A relation from Master Iohn Rolfe, Iune 15. 1618.
COncerning the state of our new Common-wealth, it is somewhat bette∣red, for we haue sufficient to content our selues, though not in such abun∣dance as is vainly reported in England. Powhatan died this last Aprill,* 1.1 yet the Indians continue in peace. Itopatin his second brother succeeds him, and both hee and Opechankanough haue confirmed our former league. On the eleuenth of May, about ten of the clocke in the night,* 1.2 happened a most feare∣full tempest, but it continued not past halfe an houre, which powred downe hailestones eight or nine inches about, that none durst goe out of their doores, and though it tore the barke and leaues of the trees, yet wee finde not they hurt either man or beast; it fell onely about Iames towne, for but a mile to the East, and twentie to the West there was no haile at all. Thus in peace euery man followed his building and planting without any accidents worthy of note. [ 1619] * 1.3 Some priuate differences happened betwixt Captaine Bruster and Captaine Argall, and Cap∣taine Argall and the Companie here in England; but of them I am not fully informed, neither are they here for any vse, and therefore vnfit to be remembred. In December one Captaine Stallings, an old planter in those parts, being imploy∣ed by them of the West countrie for a fishing voyage, in New-England, fell foule of a Frenchman whom hee tooke, leauing his owne ship to returne for England, himselfe with a small companie remained in the French barke, some small time after vpon the coast, and thence returned to winter in Virginia.