felfe more often conuerfant, onely of the hopefull, and marchantable commodities of tobacco, filke graffe, and filke wormes: I dare thus much affirme,and firft of Tobacco, whofe goodneffe mine own experience and triall induces me to be fuch, that no country vn- der the Sunne, may, or doth affoord more pleafant, fweet,and ftrong Tobacco, then I haue tafted there, euen of mine owne planting, which, howfoeuer be- ing then the firft yeer of our triall thereof, wee had not the knowledge to cure,and make vp,yet are ther fome now refident there,out of the laftyeers well ob- ferued experience, which both know, and I doubt not ejlate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 35 not,will make,and returne fuch Tobacco this yeere, that euen England fhall acknowledge the goodnefle thereof. . Now I proceed to the filke grafTe which groweth likevnto our flax, I meane not, of that kinde former- ly fent ouer, I haue feen, euen of the naturall, and wilde plants, which Captaine Martin, who much delighteth in thofe bufinefTes.hath made, exceeding fine,and exceeding ftrong filke,and himfelfe hath re- planted many of the wilde plants this yeere,the filke whereof he purpofeth to returne for triall. The filke wormes fent thither from England, in feeds the laft winter, came foorth many of them the beginning oX March, others in JpriIl,Maye,and Iune, thoufands of them grown to great bignefie, and a fpinning,and the reft well thriuing of their increafe, and commodity well knowne to be reaped by them, we haue all moft aflurance (fince fure I am) no Coun- try affoordeth more ftore of ' Mulbery trees, or a kind with whofe leafe they more delight, or thriue bet- ter. It may be heere happily expected, that I fhould giue vp the relation of Captaine Argalls particular voyages and indeauours, and euen as in a Plat, de- monftrate his Norward difcoueries, from which bu- finefle I defire to be excufed. partly, becaufe himfelfe is beft able to make his owne relations, and partly, becaufe my home imployments would not permit me leifure to accompany him, though my felfe defi- rous, in any of his voyages, whofe indeauours. if I fhould indeauour to make knowne, and publifh, could receiue no honour at all by my commendati- ons, or defcriptions : much might they be impaired, through my ignorance,or vnskillfullnes to fet them foorth : yet cannot I omit to publifh to the world, what prefent reliefe he hath don to the Colony, fur- F 1 nifhing 36 A Relation of the prefent niihins vs bv two trading voyages, with three and twentv hundred bufhels of Corne. into ourftorede- liuered : befide, what he referued for his mens pro- uifion. what he beftowed vpon well deferuers, and what his men appropriated, I pafle by the benefit ofpeace in thofe parts, by reafon of his Captiue Pochabuntas, concluded efta- blifhed, and will onely name the commoditie by his meanes done vnto vs,in repairing of our weatherbe- ten boats,and furniihing vs with new. both ftrong, and vfefull, without whofe affiftance heerin, vnlefle wee mould haue omitted other neceffary imploy- ments,I fee not how we mould haue had paflage one to another. His Norward difcoueries towards Sacadeboc, and beyond to Port royall, SanEla Crux, and thereabout mav not be concealed: In which his aduentures, if he had brought home no commodity to the Colony, (which yet he did very much, both of apparrell, vic- tualls, and many other necefTaries) the honour which he hath done vnto our Nation, by difplanting the French, there beginning to feate& fortefie within our limits, and taking of their Ship and Pinnas, which he brought to lames Towne, would haue been reward enough for his paines, and will euer fpeake loud his honour,and approued valour. I haue heard it credibly reported, euen from the mouth of Captaine Argall, that in one fmall Shippe, and in one vovage, the French haue cleered eight thoufand pounds by trade with the Indians, for furs, which benefit wil be as eafily by vs procured. It is true the Saluadges there inhabiting (before Captaine Argalls arriuall) efteemed the French as Demv-Gods,and had them in great eftimation : but feeing them vanquifhed and ouercom by vs,forfook them, yea, which is no meane point of pollicy, defi- red ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 37 red our friendfhip, telling Captaine Argall. that hee had vndone them for euer, for that the French by veerely trade with them for Furres, furnifhed them with manv neceflaries. whereof they had great want, which trade by this meanes might happily be hinde- red. But Captaine Argall hath agreed with them to referue there Furres for him. and promifed them, once a veere to come thither,and truck with them: thev feemed very well content. afTuring him. that though the French mould at any time arriue there, and proffer them trade, they would referue all their Furs for him. and what profit by this meanes onely, may be returned to the ^7rj7«zrfaduenturers, I fub- mit to Captaine Argalls owne oppinion and iudge- ment. I purrpofely omitted one thing in the Trea tife of our concluded peace,wherewith I intend to conclud mv difcourfe.which already I haue drawne to a lon- ger period then I purpofed. whereby wee haue ga- thered the better aflurance.of their honeft inward in- tentions,and this it is. It pleafed Sir Thomas Bale (myfelfe being much defirous before mv returne for Englandxo vifit i batan,&c his Court,becaufe I would be able to fpeak fomwhat thereof by mine own knowledge) to im- ploy myfelfe. and an englifh boy for my Interpre- ter on Thomas Saluage (who had liued three veers with Povhatanand fpeakes the langauge naturally, one whom Powhatan much affeð I vpon a mef- fage vnto him. which was to deale with him, it by any meanes I might procure a daughter of his, who ( Pochabuntas being already in our poflelfionlis ge- nerally reported to be his delight, and darling, and furelv he eileemeth her as his owne foule) tor iurer pledge of peace. I departed the fifteenth of May early in the mor- ning 38 A Relation of the prefent ning, with the Englifh Boy, and two Indian guides, from the Bermudas, and came to his court or refidence (as I iudge fome three fcore miles diftant from vs,being feated at the head almoft of Patnaun- kie Riuer, at a towne called MatchCoi) the next night after, about twelue of the clocke, the former night lodging in the open woods, feareles and with- out daunger : when we were come oppofite to his Towne, the maine riuer betweene him and vs,leaft at any time we mould martch by land vnto him vndif- couered:my Indian guides called for a Canoa(a boate made onely of one tree,after the fafhion of a hollow trough) to tranfport vs, giuing them to know that there was two Englifh fent vpon bufineffe to Powha- tan from the Englifh Weroance, which once knowne, a Canoa was prefently fent, and we ferried ouer,Pow- hatan himfelfe attending at the landing place to welcome vs. His firft falutation was to the Boy, whom he very wel remembred, after this manner: my childe you are welcome, you haue bin a flraunger to me theie foure yeeres, at what time I gaue you leaue to goe to Pajpahae (for fo was lames towne called before our feating there) to fee your friends, and till now you neuer returned:you(faid