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. IX. How wee escaped surprising at Pamavnkee.

* 1.1WE had no sooner set sayle but Powhatan returned, and sent Adam and Francis (two stout Dutch-men) to Iames towne: who faining to Cap∣taine Winne that all things were well, and that Captaine Smith had vse of their armes, wherefore they requested new (the which were giuen them) they told him their comming was for some extraordinary tooles, and shift of apparell; by which colourable excuse they obtained sixe or seauen more to their confederacie, such expert theeues, that presently furnished them with a great many swords, pike-heads, peeces, shot, powder and such like: Saluages they had at hand to carry it away, and the next day they returned vnsuspected, leauing their confe∣derates to follow, and in the interim to convay them such things as they could: for which seruice they should liue with Powhatan as his chiefe affected, free from those miseries that would happen the Colony. Samuel their other consort Powhatan kept for their pledge, whose diligence had prouided them three hundred of their kinde of hatchets; the rest fifty swords, eight peeces, and eight pikes. Brynton and Ri∣chard Salvage seeing the Dutch-men so diligent to accommodate the Saluages with weapons, attempted to haue gotten to Iames towne, but they were apprehended, and expected euer when to be put to death.* 1.2

Within two or three dayes we arriued at Pamavnkee, the King as many dayes en∣tertained vs with feasting and much mirth. And the day appointed to beginne our trade, the President, Lieutenant Percie, M^r. West, M^r. Russell, M^r. Behethland, M^r. Crashaw▪ M^r. Powell, M^r. Ford, and some others to the number of fifteene, went vp to Opechancanoughs house a quarter of a mile from the riuer) where wee found no∣thing but a lame fellow and a boy: and all the houses round about of all things aban∣doned. Not long wee stayed ere the King arriued, and after him came diuerse of his people loaden with bowes and arrowes: but such pinching commodities, and those esteemed at such a value, as our Captaine began with the King after this manner.* 1.3

Opechancanough, the great loue you professe with your tongue, seemes meere deceit by your actions. Last yeere you kindly fraughted out ship: but now you haue inuited mee to starue with hunger: you know my want, and I your plenty; of which by some meanes I must haue part: remember it is fit for Kings to keepe their promise. Here are my commodities; whereof take your choice, the rest I will proportion fit bargains for your pe••ple.

The King seemed kindly to accept his offer, and the better to colour his proiect, sold vs what they had to our owne content, promising the next day more company, better prouided. The Barges and Pinnace being committed to the charge of M^r. Phetiplace; the President with his old fifteene marched vp to the Kings house, where wee found foure or fiue men newly arriued, each with a great basket. Not long af∣ter came the King,* 1.4 who with a strained cheerfulnesse held vs with discourse what paines he had taken to keep his promise; till M^r. Russell brought vs in newes that we were all betrayed: for at least seuen hundred Saluages well armed, had inuironed

the house, and beset the fields. The King coniecturing what Russell related, wee could well perceiue how the extremity of his feare bewrayed his intent: whereat some of our company seeming dismaied with the thought of such a multitude; the Captaine encouraged vs to this effect.

Worthy Countrey-men,* 1.5 were the mischiefes of my seeming friends no more then the danger of these enemies, I little cared were they as many more: if you dare doe, but as I. But this is my torment, that if I escape them, our malicious Councell with their open mouthed Mini∣ons, will make me such a peace breaker (in their opinions in England) as will breake my necke. I could wish those here, that make these seeme Saints, and me an oppressor. But this is the worst of all, wherein I pray you aid mee with your opinions. Should wee beginne with them and surprise the King, we cannot keepe him and defend well our selues. If wee should each kill our man, and so proceed with all in the house; the rest will all fly: then shall wee get no more then the bodies that are slaine, and so starue for victuall. As for their fury it is the least danger, for well you know, being alone assaulted with two or three hundred of them, I made them by the helpe of God compound to saue my life. And wee are sixteene, and they but seauen hundred at the most; and assure your selues, God will so assist vs, that if you dare stand but to discharge your pieces, the very smoake will bee sufficient to affright them. Yet howsoeuer, let vs fight like men, and not die like sheepe: for by that meanes you know God hath oft deliuered mee, and so I trust will now. But first, I will deale with them, to bring it to passe wee may fight for something, and draw them to it by conditions. If you like this motion, promise me you will be valiant.

