A true discourse of the present estate of Virginia and the successe of the affaires there till the 18 of Iune. 1614. Together with a relation of the seuerall English townes and forts, the assured hopes of that countrie and the peace concluded with the Indians. The christening of Powhatans daughter and her mariage with an English-man. Written by Raphe Hamor the yonger, late secretarie in that colony.

A TRVE DISCOVRSE of the present estate of Virginia, and the successe of the affaires there till the 18 of Iune. 1614.

THe many publications and impressions of Vir∣ginia, an imployment wherein to this day my selfe with many other vnstaid heads & thirstie after new designes, haue bin to vnprofitably in∣gaged, might iustly ex∣cuse my silence, did not the filiall duty whereby in all things to the vtmost of my power I am bound to obey my Father, compell me vnwillingly thereun∣to: A taske I know by himselfe and others, meerely because I haue bin Oculatus testis, thus imposed vpon me, in the vndertaking and performance whereof, I hartily wish that my poore relation, rich onely in truth (as I shall cleerely iustifie my selfe by cie witnes∣ses also) may giue any credit or incouragement to proceede in a businesse so full of honour, and worth, whereunto (if there were no secondary causes) the al∣ready publisht ends, I meane the glory of God in the

conuersion of those Infidels, and the honour of our King and country (which by right may claime at the least their superfluities, from those whom God hath in this world made his dispensors and purse-bearers) might be a sufficient spurre to resolued Christians, es∣pecially the state and condition of our collonie, so standing when I left it, and I assure my selfe in this time growne more mature, that an honest hart would euen relent, and mourne to thinke how poorely, I dare not say vnworthily it is prosecuted. It being true that now after fiue yeeres intestine warre with the reuengefull implacable Indians, a firme peace (not a∣gaine easily 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 subtill old reuengefull Pow∣hatan and all the people vnder his subiection, for all whom Powhatan himselfe stands firmely ingaged, by which meanes we shall not onely be furnished with what commodities their countrie yeeldeth, and haue all the helpes they may afforde vsin our indeuours (as they are easily taught, and may by lenitie and faire v∣sage, as Sir Thomas Dale now principall commander there, and most worthy the honour he houlds, is well experienced in their dispositions, and accordingly makes vse of them) be brought, being naturally though ingenious, yet idlely giuē, to be no lesse indu∣strious, nay to exceede our English, especially those which we hitherto and as yet are furnished with, who for the most part no more sensible then beasts, would rather starue in idlenesse (witnesse their former pro∣ceedings) then feast in labour, did not the law com∣pell them thereunto, but also which will be most for our benefit, our owne men may without hazard, I might say with security (by selfe-experience) follow their feuerall labours, whereby twentie shall now

bee able to performe more then heretofore hath bin fortie.

Though I coniecture and assure my selfe 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 hono•••• of Captain Argol whose indeuours in the action inti∣tuled him most worthy, I iudge it no whit impertinēt in my discourse to insert them, which w••th as much breuity as I may, not omitting the circumstances most pertinent and materiall, I shall indeuour.

The general letters vpon my knowledge, directed and sent to the honourable Virginia Councell, being most of them (though my selfe most vnworthy) by me penned haue intimated, how that the euerworthy gentlemā Capt. Árga•••• in the heate of our home furies & disagreements by his best experience of the disposi∣tiō of those people, partly by gentle vsage & partly by the composition & mixture of threats hath euer kept faire & friendly quarter with our neighbours borde∣ring onother riuers of affinity, yea consanguinity, no lesse neere then brothers to Rowhatan, such is his well knowne temper and discretion, yea to this passe hath he brought them, that they assuredly trust vpon what he promiseth, and are as carefull in performing their mutuall promises, as though they contended to make that Maxim, that there is no faith to be held with Infidels, a meere and absurd Paradox: Nay as I haue heard himselfe relate, who is fide dignus, they haue e∣uen bin pens••ue and discontented with themselues, be∣cause they knew not how to doe him some accepta∣ble good turne, which might not onely pleasure him, but euen be profitable to our whole Collonie, and Plantation, yea euer assuring him that when the times should present occasion, they would take hold of her forelocke, and be the instruments to worke him con∣tent,

and euen thus they proued themselues as honest performers, as liberall promisers. It chaunced Pow∣hatans delight and da••ling, his daughter Pocahuntas, (whose fame hath euen bin spred in England by the title of Nonparella of Virginia) in her princely pro∣gresse, if I may so terme it, tooke some pleasure (in the absence of Captaine Argall (to be among her friends at Pataomecke (as it seemeth by the relation I had) im∣ploied thither, as shopkeepers to a Fare, to exchange some of her fathers commodities for theirs, where re∣siding some three months or longer, it fortuned vp∣on occasion either of promise or profit, Captaine Ar∣gall to arriue there, whom Pocahuntas, desirous to renue hir familiaritie with the English, and delight∣ing to see them, as vnknowne, fearefull perhaps to be surprised, would gladly visit, as she did, of whom no sooner had Captaine Argall intelligence, but he delt with an old friend, and adopted brother of his Iapa∣zeus, how and by what meanes he might procure hir captiue, assuring him, that now or neuer, was the time to pleasure him, if he entended indeede that loue which he had made profession of, that in ransome of hi•• he might redeeme some of our English men and armes, now in the poss••ssion of her Father, promising to vse her withall faire, and gentle entr••ary: Iapazeus well assured that his brother, as he p••omised would vse her curteously promised his best indeuours and secresie to accomplish his desire, and thus wrought it, making his wife an instrument (which sex haue euer bin most powerfull in beguiling intice∣ments) to effect his plot which hee had thus laid, he agreed that himselfe, his wife, and Pocahuntas, would accompanie his brother to the water side, whether come, his w••••e should faire a great and longing desire to goe aboorde, and see the shippe, which being there three or foure times, be∣fore

she had neuer seene, and should bee earnest with her husband to permit her: he seemed angry with her, making as he pretended so vnnecessary a re∣quest, especially being without the company of wo∣men, which deniall she taking vnkindely, must faine to weepe, (as who knows not that women can com∣mand teares) whereupon her husband seeming to pitty those counterfeit teares, gaue her leaue to goe aboord, so that it would please Pochahuntas to ac∣company her: now was the greatest labour to win her, guilty perhaps of her fathers wrongs, though not knowne as she supposed to goe with her, yet by her earnest perswasions, she a••••••nted: so forth with aboord they went, the best cheere that could be made was seasonably prouided, to supper they went, merry on all hands, especially Iapazeus and his wife, who to expres their ioy, would ere be treading vpō Capt. Ar∣gals foot, as who sh••••ld say tis don, she is your own. Supper ended, Pochahuntas was lodged in the Gun∣ners roome, but Iapazeus and his wife desired to haue some conference with their brother, which was one∣ly to acquaint him by what ••ratagem they had be∣traied his prisoner, as I haue already related: after which discourse to sleepe they went, Pochahuntas nothing mistrusting this policy, who neuertheles be∣ing most possessed with feare, and desire of returne, was first vp, and hastened Iapazeus to be gon, Capt. Argall hauing secretly well rewarded him, with a small Copp••r kettle, and som ••th••r les valuable toies so highly by him esteemed, that doubtlesse he would haue betraied his owne father for them, permit∣ted both him and his wife to returne, but told him, that for diuers considerations, as for that his father had then eigh of our English men, many swords, pee∣ces, and other tooles, which he had at seuerall times by trecherons murdering our men, taken from them,

which though of no vse to him, he would not redeliuer, he would reserue Pocahuntas, whereat she began to be•• exceeding pensiue, and discontented, yet ignorant o the dealing of Iapazeus, who in outward appearance was no les discontented that he should be the meanes of her captiuity, much a doe there was to perswade her to be patient, which with extraordinary curteous vsage, by little and little was wrought in her, and so to Iames towne she was brought, a messenger to her father forthwith dispached to aduertise him, that his only daughter was in the hands & possession of the English: ther to be kept til such time as he would ran∣som her with our men, swords, peeces, & other tools treacherously taken from vs: the news was vnwel∣come, and troublesom vnto him, partly for the loue he bare to his daughter, and partly for the loue he bare to our men his prisoners, of whom though with vs they were vnapt for any imployment) he made great vse: and those swords, and peeces of ours, (which though of no vse to him) it delighted him to view, and looke vpon.

