The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours from their first beginning. an⁰: 1584. to this present 1624. With the procedings of those severall colonies and the accidents that befell them in all their journyes and discoveries. Also the maps and descriptions of all those countryes, their commodities, people, government, customes, and religion yet knowne. Divided into sixe bookes. By Captaine Iohn Smith sometymes governour in those countryes & admirall of New England.

CHAP. VIII. Captaine Smiths Iourney to Pamavnkee.

THe twentie-nine of December he set forward for Werowocomoco: his Compa∣ny were these;

In the Discovery Barge himselfe.

• ...
  • Gent.
  • ...Robert Behethland.
  • ...Nathanael Graues.
  • ...Iohn Russell.
  • ...Raleigh Chrashow.
  • ...Michael Sicklemore.
  • ...Richard Worley.
• ...
  Soul∣diers.
  • ...Anas Todkill.
  • ...William Loue.
  • ...William Bentley.
  • ...Ieffrey Shortridge.
  • ...Edward Pising.
  • ...William Ward.

In the Pinnace.

• Lieutenant Percie, brother to the Earle of Northum∣berland.
• Master Francis West, brother to the Lord La Warre.
• William Phittiplace, Captaine of the Pinnace.
• ...
  Gent.
  • ...Michael Phittiplace.
  • Ieffrey Abbot, Serieant.
  • ...William Tankard.
  • ...George Yarington.
  • ...Iames Browne.
  • ...Edward Brinton.
  • ...George Burton.
  • ...Thomas Coe.
• Ionas Profit, Ma∣ster.
• Robert Ford, Clarke of the Councell.
• Iohn Dods, Souldier.
• Henry Powell, Souldier.

Thomas Gipson, David Ellis, Nathanael Peacock, Saylers. Iohn Prat, George Acrig, Iames Read, Nicholas Hancock, Iames Watkins, Thomas Lambert, foure Dutch-men, and Richard Salvage were sent by land before to build the house for Powhatan against our Arrivall.

This company being victualled but for three or foure dayes, lodged the first night at Warraskoyack, where the President tooke sufficient provision. This kind King did his best to divert him from seeing Powhatan, but perceiuing he could not prevaile, he advised in this manner.* 1.1 Captaine Smith, you shall find Powhatan to vse you kind∣ly, but trust him not, and be sure he haue no oportunitie to seize on your Armes; for he hath sent for you onely to cut your throats. The Captaine thanking him for his good counsell: yet the better to try his loue, desired guides to Chawwonock; for he would send a present to that King, to bind him his friend. To performe this iour∣ney was sent M^r Sicklemore, a very valiant, honest, and a painefull Souldier: with him two guides, and directions how to seeke for the lost company of Sir Walter Ra∣leighs, and silke Grasse. Then we departed thence, the President assuring the King perpetuall loue; and left with him Samu••l Collier his Page to learne the Language.

So this Kings deeds by sacred Oath adiur'd. More wary proues, and circumspect by ods: Fearing at least his double forfeiture; To offend his friends, and sin against his Gods.

The next night being lodged at Kecoughtan; six or seaven dayes the extreame winde,* 1.2 rayne, frost and snow caused vs to keepe Christmas among the Salvages, where we were never more merry, nor fed on more plentie of good Oysters, Fish, Flesh, Wild-soule, and good bread; nor never had better fires in England, then in the dry, smoaky houses of Kecoughtan: but departing thence, when we found no houses we were not curious in any weather to lye three or foure nights together vnder the trees by a fire,* 1.3 as formerly is sayd. An hundred fortie eight foules the President, An∣thony Bagnall, and Serieant Pising did kill at three shoots. At Kiskiack the frost & con∣trary winds forced vs three or foure dayes also (to suppresse the insolency of those proud Salvages) to quarter in their houses, yet guard our Barge, and cause them giue vs what we wanted; though we were but twelue and himselfe, yet we never wanted shelter where we found any houses. The 12 of Ianuary we arrived at Wero∣wocomoco, where the river was frozen neare halfe a myle from the shore; but to neg∣lect