The time not permitting any argument, all vowed to execute whatsoeuer hee attempted, or die: whereupon the Captaine in plaine tearmes told the King this.

I see Opechancanough your plot to murder me, but I feare it not.* 1.6 As yet your men and mine haue done no harme, but by our direction. Take therefore your Armes, you see mine, my body shall bee as naked as yours: the Isle in your riuer is a fit place, if you be con∣tented: and the conquerour (of vs two) shall be Lord and Master ouer all our men. If you haue not enough, take time to fetch more, and bring what number you will; so euery one bring a basket of corne, against all which I will stake the value in copper, you see I haue but fif∣teene, and our game shall be, the Conquerour take all.

The King being guarded with forty or fifty of his chiefe men,* 1.7 seemed kindly to appease Smiths suspicion of vnkindnesse, by a great present at the doore, they intrea∣ted him to receiue. This was to draw him out of the doore, where the bait was guarded with at least two hundred men, and thirty lying vnder a great tree (that lay thwart as a barricado) each his arrow nocked ready to shoot. The President com∣manded one to go see what what kind of deceit this was, and to receiue the present; but hee refused to doe it: yet the Gentlemen and all the rest were importunate to goe, but he would not permit them, being vexed at that Coward: and commanded Lieutenant Percie, Master West, and the rest to make good the house; Master Powell and Master Behethland he commanded to guard the doore, and in such a rage snat∣ched the King by his long locke in the middest of his men,* 1.8 with his Pistoll readie bent against his brest. Thus he led the trembling King, neare dead with feare a∣mongst all his people: who delivering the Captaine his Vambrace, Bow, and Ar∣rowes, all his men were easily intreated to cast downe their Armes, little dreaming any durst in that manner haue vsed their King: who then to escape himselfe be∣stowed his presents in good sadnesse, and causing a great many of them come be∣fore him vnarmed, holding the King by the hayre (as is sayd) he spake to them to this effect.

I see (you Pamavnkees) the great desire you haue to kill me, and my long suffering your in∣iuries hath imboldened you to this presumption. The cause I haue forborne your insolencies,* 1.9 is the promise I made you (before the God I serue) to be your friend, till you giue me iust cause to be your enemy. If I keepe this vow, my God will keepe me, you cannot hurt me, if I breake it, he will destroy me. But if you shoot but one Arrow to shed one drop of bloud of any of my men, or steale the least of these Beads, or Copper, I spurne here before you with my foot; you shall see I will not cease revenge (if once I begin) so long as I can heare where to finde one of

your Nation that will not deny the name of Pamavnk. I am n••t now at Rassaweak halfe drowned with myre, where you tooke me prisoner; yet then for keeping your promise and your good vsage and saving my life, I so affect you, that your denyals of your trechery, doe halfe perswade me to mistake my selfe. But if I be the marke you ayme at, here I stand, shoot he that dare. You promised to fraught my Ship ere I departed, and so you shall, or I meane to load her with your dead carcasses, yet if as friends you will come and trade, I once more pro∣mise not to trouble you, except you giue me the first occasion, and your King shall be free and be my friend, for I am not come to hurt him or any of you.

Vpon this away went their Bowes and Arrowes, and men, women, and children brought in their Commodities:* 1.10 two or three houres they so thronged about the President and so overwearied him, as he retyred himselfe to rest, leauing M^r Beheth∣land and M^r Powell to receiue their presents, but some Salvages perceiuing him fast asleepe, & the guard somewhat carelesly dispersed, fortie or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their choi••e men each with a club, or an English sword in his hand began to enter the house with two or three hundred oth••rs, that pressed to second them. The noyse and hast they made in, did so shake the house they awoke him from his sleepe, and being halfe amazed with this suddaine sight, bet••oke him strait to his sword and Target; M^r Chrashaw and some others charged in like manner; whereat they quickly thronged faster backe then before forward. The house thus cleansed, the King and some of his auncients we kept yet with him,* 1.11 who with a long Oration, excused this intrusion. The rest of the day was spent with much kindnesse, the companie againe renewing their pre∣sents with their best provisions, and whatsoever he gaue them they seemed there∣with well contented.