He could not without long aduise & delibertion with his Councell, resolue vpon any thing, and it is true, we heard nothing of him till three moneths af∣ter, by perswasions of others he returned vs seauen of our men, with each of them a Musket vnseruiceable, and by them sent vs word, that whensoeuer wee pleased to deliuer his daughter, he would giue vs in satisfaction of his iniuries done to vs, and for the rest of our peeces broken and stolne from him, 500 Bushells of Corne•• and be for euer friends with vs, the men, and Peeces in part of payment we recei∣ued: and returned him answere, that his daughter was very well, and kindely intreated, and so should be howsoeuer he dealt with vs: but we could not be∣leeue that the rest of our Arms were either lost, or stolne from him, and therefore till he returned them all, we would not by any meanes deliuer his daugh∣ter,

and then it should be at his choice, whether he would establish peace, or continue enemies with vs. This answere as it seemed, pleased him not very wel, for we heard no more from him till in March last, when with Captaine Argalls Shippe, and some other Vessells belonging to the Colony, Sir Thomas Dale with an hundred and fifty men well appointed, went vp into his owne Riuer, where his chiefest habitati∣ons were, and carried with vs his daughter, either to moue them to fight for her, if such were their cou∣rage and boldnesse, as hath been reported, or to re∣store the residue of our demands, which were our peeces, swords, tooles. Some of the same men which he returned (as they promised) ran to him again, and because he had put vs to the trouble to fetch them fiue hundred bushels of Corne: A great brauado all the way as we went vp the Riuer they made, demaun∣ding the cause of our comming thither, which wee tould them was to deliuer Pocahuntas, whom pur∣posely we had brought with vs, and to receiue our Armes, men, & corn, or else to fight with them, burn their howses, take away their Canoas, breake downe their fishing Weares, and doe, them what other da∣mages we could: Some of them to set 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 safeties) then proceed, bragging, as well they might, that wee had euer had the worst of them in that Riuer, instancing by Capt: Ratliefe (not worthy remembring, but to his dishonor) who, with most of his company they betrayed and murthered: we told them since they durst remember vs of that mischief, vnlesse they made the better and more speedy agree∣ment, we would now reuenge that trechery, and with this discourse by the way as we went, we proceeded,

and had no sooner entred the narrow of the riuer, the channell there lying within shot of the shoare, but they let their arrowes flie amongst vs in the shippe, themselues vnseene to vs, and in the forehead hurt one of our men, whic•• might haue hazarded his life without the present helpe of a skilfull Chirur∣gion.

Being thus iustly prouoked, we presently manned our boates, went ashoare, and burned in that verie place some forty houses, and of the things we found therein, made freeboote and pillage, and as them∣selues afterward confest vnto vs, hurt and killed fiue or sixe of their men, with this reuenge sa••••sfying our selues, for that their presumption in shooting at vs, and so the next day proceeded higher vp the Riuer, the Indians calling vnto vs, and demaunding why we went a shoare, burnt their houses, 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 punish where wrongs shold be offered, which hauing now don, though not so seuerely as we might, we rested content therewith and are ready to imbrace peace with them if they pleased, Many excuses they seemed to pretend, that they shot not a•• vs, but (if any such abuse were offe∣red) it was some stragled Indian, ignorant of our pre∣tence in comming to them, affirming that they them∣selues would be right glad of our loue, and would in∣deauour to helpe vs to what we came for, which be∣ing in the possession of Powhatan their King, they would without delay dispatch messengers to him, to know his purpose and pleasure, desiring faire quarter some 24 howers, for so long they pretended it would be before their messengers might returne: this wee

graunted, and what we promised, we euer exactly per∣formed, the time now come, we inquired what Pow∣hatan would doe, and had for answere, that our En∣glishmen lately with him, fearefull to be put to death by vs, were runne away, and some of Powhatans men sent abroade in quest of them, but our swords and peeces so many as he had should 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 chiefest residencie Powhatan had, at a towne called Matchcot where were assembled (which we saw) about 400 men, well appointed with their bowes and arrowes to welcome vs, here they dared vs to come a shoare, a thing which we purposed before, so a shoare we went, our best landing being vp a high steepe hill which might haue giuen the enemy much aduantage against vs, but it seemed they as we were vnwilling to begin, and yet would gladly haue bin at blowes, being landed as if they had no shew of feare, they stirred not from vs, but walked vp and downe, by and amongst vs, the best of them inquiring for our Weroance or king, with whom they would gladly consult to know the occasion of our comming thither, wherof when they were informed, they made answere that they were there ready to defend themselues, if we pleased to as∣sault them, desiring neuerthelesse some small time to dispatch two or three men once more to their king, to know his resolution, which if not answerable to our requests, in the morning if nothing else but blood would then satisfie 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∣uisions, neuerthelesse we agreed to this their request, assuring them till the next day by noone we would not molest, hurt, nor detaine any of them, and then

before we fought, our Drum and Trumpets should gi••e them warning: vpon which promise of ours, two of Powhatans sonnes being very desirous to see their sister who was there pr••s••nt ashore with vs, came vn∣to vs, at the sight of ••hom, and her well fare, whom they suspected to be worse intreated, though they had often h••ard the contrary, they much reioyced, and promised ••hat they would vndoubtedly perswade their father ••o redeeme her, and to conclude a firme peace foreuer with vs, and vpon this resolution the two brothers with vs retired aboarde, we hauing first dispatched two Englishmen, Ma••ster Iohn Rolfe and maister Sparkes to acquaint their Father with the bu∣sinesse in hand, the next day being kindly intreated, they returned, not at all admitted Powhatans pre∣se••ce, but spake with his brother Apachamo, his suc∣cessor, one who hath already the commaund of all the people, who likewise promised vs his best indeauors to further our iust requests, and we because the time of the yeere being then Aprill, called vs to our busi∣nesse at home to prepare ground, and set corne for our winters prouision, vpon these termes departed, giuing them respite t••ll haruest to resolue what was best for them to doe, with this Prouiso, that if finall agreement were not made betwixt vs before that time, we would thith••r returne againe and destroy and take away all their corne, burne all the houses vpon that ri••er, leaue no•• asish••ng Weere standing, nor a Canoa in any c••eeke therabout, and destroy and kill as many of them as we coul••.

Long before t••is time a gentleman of approued b••hauiour and hon••st cariage, maister Iohn R••lfe had bin in loue with Pocahuntas and ••he with him, which thing at the instant that we were in parlee with them, my selfe made known to Sir Thomas Dal•• by a letter from him, whereby he intreated his aduise and fur∣therance

in his loue, if so it seemed fit to him ••or the good of the Plantation, and Pocahuntas her selfe, ac∣quainted her brethren therewith: which resolution Sir Thomas Da••e wel approuing, was the onely cau••e: hee was so milde amongst them, who otherwise would not haue departed their riuer without other conditions.

The bruite of this pretended marriage came soone to Powhatans knowledge, a thing acceptable to him, as appeared by his sudd••n consent thereunto, who some t••n daies after ••ent an ol••e vncle of hirs, named Opachisco, to giue her as his deputy in the Church, and two of his sonnes to see the mariage solemnized, which was accordingly done about the fist of Aprill, and euer since we haue had friendly commerce and trade, not onely with Powhatan himselfe, but also with his subiects round about vs; so as now I see no reason why the Coll••nie should not thriue a pace.

Besides this loue by this meanes with Powhatan concluded, it will be worth my pa••nes to tunouer our friendship with our next neighbours, the Chicohomi∣n••es late••y confirmed, a lustie and daring people, who haue long time liued free from Powhatans subiection, hauing law••s and gouernors within themselues: these people hearing of our concluded peace with Powha∣tan, as the no••se thereof was soone bruted abroade, sent two of their men vnto vs, and two fat Bucks for present to our king (for so Sir Thomas Dale is gene∣rally reputed and termed amongst them) and offe••ed themselues and seruice vnto him, alleadging that al∣beit in former times they had bin our en••mies, and we theirs, yet they would now if we pleased become not onely our trustie friends, but euen King IAMES his subiects and tributari••s, and relinquish their old name of Ch••cohominies, and ••ake vpon them, as they call vs the name of Tossantessa••, and because they h••••e

no principall commander or Wer••ance, they would intreate Sir Thomas Dale as King IAMES his de∣putie to be their supreame head, King and gouernor, and in all iust causes and quarrels to defend them, as they would be ready at all times to aide him, onely their desire was to inioy their owne lawes and liber∣ties, and because himselfe, by reason of his many o∣ther imployments, beside the charge he hath of his owne people, may not be alwaies present amongst them, to be gouerned as formerly by eight of the el∣ders and principall men amongst them, as his substi∣tutes and councellers, and euen this was the summe and effect of their embassie, Sir Thomas Dale appoin∣ted a day to send some men into their riuer, to pro∣pose certaine conditions vnto them, whereunto if they assented he would gladly accept of their proffe∣red friendship, and be himselfe their Weroance: and with this answere offering them copper for their venison, which they refused to take, dismissed them.

When the appointed day came, Sir Thomas Dale himselfe and Captaine Argall with 50 men in a barge and frigot, well appointed, least any trecherie might be intended, set forward to Chicohominie, an arme of our riuer some seauen miles from Iames Town, where we found the people according to promise expecting our comming, assembled and met together, who after their best and most friendly manner, bad vs welcome, and because our businesse at home would permit vs but small time of stay with them, they presently sent for their principal men, some of whom were then ab∣sent, whi••h hastned vnto vs, & the next morning very early assembled, and sat in counsell about this busi∣nesse, Captaine Argall (supplying Sir Thomas Dales place amongst them, who though there present for some respects, concealed himselfe, and kept aboarde his barge) after long discourse of their former pro∣ceedings,

Captaine Argall tould them, that now since they had intreated peace and promised their loue and friendship, hee was sent vnto them from the great Weroance to conclude the same, all former iniuries on both sides, set apart and forgotten, which he would doe vpon these conditions.