no time, the President with his Barge so far had approached by breaking the ice, as the ebbe left him amongst those oasie shoules, yet rather then to lye there frozē to death, by his owne example he taught them to march neere middle deepe, a flight shot through this muddy frozen oase. When the Barge floated, he appoynted two or three to returne her aboord the Pinnace. Where for want of water in melting the ice, they made fresh water, for the river there was salt. But in this march M^r Russell, (whom none could perswade to stay behinde) being somewhat ill, and exceeding heauie, so overtoyled himselfe as the rest had much adoe (ere he got ashore) to re∣gaine life into his dead benummed spirits. Quartering in the next houses we found, we sent to Powhatan for provision, who sent vs plentie of bread, Turkies, and Veni∣son; the next day having feasted vs after his ordinary manner, he began to aske v••, when we would be gone: fayning he sent not for vs, neither had he any corne; and his people much lesse: yet for fortie swords he would procure vs fortie Baskets. The President shewing him the men there present that brought him the message and conditions, asked Powhatan how it chanced he became so forgetfull; thereat the King concluded the matter with a merry laughter, asking for our Commodities, but none he liked without gunnes and swords, valuing a Basket of Corne more precious then a Basket of Copper; saying he could rate his Corne, but not the Copper.

Captaine Smith seeing the intent of this subtill Salvage began to deale with him after this manner. Powhatan, though I had many courses to haue made my provision,* 1.4 yet beleeving your promises to supply my wants, I neglected all to satisfie your desire: and to testi∣fie my loue, I sent you my men for your building, neglecting mine owne. What your people had you haue ingrossed, forbidding them our trade: and now you thinke by consuming the time, we shall consume for want, not having to fulfill your strange demands. As for swords and gunnes, I told you long agoe I had none to spare; and you must know those I haue can keepe me from want: yet steale or wrong you I will not, nor dissolue that friendship we haue mutu∣ally promised, except you constraine me by our bad vsage.

The King having attentiuely listned to this Discourse, promised that both he and his Country would spare him what he could, the which within two dayes they should receiue.* 1.5 Yet Captaine Smith, sayth the King, some doubt I haue of your comming hither, that makes me not so kindly seeke to relieue you as I would: for many doe informe me, your comming hi∣ther is not for trade, but to invade my people, and possesse my Country, who dare not come to bring you Corne, seeing you thus armed with your men. To free vs of this feare, leaue aboord your weapons, for here they are ne••alesse, we being all friends, and for ever Powhatans.

With many such discourses they spent the day, quartering that night in the Kings houses. The next day he renewed his building, which hee little intended should proceede. For the Dutch-men finding his plentie, and knowing our want, and percei∣ving his preparations to surprise vs, little thinking we could escape both him and fa∣mine; (to obtaine his favour) revealed to him so much as they knew of our estates and proiects, and how to prevent them. One of them being of so great a spirit, iudge∣ment, and resolution, and a hireling that was certaine of his wages for his labour, and ever well vsed both he and his Countrymen; that the Pr••sident knew not whom better to trust; and not knowing any fitter for that imployment, had sent him as a spy to discover Powhatans intent, then little doubting his honestie, nor could ever be certaine of his villany till neare halfe a yeare after.

Whilst we ••xpected the comming in of the Country, we wrangled out of the King ten quarters of Corne for a copper Kettell, the which the President perceiving him much to affect, valued it at a much greater rate; but in regard of his scarcity he would accept it, provided we should haue as much more the next yeare, or els the Coun∣try of Monacan. Wherewith each seemed well contented, and Powhatan began to expostulate the difference of Peace and Warre after this manner.

Captaine Smith, you may vnderstand that I having seene the death of all my people thrice,* 1.6 and not any one liuing of those three generations but my selfe; I know the difference of Peace and Warre better then any in my Country. But now I am old and ere long must die, my bre∣thren

namely Opitchapam, Opechancanough, and Kekataugh my two sisters, and their two daughters, are distinctly each others successors. I wish their experience no lesse then mine, and your loue to them no lesse then mine to you. But this bruit from Nandsamund, that you are come to destroy my Country, so much affrighteth all my people as they dare not visit you. What will it availe you to take that by force you may quickly haue by loue, or to destroy them that provide you food. What can you get by warre, when we can hide our provisions and fly to the woods? whereby you must famish by wronging vs your friends And why are you thus iealous of our loues seeing vs vnarmed, and both doe, and are willing still to feede you, with that you cannot get but by our labours? Thinke you I am so simple, not to know it is better to eate good meate, lye well, and sleepe quietly with my women and children, laugh and be mer∣ry with you, haue copper, hatchets, or what I want being your friend: then be forced to flie from all, to lie cold in the woods, feede vpon Acornes, rootes, and such trash, and be so hun∣ted by you, that I can neither rest, eate, nor sle••pe; but my tyred men m••st watch, and if a twig but breake, every one cryeth there commeth Captaine Smith: then must I fly I know not whether: and thus with miserable feare, end my miserable life, leauing my pleasures to such youths as you, which through your rash vnaduisednesse may quickly as miserably end, for want of that, you never know where to finde. Let this ther••fore assur•• you of our loues, and every yeare our friendly trade shall furnish you with Corne; and now also, if you would come in friendly manner to see vs, and not thus with your guns and swords as to invade your foes. To this subtill discourse, the President thus replyed.

