l"! 1 ' 1 !'!'! !, M!W , .yS!»»'M l i , !j
CI 'l'i'ii'M'l'l'M'1'1'
F 229 "I; ! Wltfitftfi
'I'l'l'l l ' ' ' 'I'I'I'
ii-j-j •, 'I'l'l'l'l' 'i 1 .!' 1 .! 1
ii^i'ijijiicopy 2 iii^i^iiiiii!'
'i'i!'!' 'i'i'i'i' i'i! 1 ! 1 ! 1 ! 1 ! S'i'i'i! ilili'i'i'i'i'i'iliM' '.'i'i 1 i'i'i'i' i'i! 1111 !
' 1!'!' 1 1 i' i'i'i'i ' 'I'l'i' i'i'i'i 1 > I'I'I' I'I 1 i'i'i'i ' ' 'I'l'I'l'i'i'i'i 1 ii'lvi
f!' 1 ,!;'"!'!'!'! 1 !'';! i'l'i'l'.'l'^l''.'"!'!'^'''!'!:
'I'i'i'i
"WppW't!
'IS
■I 1 " • ' ! : i ; i'i'i' " •" 11 ! ■ " '" '':::!'' " " ■ " • ; ; v.' > > • ■ • • ■ • ' : i X' x" • • * • ' ; ! ! I "i 1 x
' ' ! 1 X" ' ' ' ' i I X'X'I' ' ' ' ' ' I I'I'I'I 1 ' ' ' ' ! ' I 1 ! ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ! ! I I'M' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' I ' l'''l" "" ' '
xW'Wii'ill&ji'liM'L'^^^
'!' '1' ' I'l'fil'I'X' ' I X'X'I'X 1 !'! I ' !'X'X' ' ' ' 1 1 1'I'I'X'I 1 ' ' 1 ! I
' ' 1 ,'« ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' I II ' 'I' ' ' ' " ' • " "' " 1 1 1 ' X
1 1 ' ' 'III' 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' 'i'v'i 1 1 1 1 1 X 1 1 , . 1 1 1 ' 1 ' H* i 2i 1 1 1 ' ' ' ! !
I ' ' I I ' ' ' X'.'.'IX'X'
i'i i'i I I i.i.i.i.i,I|1|'i'i'i
' III !!!!'!■■" ' " I I'l'l'M" "HHM^X"' ' '":!!! !"":"■
• ' > 'L«»in»!o! ' ■ 'XiXiUx':' • > ' 'X'XXixX:' ■ • X'X!i!l!i!>x> ■ > "
i
X'X 1
i'l'l'l'
'I'l'l'l
1: i" |i; ;ii:;i!i!i:i ! :;i; 1; : !; !^!!$S$^^^
1 ' ' ' ' '1 ' ' ' ' ' ' 'i . 1 • •" ' ' "'Hi ' ' ' ' ' ' ' !.'■ I'' ' ' ' ' ' ' '11 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' I' ' 1 ' > » ' • ' ' ' ' '1 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '' 1 ' ii 'N' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
'■"■^ wwi w " ;!!!l w ill liiil! lili lillili lllill
immmmimmmmmmmm
i ! ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '" X" ' ' ' ' ' ! I I ' '" • ' '" ' I ! !'!'"' ' ' ' ' ' l : ' I ''""}""'
v,*|!:ffi i!"!^!"!'!^::!-^!^!;!: 1 : 1 ! 1 ! 1 ! 1 :! ^iiii^i^iiii: 1 ! liiiiii;!!!^^ 1 ;^:'! 1 !::;:
1 ' I ! ! ' ' ' ' ' ' 'i' I i |!|'|i ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 '"I'l'l 1 ' ' ' ' ! 1 1 |!;i|'l'l' • ' ' ' ' ' ! I^l"!'!'!'! 1 "' ^
'i'i'i 1 > ' ' ' ' ' 'i'i'i'i!'!" 1 ' ' 'i'i'i'i'i!'!' 1 ' ' '!' ' 't'l'i'ijili 1 ' ' ' ' ' 'i'i 1
I I I I I 'i'i'i'i' I'I I I ' ' ' ' ' 'i'i'i'i 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' 'i'i'i'i 1 1 1 ,'!' ' ' 'l 1 , 1*1 I
■MM
:':i :i iiiiiiiiSi ^liliiiiiiii
i'l!l I I I I I ' 'i'i'i I 1 1 1 1 > ', 'i'i'i'i I 1 1 ' 1 ','
'l II I ' ' 'i'i'i 'it II I ' 'i'l'l'l 'ill I 'i'i'i'i'i 'ill I ' '
I'l'l'l'l'll'lili'i'l'I'I'I'I'I'llil'W'I'I'I'I'llllil'I'I'I'I'I'l'! 1 !'
'I'l'l'l'l'il'l'l'l'l'l'l'lyll'l'l'l'l'l'lll'llilil'l'l'!'! 1 !'! 1 !'! 1 !
i'l'l'l'l'l'l'^lvl'lvl'l'l'll'lil'l'l'l'l'l'l'l'll'lil'l'l'l'l'l'
'.ll'l'ri IJ.l.li'l' i'i l l I I l.l.l.li'l' »'l 1.1 I .1,1, 'i'i'i'i'i I. I
I I ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
I I ' I I ' ' ' ' '
I ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
'1 1 1 1 1 III I '
i!i 1 » ' K!i!iU!i!»
I ' 'i'l'l'l III 1 I I ' 'i'i'i'i I II 1 I I I ' 'i'.'i'i 1 1 i;i I I 1,1 'i'l'l'l'l I I I I I I I I ' 'i'i'i'
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' '1 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 'i'i'i 1 1 1 ' 1 • ' ' ' 'i'i'i I 1 1 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' 'i'l'l'l'l I 1
■ ' [liiii'i'i';' i! ' ','iiii'i'i' ' ''ii!;'!" 1 ■'! ; 1 ",!|'' > '• ' '' 1"
n m m Mm #m
' ' ■ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' > 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' '•' ' !' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' '.' ' 'i'i ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ! ! !■ ' ' ' ' ''' ' ' ' ' '' ' ' ' ■ ' ' ' ' ' ' V ' 1 1 1 ' ' '
: : I :i:iii i'iii i i;i : ^
! |'|!|"" " :' ;!|' " " ' ! ',!!!!!>!' ""::;!;!!';' "i !!!!!!'■ '•''!! , !|!'' , ''''' ! ' ! ' !,!,;,!,:i! ' : '' , ' , ' l ' !,! ' ;,!,! ' ! 'I'!'!'!'''''' 1 '!''