First that they should take vpon them, as they pro∣mised, the name of Tassant••sses or English men, and be King IAMES his subiects, and be foreuer honest, faithfull and trustie vnto his deputie in their coun∣trie.

Secondly, that they should neuer kill any of our men or cattell, but if either our men or cattle should offend them or runne to them, they should bring them home again, and should receiue ••atisfaction for the trespasse done them.

Thirdly, they should at all times be ready and wil∣ling to furnish vs with three or foure hundred bow∣men to aide vs against the Spaniards, whose name is odious amongst them, for Powhatans father was dri∣uen by them from the west-Indies into those parts, or against any other Indians which should, contrary to the established peace of••er vs any iniurie.

Fourthly, they shall not vpon any occasion what∣soeuer breake downe any of our pales, or come into any of our Townes or forts by any other w••ies, issues or ports then ordinary, but first call, and say the Tos∣santessas are there, and so comming they shall at all times be let in, and kindely entertained.

Fifthly, so many fighting men as they haue which may be at the least fiue hundred should yeerely bring into our store house, at the beginning of their ••aruest two bu••hels of corne a man, as tribute of their obe∣dience to his Maiestie, and to his deputy there, for which they should receiue so many Iron Tomahawkes or small hatchets.

Lastly, the eight chiefe men which gouerne as substitutes and Councellors vnder Sir Thomas Dale, shall at all times see these Articles and conditions du∣ly performed for which they shall receiue a red coat, or liue••y from ou•• Ki••g yeere••y, and each of them th•• pi••ture of his Maiesty, ingrauen iu Copper, wi••h •• chaine of Copper to hang it about his necke, whe••by they shall be knowne to be King IAMES his noble Men; so as if these conditions, or any of them be bro∣ken, the offenders themselues shall not one••y be pu∣nished, but also those Co••maundets, because they stand ingaged ••or them.

After these Arti••les were thus proposed, the whole assembly assenting thereunto, answered with a great sho••t, and noise, that they would readily and willing∣ly performe them all •• and immediat••ly began the chiefe of the eight to make an oration to the rest, ben∣ding his speech first to the old men, then to the yong men, and in conclusion to the women and children, giuing them thereby to vnderstand the summe of the proposed conditions: and how strictly they were to obserue them: in consideration whereof, he further declared what wee haue promised to doe for them, not onely ••o defend and keepe them from the fury & danger of Powhatan, which thing they most feared, but euen from all other enemies, domesticke, or for∣raigne, and that we would yeerely by trade furnish them with Copper, Beades, Hatchets, and many other necessaries, yea, which liked them best, that we would permit them to enioy their owne liberties, freedoms, and lawes, and to be gouerned as formerly, by eight of their chiefest men.

It shall not be vnnecessarie to insert the occasion (as we im••gine) of this their much desired, vnexpec∣ted friendship, which was questionlesse some sodaine feare of Powhatans displeasure, being vnited with vs,

••ow able to reuenge their disobedience done vnto him: for you must imagine, these people presuming vpon their owne strength and number (in no one place in those parts, which we know, so many togea∣ther) to haue a long time neglected Powhatan, and refused, (which the place hath▪ been formerly accu∣tomed, and as his right may chal••enge the homage and duty of subiects, which they ought to haue per∣formed: to which obedience, fearing our power might compell them, they chose rather to subiect themselues to vs, then being enemies to both, to ex∣pose & lay themselues open to Powhat••ns tiranny, & oppression: for this they did chiefely insist vpon, that he was an ill Weroaules, full of cruelty, and minstice, couetous of those things they had, and implacable if they denyed him whatsoeuer he demaunded, and f••r these reasons, desired to be made one people wi••h vs, to curbe the pride and ambition of Powhatan, from whom to def••nd them (they tould vs it would be no breach of peace on our parts since now they were no longer Chicohomimes, or Naturalls, of that place, but Tossantessars, and King IAMES his sub∣iects, whom we are bound to defend.

So soone as there was an end of speaking, and the peace firmely concluded, and assented vnto, Captaine Argall by the gui••t of eight great peeces of Copper, and eight gr••at Tomahawkes, bound the eight gr••at me••, or Councellors to the exact performance, and keeping of t••e same, according to the conditions proclaimed, which they very gla••ly and thankefully acc••pted, and returned him, as testimonies of their loues, Venison, Turkies, Freshfish, baskets, Mats, and such like things as they were then furnished with, and so the Councell brooke vp▪ and t••en eue••y man brought to sell to our men Skinnes, boules, ma••s bas∣kets, tobacco, &c. and became as familiar amongs••

vs, as if they had been English men iudeede.

Thus haue I briefely as the matter would permit, discoursed our es••ablished friendship with the Natu∣ralls, and the occasions thereof, which I hope will continue so long betweene vs, till they shall haue the vnderstanding to acknowledge how much they are bound to God for sending vs amongst them (then which) what worke would be more acceptable to God, more honourable to our King and country?

The greatest, and many enemies and disturbers of our proceedings, and that which hath hitherto de∣terd our people to addresse themselues into those parts, haue been onely two; emnity with the Natu∣ralls, and the bruit of famine: one of these two (and that indeede, which was some cause of the other) I haue already remoued, and shall as easily take away the other: howbeit it were too great folly (I might say impudency in me) to auer that there hath raig∣ned no such in••ection in the Colony, occasioned, meerly by misgouernment, idlenesse, and faction, and chiefely by the absence ofthe euer worthy Com∣maunders, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Sum∣mers by the prouidence of God, miraculously wract and saued vpon the hopefull Sumer Islands, since my selfe cannot but witnesse (of which I had some tast) in what a miserable condition, we found the Colo∣ny at our ariuall there, from the Bermudas, not liuing aboue threescore persons therein, and those scarce a∣ble to goe alone, of welnigh six hundred, not full ten moneths before: yet now I dare and will boldly af∣firme to the greatest aduersary of the Plantation, that shall auer the contrary, that there is that plenty of foode, which euery man by his owne industry may easily, & doth procure that the poorest there, & most in want, hath not bin so much pinched with hunger this 4 yeers that if he would take any pains, he knew

not wher to fetch a good meales meate: and true it is, that euery day by the prouidence, and blessing of God, and their owne industry, they haue more plen∣ty then other, the reason hereof is at hand, for former∣ly, when our people were fedde out of the common store and laboured iointly in the manuring of the ground, and planting corne, glad was that man that could slippe from his labour, nay the most honest of them in a generall businesse, would not take so much faithfull and true paines, in a weeke, as now he will doe in a day, neither cared they for the increase, pre∣suming that howsoeuer their haruest prospered, the generall store must maintain them, by which meanes we reaped not so much corne from the labours of 30 men, as three m••n haue done for themselues: to preuent which mischiefe heerafter Sir Thomas Dale hath taken a new course, throughout the whole Co∣lony, by which meanes, the generall store (appar∣rell onely excepted) shall not be charged with any thing: and this it is, he hath allotted to euery man in the Colony, three English 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 seruice or labor belonging to the Colony, more then one moneth in the yeere, which shall neither be in seede time, or in Haruest, for which, doeing no o∣ther duty to the Colony, they are yeerly to pay into the store two barrells and a halfe of Corne: there to be reserued to keep new men, which shall be sent o∣uer, the first yeere after their arriuall: and euen by this meanes I dare say, our store will be bountifully furnished, to maintain three or foure hundred men, whensoeuer they shall be sent thither to vs, that mo∣ny which hitherto hath bin disbursed, to prouide a tweluemoneths•• victualls, if there were but now

halfe so much bestowed in clothes, and bedding, will be such comfort to the men, a•• euen thereby the liues of many shall not onely be preserued, but also them∣selues kept in strength and heart, able to per••••••me such businesses, as shall be imposed vpon them•• and thus shall also the former charge b•• well saued, and yet more businesse effected, the action renowned and more commodity returned to the Merchant, and ye•• saint for want of encou••agement.