hejare mychild,by the donatiue of Captaine Newport, in Hew of one of my fubjecls Namontacke, who I purpofely fent to King lames his land,to fee him and his country, and to returne me the true report thereof, he as yet is not returned, though many fhips haue arriued here from thence, fince that time,how ye haue delt with him I know not ? hauing thus ended his fpeech to him, he addreffed himfelf to me,and his firft falutation, with- out any words at all, was about my necke, and with his hand he feeled round about it, fo as I might haue imagined he would haue cut my throate, but that I knew he durft not, he afked me where thechaine of pearle ejlate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 39 pearle was,I demaunded what chaine: that, faid he, which I fent my Brother Sir Thomas Dale for a pre- fent. at his firft arriuall ; which chaine,fince the peace concluded, he sent me word, if he fent any English- man vpon occafion of bufines to me, he fhould weare about his necke, otherwise I had order from him to binde him and fend him home againe. It is true Sir Thomas Dakhzd fent him fuch word (which till then my felfe neuer heard of) and for this purpofe hadgiu- en his Page order to deliuer me the said chaine, who forgot it : I was doubtfull at the firft how to anfwere him, yet prefently I replied that I was not ignorant of that meffage from his brother, formerly fent vnto him, whereby he onely entended that if vpon extra- ordinary and fudden occafion, he fhould be conftrai- ned to fend an Englifhman vnto him without an In- dian guide, then in teftimonie that he fent him hee fhould weare the chaine about his necke : but in cafe any of his owne people fhould condudt any Englifh vnto him, as did me, two of his owne men, one of them a Councellor vnto him, who was acquainted with my bufineffe, their teftimony fhould be fuffici- ent,and the chaine then needelefTe to be worne, which anfwere pleafed him well, and fourthwith he brought vs to his houfe,not full a ftones caft from the water- fide, whereinto being come, himfelfe fat downe on his bedfteade fide, bed there was none more then a fingle mat,on each hand of him was placed a comely and perfonable voting woman, not twenty yeeres old the eldeft, which they call his Queenes, the houfe with in round about bee fet with them, the outfide guarded with an hundred bowmen, with their qui- uers of arrowes at their backes, which at all times,& places attend his perfon. The firft thing hee offered vs was a pipe of Tobacco, which they call Piffimore, whereof himfelfe firft 4-0 A Relation of the prefent firftdranke,andthengaueitme, andwhen I had drank what I pleafed, I returned his pipe, which with his owne hands he vouchfafed to take from me. -then be- gan he to inquire how his Brother Sir Thomas Dale fared, after that of his daughters welfare,her manage, his vnknowne fonne, and how they liked, liued and loued together.- I refolued him that his brother was very well,and his daughter fo well content that fhe would not change her life to returne and Hue with him, whereat he laughed heartily, and faid he was very glad of it. Now proceede (faid he) to deliuer the caufe of your vnexpefted comming; I certified him my meflage was priuate, to be deliuered to himfelfe, without the prefence of any,faue one of his Councel- lers , by name Pepajchicher, one of my guides, who was acquainted with my bufinefTe, he inftantly commanded all, both men and women out of the houfe,his two Queenes onely excepted,who vpon no occafion whatfoeuer,may fequefter themfelues. Now (faid he) fpeake on, and my felfe by my interpreter thus begun. Sir Thomas Dale your Brother, the prin- cipal commander of the Engliih men, fends you gree- ting of loue and peace, on his part inuiolable, and hath in teftimonie thereof(by me fent you a worthie prefent, vid. two large peeces of copper, fiue firings of white and blew beades, fiue wodden combes, ten fifh-hookes and a paire of kniues,all which I deliue- red him, one thing after another,that he might haue time to view each particular: He willed me alfo to certifie you, that when you pleafed to fend men, he would giue you a great grinding ftone : my meflage and gift hitherto pleafed him, I proceeded thus. The bruite of the exquefite perfection of your yongeft daughter,being famous through all your territories, hath come to the hearing of your Brother Sir Tho- mas Dale, who for this purpofe hath addrefled me hi- ther eft ate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 41 ther, to intreate you by that brotherly friendfhip you make profeflion of, to permit herewith me)to returne vnto him, partly for the defire which himfelfe hath,and partly forthe defire her fitter hath to fee her of whom, if fame hath not bin prodigal], as like en- ough it hath not, your brother (by your fauour) would gladly make his neereft companion, wife and bedfellow (many times he would haue interrupted my fpeech, which I intreated him to heare out, and then if he pleafed to returne me anfwere)and the rea- fon hereof is, becaufe being now friendly and firmely vnited together, and made one people (as he fuppo- feth and beleeuesjin the band of loue.he would make a naturall vnion betweene vs , principally becaufe himfelfe hath taken refolution to dwel in your coun- try fo long as he liueth, and would therefore not on- ly haue the firmed afiurance hee may, of perpetuall friendship from you, but alfo hereby binde himfelfe thereunto. When I had thus made an end of fpeaking; the foo- ner by his often interruption, I had no neede to re- quire his anfwere; which readily, and with no lefle grauity he returned thus. I gladly accept your Kings falute of loue & peace, which while I Hue I fhall exaftly, both myfelfe and fubiefts maintaine and conferue: his pledges thereof I receiue with no lefle thankes, albeit they are not fo ample ; howbeit himfelfe a greater JVeroance, as formerly Captaine Newport, whom I very well loue, was accuftomed to gratefie me with. But to the pur- pofe.my daughter whom my brother defireth, I fould within thefe few daies to be wife to a great Weroance for two bufhels of Roanoake(a fmall kinde of beades) made of oyfterfhels, which they vfe and pafle one to another, as we doe money (a cubites length valuing fixe pence)and it is true fhe is already gone with him, G three 42 A Relation of the prefent three daies iorney from me. I replied that I knew his greatneffe and power to be fuch, that if he pleafed heerein to gratifie his Brother hee might, re- ftoring the Roanoake without the imputation of In- iuftice, take home his daughter againe, the rather becaufe fhe was not full twelue yeeres old.and there- fore not marriageable : alluring him befide the band of peace, fo much the firmer he fhould haue treble the prife of his daughter, in beades, Copper, Hatch- ets and many other things more vfefull for him? his anfwere hereunto was, that he loued his daughter as deere as his owne life,and though he had many Chil- dren, he delighted in none fo much as in her, whom if he fhould not often beholde,he could not poflibly liue, which fhe liuing with vs he knew he could not, hauing with himfelfe refolued vpon no termes what- foeuer to put himfelfe into our hands, or come a- mongft vs,and therefore intreated me to vrge that fuite no further, but returne his brother this anfwer. I defire no firmer afTurance of his friendfhip, then his promife which he hath already made vnto mee; from me,he hatha pledge,one of my daughters, which fo long as fhe Hues fhall be fufficient, when fhe dieth he fhall haue another childe of mine, but fhe yet liu- eth : I holde it not a brotherly part of your King, to defire to bereaue me of two of my children at once; further giue him to vnderftand, that if he had no pledge at all he fhould not neede to diflruft any iniu- rie from me, or any vnder my fubiecfion, there haue bin too many of his and my men killed, and by my occafion there fhall neuer bee more, I which haue power to performe it, haue faid it : no not though I fhould haue iuft occafion offered, for I am now olde, and would gladly end my daies in peace, fo as if the Englifh offer me iniury,my country is large enough, I will remoue my felfe farther from you. Thus much ejl ate of Virginia 1614. 