iiiiilli-i iii! i!i! M MMMM^MM
i i iii ; 1 ! i ; ii i ii :i •: ! ; |i i
!!!!! ! ! , ! , ": , 1 !: ! : : : ! ! , : , |i , ,:!:!:!| ,! ! ! !' 'I' 1 !!!'!!; 1 ! 1 ! 1 ! 1 !" Ilil'lil'l^l'llllllll 1 ! 1 !'^ 11 ','!!!!","!"'^'!'!'!' '"i
iii'!!! i!!!!:!::!:!!!:!!!!!!:::;!;::!:!:!:!^'.' 1 !:!!!!':!;^!: !:::!i:i!!:!:::!;!!!i!:!i!:!t:i|!i:i!|'i!i!i!i!!!!!:!:i:i:!!i:i'i'i!i!i:i!ii
■i'i'i'i'
iiiii 1.1
ll'l'l'l'l'l'! 1 'I'!' ''I'l'l'l
I'lii'lil^l'l'l'l'l'l'i'l"!
' 1 1 ' ' ' ' ViliM'!'!' '
'i'i I 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' 'i'i I I I
'I'l'l'l'l'l'l'
!i!i!i!i!i|i>!
1 1 > 1 ' ' ' ' '
1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
■' 'i'l'l'l '"'i'i
I'll
: i;i ii ' ; :!ii ' |!| i :: : S:^ ^
i!"!'! 1
Ill' 1 'i'l'l'l'l I I I
.,..1 I I 1 I I ' ' ll'l'lil I
I'l'l'l'l'llllilil^l'l'l'l'l'l'
I LIBRARY -OF CONGRESS,!
FORCE COLLECTION.]
i
| UNITED ST.,
<£>
J&ZL iC
£L„ -
JL.
WINGFIEL1VS
DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA,
1(507-8.
A DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA."
EDWARD MARIA WINGFIELD,
THE FIRST PRESIDENT OK THE COLONY.
Now Jirst printed from the Original Manuscript in the Lambeth Library.
HoitctJ, toitf) Notes nnu an Entroouctton,
BY CHARLES DEANE,
MEMBER OF TIIE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, AND OF THE MASSACHUSETTS
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
,r V of Co n >
t ,m>
%
BOSTON: ' of *■»**«?
rRIVATELY rillNTED,
18 GO.
ROM AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY'S TRANSACTIONS, VOL. IV ,
(Due Jjuntjrrti (Copies priuafclo Jprintrfc.
BOSTON! PRINTED I'.V .)< >IIN WILSON AND SON.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
INTRODUCTION.
About three years since, my attention was first directed
to this narrative of Wingfield in the Lambeth Library,
by the reference made to it in the first volume of the
Rev. James S. M. Anderson's " History of the Church of
England in the Colonies," &c, first published in London
in 1845. In lamenting the lack of definite information
concerning the Rev. Robert Hunt, the first minister in
the Colony, the author says, " I am thankful, however, to
have found in the Lambeth Library a manuscript which
throws some light, however faint, upon this latter point.
It is marked in the catalogue as ' anonymous ' ; and the
description is so far correct, that its author's name is
not formally inscribed upon it. The dedication is not
4 INTRODUCTION.
signed at all ; but, perceiving that it was a journal of the
earliest proceedings of the Colony, I felt persuaded that
it would well repay perusal. Nor was I disappointed;
for I found it written by a person of no less importance
than Edward Maria Wingfiel(J, — one of those to whom
the patent was granted, and who, upon the arrival of the
colonists in Virginia, was elected their first President.
It contains a minute account of the transactions which
chiefly concerned himself, from the time of their first
landing in Virginia to his return to England, after he
had been deposed from his office. ... I am not aware
that its contents have in any shape been placed before
the public" (vol. i. p. 1G7, second edition, London,
1856). The author, in the preface, expresses his obli-
gation to the Rev. S. R. Maitland, Librarian at Lambeth,
for the help which he afforded in deciphering the manu-
script.
The application for a copy of this manuscript, which
I at once formed the purpose of making, Avas delayed
until within a few months ; when one was promptly pro-
cured for me through my friend, Mr. H. G. Somerby,
of London, who, in a note respecting the original, thus
writes : " The journal fills about twenty pages of fools-
cap paper, and is closely written. Mr. Anderson is
wrong in stating that it is marked 'anonymous' in the
catalogue. That word refers to another manuscript.
INTRODUCTION. 5
Mr. Wingfield's name is indorsed on the back of the
journal." In a note accompanying the copy, he says,
" I have carefully compared the copy with the original,
and corrected several mistakes made by the copyist ; so
that you can rely upon the document I send yon, verba-
tim et literatim." The indorsement upon the journal,
which is in vol. 250 of MSS. pp. 383 et seq., is, *• A
Discourse of Virginia. Auct. Ed. Ma. Wingfield."
Since the time of Pnrchas, who probably had seen
this narrative (see vol. iv. p. 1706), it appears to have
escaped the notice of historical students till the atten-
tion of Mr. Anderson was attracted to it. As will be
seen, the " Discourse " is written in part, if not chiefly,
in defence of the author's course while President of the
Colony, and in reply to the charges preferred against
him ; and was probably drawn up soon after his return
to England in May, 1608.
The only original Histories of the Colony at James-
town, hitherto published, covering the period embraced
by this manuscript, are, — First, the one by Capt. John
Smith, giving a history of the settlement from the ar-
rival of the colonists in April, 1607, to the sailing of
Capt. Nelson in the "Phoenix," June 2, 1608. This
may have been sent over by that vessel ; as it was
printed the same year, in a small quarto of thirty-six
pages, in black letter, with the following title : —
INTRODUCTION.
"A True Relation of such occurrences and accidents of
aoate as hapned in Virginia since the first planting of thai
Cottony, which is now residenl in the south part thereof, till
the last returne from thence. Written by Captaine Smith,
coronell of the said Collony, to a worshipfull friend of his in
England. London, . . . 1608."
It may be mentioned, that the title first issued with
this tract, by a mistake of the printer, bore the name of
Thomas Watson as the author. With the corrected title
was added an explanatory preface. This is the first tract
published relating to the Colony at Jamestown.
Second, the description of Virginia by Capt. Smith,
entitled -<-
"A Map of Virginia. With a Description of the Countrey,
the Commodities, People, Government, and Religion. Writ-
ten by Captaine Smith, sometimes Govornour of the Countrey.