Now in the meane while since our departure, this hapned at our Fort. Master Scrivener having receiued Letters from England to make himselfe either Caesar or no∣thing, he began to decline in his affection to Captaine Smith, that ever regarded him as himselfe, and was willing to crosse the surprising of Powhatan▪ Some certaine daies after the Presidents departure, he would needs goe visit the Isle of Hogs, and tooke with him Captaine Waldo (though the President had appointed him to be ready to second his occasions) with M^r Anthony Gosnoll and eight others; but so violent was the wind (that extreame frozen time) that the Boat sunke, but where or how none doth know.* 1.12 The Skiff was much over loaden, and would scarce haue liued in that extreame tempest had she beene empty: but by no perswasion he could be di∣verted, though both Waldo and an hundred others doubted as it hapned. The Sal∣vages were the first that round their bodies, which so much the more encouraged them to effect their proiects. To advertise the President of this heavie newes, none could be found would vndertake it, but the Iorney was often refused of all in the Fort, vntill Master Richard Wyffin vndertooke alone the performance thereof.

In this Iourney he was incountred with many dangers and difficulties in all parts as he passed.* 1.13 As for that night he lodged with Powhatan, perceiuing such prepara∣tion for warre, not finding the President there: he did assure himselfe some mischiefe was intended. Pocahontas hid him for a time, and sent them who pursued him the cleane contrary way to seeke him; but by her meanes and extraordinry bribes and much trouble in three dayes travell, at length he found vs in the middest of these turmoyles. This vnhappy newes the President swore him to conceale from the com∣pany, and so di••••embling his sorrow with the best countenances he could, when the night approched went safely aboord with all his Souldiers; leauing Opechancanough at libertie, according to his promise, the better to haue Powhatan in his returne.

* 1.14Now so extreamely Powhatan had threatned the death of his men, if they did not by some meanes kill Captaine Smith; that the next day they appointed all the coun∣trey should come to trade vnarmed: yet vnwilling to be trecherous, but that they were constrained, hating fighting with him almost as ill as hanging, such feare they had of bad successe. The next morning the Sunne had not long appeared, but the fields appeared covered with people and Baskets, to tempt vs on shore: but nothing was to be had without his presence, nor they would not indure the sight of a gun.

When the President saw them begin to depart,* 1.15 being vnwilling to loose such a boo∣tie, he so well conceived the Pinnace, and his Barges with Ambuscadoes, as onely with Lieutenant Percie, M^r West, and M^r Russell, with their Armes went on shore; others he appointed vnarmed to receiue what was brought. The Salvages flocked before him in heapes, and the banke serving as a trench for a retreat, he drew them fayre open to his Ambuscado's. For he not being to be perswaded to goe visit their King▪ the King knowing the most of them vnarmed, came to visit him with two or three hundred men, in the forme of two halfe Moones; and with some twentie men, and many women loaden with painted Baskets. But when they approached some∣what neare vs, their women and children ••led. For when they had environed and beset the fields in this manner, they thought their purpose sure, yet so trembled with feare as they were scarse able to ••••ck their Arrowes: Smith standing with his three men ready bent, beholding them till they were within danger of our Ambuscado's, who vpon the word di••cov••r••d themselues, and he retyred to the Barge. Which the Salvages no sooner perceived, then away they fled, esteeming their heeles for their best advan••age.

That night we sent M^r Chr••shaw, and M^r Ford to Iames towne to Cap. Winne▪ In the way betweene Wer••wocomoco and the Fort they met foure or fiue of the Dutch-mens Confederates going to Powhatan: the which to excuse those Gentlemens su∣spition of their running to the Salvages, returned to the Fort and there continued.