* 1.7Seeing you will not rightly conceiue of our words, we striue to make you know our thoughts by our deeds; the vow I made you of my loue, both my selfe and my men haue kept. As for your promise I find it euery day violated by some of your subiects: yet we finding your loue and kindnesse, our custome is so far from being vngratefull, that for your sake onely, we haue cur∣bed our thirsting desire of revenge; els h••d they knowne as well the crueltie we vse to our ene∣mies, as our true loue and courtesie to our friends. And I thinke your iudg••ment sufficient to conceiue, as well by the adventures we haue vndertaken, as by the advantage we haue (by our Armes) of yours: that had we intended you any hurt, long ere this we could haue effected it. Your people comming to Iames Towne are entertained with their Bowes and Arrowes with∣out any exceptions; we esteeming it with you as it is with vs, to weare our armes as our appa∣rell. As for the danger of our enemies, in such warres consist our chiefest pleasure: for your riches we haue no vse: as for the hiding your provision, or by your flying to the woods, we shall not so vnadvisedly starue as you conclude, your friendly care in that behalfe is needlesse, for we haue a rule to finde beyond your knowledge.

Many other discourses they had, till at last they began to trade. But the King see∣ing his will would not be admitted as a law, our guard dispersed, nor our men dis∣armed,* 1.8 he (sighing) breathed his minde once more in this manner.

Captaine Smith, I neuer vse any Werowance so kindely as your selfe, yet from you I receiue the least kindnesse of any. Captaine Newport gaue me swords, copper, cloathes, a bed, towels, or what I desired; euer taking what I offered him, and would send away his gunnes when I intreated him: none doth deny to lye at my feet, or refuse to doe what I desire, but onely you; of whom I can haue nothing but what you regard not, and yet you will haue whatsoeuer you demand. Captaine Newport you call father, and so you call me; but I see for all vs both you will doe what you list, and we must both seeke to content you. But if you in∣tend so friendly as you say, send hence your armes, that I may beleeue you; for you see the loue I beare you, doth cause me thus nakedly to forget my selfe.

Smith seeing this Salvage but trifle the time to cut his throat, procured the salva∣ges to breake the ice, that his Boate might come to fetch his corne and him: and gaue order for more men to come on shore, to surprise the King, with whom also he but trifled the time till his men were landed:* 1.9 and to keepe him from suspicion, entertained the time with this reply.

Powhatan you must know, as I haue but one God, I honour but one King; and I liue not here as your subiect, but as your friend to pleasure you with what I can. By the gifts you bestow on me, you gaine more then by trade: yet would you visit mee as I doe you, you should know it is not our custome, to sell our curtesies as a vendible commodity. Bring all your

countrey with you for your guard, I will not dislike it as being ouer iealous. But to content you, tomorrow I will leaue my Armes, and trust to your promise. I call you father indeed▪ and as a father you shall see I will loue you: but the small care you haue of such a childe caused my men persw••de m•• to looke to my selfe.* 1.10

By this time Powhatan hauing knowledge his m••n were ready whil••st the ice was a breaking, with his luggage women and children, fled. Yet to auoyd suspici∣on, left two or three of the women talking with the Captaine, whilest hee secretly ran away, and his men that secretly beset the house. Which being pr••sently discoue∣red to Captaine Smith, with his pistoll, sword, and target hee made such a passage a∣mong these naked Diuels; that at his first shoot, they next him rumbled one ouer a∣nother, and the rest quickly fled some one way some another: so that without any hurt, onely accompanied with Iohn Russell, hee obtained the c••rps du guard. When they perceiued him so well escaped, and with his eighteene men (for he had no more with him a s••••re) to the vttermost of their skill they sought excuses to dissemble the matter: and Powhatan to excuse his flight and the sudden com••ing of this multi∣tude, sent our Captaine a great bracelet and a chaine of pearle,* 1.11 by an ancient Ora∣tour that bespoke vs to this purpose, perceiuing euen then from our Pinnace, a Barge and men departing and comming vnto vs.