Whereunto is annexed the Proceedings of those Colonies, since
their first Departure from England, with the discourses, Ora-
tions, and relations of the Salvages, and the accidents that
befell them in all their Journeys and discoveries. Taken
faithfvlly as they were written out of the writings of Doctor
Rvssell, Tho. Stvdley, Anas Todkill, Iefira Abot, Richard Wil-
fin, Will. Phettiplace, Nathaniel Powell, Richard Pots, . . .
At Oxford, . . . 1612."
Tho first part of this tract, purporting to be written
by Smith, is, as its title indicates, a topographical de-
INTRODUCTION.
scription of the country. It was prefaced by his map of
Virginia, first published here. In a letter addressed to
the Treasurer and Council of the Virginia Company in
England, written from Virginia after the arrival of New-
port, in September, 1608, and probably sent home by
him near the close of the year, Smith says, " I have sent
you this map of the bay and rivers, with an annexed
relation of the countries, and nations that inhabit them,
as you may see at large" (" Generall Historie," pp. 71,
72). The appendix to this book, written chiefly by the
companions of Smith, contains a history of the Colony,
more or less minute, from its commencement to the time
when Capt. Smith left the country in the latter part of
the year 1609; and some incidents even of a later date
are added.
Third, Percy's narrative, in Purchas, vol. iv. pp.
1685-1690, entitled —
" Observations gathered out of a Discourse of the Planta-
tions of the Southern Colonie in Virginia by the English,
1606. Written by that Honorable Gentleman, Master George
Percy."
The writer was a brother of the Earl of Northumber-
land. He was one of the first colonists, and subse-
quently a temporary governor of the plantation. To
what period this narrative was brought down by the
INTRODUCTION.
writer, we have no means of knowing ; as Purchas has
unfortunately preserved only an abridgment of it, in six
of his folio pages, breaking off at September, 1607.
This contains a minute and interesting account of the
incidents of the first voyage, which are but briefly
touched upon by the other narrators ; and some de-
tails of the Colony are given, to be met with nowhere
else.
The above may be said to embrace all the original
Histories of the Colony that have been published, cover-
ing the period named; one of them extending over a
longer period. A few additional incidents, here and
there, may be gathered from other sources, particularly
from some of Smith's later publications. His " Gene-
rall Historie," first published in 1624, — which is chiefly
a compilation of other works, — embraces the tract of
16 12, and some incidents from the earlier one ; and
occasionally introduces matter not to be found in either.
The work of Strachey, — first published by the Hakluyt
Society in 1849, — so far as it relates to Southern Vir-
ginia, is mainly a description of the natural history of
the country, rather than an account of the English
Colony there resident. He did not arrive in Virginia
till 1610. A considerable portion of Smith's tract of
1612 has been adopted by him, and interwoven into
his own narrative, without acknowledgment. Stith's
INTRODUCTION. 9
volume I do not embrace in this category of original
narratives for the early period covered by Wingfield's
manuscript ; though he is referred to for the letters-
patent and orders and instructions from his Majesty,
under which the Colony was first settled. The history
of the Colony, therefore, for the period which chiefly
interests us here, — and, indeed, for a year or two
beyond, — is mainly derived from the writings of Smith
and his companions. Through these, Wingfleld, the
first President, has been handed down in no favorable
light. Several charges have been made against him,
hitherto unanswered. His spirited narrative and de-
fence, now for the first time published, will be read with
interest.
The letters-patent under which the settlement at
Jamestown was made were granted April 10, 1606.
Besides these, the King issued divers instructions and
orders, under his sign-manual and the privy seal, dated
Nov. 20, 1606. The charter established a Treasurer
and Council, to be resident in England, to consist of
thirteen persons ; and the same number was to con-
stitute a Council resident in the Colony. The trans-
portation of the persons designed for the Colony was
committed to Capt. Christopher Newport, who had the
sole charge and command of the same till they should
land on the coast of Virginia. Three ships, whose names
10 INTRODUCTION.
arc preserved by Purchas, transported the company, —
the -Susan Constant," admiral, of one hundred tons,
commanded by ('apt. Newport; the "God-speed," vice-
admiral, of forty tons, commanded by Capt. Bartholomew
Gosnold ; the " Discovery," rear-admiral (the pinnace),
of twenty tons, commanded by Capt. John Ratcliffe.
They set sail on the 19th of December, 160G ; but,
by unprosperous winds, were kept in sight of England
six weeks. They " watered at the Canaries ; " passed
several weeks among some of the West-India Islands,
where they " refreshed themselves ; " and did not reach
the coast of Virginia till the 26th of April, 1607.
On the night of their arrival, the box containing their
orders for government was opened, and the papers,
announcing who were appointed of the Council, were
read. Until the 13th of May, the colonists were seek-
ing a place for a settlement, about which all were not
agreed. Finally " they resolved on a peninsula, on the
north of the River Powhatan, about forty miles from
the mouth." There the government was inaugurated ;
the Council was sworn, and Wiugfield, one of that body,
was chosen President.
Before the colonists arrived on the coast, a modifica-
tion of his Majesty's Council in England for Virginia
had taken place ; and subsequently other charters were
granted.
INTRODUCTION. 11
This brief introduction to the narrative which follows
is not intended to embrace an extended notice of the
Colony.
C. D.
Boston, Dec. 1, 1859.
12 WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
•A DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA."
Bight JVorp"" and more worthy: 1 —
My due respect to yourselves, my allegiance (if I may so
terme it) to the Virginean action, my good heed to my poore
reputacon, thrust a penne into my handes; so iealous am I to
bee missing to any of them. If it wandereth in extra vagantes,
yet shall they not bee idle to those physitions whose loves
have undertaken the saftie and advancement of Virginia.
It is no small comfort that I speake before such gravitie,
whose iudgement no forrunner can forestall with any oppro-
brious vntruths, whose wisedomes can easily disroabe malice
out of her painted garments from the ever reverenced truth.
I did so faithfully betroth my best endeavours to this noble
enterprize, as my carriage might endure no suspition. I never
turned my face from daunger, or hidd my handes from labour ;
so watchfull a sentinel stood myself to myself. I know wel,
a troope of errors continually beseege men's actions ; some
of them ceased on by malice, some by ignorance. I doo not
hoodwinck my carriage in my self love, but freely and hum-
blie submit it to your grave censures.