43 I hope will fatisfie my brother. Now becaufe your felues are wearie, and I fleepie, we will thus end the difcourfe of this bufinefle. Then called he one of his men and willed him to get fome bread for vs, him- felfe the meane while telling vs that they not expecl- ing our comming,as vfually they doe eate vp all their other victuals, prefently the bread was brought in two great wodden bouls,the quantity of a bufliel fod breade made vp round, of the bignefle of a tenife ball, whereof we eate fome few, and difpofed the reft to manv of his hungrie guarde which attended about vs:when we had eaten he caufed to be fetched a great glafle of facke, fome three quarts or better, which Captain Newport had giuen him fixe or feauen yeeres fince, carefully preferued by him, not much aboue a pint in all this time fpent, and gaue each of vs in a great oifter fhell fome three fpoonefuls ; and fo giu- ing order to one of his people to appoint vs a houfe to lodge in,tooke his leaue for that night,and we de- parted. We had not bin halfe an houre in the houfe before the fleas began fo to torment vs that wee could not reft there, but went forth, and vnder a broadeoake,vpon a mat repofed our felues that night no fooner were we awakt and vp in the morning,but Powhatan himfelfe came to vs, and asked vs how we fared,and immediately led vs to his houfe, where was prouided for our breakefaft a great bole of Indian peafe and beanes boyled together,and as much bread as might haue fufficed a dofen hungry men, about an houer after boyled frefti fifh, and not long after that roafted Ovfters, Creuifes and Crabbes : his men in this time being abroade a hunting fome venifon, others Turkeis and fuch like beafts and foule as their woods affbrde, who returned before ten of the clocke with three does and a bucke, very good and fat venifon, and two great cocke Turkeis, all which G 2 were 44 -A Relation of the prefent were drefled that day,and (upper ended,fcarce a bone to be feene. Whiles I yet remained there, by a great chaunce came an Englifhman thither,almoft three yeeres be- fore that time furprifed, as he was at worke neere Fort Henrie,one. William Parker growen fo like both in complexion and habite to the Indians, that I onely knew him by his tongue to be an Englifhman, he feemed very ioyfull fo happily to meete me there.Of him when we often inquired, the Indians euer tolde vs that he fell ficke and died, which till nowwebe- leeued: he intreated me to vfe my beft indeuours to procure his returne, which thing I was purpofed fo foone as I knew him, and immediately went with him to Powhatan, and tolde him that we credibly belee- ued that he was dead, but fince it was otherwife I muft needes haue him home, for my felfe of neceffi- tie muft acquaint his brother that I had feene him there:who if he returned not, would make another voyage thither purpofely for him: Powhatan feemed very much difcontent, and thus replied. You haue one of my daughters with you, and I am therewith well content, but you can no fooner fee or know of any Englifh mans being with me, but you muft haue him away, or elfe breake peace and friendfhip: If you muft needes hauehim,he fhal goe with you, but I will fend no guides along with you,fo as if any ill be- fall you by the way,thanke your felues. I anfwered, that rather then I would goe without him, I would goe alone, the way I knew well enough, and other daungers I feared not, fince ifl returned not fafely,he muft expect our reuenge vpon him and his people, giuing him further to know, that his brother our king might haue iuft occafion to diftruft his loue to him, by his flight refpedt of me, if he returned mee home without guides. He replied not hereunto,but in ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 45 in paftion and difcontentment from me, not till fup- pertime fpeaking any more vnto me : when fending for me, he gaue me mare of fuch cates as were for himfelfe prouided, and as good afpect and counte- nance as before ; but not a word concerning my re- turne, till himfelfe at midnight comming to me,and the boy where we lay awaked vs, and tolde me that Pepqfchechar and another of his men, in the morning mould accompany vs home, earneftly requeuing me to remember his brother to fend him thefe parti- culars. Ten peeces of Copper, a fhauing knife, an iron frow to cleaue bordes,a grinding (lone, not fo bigge but four or fiue men may carry it,which would be bigge enough for his vfe, two bone combes, fuch as Captaine Newport had giuen him; the wodden ones his own men can make:an hundred fifh-hookes or if he could fpare it, rather a fiming faine,and a cat, and a dogge,with which things if his brother would furnifh him, he would requite his loue with the re- turne of skinnes: wherewith he was now altogether vnfurnifhed (as he tolde me) which yet I knew hee was well ftored with, but his difpofition miftruft- full and ielous loues, to be on the furer hand. Whe he had deliuered this his meflage,he asked me if I will remembred euery paticular, which I muft re- peat to him for his afTurance,& yet frill doubtful that I might forget any of them, he bade me write them downe in fuch a Table book as he fhewed me,which was a very fair one, I defired him, it being of no vfe to him, to giue it mee : but he tolde me, it did him much good to fhew it to ftrangers which came vnto him:fo in mine owne Table booke, I wrot downe each particular,and he departed. In the morning,himfelfe and wee were timely flirring to be gone : to breakefaft firft we went, with a good boyled Turkie, which ended, he gaue vs a G 3 whole 46 A Relation of the prefent whole Turkie, befides that we left,and three baskets of bread to carry vs home, and when we were ready to depart, hee gaue each of vs an excellent Bucks skin, very well drefled, and white as fnow, and fent his fonne and daughter each of them one, demaun- ding if I well remembred his anfwer to his brother, which I repeated to him : I hope (faid he) this will giue him good fatisfaftion, if it doe not I will goe three daies iourny farther from him, and neuer fee Engli/h man more: ifvpon any other occafion hee fend to meagain,Iwil gladly entertain