Concerning the vndertaking of the Bermuda Cit∣ty, a businesse of greatest hope, euer begunne in our Territories there, their Pattent, which I purpose in this Treatise to insert, doth apparantly demonst••ate, vpon what termes and conditions they voluntarily haue vndertaken that imployment, how forward that businesse is, in his due place shall bee expressed, onely giue me leaue with as much breuity as I may, least any man should diuert his minde, and be feare∣full to aduenture his person thither, for feare of fa∣mine and penury, to amplifie a little the plenty there, for if it be true, as most eertaine it is, that those whom I haue described 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 businesse of the Colony, and but one to prouide thems••lues victualls, why should any man (if he be industrious) mistrust staruing? if o∣therwise, for any part, and I thinke all that are inga∣ged in the Action, and vnderstand the businesse, ac∣cord with me heerein, and would not wish his com∣pany there, nay they shall much wrong themselues, and the Action, if they doe not withstand such, and deny them passage: for euen they and none else haue been the occasions of the manifould imputations, & disgraces, which Virginia hath innocently vndergon, through their defaults: I would therefore by these

relations not onely encourage honest and industri∣ous: but also deterre all lasie, impotent, and ill liuers from, addressing themseues thither, as being a Coun∣try too worthy for them, and altogeather disconso∣nant to their natures, which must either brooke la∣bour or hazard, and vndergoe much displeasure, pu∣nishment, and penury, if they escape a thing which few idlers haue don, the scuruy dis••ase, with which few, or none once infected, haue recouered.

To proceed therefore in my incouragement to painefull people, such as either through crosses in this world, or wract rents, or else grea•• charge of children and family lieu heer, and that not without much care and sweat, in••o extreame pouerty: for those this Countrey hath present remedy: Eucrie such person, so wel•• disposed to aduenture thither, shal soon find the difference between their own, and that Country. The affaires in the Colony, being so well ordered, and the hardest taskes already ouer∣past, that whosoeuer (now, or heerafter) shall happi∣ly arriue there, shall find•• a hansome howse of some foure roomes or more, if he haue a family, to repose himselfe in rent freee, and twelue English Acres of ground, adioyning thereunto, very strongly impai∣led, which ground is onely allotted vnto him for Roots, Gardaine hearbs, and Corne: neither shall hee need to prouide himselfe, as were wont the first plan∣tersi, of a yeers prouision of victualls, for that the store there will bee able to affoord him, & vpon these conditions he shall be entertained; He shall haue for himselfe & family, a competent•• 1•• months prouision deliuered vnto him, in which time it must bee his care to prouide for himselfe and family euer after, as those already there, to this end he shall be furnished with necessary tooles of all sorts, and for his better subsistance he shall haue Poultry, and swine, and if

he deserue it, a Goate or two, perhaps a Cow giuen him, which once compast, how happily he may liue, as doe many there, who I am sure will neuer returne, I submit to their own future well experienced iudge∣ments.

Now, least any man should yet rest discouraged because as yet no mention is made of any other pro∣uision of victualls, saue onely of bread corne, whih graunt, it may with labour be competently procu∣red, will affoord but a bare, and miserable liuing, I thinke there is no man so ignorant to conceiue, that such a main continent as is Virginia, boundlesse, for ought we haue discouered, and so goodly Riuers, no where else to be parralled, should be more barraine of Cattell, Fish, and Foule, then other Lands, assured∣ly they are not: for true it is, that the Land is stored with plenty and variety of wilde beasts, Lions, Bears, Decre of all sorts, (onely differing from ours in their increase, hauing vsuall, three or foure Fawnes at a time, none that I haue seen or heard off vnder two: the reason whereof som of our people ascribe to the vertue of some grasse or hearb which they eate, be∣cause our Goats often times bring foorth three, and most 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 increase were not, the Naturalls would assuredly starue: f••r of the Deere (they kill as doe wee Bee••es in England) all the yeer long, neither sparing yong nor olde, no not the Does readie to fawne, nor the yong fawnes, if but two daies ould) Beauers, Otters, Foxes, Racounes, almost as big as a Fox, as good meat as a lamb, hares, wild Cats, muske rats, Squirills flying, and other of three or foure sorts, Apossumes, of the bignesse and likenesse of a Pigge, of a moneth ould, a beast of as strange as incredible nature, she hath commonly sea∣uen

yong ones, sometimes more and sometimes lesse which at her pleasure till they be a moneth olde or more she taketh vp into her belly; and putteth forth a∣gaine without hurt to her selfe or them.

Of each of these beasts, the Lion excepted, my selfe haue many times eaten, and can testifie that they are not onely tastefull, but also wholesome and nourishing foode.

There are ••oule of diuers sorts, Eagles, wilde Turkeis much bigger then our English, Cranes, Herons white and ••usset, Hawkes, wilde Pigeons (in winter beyond number or imagination, my selfe haue seene three or foure houres together flockes in the aire, so thicke that euen they haue shaddowed the skie from vs) Turckie Bussards, Partridge, Suipes, Owles, Swans, Geese, Brants, Ducke and Mallard, Droeis, Shel Drakes Cormorants, Teale, Widgeon, Curlewes, Puits, besides other small birds, as Blacke-birde, hedge sparrowes, Oxeies, wood peckers, and in winter about Christmas many flockes of Parakertoths.

For fish the Riuers are plentifully stored, with Stur∣gion, Porpasse, Base, Rockfish, Carpe, Shad, Herring, Ele, Catfish, Perch Flat-fish, Troute, Sheepes-head, Drum∣mers, Iarfish, Creuises, Crabbes, Oisters and diuerse o∣ther kindes, of all which my selfe haue seene great quantity taken, especially the last summer at Smiths Island, at one hale, a frigots lading of Sturgion, Base and other great fish in Captaine Argals Sauie: and e∣uen at that very place which is not aboue fifteene miles from Pointeomfort, if we had been furnished with salt, to haue saued it, wee might haue taken as much fish as would haue serued vs that whole yeere.

Nor are these prouicion of bread, flesh and fish, al we haue for sustentation of mans life, behold more change and variety of foode, which our soile and cli∣mate affordeth, Carrats, Parsneps, Turneps, Raddish,

Pumpions (of the west Indie kinde in great abundance, of one seede I haue seen an hundreth, much better then ours and lasting all the yeere) Cabbadge, Parsley, all manner of pothearbs and other hearbes, Marge∣r••••, Time, wi••ter-Sauory, Lettice Purslaine, &c, and besides the naturall graine of that Country, as wheate pease and beanes, it did me much good to view our English wheate how forward it was, full eard, of one graine fortie cares or more, a span long, and onely wanting ripening in mid Iune our English pease then ripe, and beanes very forward, and English barly ve∣ry hopefull, such as mine e••es neuer beheld, better in England: And if that soile bring forth these things (as can those which haue bin there with me affirme and witnesse) as plentifull and vnchangeable for taste and quantity as England or any other country, why shold any man that hath his limbes, in a peaceable state as is that, so much as dreame of staruing?

To goe yet a little further, I my selfe know no one Country yeelding without art or industry so manie fruites, sure I am England doth: wilde grapes in abun∣dance al the woods ouer, their iuice sweete and plea∣sant in taste, 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 next re∣turne will aduertise: Cherries little inferior to ours, which if replanted may prooue as much better as now they are worse Pissmienplums in bygnes and fa∣shion like a Medlar of a flipticke quality, other sorts of plummes like to our wheat plums, and in goodnes answerable: great fields and woods abounding with Strawberies much fairer and more sweete then ours, Mulberries of great bignesse, and about the Bermuda Cittie and Hundirds thereunto belonging great store thereof, Maricocks of the fashion of a Lemmon whose

blossome may admit comparison with our most de∣light some and bewtifull flowers, and the fruite ex∣ceeding pleasant and tast•••••••••• Ches••••it-trees towards the fals as many as oakes, and as fertile, many goodly groues of Chincomen trees with a huske like vnto a Chesnut, raw or hoyled, luscious and harty meate: Walnuts of three or four sorts, where o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might be yeerely made great quantity of oyl••s, as vsefull and good as that of Oliues: some filberds I haue seene, Crabbes great store, lesse, but not so sower as ours, which grafted with the Siens of English•• aple trees, without question 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 Iames town, many forward apple & peare trees come vp, of the kernels set the yeere before.

If all this be not sufficient, loe further incourage∣ment, the collony is already furnished with two hun∣dred neate cattell, as many goates, infinite hogges in heards all ouer the woods, besides those to euerie towne belonging in generall, and euery priuate man, some Mares, Horses & Colts, Poultry great store, be∣sides tame Turkeis, Peacockes and Pigeons plentiful∣ly increasing 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 compast, we shall in short time be able to repay Eng∣land the corne they haue lent vs.

If I knew yet any further impediments which might seeme to giue discouragement to aduenture thither, I should as easily remoue them.