1 Addressed, doubtless, to his Majesty's Council, in England, for Virginia.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 13
I do freely and truely anatomize the governement and
governours, that your experience may applie medicines
accordinglie ; and vpon the truth of this iournal do pledge
my faith and life, and so do rest
Yours to command in all service. 2
Here followeth ivhat happened in James Toivne, in Virginia,
after Captayne Newport's departure for Engliund.
Captayne Newport, 3 haueing allwayes his eyes and eares
open to the proceedings of the Collonye, 3 or 4 dayes before
his departure asked the President how he thought himself
settled in the gouernment: whose answere was, that no dis-
turbance could indaunger him or the Collonye, but it must be
wrought eyther by Captayne Gosnold or M r Archer ; 4 for the
one was strong w th freinds and followers, and could if he
would ; and the other was troubled w ,h an ambitious spirit,
and would if he could.
2 The above comprises the first page in the manuscript. Mr. Somerby writes that
it "is in a different hand from the rest; and it wants the signature, as does the body
of the manuscript."
3 Capt. Newport " was esteemed a mariner of ability and experience on the Ameri-
can coasts: for he had, fourteen years before (anno 1592), with much reputation and
honor, conducted an expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies; where,
with three ships and a small bark, he took several prizes, plundered and burnt some
towns, and got a considerable booty." — Stith, p. 42. He was a member of the first
Colonial Council. — Ibid., p. 45.
4 The names of Bartholomew Gosnold and Gabriel Archer are too well known to
students of New-England history to need further mention here. One of the writers in
the Appendix to Smith's Virginia (Oxford, 1612) says that the former was the "first
mover" of the plantation of Virginia.
14 WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
The Captayne gave them both knowledge of this, the Presi-
dent's opinion ; and moued them, with many intreaties, to be
myndefull of their dutyes to His Ma tie and the Collonye.
June, 1607. — The 22 th , 5 Captayne Newport retorned for
England ; for whose good passadge and safe retorne wee made
many prayers to our Almighty God.
June the 25 th , an Indian came to us from the great Pough-
waton w th the word of peace ; that he desired greatly our
freindshipp ; that the wyrounnces, 6 Pasyaheigh and Tapa-
hanagh, 7 should be our freindes ; that wee should sowe and
reape in peace, or els he would make warrs vpon them w th vs.
This message fell out true ; for both those wyroaunces haue
ever since remayned in peace and trade with vs. Wee
5 In the tract last named, the date given for Newport's return is June 15: and some
later writers have adopted that. But the date in the text is confirmed by Smith, in
his first tract on Virginia, entitled "True Relation," &c, 1608 (a black-letter volume,
not paged); by Percy, in Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1689; and by the writer of the journal
of Newport's " Discoveries in Virginia," in Archceologia Americana, vol. iv. p. 58.
Newport left 104 colonists at Jamestown. — Percy, as above. In the Appendix to
Smith's " Virginia," p. 8, the number of the "first planters" is stated to be 105; but
in the list of names, so far as there given, that of Anthony Gosnold is inserted twice.
6 "His [Powhatan's] inferior kings, whom they call Werowances, are tied to rule
by customs, and have power of life and death, as their command in that nature.
But this word Werowance, which we call and conster for a king, is a common word
whereby they call all commanders; for they have but few words in their language,
and but few occasions to use any officers more than one commander." — Smith's Vir-
ginia, p. 36.
1 The residence of Pasyaheigh, or, as the name is usually written, Paspahegh, may
have been at the spot bearing that name, which is indicated on Smith's map of Vir-
ginia as a few miles above Jamestown, on the James River. The name " Paspahegh "
appears to have been applied by the Indians to the territory which embraced James-
town. — See Hamor's True Discovrie, &c. (London, 1615), p. 38. For the residence
of Tapahanah, see note 6, page 16.
WING FIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 15
rewarded the messinger w th many tryfles w eh were great won-
ders to him.
This Powatan 8 dwelleth 10 myles from vs, upon the River
Pamaonche, w ch lyeth North from vs. Tlie Powatan in the
former iornall 9 menconed (a dwellar by Captn. Newport's
faults 1 ) ys a wyroaunce, and vnder this Great Powaton, w ch
before wee knew not.
July. — Th 3 of July, 7 or 8 Indians presented the Presi-
dent a dear from Pamaonke, 2 a wyrouance, desiring our
friendshipp. They enquired after our shipping ; w ch the
President said was gon to Croutoon. 3 They fear mucli our
shipps; and therefore he would not haue them think it farr
from us. Their wyrounce had a hatchet sent him. They
wear well contented w th trifles. A little after this came a
8 He was the "chief ruler," or "emperor," of that part of the country. His
principal residence, at this time, was at a place called Werowocomoco, " upon the
north side of York River." — Stith, p. 53. " Some fourteen miles from Jamestown,"
says Smith, in his "Virginia," p. 34, where the reader will find a particular descrip-
tion of this chief; and a more full one by Strachey, in his " Historie of Travaile in
Virginia Britannia," pp. 48-50.
9 Perhaps the journal of Newport's Discoveries; Arehaeol. Amer., vol. iv. p. 40.
It is not improbable that the Powhatan visited by Newport was a son of the emperor. —
See Strachey, p. 56. Smith was with Newport at this time; and it is quite certain,
from all the narratives, that the former first saw the Emperor Powhatan at Werowo-
comoco, when brought before him as a prisoner, in December or January following. —
See Smith's Virginia, Appendix, p. 14; True Relation.
1 Sic.
2 Probably Opechancanough, King of Pamaunkey, seated on the river of that
name; the main part of which is now called York River. — See Smith's Virginia,
Appendix, pp. 66, 67; True Relation; Stith, p. 53; Archmol. Amer., vol. iv. pp. 52, 53.
3 Croaton was an Indian town on the south part of Cape Lookout; the place to
which it was supposed, the Colony, or the remnant of the Colony, left by Gov.
White at Roanoke in 1587, had gone, and concerning whom all subsequent search
had proved fruitless.
10 WJNGFIELD'S DISCOUBSE OF VIRGINIA.
dear to tlio President from the Croat Powatan. IJo and his
messingers wore pleased w th the like trifles. The President
likewise bought diuers tymes dear of the Indyans ; beavers,
and other flesh : w rh he alwayes caused to be equally deuided
among the Collonye.
About this tyme, diuers of our men fell sick. We myssed
aboue fforty before September did see us; 4 amongsf whom
was the worthy and religious gent. Captn. Bartholomew Gos-
nold, 5 vpon whose liefs stood a grout part of the good succee
and fortune of our gouernment and Collony. in his sicknes
tyme, the President" did easily foretel his owne deposing from
hiscomaund; so much differed the President and the other
Councellors in mannaging the government of the Collonye.