his meffengers and to my powre accomplish his iuft requefts : and euen thus himfelfe conducting vs to the water fide, he tooke leaue of vs,and we of him: and about ten of the clock the next night after, we were come to the Bermudas. This difcourfe I haue briefely as I could, and as the matter would permit , the rather related, to make knowne, how charie Powhatan is ,of the conferuation of peace, a thing much defired,and I doubt not right welcom newes, to the vndertakers heer) as may appeare by his an- fweres to my requefts, and alfo by my fafe paffage thither, & homwards, without the left fhew of iniury offred vnto vs, though diuers times by the way,many ftragling Indians met vs, which in former times, would gladly haue taken fo faire occafion to worke their mifchiefe and bloody defignes vpon vs. By all which, as likewife by our forward progreffion in our affaires, I hope fuch good fucceffe and benefit to bee fpeedily reaped, that my felfe, though I bleffe GOD for it, who hath fo prouided for me, that I may Hue more happily heere, then many who are fearefull to aduenture thither ) could euen willingly make a third voyage thither if by my poore endeauours the bufineffe might receiue the leaft furtherance. God, (I hope) will raife vp meanes beyond mans imagina- tion, ejiate of Virginia 1 6 1 4. 47 tion, to perfect his owne glory and honour, in the conuerfion of thofe people, of whom vndoubtedly, (as in all other parts in the world, he hath predeftina- ted fome to eternall faluation. and blefTed (hall thofe be that are the inftruments thereof) I hope this poor Narration will moue euery honeft heart, to put his helping hand thereunto. For my part,as I haue been fiue yeers a perfonall workeman in that building,fo mail I euer,as my meanes may permit me, be ready to offer my mite towards the furnifhing of others, and againe(if need require) perfonally labor therein. To the Reader. t Mfiggggtf Here be two properties ejpecially remarke- able, which Jliould moue all men earneft- ly and conftantly, with all their meanes and endeuour , to defire the atcheiuing of any thing, and bringing of the Jame vnto perfetlion-.firft the worth and excellencie: fecondly the durablenejfe and continuance thereof. For as that thing which is not durable, by reafon of fragili- tie and fugacitie,is not vfually efteemed of men, though it be excellent : fo that likewife which is not precious, is worthely little regarded, though it be neuerfo durable. Now the Virginian plantation hath both thefe notable properties, if at the leaf we will,and impeach them not our felues; for what is more excellent, more precious and more glorious, then to conuert a heathen Nation from worfliipping the diuell, to the failing knowledge, and true worjliip of God in Chrift Iefus ? what more praife wor- thy and charitable, then to bring a fauage people from barbarifme vnto ciuillitie? what more honourable vnto our countrey,then to reduce a far re difioyned forraigne nation,vnder the due obedience of our dread Soueraigne the Kings Maieftie ? what more conuenient then to haue good feat es abroadefor our euer flowing multitudes of people at home ? what more profitable then to pur- chafe great wealth, which moflt now adaies gape after ouer-greedily ? All which benefits are ajfuredly to bee had and obtained by well and plentifully upholding of the plantation in Virginia. And for the durableneffe of all thefe To the Reader. 49 theje great and fingular blejjings, there can {by Gods afiiftance) be no doubt at all made, if men's hearts vnto whom God hatb lent abilitie) were but inlarged cheer e- fully to aduenture and fend good companies of honeft in- duftrious men thither with a mind to inlargeChrifts king- dome : for then will God affuredly maintaine his owne caufe. But alas, as there was neuer yet any atlion fo good, fo honourable, fo glorious, Jo pious and Jo profita- ble, but hath had checkes and dijcouragements, both by open enemies abroade,and intejline aduerjaries at home with in it owne bowels : euenjo may I truely Jay, hath this moft glorious, moft honourable, moft pious and moft profitable enterprije had. For as of old,wben Zerubba- bell,Ezra and Nehemia returned from Babell, by al- lowance of the king o/"Perfia to Ierufalem, and began to repair e the walles thereof and to rejlore Gods feruice, there wanted not a Sanballat and others /o/«j:what doe these weake Iewes ? will they fortifie themfelues ? will they Jacrifice? will they finijh it in a day? Noe, for although they builde,yet if a fox goe vp, he mall e- uen breake downe that ftony wall, Euenjo deale ma- ny Sanballates and T obiahes Jorraigne and domejlicall enemies of this moft religious worke : yea there be many who will notfeeme enemies thereunto, but yet will nei- ther Jurther the bufinejje themjelues, no not according to their owne ingagements which in conscience and cre- dit e they ought) nor quietly Juffer others that otherwife wold,but dif courage them therein all they mayjomjaying as Iudah once did.The ftrength of the bearers is weak- ned, and there is much earth,fo as we are not able to builde the wall. Somjaying with the vnfaithfull Spies, fent forth tofearch the land of Canaan: The land wee went through to fearch it out,is a land that eateth vp the inhabitants thereof, for all the people we faw in it are ftrong,and men of great ftature: yea andfome 0- thersfay, there is much already expended, and yet no H profit 50 To the Reader. profit arifeth, neither is there victuals to be had, for the preferring of life andfoule together. But oh my deere countrie-men,be notfofarre bewitched herewith as to be ftill difcouraged thereat for thofe that bring a vildeflan- der vpon this atlion,may die by a plague before the Lord, as thofe men did: but rather remembring your auncient worth, renowne, valour and bounty, harken vnto Caleb and Iofua, who filled the peoples mourning: faying, Let vs goe vp at once and poflefTe it, for vndoubtedly we (hall ouercome it;jy^/ not fo much now by force of amies as the Ifraelites did then by warrant from God (nor by vtterly dejlroying of them, as Jome haue cruelly done fince) as by gentlenefie, hue, amity and Religion. As for profit it /hall come abundantly, if we can with the huf- band-man,but freely cafl our come into the ground, and with patience waitefor a bleffing. And of vicluals, there is now no complaint at all,and that which was hapnedby the meere lafie negligence of our owne people. Now to the end that you may the better perceiue thefe things to be true,& be thereby the more animated cheer e- fully to goe forward in the vpholding of this holy worke, I will no longer detaine you from the per uf all offome Ca- lebs and lotuahsfaithfull reports (writ there inlune laft this prefent yeere 1614. andfent hither by the laft Jhippe that came thence (for further incouragement to put here- unto fpeedily^ 'plentifully your helping hands with a I ala- crity: As for the that are able, & yet wil not further but indaunger the vtter ruining of this fo glorious a caufe (by their miferableneffe (being without hue and charitie) to the great difionour of God, and our Countries perpetuall fliameflioulditnowfinke, and fall to the ground : I leaue them to him