Obiect that pleaseth the want of cloathes, so long as there are wilde beasts there, and the beasts haue skinnes on their backes (if the necessity were such) why should not we as doe the naturals, cloath our

selues therewith, it is no worse then our fore-fathers haue worne before vs, and such as will saue vs from the colde in winter, and heate in summer: but admit there▪ were no skinnes or being there, our people disdaine to weare them. If there be any man that hath beene so ill an husband here that he cannot furnish himselfe with a yeeres prouision of appar∣rell; if I might counsell he should not be suffered to goe thither, for that country is not for him, as for others who can prouide apparrell for the first yeere, I holde him a worse husband then the former, that shall at any time after be worse cloathed then he went ouer: the valuable commoditie of Tobacco of such esteeme in England (if there were nothing else) which euery man may plant, and with the least part of his labour, tend and care will returne him both cloathes and other necessaries. For the goodnesse whereof, answerable to west-Indie Trinidado or Cra∣eus (admit there hath no such bin returned) let no man doubt. Into the discourse wherof, since I am obuiously entred, I may not forget the gentleman, worthie of much commendations, which first tooke the pains to to make triall thereof, his name M^r Iohn Rolfe, Anno Domini 1612. partly for the loue he hath a long time borne vnto it, and partly to raise commodity to the aduenturers, in whose behalfe I witnesse and vouch∣safe to holde my testimony in beleef••, that during the time of his aboade there, which draweth neere vpon sixe 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 Rowhatans daughter, one of rude e∣ducation, manners barbarousand cursed generation, meerely for the good and honour of the Plantation: And least any man should conceiue that some sinister respects allured him hereunto, I haue made bold con∣trary

to his knowledge in the end of my treatise to insert the true coppie of his letter, written to Sir Tho∣mas Dale to acquaint him with his proceedings, and purpose therein, the rather to giue testimony to the misconstruing and ill censuring multitude of his in∣tegritie, in the vndertaking a matter of so great a con∣sequent, who in my hearing haue not spared to speak their pleasures; his owne letter hits them home, and the better sort, who know to censure iudiciously can∣not but highly commend and approue so worthy an vndertaking.

Thus farre I haue applied my selfe to incourage personall Aduenturers: I would gladly now by wor∣thy motiues, allure the heauie vndertakers to persist with alacritie and cheerefulnesse, both for their owne reputations, the honour of God, and their King and Country. The worthier sort, J meane those Nobles and others of that honourable counsell interessed therein, neede no spurre, their owne innate vertues driues them a pace. The Merchant onely wants some feeling and present returne of those commodities which he is perswaded the country affordeth: to them therefore I will addresse my speech, and if I may per∣swade them to be constant in their proceedings some small time longer, the benefit will be the greater and the more welcome when it commeth.

It is not for nothing Sir Thomas Dale, so noblie without respect to his liuing, to his Lady here in Eng∣land, past the prefixed time of his resolued returne, yet remaineth there; I am sure if he pleased he might re∣turne with as much honour as any man from thence, I say not more.

I shall little neede, and indeede it were but wast and Idle for me to repeate and mention the com∣modities, which with onely labour may bee there procured: many Treatises hath them at full. Sam∣ples

haue beene sent home, and no man disputeth the goodnes, or the quantitie there to be had: take there∣fore double courage to yourselues, and let these two yeeres neglect be restored by a cheerefull and new onset, and for your incouragement reade yet a little further, and view the face of the Colony, euen super∣ficially portraide: see what effects these three ye••res haue wrought.

In May 1611 Sir Thomas Dale, with a prospe∣rous passage, not full eight weekes arriued there, with him about three hundred people, such as for the present speede, and dispatch could then be prouided, of worse condition then those formerly there, who I sorrow to speake it, were not so prouident, though once before bitten with hunger and pennury, as to put corne into the gound for their winters bread, but trusted to the store, then furnished but with eight months prouisiō. His first care therfore was to imploy al hands about se••ting of Corne at the two Forts, sea∣ted vpon Ke••oughtan, Henry and Charles, whereby the season then not fully past, thogh about the end; of May, we had there an indifferent Crop of good corn.

This businesse taken order for, and the care and trust of it committed to his vnder officers, to Iames Towne he hastened, where the most company were, and their daily and vsuall workes, bowling in the streetes, these he imployed about necessary workes, as felling of Timber, repairing their houses ready to fall vpon their heads, and prouiding pales, post and railes to impaile his pu••posed new Towne, which by reason of his ignorance in those parts, but newly arriued there, he had not resolued where to seate. For his better knowledge therefore of those parts, him∣selfe with an hundreth men, spent some time in discouery, first Nansamund Riuer, which in dispight of the Indians, then our enemies, he discouered to the

head, after that, our owne Riuer, to the fals, where∣vpon a high land inuironed with the mayn Riuer, som sixteene or twentie miles, from the head of the Fals, neere to an Indian Towne called Arsahattocke, he re∣solued to plant his new Towne, and so did, whereof in his due place I shall make a briefe relation.

It was no meane trouble to him, to reduce his peo∣ple, so timely to good order, being of so il a condition as may well witnesse his seuere and strict imprinted booke of Articles, then needefull with all seuerity and extremity to be executed, now much mitigated, for more deserued death in those daies, then do now the least punishment, so as if the law should not haue restrained by execution, I see not how the vtter sub∣uersion and ruine of the Colony should haue bin pre∣uented, witnesse Webbes and Prises designe the first yeere, since that Abbots and others more daunge∣rous then the former, and euen this summer, Coles and Kitchins Plot, with three more, bending their course towards the Southward, to a Spanish Plantati∣on, reported to be there, who had trauelled (it being now a time of peace) some fiue daies iorney to Ocana∣hoe••, there cut off by certaine Indians, hired by vs to hunt them home to receiue their deserts. So as Sir Thomas Dale hath not bin tyranous, nor seuere at all; Indeede the offences haue bin capitall, and the offen∣ders dangerous, incurable members, for no vse so fit as to make examples to others, but the manner of their death may some obiect, hath bin cruell, vnusu∣all and barbarous, which indeede they haue not bin, witnesse France, and other Countries for lesse offen∣ces: what if they haue bin more seuere then vsuall in England, there was iust cause for it, we were rather to haue regard to those whom we would haue terrified, and made fearefull to commit the like offences, then to the offenders iustly condemned, It being ••rue that

amongst those people (who for the most part are sen∣cible onely of the bodies torment) the feare of a cru∣ell, painefull and vnusuall, death, more restrains them then death it selfe.

Thus much obuiously, I proceede in his indeuours vntill Sir Thomas Gates his happie arriuall, which was onely in preparing timber, pales, posts and railes for the present impaling this new Towne to secure him∣selfe and men from the mallice and trechery of the In∣dians, in the midst and hart of whom, he was resolued to set downe, but before he could make himselfe rea∣dy for that businesse, Sir Thomas Gates though his passage more long then vsuall, to second him herein, happily arriued about the second of August, with sixe good Shippes, men, prouisions and cattle, whom as yet not fully discouered, we supposed to be a Spanish fleete, thus induced the rather to beleeue, because in company with him were three Caruals, vessels which neuer before had bin sent thither, and now onely for the transportation of the Cattle. It did mee much good, and gaue great courage to the whole company to see the resolution of Sir Thomas Dale, now wholy busied (our land fortifications to weake to withstand a forraigne Enemy) in lading our prouisions aboard the two good Shippes, the Starre and Prosperous, and our own Deliuerance, then riding before Iames town, aboarde which Shippes, he had resolued to encoun∣ter the supposed Enemy, animating his people, not onely with the hope of victory if they readily obeied his direction, but also assuring them that if by these meanes God had ordained to set a period to their liues, they could neuer be sacrificed in a more accep∣table seruice, himselfe promising, rather to fire the Spanish Shippes with his owne, then either basely to yeelde, or to be taken: and in nothing he seemed so much discontent as that we could not possibly lade a∣boarde

all our prouisions before (the winde being then very faire) they might haue bin with vs, whilest therefore the rest were labouring their vtmost to lade aboarde our prouisions, hee caused a small shallop to be manned with thirty readie and good shot to dis∣couer directly what Shippes they might be, and with∣all speede to returne him certaine word, which with∣in three houres they did, assuring him that is was an English ••eete, Sir Thomas Gates Generall thereof: which newes how welcome it was vnto him, princi∣pally because now he doubted not the happie pro∣gression of the affaires in hand, let any man (equally with him affected to the good and welfare of the acti∣on) iudge and determine.

The worthies being met, after salutation and wel∣come giuen, and receiued, Sir Thomas Dale acquain∣ted Sir Thomas Gates both with such businesses as he had affected since his arriuall, and also of his resoluti∣on to builde a new Towne, at the Fales, which designe and purpose of his, Sir Thomas Gates then principall Gouernour in Virginia, well approuing, furnished him with three hundred and fiftie men, such as himselfe made choise of, and the beginning of September 1611 he set from Iames town, and in a day & a halfe, landed at a place where he purposed to seate & builde, where he had not bin ten daies before he had very strongly impaled seuen English Acres of ground for a towne, which in honour of the noble Prince Henrie (of euer happie and blessed memory, whose royall heart was euer strongly affected to that action) he called by the name of Henrico. No sooner was he thus fenced, and in a manner secured from the Indians, but his next worke (without respect to his owne health or parti∣cular welfare) was building at each corner of the towne, very strong and high commanders or watch∣towers, a faire and handsome Church, and storehou∣ses,

which finished he began to thinke vpon conueni∣ent houses, and lodgings for himselfe and men, which with as much speede as was possible, were more strongly and more handsome then any formerly in Virginia, contriued and finished, and euen in foure moneths space, he had made Henrico much better and of more worth then all the worke euer since the Co∣lonie began, therein done.