The Salvages hearing our Barge goe downe the river in the night, were so terri∣bly affrayde, that we sen•• for more men (we having to much threatned their ruine,* 1.16 and the rasing of th••ir houses, boats, and wires) that the next day the King sent our Captaine a chayne of Pearle, to alter his purpose and stay his men: promising though they wanted t••emselues, to fraught our ship and bring it aboord to avoyd suspition. So that fiue or six dayes after, from all parts of the Country within ten or twelue myles in the extreame frost and snow, they brought vs provision on their naked backes.

Yet notwithstanding this kindnesse and trade, had their art and poyson beene suf∣ficient, the President, with M^r West, and some others had beene poysoned;* 1.17 it made them sicke, but exp••ll••d it selfe. Wecuttanow, a stout young fellow, knowing he was suspected for bringing this present of poyson, with fortie or fiftie of his chiefe com∣panions (seeing the President but with a few men at Potavneak) so proudly braued it, as though he expected to incounter a revenge. Which the President perceiving in the midst of hi•• company, did not onely beate, but spurned him like a dogge, as scorning to doe h••m any worse mischiefe. Wherevpon all of them fled into the woods, thinking they had done a great matter to haue so well escaped: and the townsmen remaining presently fraughted our Barge to be rid of our companies, framing many ••••c••ses to excuse Wecuttanow, (being sonne to their chiefe King, but Po••hatan) and told vs if we would shew them him that brought the poyson, they would deliver him to vs to punish as we pleased. Men may thinke it strange there should be such a stirre for a little corne, but had it beene gold with more ease wee might haue got it; and had it wanted, the whole Colony had starued. Wee may be thought very patient to endure all those iniuries, yet onely with fearing them wee got what they had. Whereas if we had taken revenge, then by their losse, we should haue lost our selues. We searched also the Countries of Youghtanund and Mattapa∣nient,* 1.18 where the people imparted that little they had with such complaints and teares from the eyes of women and children, as he had beene too cruell to haue beene a Christian, that would not haue beene satisfied and moued with compassion. But had this hapned in October, November, and December, when that vnhappie disco∣very of Monacan was made, we might haue fraughted a ship of fortie tuns, and twise as much might haue beene had from the Rivers of Rapahanock, Patawo∣mek, and Pawtuaunt.

The maine occasion of our thus temporizing with them was, to part friends as we did, to giue the lesse cause of suspition to Powhatan to fly, by whom we now retur∣ned

with a purpose to haue surprised him and his provision. For effecting whereof (when we came against the Towne) the President sent M^r Wyffin and M^r Coe ashore to discover and make way for his intended proiect. But they found that those dam∣ned Dutch-men had caused Powhatan to abandon his new house and Werowocomoco,* 1.19 and to carry away all his corne and provision: and the people they found so ill affec∣ted, that they were in great doubt how to escape with their liues. So the President finding his intent frustrated, and that there was nothing now to be had, and there∣fore an vnfit time to revenge their abuses, sent Master Michael Phittiplace by Land to Iames towne, whether we sayled with all the speed we could; wee having in this Iourney (for 25^•. of Copper, and 50^•. of Iron & Beads) enough to keepe 46 men six weekes, and every man for his reward a moneths provision extraordinary (no Trade being allowed but for the store) we got neare ••00^• waight of deere suct, and delive∣red to the Cape Merchant 479 Bushels of Corne.

Those temporizing proceedings to some may seeme too charitable, to such a dai∣ly daring trecherous people: to others not pleasing, that we washed not the gr••und with their blouds, nor shewed such strange inventions in mangling, murdering, ran∣sacking, and destroying (as did the Spanyards) the simple bodies of such ignorant soules; nor delightfull, because not stuffed with Relations of heapes and ioynes of gold and silver, nor such rare commodities, as the Portugals and Spany••rds found in the East and West Indies. The want whereof hath begot vs (that were the first vnder∣takers) no lesse sco••ne and contempt, then the noble conquests and valiant adven∣tures beautified with it, prayse and honour. Too much I confesse the world cannot attribute to their ever memorable merit: and to cleare vs from the blind worlds ig∣norant censure, these few words may suffice any reasonable vnderstanding.