that made them, to difpofe of them according to his infinite wifdome. Andfo come to the letters them- felues : thefirft andchiefeft whereof is from Sir Thomas Dale, Marfnall and Gouernour of Virginia, vnto a Minifter of London. To 5 1 To the R. and my moft efteemed friend M r . D. M. at his houfe at F. Ch. in London. Right Reuerend S r . by S T . Thomas Gates 1 ivrot vnto you, offuch occafions as then pre- sented themfelues, and now again by this worthy Gentleman Captaine Argall I fa lute you -.for fuch is the reuerend regard I haue of you, as I can- not omit any occa/ion to expres thejincere affection I beare you. You haue euer giuen me encouragements toperfeuer in this religious Warhre,vntillyour lajl Letters; not for that you are now lejfe well off e tied thereunto : but becaufe you fee the Action to bee in danger by many of their non performances who vn- der tooke the bufineffe. I haue vndertaken,and haue as faith fully, & with all my might indeauored the pro fecution with all allacrity, as God that knoweth the heart, can beare me record,what recompence,or what rewards, by whom,or when I know not where to ex- pect; but from him in wbofe vineyard / labor, whofe Church with greedy appetite I defire to erecl. My glorious majler is gone, that would haue ennamelled with his fauours the labours I undertake, for Gods caufe,#W his immortall honour. He was the great Captaine of our Ifraell, the hope to have builded up this heauenly new Ierufalem he interred(I think) the whole frame of this bufineffe, fell into his graue : for mojl mens forward {at leaf feeming Jo) defires are quenched, and Yivgmiiijlands in defperate hazard. H 2 Tou 52 A Relation of the prefent You there doe your duties, I will no way omit mine, the time I promifed to labour, is expired: it is not a yoke of Oxen hath drawn me from this feaji : it is not the marriage of a wifemaks me hajl home, though that fall at giue an appetite to caufe me returne. But I haue more care of the Stock, then tofet it vpon a die, and rather put myfelfe to the curtejie of noble & worthy cenfures then ruine this worke; and haue a iury (nay a million) of foule mouthed detra£lers,fcan vpon my endeauours, the ends whereof they cannot diue into. Toujhall briefely vnderjland, what hath betide Jince my lajl, and how we nowjland, and are likely to grow to perfection, if we be not altogeather neglecled, my fay grounded vpon fuch reafon, as had I now returned, it would haue hazarded the ruine of all. Sir Thomas Gates hauing imbarqued himfelfe for England, I put my J elf e into Captaine Argalls flip, with a hundred and 'Jifty men in my frigot,and other boats went into Pamaunkie riuer, where Pow- hatan hath his rejidence, and can in two or three dales, draw a thoujand men togeather,with me I car- ried his daughter, who had been long prifoner with vs,it was a day or two before we heard of them: At length they demaunded why we came; I gauefor an- fwere that I came to bring him his daughter, conditio- nally he would (as had been agreed vpon for her ran- fome) render all the amies, took s,j words, and men that hadrunne away, and giue me a flip full of come, for the wrong he had done vnto vs : if they would doe this,we would befriends, if?iot burne all. They de- maun- eftate of Virginia 1614 53 mounded time to fend to their King; I affented, I taking,they receiuing two pledges, to carrie my mef- fage to Powhatan. All night my two men lay not far from the water fide, about noon the next day they told them the great King was three dales iourmy off, that Opochankano was hard by, to whom they would haue had them deli iter their meffage, faying, that what he agreed vpon and did, the great King would confirme. This Opocankano is brother to Powhatan, and is his and their chiefe Captaine : and one that can as foone{if not fooner)as Powha- tan commaund the men. But my men refufed to doe my meffage vnto any faue Powhatan, fo they were brought back,and Ifent theirs to the in, they touldme that they would fetch Simons to me, who hud thrice plaid the runnagate,whofe lies andvillany much kin- dred our trade for come : But they delayed vs,fo as •we went affore they pot at vs, we were not behinde hand with t hem, killed fome, hurt others, marc bed in- to the land, burnt their houfes,tooke their come, and quartered all night aftore. The next day we went further vp the riuer,they dogged vs and called to know whither we went; wee anJwered,to bume all, if they would not doe as we de- maunded, and had been agreed vpon. They would they f aid, bring all the next dayfo wee forbare all hojlility, went ajhore, their men in good numbers camming amongji vs. but we were very cautious, & food to our arms. The Kings daughter we/it affore, but would not talke to any of them fcarce to them of of the bejl fort, and to them onely, that if her father had 54 A Relation of the prefent had loued her, he would not value her lejfe then olde fwords,peeces,or axes: wherefore floe would Jlil dwel with the Engliflj men, who loued her. At lafi came one from Powhatan, who tould vs,that Simons was run away, to Nonfowhaticond,w/>/^ was a truth, as afterwards appeared, but that the other Englifh man was dead,that proued a lie :forfnce,M'\ Ha- mov, whom I employed to Powhatan brought him to mee,our peecesfwords,and tooles wit bin fifteen dales, fljould be fent to lames towne, withfome come, and that his daughter fljould be my childe,andeuer dwell with mee, defiring to be euer friends, and named fuch of his people, and neighbour Kings, as he defired to be included, and haue the benefit of the peace, pro- mijing if any of our men came to him, without leaue from me, he would fend them back : and that if any of his men Jlole from vs, or killed our cattelfe would fend them to vs to bee puniflxd as we thought ft. With thefe conditions we returned, and within the time limited, part of our Arms were fent, and 20. men with corne, and promifed more, which he hath alfofent. Opachankano defired I would call him friend, and that he might call me fo, frying he was a great Captaine^zW did alwaies fight: that Iwas alfo a great Captaine, and therefore he loued mee ; and that my friends fliould be his friends. Sot he bar- gain was made, and euery eight or ten daies, I had mejfages and prefent s from him, with many appa- rances that he much def ret h to continue friendflfppe. Now may you iudge Sir, if the God of battailes haue not a helping hand in this , that hauing our fwords, eftate of Virginia. 1614. 