I should be to tedious if I should giue vp the ac∣compt of euery daies labour, which therefore I pur∣posly omit, and will onely describe the towne, in the very state and perfection wich I left it, and first for the situation, it stan••es vpon a neck of a very high land, 3 parts thereof inuironed with the main Riuer, and cut ouer betweene the two Riuers, with a strong pale, which make••h the neck of land an Island. There is in this town 3 streets of well framed howses, a hansom Church, and the foundation of a more stately one laid, of Brick, in length, an hundred foote, and fifty foot wide, beside Store houses, watch houses, and such like: there are also, as ornaments belonging to this Town, vpon the verge of this Riuer, fiue faire Block houses, or commaunders, wherein liue the ho∣nester sort of people, as in Farmes in England, and there keepe continuall centinell for the townes secu∣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 likewise with seuerall Comman∣ders, with a great quantity of corne ground impa∣led, sufficient if there were no more in the Colony se∣cured, to maintain with but easiy manuring, and hus∣bandry, more men, then I suppose, will be addressed thither (the more is the pitty) these 3 yeeres.

For the further enlargement yet of this Town, on the other side of the Riuer, by impaling likewise: for we make no other fence, is secured to our vse, especi∣ally

for our hogges to feede in, about twelue English miles of ground, by name, Hope in faith, Coxen∣Dale, secured by fiue Forts, called, Charity Fort, Mount malado, a retreat, or guest house for sick people, a high seat, and wholsome aire, Elzabeth Fort, and Fort patience: and heere hath M^r. Whitacres chosen his Parsonage, or Church land, som hundred Acres impaled, and a faire framed parsonage house built thereupon, called Rocke Hall of this Towne, and all the Forts thereunto belonging, hath Captaine Iames Dauis, the principall Commaunde, and Gouern∣ment.

I proceed to our next and most hopefull habitati∣on, whether we respect commodity, or security, (which we principally aime at) against forraigne de∣signes, and inuasions, I meane the Bermuda Citty, be∣gun about Christmas last, which because it is the nee∣rest adioyning to Henrico, though the last vnderta∣ken, I hould it pertinent to handle in the next place. This Towne, or plantation is seated by land, some 5 miles from Henrico, by water fourteene, being the yeer before the habitation of the Appamatucks, to reuenge the trecherous iniurie of those people, done vnto vs, taken from them, besides all their Corne, the former before without the losse of any, saue onely some few of those Indians, pretending our hurt) at what time Sir Thomas Dale, being himself vpon that seruice, and duly considering how commodious a habitation and seat it might be for vs, tooke resolu∣tion to possesse and plant it, and at that very instant, 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 C••ampion, and woodland, in seuerall Hundreds, as the vpp••r and nether Hundreds, Rochdale hundred, Wests Sherly hundred, and Digges his hundred In the

nether hundred he first began to plant, and inhabite for that there lyeth the most conuenient quantity of Corne ground, and with a Pale cut ouer from, Riuer to Riuer, about two miles long, wee haue securd some eight miles circuit of ground, the most 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 distant from each other, are very faire houses, already builded, be∣sides diuers other particular mens houses, not so few as fifty, according to the conditions of the pattent graunted them, which who so pleaseth to peruse, shall in the end of my discourse finde it inserted. In this Plantation next to Sir Thomas Dale is principal, in the Commaund, Captaine Georg Yardley, Sir Thomas Gates his lieftenaunt, who se endeauours haue euer deserued worthy commendations in that imployment. Rochdale Hundred by a crosse pale, well nigh foure miles long, is also already impaled, with bordering houses all along the pale, in which Hundred our hogges, and other cattell haue twenty miles circuit to graze in securely. The vndertaking of the chiefe Citty deferred till their Haruest be in, which once reaped, all hands shall be imployed ther∣on, which Sir Thomas Dale purposeth, and he may with some labour effect his designes, to make an im∣pregnable retreat, against any forraign inuasion, how powrefull so euer.

About fifty miles from this seat, on the other side of the Riuers, is Iames towne situate, vpon a goodly and fertile Island: which although formerly scando∣led with vnhealthfull aire, we haue since approued as healthfull as any other place in the country: and this I can say by mine own experience, that that corn and gardaine ground (which with much labour bee∣ing when we first seated vpon it, a thick wood) wee

haue cleered, and impaled, is as fertile as any other we haue had experience and triall off. The Towne it selfe by the ca••e and prouidence of Sir Thomos Gates, who for the most part had his chiefest resi∣dence there, is reduced into a hansome forme, and hath in it two faire rowes of howses, all offramed Timber, two stories, and an vpper Garret, or Corne lof•• high, besides three large, and substantiall Store∣howses, ioyned togeather in length some hundred and twenty foot, and in breadth forty, and this town hath been lately newly, and strongly impaled, and a faire platforme for Ornance in the west Bulworke raised: there are also without this towne in the Is∣land, some very pleasa••t, and beutifull howses, two Blockhouses, to obserue and watch least the Indi∣ans at any time should swim ouer the back riuer, and come into the Island, and certain other farme how∣ses. The commaund and gouernment of this town, hath master Iohn Scarpe, Li••tenant to Captain Fran∣cis West, Brother to the right Honourable, the Lord Lawarre.

From Iames towne downewards, some forty and odde miles at the mouth of the riuer, neer Point Com∣fort, vpon Kecoughtan, are two pleasant and commo∣dious Forts, Henrie and Charles, goodly seats, and much corne ground about them, abounding with the commodities of fish, fowle, Deere, and fruits, whereby the men liue there, with halfe that mainte∣naunce out of the Store, which in other places is al∣lowed: certainly this habitation would bee no whit inferiour to the best we haue there, saue, as yet, with the poore meanes we haue; we cannot secure it, if a forraigne enemy, as we haue iust cans to expect daily should attempt it. And of these Forts, Captain Georg We•• was lately establishd the principall Commander.

It hath been our greatest care, and labour hither∣to, and yet but these three yeers, the former foure meerely mispent, to compasse these businesses, which being thus setled, and brought to such perfection, as I haue described, now doth the time approch, that commodity may be expected, and if meanes bee sent ouer, will assuredly be returned. What honest spirit, hauing hitherto laboured herein, would at the vpshot (as I may so term it) be discouraged or desist? I hope none, rather more will be animated, (if need require) to put too their helping hands and purses.

And euen thus I haue shaddowed I hope, without the guilt of tedious, or prolix discourses (as I haue been able) the trne condition (though many circum∣stances omitted) of Virginia, what may the substance be, when the externall shew is so forward, so glori∣ous.

I haue purposely omitted the relation of the Con∣try commodities, which euery former treatise hath abundantly, the hope of the better mines, the more base, as Iron, Allom, and such like, Perfectly discoue∣red, and made triall off, and surely of these things I cannot make so ample relation, as others, who in the discouery of those affaires, haue bin, then my selfe more often conuersant, onely of the hopefull, and marchantable commodities of tobacco, silke grasse, and silke wormes: I dare thus much affirme, and first of Tobacco, whose goodnesse mine own experience and triall induces me to be such, that no country vn∣der the Sunne, may, or doth affoord more pleasant, sweet, and strong Tobacco, then I haue tasted there, euen of mine owne planting, which, howsoeuer be∣ing then the first yeer of our triall thereof, wee had not the knowledge to cure, and make vp, yet are ther some now resident there, out of the last yeers well ob∣serued experience, which both know, and I doubt

not, wili make, and returne such Tobacco this yeer••, that eu••n England shall acknowledge the goodnesse thereof.

Now I proceed to the silke grasse which groweth like vnto our flax, I meane not, of that kinde fo••mer∣ly sent ouer, I haue seen, euen of the naturall, and wilde plants, which Captaine Martin, who much delighteth in those businesses, hath made, exceeding fine, and exceeding strong silke, and himselfe hath re∣planted many of the wilde plants this yeere, the silke whereof he purposeth to returne for triall.

The silke wormes sent thither from England, in seeds the last winter, came foorth many of them the beginning of March, others in Aprill, Maye, and Iune, thousands of them grown to great bignesse, and a spinning, and the rest well thriuing of their increase, and commodity well knowne to be reaped by them, we haue all most assurance (since sure I am) no Coun∣try affoordeth more store of Mulbery trees, or a kind with whose leafe they more delight, or thriue bet∣ter.