* 1.20It was the Spanyards good hap to happen in those parts where were infinite num∣bers of people, who had manured the ground with that providence, it affoorded vic∣tualls at all times. And time had brought them to that perfection, they had the vse of gold and silver, and the most of such commodities as those Countries affoorded: so that, what the Spanyard got was chiefely the spoyle and pillage of those Countrey people, and not the labours of their owne hands. But had those fruitfull Countries beene as salvage, as barbarous, as ill peopled, as little planted, laboured, and manu∣red, as Virginia: their proper labours it is likely would haue produced as small pro∣fit as ours. But had Virginia beene peopled, planted, manured, and adorned with such store of precious Iewels, and rich commodities as was the Indies: then had we not gotten and done as much as by their examples might be expected from vs, the world might then haue traduced vs and our merits, and haue made shame and infa∣my our recompence and reward.

But we chanced in a Land even as God made it, where we found onely an idle, im∣provident, scattered people, ignorant of the knowledge of gold or silver, or any com∣modities, and carelesse of any thing but from hand to mouth, except bables of no worth; nothing to incourage vs, but what accidentally we found Nature afforded. Which ere we could bring to recompence our paines, defray our charges, and sa∣tisfie our Adventurers; we were to discover the Countrey, subdue the people, bring them to be tractable, civill, and industrious, and teach them trades, that the fruits of their labours might make vs some recompence, or plant such Colonies of our owne, that must first make prouision how to liue of themselues, ere they can bring to per∣fection the commodities of the Country: which doubtlesse will be as commodious for England as the west Indies for Spaine, if it be rightly mannaged: notwithstanding all our home-bred opinions, that will argue the contrary, as formerly some haue done against the Spanyards and Portugalls. But to conclude, against all rumor of o∣pinion, I onely say this, for those that the three first yeares began this Plantation; notwithstanding all their factions, mutinies, and miseries, so gently corrected, and well prevented: pervse the Spanish Decades; the Relations of Master Hackl••••, and tell me how many ever with such small meanes as a Barge of 22 tuns, sometimes with seauen, eight, or nine, or but at most, twelue or sixteene men, did ever discover so

many fayre and navigable Rivers, subiect so many severall Kings, people, and Nati∣ons, to obedience, and contribution, with so little bloudshed.

And if in the search of those Countries we had hapned where wealth had beene, we had as surely had it as obedience and contribution, but if we haue overskipped it, we will not enuie them that shall find it: yet can we not but lament, it was our fortunes to end when we had but onely learned how to begin, and found the right course how to proceed.

By Richard Wyffin, William Phittiplace, Ieffrey Abbot, and Anas Todkill.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Dutch men deceiue Cap. Winne.
• * 1.2

  The Dutch men furnish the Saluages with Armes.
• * 1.3

  Smiths Speech to Opechanca∣nough.
• * 1.4

  700. Saluages beset the Eng∣lish being but 16.
• * 1.5

  Smiths speech to his Com∣pany.
• * 1.6

  Smiths offer to Opechanca∣nough.
• * 1.7

  Opecahnca∣noughs deuic•• to betray Smith.
• * 1.8

  Smith taketh the King pri∣soner.
• * 1.9

  Smiths dis∣course to the Pamavnkees.
• * 1.10

  The Salvages dissemble their intent.
• * 1.11

  Their excuse and recon∣cilement.
• * 1.12

  The losse of M^r. Scrivener and others with a Skiff.
• * 1.13

  Master Wyffins desperate iourney.
• * 1.14

  Powhatan constraineth his men to be trecherous.
• * 1.15

  The third at∣tempt to be∣tray vs.
• * 1.16

  A chayne of pearle sent to obtaine peace.
• * 1.17

  The Presi∣dent poyso∣ned: the of∣fend••r puni∣shed.
• * 1.18

  The Salvages want and po∣vertie.
• * 1.19

  The Dutch-men did much hurt.
• * 1.20

  An Apology for the first Planters.