55 /words drawn,killing their men,burning their hou- fes,and taking their come: yet they tendred vs peace, and ft Hue with all allacrity to keep vs in good opptnt- on of them; by which many benefits arije vnto vs. Firfi ,part oj our Armesftifgracefully loft long agoe, (kept by the Sauages as Monuments and Tro- phie§ of 'our Jhames) redeliueredjbme repairetoour honor. Our catleto increafe, without danger of deft ray- ing, our men at liberty, to hunt freely for venijon, to fill, to doe any thing elfe, or goe any whither, without danger-, to follow the husbanding of their comefe- curely, whereof we haue aboue fiue hundred Acres fet,and God be praifedjn more for war dne ft e, then a- ny of the Indians, that Ihauefeene,or heard oft this yeere, roots, and hear bs we haue in abundance; all doubt of want is by Gods blefting quite vanijhed, and much 'plenty expecled. And which is not the leafi materialise may by this peace, come to dijcouer the countrey better, both by our own trauells, and by the relation of the Sauages,^ we grow in familiarity with them. Powhatans daughter I caufed to be carefully tn- ftruBed in Chriftian Religion, who after Jhee had madefome good progreffe therein, renounced pMck- ly her countrey Idolatry, openly con feffed her Chnfti- anfaith, was, as Jhe dcjired, baptijed, and is ftnce married to an Englijli Gentleman of good ' vnderftan- dinglas by his letter vnto me containing the reajons for his marriage of her you may perceiue) an other 'knot to binde this peace the ftronger. #<>r Father, W friends gaue approbation to it, and her Vncle gaue 56 A Relation of the prefent her to him in the Church :Jl:e hues ciuilly and louing- ly with him, and Itrujl will increafe in goodnejfe, as the knowledge of God increafeth in her. She will goe into England with me, and were it but thegayningqf this one Joule, I will ' thinke my time, toile, and prefent flay well f pent. Since this accident the Gouernours and people of Checkahomanies, who arefiue hundred bow-men, and better, a flout and warlike Nation, haue made meanes to haue vs come vnto them, and conclude a peace, where all the Gouernourswouldmeetemc.They hauing thus three orfoure times importuned mee, I re/'olued to goe; fo taking Captain Argall, with fifty men in myfrigot, and barge I went thither: Cap- taine Argall with forty men landed, I kept aboord forfome reafons. Vpon the meeting they tould Cap- tain Argall they had longed to be friends, that they had 7io K\ng,but eight great men, who gouernd them. He tould them that we came to be friends, asked them if they would haue King lames to be their King, & whether they would be his men? They after fiom con- ference between themflues, feemed willing of both, demaunding if we would fight againfi their enemies, he tould them that if any did them iniurie, theyjhould fend me word,and I would agree them, or if their ad- uerfaries would not, then I would let them haue as many men as they would to help them: they liked well of that, and tould him that all their men jlmdd helpe vs. All this being agreed vpon, C. Argall gaue euery Councellor a Tamahawk, and a peece of Copper, which was kindly taken;they requefied further, that if their eftate of Virginia 1614. 57 their boats jhould happen to meet with our boats, and that they /aid they were the Chikahominy Englishmen, and King lames his men, we would let thempafe: we agreed vnto it Jo that they pronounced them fe lues En- glish men, and King lames his men, promi/ing within ^fifteen daies to come into lames town to fee me, and con- clude theefe conditions; euery bowman being to giue me as a Tribute to King lames two meafures of Come euery haruejl,the two meafures contayning two bujhells and a half e, and I to giue euery bowman a J mall Tamahawke and to euerv Counieller a fuit of red cloath, which did much pleafe them. This people neuer acknowledged any King, before ; no nor euer would acknowledge Powhatan/iV their King,ajlout people they be,anda de- licate feat they haue. Now Sir you fee our conditions, you, and al worthy men may iudge, whether it i-could not be a grief e tojee thefe /aire hopes frojlbitten and thefe frejb budding plants to wither? wbkh bad I returnedjjadajfuredfy followed: for beer is no one that the people would haue to gouern them, hut my felfe : for I had now come away, had I not found a generall dejire in the beji fort to returnefor England: letter vpon letter, requejl vpon requeffrom their fr: to returne,fo as I knew not vpon whom to eonferre care of this bufmcs in my abfence. whom I thought fitte was generally dijlafed, ' fo as feeing the eminent enjuing danger, Jhould I haue left this multitude, not yet fully refi- ned J am refined to fay till haruejl begot in, ana I fettle things according to my foorevnderfiandmgfndre- tume: if in the interim there come no author if ed Go- uernour from England. I Confi- 58 A Relation of the prefent Cofifider I pray youfince things be brought to this pajfe as you fee, and that I Jljould haue come away, if then through their factions, humors, mutinies, or indifcreti- 071 of the Chiefes I had left b e hind, t hi s fliould fall to ru- ine : I thenjhould receiue the imputation ; I incurre the blame, for quitting the Plantation, although I might doe it, both with my honour, my promifedjlay of time being expired, and hauing warrant from my Soueraigne, the Kings Maiefty : but the precedent reafons mouedme and that this aclion of fuch price ,fuch excellency , and affured profit to fnine own knowledge Jhou Id not die to t he f come of our Nation, andtogiue caufe of laughter to the Papijls that defiire our ruine. lean a fur e you, no count rey of the world afifoordes more affured hopes ofinfinit riches, which both by mine own peoples difcouery,& the relation of fuch Szuages,whofe fidelity we haue often found affureth me. Oh why Jhouldfo many Princes , and noble men ingage themfelues and t her by intermedling herein, haue caujed a number offoules tranfport themfelues, and be tranf por- ted hither'? whyjloould they {I fay) relinquijh t his fo glo- rious an Action : for if their ends bee to build God a Church, they ought to perfeuer: if othewife, yet their honour ingageth them to be confiant . Howfoeuer they /land afiecled, heer is enough to content them, let their ends be either for God, or Mammon. Thtfe things haue animated me to flay for a little feafon, to leaue thofe, I am tied in conjeience to returne vnto, to leaue the ajjhred benefits of my other fortunes the fweete fociety of my friends, and acquaintance, with all mundall delight es , and refide heer with much turmoile,- which I will confiantly doe, rather then fee Gods glorie diminijhed, my King and Coun trey eftate of Virginia 16 14. 59 trey difionoured,and thefe poore people, Ihaue the charge of ruined. And fo 1 befeechyou to anfwere or me, if you hear erne taxed for my Jlaying,asfome may iuftly do,and that thefe are my chief e motiues God I take to witneffe. Remember me, and the c a life Ihaue in hand, in your daily meditations,and reckon me in the number ofthofethat doefncerely hue you and yours, and will euer rejl in all offices of a friend, to doe youferuice. From lames towne in Virginia the 18 of Iune, 16 14. Thomas Dale. To my verie deere and louing Cofen M. G. Minijier of the B. F. in London. Sir the Colony here is much better. Sir Thomas D al e our religious and valiant Geuernour,hath now brought that to pajfe, -which neuer before could be effecled. For by warre vpon our enemies, and kinde vfage of our friends, he hath brought them tofeekefor peace ofvs, which is made, and they dare not breake. But that which is beJl,one Poca- huntas or Matoa the daughter of Powhatan, is married to an bonejl and difcreete Englijh Gentle- man Maijler Rolfe, and that after Jhe had openly I 2 renoun- 60 A Relation of the prefent renounced her countrey Idolatry, confeffed the faith of Iefus Chrijl,and was baptifed; which thing Sir Thomas Dale had laboured