It may be heere happily expected, that I should giue vp the relation of Captaine Argalls particular voyages and indeauours, and euen as in a Plat, de∣monstrate his Norward discoueries, from which bu∣sinesse I desire to be excused, partly, because himselfe is best able to make his owne relations, and partly, because my home imployments would not permit me leisure to accompany him, though my selfe desi∣rous, in any of his voyages, whose indeauours, if I should indeauour to make knowne, and publish, could receiue no honour at all by my commendati∣ons, or descriptions: much might they be impaired, through my ignorance, or vnskillfullnes to set them foorth: yet cannot I omit to publish to the world, what present reliefe he hath don to the Colony, fur∣nishing

vs by two trading▪ voyages, with three and twenty hundred bushels of Corne, into our store de∣liuered: beside, what he reserued for his mens pro∣uision, what he bestowed vpon well deseruers, and what his men appropriated,

I passe by the benefit of peace iu those parts, by reason of his Captiue Pochahuntas, concluded esta∣blished, and will onely name the commoditie by his meanes done vnto vs, in repairing of our weatherbe∣ten boats, and furnishing vs with new, b••th strong, and vsefull, without whose assistance heerin, vnlesse wee should haue omitted other necessary imploy∣ments, I see not how we should haue had passage one to another.

His Norward discoueries towards Sacadeh••c, and beyond to Portroyall, Sancta▪ Crux, and thereabout may 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 necessaries) the honour which he hath done vnto our Nation, by displanting the French, there beginning to seate & fortesie within our limits, and taking of their Ship and Pinnas, which he brought to Iames Towne, would haue been reward enough for his paines, and will euer speake loud his honour, and approue•• valour.

I haue heard it credibly reported, euen from the mouth of Captaine Argall, that in one small Shippe, and in one voyage, the French haue cle••red eight thousand pounds by trade with the Indians, for ••••rs, which benefit wil be as easily by vs procured.

It is true the Saluadges there inhabiting (before Captaine Argalls arriuall) esteemed the French as Demy-Gods, and had them in great estimation: but seeing them vanquished and ouercom by vs, forsook the••, yea, which is no meane point of pollicy, desi∣red

our friendship, telling Captaine Argall, that hee had vndone them for euer, for that the French by yeer••ly trade with them for Furres, furnished them with ma••y necessaries, whereof they had great want, which trade by this meanes might happily be hinde∣red. But Captaine Argall hath agreed with them to res••rue their Furr••s for him, and promised the••, once a yeere to come thither, and truck with them: they seemed very well content, assuring him, that though the French should at any time arriue there, and proffer them trade, they would reserue all their Furs for him, and what profit by this meanes onely, may be returned to the Virginia aduenturers, I sub∣mit to Captaine Argalls owne oppinion and iudge∣ment.

I purrposely omitted one thing in the Treatise of our concluded peace, wherewith I intend to conclud my discourse, which already I haue drawne to a lon∣ger period then I purposed, whereby wee haue ga∣thered the better assurance, of their ho••est inward in∣tentions, and this it is.

It pleased Sir Thomas Dale (my selfe being much desirous before my returne for England, to visit Pow∣hatan, & his Court, because I would be able to spea•• somwhat thereof by mine own knowledge) to im∣ploy my selfe, and a•• english boy for my Interpre∣ter on Thomas Saluage (who had liued three yeers with Powhatan, and speakes the language naturally, one whom Powhatan much affecteth) vpon a mes∣sage vnto him, which was to deale with him, if by any meanes I might procure a daughter of his, who (Pochahuntas being already in our possession) is ge∣nerally reported to be his delight, and darling, and surely he esteemeth her as his owne soule) for surer pledge of peace.

I departed the fifteenth of May early in the mor∣ning,

with the English Boy, and two Indian guides, from the Bermudas, and came to his court or residence (as I iudge some three score miles distant from vs, being seated at the h••••d almost of Pama••n∣kie Riuer, at a towne called M••tchCot) 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 oppo••••te to his Towne, the maine riuer betweene him and vs, least at any time we should martch by land vnto him vndis∣couered: my Indian guides called f••r a Canoa (•• boate made onely of one tree, after the fashion of a hollow trough) to transport vs, giuing them to know that there was two English sent vpon businesse to Powha∣tan from the English Weroance, which once knowne, a Canoa was presently sent, and we ferried ouer, Pow∣hatan himselfe attending at the landing place to welcome vs. His first salutation was to the Boy, whom he very wel rem••mbred, after this manner: my childe you are welcome, you haue bin a straunger to me these foure yeeres, at what time I gaue you leaue to goe to Paspahae (for so was Iames towne called before our seating there) to see your friends, and till now you neuer returned: you (said he) are my child, by the donatiue of Captaine Newport, in liew of one of my subiects Namontacke, who I purposely sent to King Iames his land, to see him and his country, and to returne me the true report thereof, he as yet is not returned, though many ships haue arriued here from thence, since that time, how ye haue delt with him I know not? hauing thus ended his speech to him, he addressed himself to me, and his first salutation, with∣out any words at all, was about my necke, and with his hand he seeled round about it, so as I might haue imagined he would haue cut my throate, but that I knew he durst not, he asked me where the chain•• of

pearle was, I demaunded what chaine: that, said he, which I sent my Brother Sir Thomas Dale for a pre∣sent, at his first arriuall ▪ which chaine, since the peace concluded, he sent me word, if he sent any English∣man vpon occasion of busines to me, he should weare about his necke, otherwise I had order from him to binde him and send him home againe. It is true Sir Thomas Dale had sent him such word (which till then my selfe neuer heard of) and for this purpose had giu∣en his Page order to deliuer me the said chaine, who forgot it: I was doubtfull at the first how to answere him, yet presently I replied that I was not ignorant of that message from his brother, formerly sent vnto him, whereby he onely cutended that if vpon extra∣ordinary and sudden occasion, he should be co••strai∣ned to send an English man vnto him without an In∣dian guide, then in testimonie that he sent him hee should weare the chaine about his necke: but in case any of his owne people should conduct any English vnto him, as did me, two of his owne men, one of them a Counceller vnto him, who was acquainted with my businesse▪ their testimony s••ould be suffici∣ent, and the chaine then needelesse to be worne, which answere pleased him well, and fourth with he brought vs to his house, not full a stones cast from the water∣side, whereinto being come, himselfe sat downe on his bedsteade side, bed th••re was none mo••e then a single mat, on each hand of him was placed a comely and personable young woman, not twenty yee••es old the eld••••••, which they call his Queenes, the house with in round about be•• set wi••h them, the outside guarded with an hundred bowmen, with their qui∣uers of arrowes at their backes, which at all times, & places attend his person.

The first thing hee offered vs was a pipe of Tobacco, which they call Pissimore, whereof himselfe

fi••st dranke, and then gaue it me, and when I had drank what I pleased, I returned his pipe, which with his owne hands he vouchsafed to take from me: th••n be∣gan he to inquire how his Brother Sir Thomas Dale fared, after that of his daughters welfare, her mariage, hi•• vnknowne sonne, and how they liked, liued and loued together: I resolued him that his brother was very well, and his daughter so well content that she would not change her life to returne and liue with him, whereat he laughed heartily, and said he was very glad of it. Now proceede (said he) to deliuer the cause of your vnexpected comming; I certified him my message was priuate, to be deliuered to himselfe, without the presence of any, saue one of his Councel∣ler••, by name Pepas••hicher, one of my guides, who was acquainted with my businesse, he instantly comm••uded all, both men and women out of the house, his two Queenes onely excepted, who vpon no occasion whatsoeuer, may sequester themselues. Now (said he) speake on, and my selfe by my interpreter thus begun, Sir Thomas Dale your Brother, the prin∣cipal commander of the English men, sends you gree∣ting of loue and peace, on his part inuiolable, and hath in ••estimonie thereof (by me sent you a worthie present, vid, two large peeces of copper, fiue strings of white and blew beades, fiue wodden combes, ten fish-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 also to certifie you, that when you pleased to send men, he would giue you a great grinding stone: my message and gift hitherto pleased him, I proceeded thus. The bruite of the exquesite perfection of your yongest daughter, being famous through all your territories, hath come to the hearing of your Brother Sir Tho∣mas Dale, who for this purpose hath addressed me hi∣ther,

to in••reate you by that brotherly friendship you make profession of, to permit her (with me) to returne vnto him, partly for the desire which himse••fe hath, and partly for the desire her ••••••ter hath to see her of whom, if fame hath not bin prodigall, as like en∣ough it hath not, your brother (by your fauour) would gladly make his neerest companion, wife and bed••ellow (many times he would haue interrupted my speech, which I intreated him to heare out, and then if he pleased to returne me answere) and the rea∣son hereof is, because being now friendly and firmely vnited together, and made one people (as he suppo∣seth and beleeues) in the band of loue, he would make a naturall vnion betweene vs, principally becaus•• himselfe hath taken resolution to dwel in your coun∣try so long as he liueth, and would therefore not on∣ly haue the firmest a••surance hee may, of perpetuall friendship from you, but also hereby binde himselfe thereunto.

When I had thus made an end of speaking; the soo∣ner by his often interruption, I had no neede to re∣quire his answere; which readily, ••nd with no lesse grauity he retu••ned thus.