July. — The 7 th of July, Tapahanah, a wyroaunce, dweller
on Salisbery 6 side, hayled us with the word of peace. The
President, w th a shallopp well manned, went to him. He found
him sytting on the ground crossed legged, as is theire cus-
tom, w h one attending on him, w cb did often saie, " This is the
wyroance Tapahanah ;" w ch he did likewise confirme w" 1 stroak-
ing his brest. He was well enough knowne; for the Presi-
4 " About the 10th of September, there was about forty-six of our men dead." —
True Relation. " From May to September, those that escaped Lived upon sturgeon
and sea-crabs: fifty in this time we buried." — Studley, in Smith's Virginia, p. 10.
5 " The two and twentieth day of August, there died Capt. Bartholomew Gosnold,
one of our Council. He was honorably buried; having all the ordnance in the fort shot
off, with many volleys of small shot." — Percy, in Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1690.
g " Coiacohanauke — which we commonly (though corruptly) call Tapahanock,
and is the same which Capt. Smith, in his map, calls Quiyoughcohanock, on the
south shore [of .lame- RiverJ, or Salisbury side " — was probably the residence "f this
chief. — Strachey, p. 56. "Pophamside" was on the north shore. — See Archceol. Amer.,
vol. iv. pp. A'l. 57.
WIXGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OP VIRGINIA. 17
dent had senc him diQse tymes before. His countynance was
nothing cherefull ; for we liad not seen him since he was in
the feild against vs : but the President would take no know-
ledge thereof, and vsed him kindely ; giving him a red was-
coat, w eh he did desire.
Tapahanah did enquire after our shipping. He receyued
answer as before. He said his ould store was spent ; that
his new was not at full growth by a foote ; that, as soone as
any was ripe, he would bring it ; w ch promise he truly
pformed.
The . . . 7 of . . . 7 M r Kendall was put of from being
of the Counsell, and comitted to prison; for that it did
manyfestly appeare he did practize to sowe discord betweene
the President and Councell. 8
Sicknes had not now left us vj able men in our towne.
God's onely mercy did now watch and warde for us : but
the President hidd this our weaknes carefully from the sal-
vages ; neuer suffring them, in all his tyme, to come into our
towne. 9
' Blanks in the original manuscript.
8 The first Council for the Colony, appointed in England, consisted of Edward
Maria Wingfield, Bartholomew Gosnokl, Christopher Newport, John Smith, John Rait-
cliffe, John Martin, George Kendall. — Smith's Virginia, Appendix, p. 3. Owing to
suspicions entertained of Smith, lie was not sworn of the Council till June lo, — twelve
days before the return of Newport for England. — Ibid., pp. 5, <3; ArchcedL Amer., vol. iv.
j). 57. Kendall was deposed, probably, soon after the death of Gosnold. — See True
Relation, and Percy as above.
9 Percy, one of the party, gives a sad picture of the sufferings endured by the
colonists at this period. How striking a parallel is presented to the condition of
the Pilgrims at Plymouth during the first winter and spring! He gives a list of the
names of nineteen persons who died in August, and five who died in September. " Our
men," he says, "were destroyed with cruel diseases — as swelling's, fluxes, burning
3
18 WJXGFIELP'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
Septem. — The vj th of September, Pasyaheigh sent vs a
boy thai was run from vs. This was the first assurance of
liis peace w th vs ; besides, wee found them no canyballs. 1
The boye obserucd the men & women to spend the most
])' of the night in singing or howling, and that euery morning
the women carryed all the litle children to the river's sides ;
but what they did there, he did not knowe.
The rest of the wyroaunces doe likewise send our men
runnagats to vs home againe, vsing them well during their
being with them ; so as now, they being well rewarded at
home at their retorne, they take litle ioye to trauell abroad
w h out pasports.
fevers — and by wars, and some departed suddenly; but, for the most part, they died
of mere famine. There were never Englishmen left in a foreign country in such
misery as we were in this new-discovered Virginia. We watched every three nights,
lying on the bare, cold ground, what weather soever came; warded all the next day;
which brought our men to be most feeble wretches. Our food was but a small can of
barley, sod in water, to five men a day; our drinke, cold water taken out of the river,
which was at a flood very salt, at a low tide full of slime and filth; which was the
destruction of many of our men. Thus we lived, for the space of five months, in this
miserable distress; not having live able men to man our bulwarks upon any occasion.
If it had not pleased God to have put a terrour in the Savages' hearts, we had all perished
by those wild and cruel Pagans, being in that weak state as we were; our men night
ami day groaning in every corner of the fort, most pitiful to hear. If there were any
conscience in men, it would make their hearts to bleed to hear the pitiful murmurings
and outcries of our sick men, without relief, every night and day, for the space of six
weeks; some departing out of the world, many times three or four in a night; in the
morning, their bodies trailed out of their cabins, like dogs, to be buried. In this sort
did I see the mortality of divers of our people." — Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1690. " The
living were scarce able to bury the dead." — "As yet, we had no houses to cover us;
our tents were rotten, and our cabins worse than nought. The President and Capt.
Martin's sickness constrained me to be Cape Marchant, and yet to spare no pains in
making houses for the company." — Smith's True Relation.
1 Smith believed that some of the Indians in the neighborhood of Jamestown were
cannibals; anil he gives a strange relation in proof of it, in connection with an account
of their yearly sacrifices. — Smith's Virginia, pp. 32, '•)■).
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 1!)
The Councell demanded some larger allowance for them-
selues, and for some sick, their fauorites ; w ch the President
would not yeeld vnto, w th out their warrants.
This matter was before ppounded by Captn. Martyn, 2 but so
nakedly as that he neyther knew the quantity of the stoare
to be but for xiij weekes and a half, under the Cap Merchaunt's 3
hand. He prayed them further to consider the long tyme
before wee expected Captn. Newport's retorne ; the incer-
tainty of his retorne, if God did not fauo r his voyage ; the
long tyme before our haruest would bee ripe ; and the doubt-
full peace that wee had w th the Indyans, w ch they would
keepe no longer then oportunity served to doe vs mischeif.