along time to ground in her. Tet not with/landing, are the vertuous deeds of this worthy Knight, much debafed,by the letters which fome wicked men haue written from hence, and efpecially by one C. L. If you heare any condemne this noble Knight, or doe fear e to come hit her, for thofe Jla under ous letters, youmayvpon my word bouldly reproue them. Tou know that no malefactors can abide the face of the Iudge, but themfelues f corning to be reproued, doe profecute wit hall hatred; all thofe that labour their amend- ment. I maruaile much that any men of hone/life, fjouldfeare thefwordofthe magi/irate, which is vnfieathed onely in their defence. Sir Thomas Dale (vith whom I am) is a man of great knowledge in Diumity ,and of a good confcience in all his doings : both which bee rare inamartiallman. Euery Sabbath day wee preach in the forenoone, a?td Chatechize in the after- noone. Euery Saturday at night Iexercife in Sir Thomas Dales houfe. Our Church affaires bee confuted on by the Minijler, and foure of the mojl religious men. Once euery moneth wee haue a Communion, and once ayeer afolemn Faft For me, though my promis of ^yeersferuice to my country be expired, yet I will abide in my vocation heere eftate of Virginia. 1614. 61 here vntill I be lawfully called from hence. Andfo betaking vs all vnto the tnercies of God in Chrijl Iefus, 1 rejlfor euer. Virginia Iune 18. 1614. Vour moft deere and louing cofen Alex.Whitakers. The coppie of the Gentle-mans letters to Sir 'Thomas Dale, that after maried Powha- tans daughter, containing the reafons mou- ing him thereunto. Honourable Sir, and moft worthy Gquernor; whenyour leafure Jhallbefl ferue you toper- nfe thefe lines, Itrujl in God, the beginning will ?iotftrikeyou into a greater admiration, then the end will giue you good content. It is a matter of no ftnall moment, concerning my own particular which here I impart vnto you, and which toucheth mee fo/ieerely,asthetendernefeofmyfa\uation. H w- beit 1 freely fubiecl tnyfelfe to your graue and ma- ture iudgement, deliberation, approbation and de- termination ; affuring tnyfelfe of your zealous ad- monitions, and godly comforts, either perfwading me to deJift,or incouraging me to perjift therin,wit b a religiousfeare and godly careforwhich (from t he very inftant,that this began to roote it J elf e, with- in thefecret bofome of my breft) my daily andear- neft praiers haue bin,ftill are,and euerjljall be pro- 1 3 due 62 To the Reader. ed forthwith, asfincere, a godly z,e ale, as Ipqfjiblely may to be directed, aided and gouerned in all my thoughts, words and deedes,to the glory of God, and for my eternal confolation. To perfeuere where in I neuer had more neede, nor [till now) could euer im- agine to haue bin moued with the like occajion. But (my cafe fan ding as it doth) what better worldly refuge can Iherefeeke,then tojhelter my felfe vnder the fifty of your fauourable protection? And did not my eafe proceede from an vnfpotted confcience,! Jhouldnot dare to offer to your view and aprroued iudgement,theje pajjions of my trou- bledfoulejo full of fare and trembling is hypocrife anddiffmulation. But knowing my owneinnocency & godly feruor, in the whole proj edition hereof, I doubt not of your benigne acceptance, and clement conJlruBion. As for malicious deprauers,& turbu- l'-t /pirits,to whom nothing is tajtful, but what plea- feth their vnfauory pa Hat, 1 pafe not for them being well affured in my perfwajion [by the often trial I and pr ouing of my J elf e, in my holiejl 7n edit at ions and praiers) that lam called hereunto bythefpirit of God; and it Jhall be fuffcient for me to be pro- tected by your felfe in all vertuous and pious inde- uours. And for my more happie proceeding herein, my daily oblations Jhall euer be addrefedto bring to pa/fe fo good effects, that your felfe, and all the world may truely fay:This is the worke of God, and it is maruelous in our eies. But to auoide tedious preambles, and to come fieerer eftate of Virginia 1614. 63 neerer the matter : firjlfuffer me with your pat- ence,tofweepe and make cleane the way wherein I walkefrom allfufpicions and doubts, which may be couered therein, and faithfully to reueale vnto you,what fiould moue me hereunto. Let therefore this my well aduifed protejlation, which here I make betweene God and my own con- fcience, be a fuffcient witnefse, at the dreadfull day ofiugdement(when thefecret of all mens harts Jhallbe opened) to condemne me herein, if my chie- fejl intent and pur pofe be not, tojlriue with all my power of body and minde, in the undertaking of fo might ie a matter, no way led (fofarre forth as mans weakeneffe may permit) with the vnbr idled deftre of car nail affection : but for the good of this plantation, for the honour of our countrie,for the glory of God, for my ownefaluation,andfor the con - uerting to the true knowledge of God and Iefus Chriji,an vnbeleeuingcreature, namely Pokahun - tas. To whom my hartie and bejl thoughts are, and haue a long time binfo int angled, and int bra lied in fo intricate a labor int h, that 1 was euen awearied to vnwinde myfelfe thereout. But almighty God, who neuer faileth his, that truely inuocate his holy name hath opened the gate, and led me by the hand that Imightplainelyfee and dij c erne t he fafe paths wherein to treade. To you therefore {moft noble Sir) the patron and Father ofvs in this countrey doe Ivtter the effects of this myfetled and long continued affection [which 64 A Relation of the prefent which hath made a ?nightie war re in my meditati- ons)andhere I doe truely relate, to what ijfue this dangerous combat e is come vnto, wherein I heme not onely examined, but throughly tried and pared my thoughts euen to the quicke,befor I could Jinde any Jit wholefome and apt applications to curefo daungerous an vlcer. Ineuerfailedto offer my dai- ly and faitbfull praiers to God, for his f acred and holy affijiance. I forgot not to Jet before mine eies the frailty ofmankinde, his prone s to euilljris in- dulgencie of wicked thoughts, with many other imperfecJions wherein man is daily infnared, and oftentimes ouerthrowne, and them compared to my prefent ejlate. Nor was I ignorant of the heauie dijpleafure which almightie God concerned againft thefonnes o/Xeu ie and Ifrael/ir marryingjlrange wiues,norofthe inconueniences which may there- by arife, with other the like good motions which made me looke about warily and with good circum- fpeclionjntothe grounds and ' principallagitatwns, which thus Jhould prouoke me to be in hue with one whofe education hath bin rude, her manners barbarous, her generation accurfed,andfo difcre- pant in all nurtriture from myfelfe,that oftentimes withfeare and trembling, I baue ended my priuate controuerfie with this: fur ely thefe are wicked in- flations, hatched by him whofeeketh anddelight- eth in mans dejlruclion; andfo with feruent prai- ers to be euerpreferuedfromfuch diabolical afsaults {as Itooke thofe to be) Ihaue taken fome rejl. Thus eftate of Virginia 1614. 