I gladly accept your Kings salute of loue & peace, which while I liue I shall exactly, both my selfe and subiects maintaine and conserue: his pledges thereof I receiue with no lesse thankes, albeit they are not so ample; howbeit himselfe a greater Weroance, as formerly Captaine Newport, whom I very well loue, was accustomed to gratefie me with. But to the pur∣pose, my daughter whom my brother desireth, I sould within these few daies to be wife to a great Weroance for two bushels of Roanoake (a small kinde of beades) made of oystershels, which they vse and passe one to another, as we doe money (a cubites length valuing sixe pence) and it is true she is already gone with him,

three daies iorney from me. I replied that I knew his greatnesse and power to be such, that if he pleased heerein to gratifie his Brother hee might, re∣storing the Roanoake without the imputation of In∣iustice, take hoame his daughter againe, the rather because she was not full twelue yeeres old, and there∣fore not marriageable: assuring him beside the band of peace, so much the firmer he should haue treble the prise of his daughter, in beades, Copper, Hatch∣••ts and m••ny other things more vsefull for him? his answere hereunto was, that he loued his daughter as deere as his owne life, and though he had many Chil∣dren, he delighted in none so much as in her, whom if he should nor often beholde, he could not possibly liue, which she liuing with vs he knew he could not, hauing with himselfe resolued vpon no termes what∣soeuer to put himselfe into our hands, or come a∣mongst vs, and therefore intreated me to vrge that suite no further, but returne his brother this answer.

I desire no firmer assurance of his friendship, then his promise which he hath already made vnto mee; from me, he hath a pledge, one of my daughters, which so long as she liues shall be sufficient, when she dieth he shall haue another childe of mine, but she yet liu∣eth: I holde it not a brotherly part of your King, to desire to bereaue me of two of my children at once; further giue him to vnderstand, that if he had no pledge at all he should not neede to distrust any iniu∣rie from me, o•• any vnder my subiection, there haue bin too many of his men and my killed, and by my occasion there shall neuer bee more, I which haue power to performeit, haue said it: no n••••'though I should haue iust occasion offered, for I am now olde, and would gladly end my daies in peace, so as if the English offer me iniury, my country is large enough, I will remoue my selfe farther from you. Thus much

I hope will satisfie my brother. Now because your selues are wearie, and I sleepie, we will thus end the discourse of this businesse. Then called he one of his men, and willed him to get some bread for vs, him∣selfe the meane while telling vs that they not expect∣ing our comming, as vsually they doe eate vp all their other victnals, presently the bread was brought in two great wodden bouls, the quantity of a bushel sod breade made vp round, of the bignesse of a tenise b••ll, whereof we eate some few, and disposed the rest to many of his hungrie guarde which a••tended about vs: when we had eaten he caused to be fetch••d a great glasse of sacke, some three quarts or better, which Captain Newport had giuen him sixe or seauen yeeres since, carefully preserued by him, not much aboue a pint in all this time spent; and gaue each of vs in a great oister shell some three spoonefuls; and so giu∣ing order to one of his people to appoint vs a house to lodge in, tooke his leaue for that night, and we de∣parted. We had not bin halfe an houre in the house before the fleas began so to torment vs that wee could not rest there, but went forth, and vnder a broade oake, vpon a mat reposed our selues that night no sooner were we awakt and vp in the morning, but Powhatan himselfe came to vs, and asked vs how we fared, and immediatly led vs to his house, where was prouided for our breakefast a great bole of Indian pease and bea••es boyled together, and as much bread as might haue sufficed a dosen hungry men, about an houer after boyled fresh fish, and not long after that roasted Oysters, Creuises and Crabbes: his ••en in this time being abroade a hunting some venison, others Turkeis and such like beasts and foule as their woods afforde, who returned before ten of the clocke with three does and a bucke, very good and fat venison, and two great cocke Turkeis, all which

were dressed that day, and supper ended, scarce a bone to be seene.

Whiles I yet remained there, by great chaunce came an English man thither, almost three yeeres be∣fore that time surprised, as he was at worke neere Fort Henrie, one William Parker growen so like both in complexion and habite to the Indians, that I onely knew him by his tongue to be an Englishman, he seemed very ••oyfull so happily to meete me there. Of him when we often inquired, the Indians euer tolde vs that he fell sicke and died, which till now we be∣leeued•• he intreated me to vse my best indeuours to procure his returne, which thing I was purposed so soone as I knew him, and immediately went with him to Powhatan, and tolde him that we credibly bel••e∣ued that he was dead, but since it was otherwise I must needes haue him home, for my selfe of necessi∣tie must acquaint his brother that I had seene him there: who if he returned not, would make another voyage thither purposely for him: Powhatan seemed very much discontent, and thus repli••d. You haue one of my daughters with you, and I am therewith well content, but you can no sooner see or ••now of any English mans being with me, but you must haue him away, or else bre••ke peace and friendship: If you must needes h••ue him, he shal•• goe with you, but I will send no guides along with you, so as if any ill be∣fall you by the way, thanke your selues. I answered, that rather then I would goe without him, I would goe alone, the way I kne•• well enough, and other daungers I feared not, since if I ••eturned not safely, he must expect our reuenge vpon him and his people, giuing him further to know, that his brother our king might haue iust occasion to distrust his loue to him, by his slight respect of me, if he returned mee home without guides. He replied not hereunto, but

in passion and discontentment from me, not till sup∣pe••time speaking any more vnto me: when sending for me, he gaue me share of such cates as were for himself prouided, and as good aspect and counte∣nance as before; but not a word concerning my re∣turne, till himselfe at midnight comming to me, and the boy where we lay awaked vs, and tolde me that Pepaschech••r and another of his men, in the morning should accompany vs home, earnestly reque••••ing me to remember his brother to send him these parti∣culars. Ten peeces of Copper, a shauing kni••e, an iron frow to cleaue bordes, a grinding stone, not so bigge but four or fiue men may carryit, which would be bigge enough for his vse, two bone combes, such as Captaine Newport had giuen him; the wodden ones his own men can make: an hundred fish-hookes or if he could spare it, rather a fishing saine, and a cat, and a dogge, with which things if his brother would furnish him, he would require his l••ue with the re∣turne of skinnes: wherewith he was now altogether vnfurnished (as he tolde me) which yet I knew hee was well stored with, but his disposition mistrust∣full and ielous, loues to be on the surer hand.

Wh•• he had deliuered this••his message, he asked me if I will remembred euery paticular, which I must re∣peat to him for his assurance, & yet ••till doubtful that I might forget any of them, he bade me write them downe in such a Table book as he shewed me, which was a very fair one, I desired him, it being of no vse to him, to giue it mee: but he tolde me, it did him much good to shew it to strangers which came vnto him: so in mine owne Table booke, I wrot downe each particular, and he departed.

In the morning, himselfe and wee were timely stirring to be gone: to breakefast first we went, with a good boyled Turkie, which ended, he gaue vs a

whole Turkie, besides that we left, and three baskets of bread to carry vs home, and when we were ••eady to depart, hee gaue each of vs an excellent Bucks skin, very well dressed, and white as snow, aud s••nt his sonne and daughter each of them one, demaun∣ding if I well remembred his answer to his brother, which I repeated to him: I hope (laid he) this will giue him good satisfaction, if it doe not? I will goe three daies iourny f••rther from him, and neuer see English man more: if vpon any other occasion hee send to me again, I will gladly ent••rtain his missiues, and to my powre accomplish his iust requests: and euen thus himselfe conducting vs to the water sid••, 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 discourse I haue briefely as I could, and as the matter would permit, the rather related, to make knowne, how charie Powhatan is, of the conseruation of peace, a thing much desired, and I doubt not right welcom newes, to the vndertakers heer) as may appeare by his an∣sweres to my requests, and also by my safe passage thither, & homwards, without the lest shew of iniury offred vnto vs, though diuers times••by the way, many stragliug Indians met vs, which in former times, would gladly haue taken so ••aire occasion to worke their mischiefe and bloody•• designes vpon vs. By all which, as likewise by our forward progression in our affaires, I hope such good successe and benefit to bee speedily reaped, that ••y selfe, though I blesse GOD for it, who hath so prouided for me, that I may liue more happily heere, then many who are fearefull to aduenture thither) could eu••n willingly make a third voyage thither if by my poore endeauours the businesse might receiue the least furtherance. God, (I hope) will raise vp meanes beyond mans imagina∣tion,

to perfect his owne glory and honour, in the conuersion of those people, of whom vndoubtedly, (as in all other parts in the world, he hath predestina∣ted some to eternall saluation, and blessed shall those be that are the instruments thereof) I hope this poor Narration will moue euery honest heart, to put his helping hand thereunto. For my part, as I haue been fiue yeers a personall workeman in that building, so shall I euer, as my meanes may permit me, be ready to offer my mite towards the furnishing of others, and againe (if need require) personall labor therein.