It was then therefore ordered that euery meale of fish or
fleshe should excuse the allowance for poridg, both against
the sick and hole. The Councell, therefore, sitting againe
upon this proposition, instructed in the former reasons and
order, did not thinke fit to break the former order by enlar-
ging their allowance, as will appeare by the most voyces reddy
to be shewed vnder their handes. Now was the comon store
of oyle, vinigar, sack, & aquavite all spent, saueing twoe
gallons of each : the sack reserued for the Comunion Table,
the rest for such extreamityes as might fall upon us, w ch
~ Martin was one of the original Colonial Council. — Ante, p. 17, note 8.
3 His majesty's orders for the government of the Colonies provided for the appoint-
ment of one person in each Colony to be " Treasurer, or Cape-merchant, of the same." —
Stitk, p. 39. Thomas Studley was the first who filled that office in Virginia. Among
the deaths this year in August, recorded by Percy, in Purchas, as above, is that of
"Thomas Stoodie, Cape-merchant." This would seem to be no other than Studley:
yet his name appears, in the Appendix to Smith's Virginia, as a narrator of events
which took place after the above date. It is quite likely that the editor of these nar-
ratives misapprehended, in some particulars, as to their authorship.
20 WIKGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
the President had onely made knowne to Captn. Gosnold;
of w ch course he liked well. The vessells wear, therefore,
boonged vpp. When M r Gosnold was dead, the President
did acquaint the rest of the Counsell w ,h the said remnant:
but, Lord, how they then longed for to supp up that little
remnant ! for they had nowe emptied all their own bottles,
and all other that they could smell out.
A little while after this, the Councell did againe fall vpon
the President for some better allowance for themselves, and
some few the sick, their privates. The President ptested
he would not be partial; but, if one had any thing of him,
ouery man should have his portion according to their placs.
Neuertheless, that, vpon their warrants, he would deliuer
what pleased them to demand. Yf the President had at
that tyme enlarged the pportion according to their request,
whout doubt, in very short tyme, he had starued the whole
company. He would not ioyne w th them, therefore, in such
ignorant murder whout their own warrant.
The President, well seeing to what end their ympacience
would growe, desired them earnestly & often tymes to bestow
the Presidcntshipp amonge themselues; that he would obey,
a private man, as well as they could comand. But they re-
fused to discharge him of the place ; sayeing they mought
not doe it, for that hee did his Ma tie good service in yt. In
this meane tyme, the Indians did daily relieue us w th corne
and fleshe, that, in three weekes, the President had reared
vpp xx men able to worke ; for, as his stoare increased, he
mended the comon pott : he had laid vp, besides, prouision
fur o weekes' wheate before hand.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 21
By this tyme, the Councell had fully plotted to depose
Wing-field, ther then President; and had drawne certeyne
artycles in wrighting amongst themselues, and toke their
oathes vpon the Evangelists to obserue them : th' effect
whereof was, first, —
To depose the then President;
To make M r Ratcliffe 4 the next President ;
Not to depose the one th' other ;
Not to take the deposed President into Councell againe ;
Not to take M r Archer into the Councell, or any other,
w ,h out the consent of euery one of them. To theis they had
subscribed ; as out of their owne mouthes, at seuerall tymes,
it was easily gathered. Thus had they forsaken his Ma t8 gov-
ernm 1 , sett vs downe in the instruccons, & made it a Trium-
virat.
It seemeth M r Archer was nothing acquainted w ,h theis
artycles. Though all the rest crept out of his noats and
comentaryes that were preferred against the President, yet
it pleased God to cast him into the same disgrace and pitt
that he prepared for another, as will appeare hereafter.
Septem. — The 10 of September, M r Batcliff, M r Smyth, 5
and M r Martynn, came to the President's tennt with a warrant,
4 John Ratcliffe was captain of the pinnace on the voyage from England, and one
o! the original Colonial Council. — See Smith's Virginia, Appendix, p. 3; ante, p. 17,
note 8. He gave great dissatisfaction as President; which office he held one year, and
was succeeded by Smith. He went to England soon after; but in May or June, 1609,
set sail for Virginia as captain of one of the ships which accompanied Somcrs and
Gates. He, with thirty or forty others, was slain by Powhatan in 1010.— See Smith's
Virginia, Appendix, pp. 93, 105. Sinn lay, in Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1734.
5 Capt. John Smith, so famous in Virginia and New-England history.
22 WIXGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
subscribed vnder their handes, to depose the President ; saye-
ing they thought him very unworthy to be eyther P e sident
or of the Councell, and therefore discharged him of bothe.
He answered them, that they had eased him of a great deale
of care and trouble ; that, long since, hee had diuers tymes
profered them the place at an easier rate; and, further, that
the President ought to be remoued (as appeareth in his
Ma ts instruccons for our government) by the greater number
of xiij voyces, Councellors ; 6 that they were but three, 7 and
therefore wished them to proceede advisedly. But they told
him, if they did him wrong, they must answere it. Then
said the deposed President, " I ame at your pleasure : dis-
pose of me as you will, w ,h out further garboiles."
I will now write what followeth in my owne name, and
giue the new President his title. I shall be the briefer
being thus discharged. I was comytted to a Serieant, and
sent to the pynnasse ; but I was answered w th ; " If they did
me wronge, they must answere it."
The 11 th of September, I was sent for to come before the
President and Councell vpon their Court daie. They had
now made M r Archer, Recorder of Virginia. The President
made a speeche to the Collony, that he thought it fitt to
6 The Charter of Virginia provided for a Colonial Council of thirteen; and his
Majesty's instructions and orders authorized the major part of said Council, upon any
just cause, to remove the President or any other of the Council. — Slilh, p. 37, and Ap-
pendix, p. 3. There seems to have been a departure from this rule, at the first, in the
appointment of only seven councillors.
" Newport had sailed for England, Gosnold had died, Kendall had been deposed;
and, setting aside Wingfield, there remained of the Council only the above-named
three.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 23
acquaint them whie I was deposed. I arae now forced to
stuff my paper with frivolous trifles, that our graue and
worthy Councell may the better strike those vaynes whore
the corrupt blood lyeth, and that they may see in what manner
of governm 1 the hope of the Collony now travayleth.
Ffirst, Master President said that I had denyed him a penny
whitle, 8 a chickyn, a spoonfull of beere, and serued him w th
foule come ; and w th that pulled some graine out of a bagg,
shewing it to the company.
Then start up M r Smyth, and said that I had told him
playnly how he lied ; and that I said, though we were equall
heere, yet, if he were in England, he 9 would think scorne his
man 1 should be my companyon.
M r Martyn followed w th , " He reporteth that I doe slack
the service in the Collonye, and doe nothing but tend my
pott, spitt, and oven ; but he hath starued my sonne, and
denyed him a spoonefull of beere. I haue freinds in England
shal be revenged on him, if euer he come in London."