Captaine Smith, our Werowance is fled, fearing your gunnes, and knowing when the ice was broken there would come more men, sent these numbers but to guard his corne from stealing, that might happen without your knowledge: now though some bee hurt by your ••••sprision, yet Powhatan is your friend and so will for euer continue. Now since the ice is open, he would haue you send away your corne, and if you would haue his company, send away also your gunnes, which so affright his people, that they dare not come to you as hee pro∣mised they should.

Then hauing prouided baskets for our men to carry our corne to the boats,* 1.12 they kindly offered their seruice to guard our Armes, that none should steale them. A great many they were of goodly well proportioned fellowes, as grim as Diuels; yet the very sight of cocking our matches, and being to let fly, a few wordes caused them to leaue their bowes and arrowes to our guard, and beare downe our corne on their backes; wee needed not imp••rtune them to make dispatch. But our Bar∣ges being left on the oase by the ebbe, caused vs stay till the next high-water, ••o that wee returned againe to our old quarter. Powhatan and his Dutch-men brusting with desire to haue the head of Captaine Smith, for if they could but kill him, they thought all was theirs, neglected not any oportunity to effect his purpose. The In∣dians with all the merry sports they could deuise, spent the time till night: then they all returned to Powhatan, who all this time was making ready his forces to surprise the house and him at supper. Notwithstanding the eternall all-seeing God did pre∣uent h••••, and by a strange meanes. For Pocahontas his dearest iewell and daughter,* 1.13 in that darke night came through the irksome woods, and told our Captaine great cheare should be sent vs by and by: but Powhatan and all the power he could make, would after come k••ll vs all, if they that brought it could not kill vs with our owne weapons when we were at supper. Therefore if we would liue shee wished vs pre∣sently to bee gone. Such things as shee delighted in, he would haue giuen her: but with the teares running downe her cheekes, shee said shee durst not be seene to haue any: for if Powhatan should know it, she were but dead, and so shee ranne away by her selfe as she came. Within lesse then an houre came eight or ten lusty fellowes, with great platters of venison and other victuall, very importunate to haue vs put out our matches (whose smoake made them sicke) and sit down to our victuall. But the Captaine made them taste euery dish, which done hee sent some of them backe to Powhatan, to bid him make haste for hee was prepared for his comming. As for them hee knew they came to betray him at his supper: but hee would prevent them and all their other intended villanies: so that they might be gone. Not long after came more messengers, to see what newes; not long after them others. Thus wee spent the night as vigilantly as they, till it was high-water, yet seemed to the saluages

as friendly as they to vs: and that wee were so desirous to giue Powhatan content, as hee requested, wee did leaue him Edward Brynton to kill him foule, an•• the Dutch-men to finish his house; thinking at our returne from Pamavnkee the frost would be gone, and then we might finde a better oportunity if necessity did occa∣sion it, little dreaming yet of the Dutch-mens treachery, whose humor well suted this verse:

Is any free, that may not liue as freely as he list? Let vs liue so, then w'are as free, and bruitish as the best.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The good counsell of Warraskoyack.
• * 1.2

  Plentie of victualls.
• * 1.3

  148 Foules killed at three shootes.
• * 1.4

  Cap. Smiths discourse to Powhatan.
• * 1.5

  Powhatans re∣ply and flatte∣ry.
• * 1.6

  Powhatan discourse of peace and warre.
• * 1.7

  Capt. Smiths Reply.
• * 1.8

  Powhatans im∣portunity to haue vs vnar∣med to betray vs.
• * 1.9

  Cap. Smiths discourse to delay time, till he found o¦portunity to surprise the King.
• * 1.10

  Powhatans plot to haue murdered Smith.
• * 1.11

  A chaine of pearle sent the Captaine for a present.
• * 1.12

  Pretending to kill our men loaded with baskets, we caused them do it them∣selues.
• * 1.13

  Pocahontas be∣wrayes her fa∣thers deceit to kill vs.