65 Thus when I had thought I had obtained my peace and quietnejfe, beholde another, but more gracious tent at ion hath made breaches into my ho- liejl andjlrongejl meditations ; with which I haue bin put to a new triall, in ajlraigbter manner then the former : for bejides the many pajjions andfujfe- rings which I haue daily, hour ely, yea and in my Jleepe indured, euen awaking mee to ajlonijhment, taxing mee with remifnejfe,and carelefnefse, refu- Jing and neglecting to performe the duteie of a good Chrijiian, pulling me by the eare,and crying:why dojl not thou indeuour to make her a Chrijiian? And thefe haue happened to my greater wonder , euen when fie hath binfurthejlfeperatedfrom me, which in common reafon (were it not an vndoubted ' worke ofGod{ might breedeforgetfulnejfe of a far re more wort hie creature. Bejides, I Jay the holy fpir it of God hath often demaundedofme, why I was cre- ated? If not for tranjitorypleafures and worldly '■canities, but to labour in the Lords vineyard,there tofow and plant, to nourijh andincreafe thefruites thereof, daily adding with the good husband in the Gofpell, fomewhat to the tallent, that in the end thefruites may be reaped,to the comfort of the la- borer in this life,and his faluation in the world to come? And if this be, as vndoubtedly this is, the feruice Iefus Chrijlrequirethofhis bejlferuantvwo vnto him that hath thefe injlruments of pietie put into his hands,and wilfully defpifeth to worke with them. Like wife, adding hereunto her great appa- K ranee 66 A Relation of the prefent ranee of hue to me, her dejire to be taught andin- flrucled in the knowledge of God, her capable- neffe of vndejianding, her aptneffe and willing- nejfe to receiue anie good impre]Jion,and alfo the Jpiritual/,be/ides her owne incitements fir ring me vp hereunto. Whatjhouldl doe? foal 1 1 be offo vn toward a dif poftion,as to refufe to leade the blind into the right way? Shall I be Jo vnnaturall,as tiot togiue bread to the hungrie} or vncharitable,as not to couer the naked} Shall Idefpife to ail u ate thefe pious due- ties of a Chrifiant Shall the bafe feare of dij- pleafng the world, ouerpower and with holde mee from reuealing vnto man thefe fpirituall workes of the Lord, which in my meditations and praters, I haue daily made knowne vnto him? God for bid, I affuredly truft hee hath thus delt with me for my eternallfelicitie, and for his glo- rie:and I hope Jo to be guided by his heauenlygraice, that in the end by myfaithfull paines, and chrijli- anlike labour, I Jhall attaine to that bleffed pro- mije, Pronounced by that holy Prophet Daniell vnto the righteous that bring many vnto the know- ledge of God. Namely, that they jliall jhine like the far res foreuer and eur. Afweeter comfort cannot be to a true ChriJlian,nor a greater incou- ragement for him to labour all the dales of his life, in the performance thereof, nor a greater gaine of conjblation, to be defred.at the bower oj death, and in the day of iudgement. Againe L.ofC. eftate of Virginia 1 614 67 Againe by my reading, and conference with ho- nefi and religious perfons, haue I receiued no/mall encouragement, befides ferena mea confcientia, the cleereneffe of my confcience, clean from the filth of impurity, quae eft inftar muri ahenei, which is vnto me, as a brafen wall. If I Jhouldfet down at large, the perturbations & godly motions, which haue fir iuen within mee , I Jhould but make a tedious & vnnecejj'ary volume. But I doubt not thefejliall be fujficient both to certifie you of my tru intents, in difcharging of my dutie to God, & to your felfe, to wiwfe gracious prouidence I humbly fub- mit my felfe, for his glory, your honour, our Coun- treys good, the benefit of this Plantation, and for the conuerting of one vnregenerate, to regenerati- on; which I befeech God to graunt, for his deere Sonne Chrifilefus his fake. Now if the vulgar fort, whofquare all mens ac- tions by the bafe rule of their own jilt hineffe,fii all taxe or taunt me in this my godly labour : let them know,it is not any hungry appetite, to gorge my felfe with incontinency;fure (if I would, and were fofenfually inclined) 1 might fat isfie fuch defire, though not without a feared confcience, yet with Chrifiians more pleafing to the eie, and leffe feare- full in the offence vnlawfully committed. Nor am I info defperate an efiate, that I regard not what becommeth of mee; nor am lout of hope but one day to fee my Country, norfo void of friends, nor mean in birth, but there to obtain a mach to my great con- K 2 tent 68 A Relation of the prefent tent : nor haue I ignorant ly pajfed ouer my hopes there ,or regardlejly feek to loofe the loue of my friends, by taking this courfe : I know them all,and haue not rafoly ouerfipped any. Butjhal it pleafe God thus to difpofe of meiwhich I earnejlly dejire to full fill my ends before fette down) I will heartely accept of it as a godly taxe appointed me, and I will neuer ceafe,(God afjifting me) vntill I haue accompUfloed, & brought to per- fection fo holy a worke,in which I will daily pray God to bleffe me, to mine,and her eternall happines. And thus defiring no longer to Hue, to emoy the blefjings of God, then this my refolution doth tend to fuch godly ends, as are by me before declared: not doubting of your fauour able acceptance, I take my leaue, befeeching Almighty God to raine downe vpon you, fuch plenitude of his he auenly graces, as your heart can wijh and deJire,andfo I reft, At your commaund moft willing to be difpofed off lohn Rolfe. Virginia therefore {landing now in fuch a goodly proportion , and faire forward- neffe of thriuing, as it was neuer yet hitherto feen in, fince it began to be nrft planted : can- not but foone come to perfection, to the ex- ceeding great comfort of all well affected Chriftians, eftate of Virginia. 1614. 69 Chriftians, and no fmall profit of the planters, and aduenturers : if it be well feconded and fupplyed, with a good number of able men : Wherefore, let none bee heerafter vnwilling all they may to further this moft honourable Adlion, and be forward to vphold and fup- port it from falling, by their fpeech, and coun- tenance, and freely aduenturing thither, both in their perfons, & alfo by their purfes, as God hath inabled them. To conclude, as Azariah fayd once to King Azah,Iuda, and Beniaminfo fay I vnto all. Bee yee Jirong t href ore, and let not your hands be weake: for your ivorkejliall haue a reward. And as the holy Apoftle faid to the Corinthians, Be yee therefore Jiedfaji, vnmoue- able, abundant alwaies in the vvorkes of the Lord, for as much as ye know your labour is not in vaine in the Lord;let vs not therefore bee wea- rie of Welldoing : for in due feafon, wee Jliall reape, if wee faint not as the Apoftle tolde the Galatians. Farewell. FINIS. Errata. Oag. 5. line 3 3. hir. p. 10. I.96 Opichmkam. p. 15. I.14 Weroance. p. 17. 1. 22. manure, p. 17, 1. 34. next to vs, read Co as if. p. 18. 1.4. halfe. p. 18.I. 8. as. p. 18. 1. 12. purpofed. p. II. 1. 16. diuers. p. 21. 1. 27 Saine. p. 22. 1.21. after doth read, not. p. 23. 1. 13, leaue out, he. p. 24. 1. 16, cure. p. 27. 1. 24. bring, p: 31, 1. 2. read immediatelie after by name, Coxendale: and after the word, called, read, Hope in and. p. 21. 1. 25, Somer. p. 42. 1. 24. luring, p. 45. 1. 1. read, after difcontentment, went. p. 46. 1. II. meiTengers. p. 47, 1. 1 1 perfonally "'- !!