I asked M r President if I should answere theis compP,
and whether he had ought els to charge me w th all. W th that
he pulled out a paper booke, loaded full w Ul artycles against
me, and gaue them M r Archer to reade.
I tould M r President and the Councell, that, by the instruc-
cons for our governm 1 , our proceedings ought to be verball, 2
8 " Whittle," a small pocket-knife.
9 Probably it should read "/would think scorn," &c.
1 Name ? See p. 41, lines 27 and 2S.
2 "These judicial proceedings should be made summarily and verbally, till they
come to the judgment, or sentence, which should be briefly registered in a book kept
for that purpose," &c— See the king's instructions and orders in Slith, pp. 37-41.
24 wingfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
and I was there ready to answere; but they said they would
proceede in that order. I desired a coppie of the articles,
and tyme giuen me to answere them likewise by wrighting;
but that would not be graunted. I badd them then please
themselues. M r Archer then read some of the artycles ; when,
on the suddaine, M r President said, " Staie, staie ! Wee know
not whether he will abide our Judgment, or whether he will
appoale to the King ; " sayeing to me, " How saie you : Will
you appeale to the King, or no?" I apprehended presently
that God's mercy had opened me a waie, through their igno-
rance, to escape their malice ; for I never knew how I might
demande an appeale : besides, I had secret knowledge how
they had foreiudged me to paie hue fold for any thing that
came to my handes, whereof I could not discharge myself
by wrighting ; and that I should lie in prison vntil I had
paid it.
The Cape Marchant had deliured me our marchandize,
w th out any noat of the perticularyties, vnder my hand ; for
himself had receyued them in grosse. I likewise, as occation
moued me, spent them in trade or by guift amongst the
Indians. 80 likewise did Captn. Newport take of them, when
he went up to discouer the King's river, what he thought
good, w th out any noate of his hand mentioning the certainty ;
and disposed of them as was fitt for him. Of these, likewise,
I could make no accompt; onely I was well assured I had
neuer bestowed the valewe of three penny whitles to my own
vse, nor to the private vse of any other; for I never carry ed
any fauorite over w th me, or intertayned any thear. I was all
one and one to all.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 25
Vpon theis consideracons, I answered M r President and the
Councell, that His Mat ys handes were full of mercy, and that
I did appeale to His Ma t9 mercy. They then comytted me
prisoner againe to the master of y e pynnasse, w th theis words,
" Looke to him well: he is now the King's prisoner."
Then M r Archer pulled out of his bosome another paper
book full of artycles against me, desiring that he might reade
them in the name of the Collony. I said I stood there ready
to answere any man's complaintt whome I had wronged ; but
no one man spoke one word against me. Then was he willed
to reade his booke, whereof I complayned ; but I was still
answered, " If they doe me wrong, they must answer it." I
have forgotten the most of the artycles, they were so slight
(yet he glorieth much in his pennworke). I know well the
last : and a speeche that he then made savoured well of a mu-
tyny ; for he desired that by no means I might lye prysoner
in the towne, least boath he and others of the Collony should
not giue such obedience to their comaund as they ought to
doe : which goodly speech of his they easilye swallowed.
But it was vsuall and naturall to this honest gent,, M r Ar-
cher, to be allwayes hatching of some mutany in my tyme.
Hee might haue appeered an author of 3 seuerall mutynies.
And hee (as M r Pearsie 3 sent me worde) had bought some
3 " This was the Honorable Mr. George Percy, of the ancient family of the Percys
so renowned in story, and brother to the Earl of Northumberland. Neither did his
actions here disgrace the nobility of his birth; for he justly obtained the reputation of
a gentleman of great honor, courage, and industry. He seems to have come merely a
volunteer upon the expedition, and bore no post or office of government." — Stith, p. 45.
Percy subsequently became temporary Governor of the Colony, of which he wrote an
interesting account from its commencement. The early portion was printed by Pur-
chas, and is referred to above.
4.
26 WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
witnesses' handes against rne to diuers artycles, w ,h Indian
cakes (w ch was noe great matter to doe after ray deposal, and
considering their hungar), perswations, and threats. At an-
other tyme, he feared not to saie openly, and in the presence
of one of the Councell, that, if they had not deposed me when
they did, he hadd gotten twenty others to himself w ch should
haue deposed me. But this speech of his was likewise easily
disiested. 4 M r Crofts 5 feared not to saie, that, if others would
ioyne w th him, he would pull me out of my seate, and out of
my skynn too. Others would saie (whose names I spare), that,
vnless I would amend their allowance, they would be their
owne caruers. For these mutinus speeches I rebuked them
openly, and proceeded no further against them, considering
thein of men's Hues in the King's service there. One of the
Councell was very earnest w th me to take a guard aboute me.
I answered him, I would no guard but God's love and my
own innocencie. In all theis disorders was M r Archer a ring-
leader.
When M r President and M r Archer had made an end of
their artycles aboue mentioned, I was again sent prisoner
to the pynnasse ; and M r Kendall, take in ge from thence, had
his liberty, but might not carry armes.
All this while, the salvages brought to the towne such
corn and fflesh as they could spare. Paspaheighe, by Tapa-
hanne's mediation, was taken into freindshipp with vs. The
4 That is, digested. Disgest was a very common form, in early writers, of the word
we spell digest. — See HalliwelFs "Archaic and Provincial Words."
5 Richard Crofts, who is classed among the " gentlemen " in the list of the first
planters. — Smith's Virginia, Appendix, p. 7.
WINGFIELD's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 27
Councillors, M r Smyth especially, traded vp and downe the
river w th the Indyans for corne ; w ch releued the Collony
well. 6
As I understand by a report, I am much charged w th staru-
ing the Collony. I did alwaies giue eury man his allowance
faithfully, both of corne, oyle, aquivite, &c, as was by the
Counsell proportioned : neyther was it bettered after my
tyme, untill, towards th' end of March, a bisket was allowed
to euery workeing man for his breakefast, by means of the
pulsion brought vs by Captn. Newport ; as will appeare here-
after. It is further said, I did much banquit and ryot. I
never had but one squirell roasted ; whereof I gave part to
M r Ratcliff, then sick : yet was that squirell given me. I did
never heate a flesh pott but when the comon pot was so used
likewise. Yet how often M r President's and the Councellors'
spitts haue night & daye bene endaungered to break their
backes, — so laden w th swarms, geese, ducks, & c ! how many
times their flesh potts haue swelled, many hungry eies did
behold, to their great longing ; and what great theeues and
theeving thear hath been in the comon stoare since my tyme,
I doubt not but is already made knowne to his Ma ts Councell
for Virginia.
The 17 th daie of Septemb r , I was sent for to the Court to
answere a complaint exhibited against me by Jehu Robinson ; 7
for that, when I was President, I did saie, hee w th others had
6 Smith appears to have been indefatigable in his efforts to serve the Colony at this
time. An account of his various trading expeditions in search of corn will be found
in the early tracts above cited.
7 John Robinson is classed among the "gentlemen," in the list just referred to.
28 WINGPIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
consented to run aware with the shallop to Newfoundland.
At an other tyrne, I must answere M r Smyth for that I had
said hee did conceal an intended mutany. I tould M r Re-
corder, those words would beare no actions; that one of the
causes was done w th out the lymits menconed in the Patent
graunted to vs ; and therefore prayed M r President that I
mought not be thus lugged with theis disgraces and troubles :
but hee did weare no other eies or eares than grew on M r
Archer's head.
The jury gaue the one of them 100 H and the other two
hundred pound damages for slaunder. Then M r Recorder
did very learnedly comfort me, that, if I had wrong, I might
bring my writ of error in London ; whereat I smiled.
I, seeing their law so speedie and cheape, desired justice
for a copper kettle w ch M r Crofte did deteyne from me. Hee
said I had giuen it him. I did bid him bring his proofe for
that. Hee confessed he had no proofe. Then M r President
did aske me if I would be sworne I did not giue it him. I
said I knew no cause whie to sweare for myne owne. He
asked M r Crofts if hee would make oath I did give it him ;
Av ch oathe he tooke, and wonn my kettle from me, that was
in that place and tyme worth half his weight in gold. Yet
I did understand afterwards that he would haue given John
Capper the one half of the kettle to haue taken the oath for
him; but hee would no copper on that price.
I tould M r President I had not known the like lawe, and
prayed they would be more sparing of law vntill wee had
more witt or wealthe ; that lawes were good spies in a popu-
lous, peaceable, and plentifull country, whear they did make
wingfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 29
the good men better, & stayed the badd from being worse ;
y* wee weare so poore as they did but rob us of tyme that
might be better ymployed in service in the Collonye.
The 7 . . . daie of 7 . . . the President did beat James
Read, the Smyth. 8 The Smythe stroake him againe. For this
he was condempned to be hanged ; but, before he was turned
of the lather, he desired to speak with the President in pri-
vate, to whome he accused M r Kendall of a mutiny, and so
escaped himself. 9 What indictment M r Recorder framed
against the Smyth, I knowe not ; but I knowe it is familiar
for the President, Counsellors, and other officers, to beate men
at their pleasures. One lyeth sick till death, another walketh
lame, the third cryeth out of all his boanes ; w eh myseryes
they doe take vpon their consciences to come to them by this
their almes of beating. Wear this whipping, lawing, beat-
ing, and hanging, in Virginia, knowne in England, I fear it
would driue many well affected myndes from this hono blc
action of Virginia.
This Smyth comyng aboord the pynnasse w th some others,
aboute some busines, 2 or 3 dayes before his arraignem',
brought me comendacons from M r Pearsye, M r Waller, 1 M r
Kendall, and some others, saieing they would be glad to see
' "> Blanks in the original manuscript.
8 "James Read, Blacksmith." — Smith's Virginia, Appendix, p. 8.
9 This account corresponds substantially with Smith in his True Relation, who
says Kendall was tried by a jury. Studley, in Smith's Virginia (Appendix, p. 12), says
that Kendall's crime had connection with a plot, formed in Smith's absence, to divert
the course of the pinnace (which had been fitted up for a trading voyage), and "to go
for England."
i "John Waler" is in the list of " gentlemen." — Ibid., p. 7.
30 wingfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
me on shoare. I answered him, they were honest gent., and
had canyed themselues very obediently to their goSnors. I
prayed God that they did not think of any ill thing vnworthie
themselues. I added further, that vpon Sundaie, if the
weathiar were faire, I would be at the sermon. Lastly, I
said that I was so sickly, starued, lame, and did lye so could
and wett in the pj^nnasse, as I would be dragged thithere
before I would goe thither any more. Sundaie proued not
faire : I went not to the sermon.
The 2 . . . daie of 2 . . ., M r Kendall was executed; being
shott to death for a mutiny. In th' arrest of his judgm', he
alleaged to M r President y' his name was Sicklemore, not
Ratcliff; 3 & so had no authority to pnounce judgm*. Then
M r Martyn pnounced judgm'.
Somewhat before this tyme, the President and Councell
had sent for the keyes of my coffers, supposing that I had
some wrightings concerning the Collony. I requested that
the Clearke of the Councell might see what they tooke out
of my coffers ; but they would not suffer him or any other.
Vnder cullor heereof, they took my books of accompt, and all
my noates that concerned the expences of the Collony, and
instructions vnder the Cape-Marchant's liande of the stoare
of prouision, diuers other bookes tfc trifles of my owne proper
goods, w ch I could neuer recover. Thus was I made good
prize on all sides.
2 Blanks in the original manuscript.
3 " Ratcliffe, whose right name was Sickelmore." — Smi/li'* Virginia, Appendix,
p. 93. His name appears in the second charter of Virginia as " Capt. John Sicklemore,
alias Ratcliffe." — Slith, Appendix, p. 11.
WINGFIELO'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 31
The 4 . . . claic of 4 . . ., the President comandecl me to
come on shore ; w ch I refused, as not rightfully deposed, and
desired that I mought speake to him and the Councell in
the p°sence of 10 of the best sorte of the gent. W th much
intreaty, some of them wear sent for. Then I tould them I
was determined to goe into England to acquaint our Councell
there w th our weaknes. I said further, their lawes and
governm' was such as I had no ioye to liue under them any
longer ; that I did much myslike their triumverat haueing
forsaken his Ma ts instruccons for our government, and there-
fore praied there might be more made of the Councell. I
said further, I desired not to go into England, if eyther M r
President or M r Archer would goe, but was willing to take
my fortune w th the Collony ; and did also proffer to furnish
them w th 100 H towards the fetching home the Collonye, if
the action was given ouer. They did like of none of my
proffers, but made diuers shott att mee in the pynnasse. I,
seeing their resolucons, went ashoare to them ; whear, after
I had staied a while in conference, they sent me to the pyn-
nasse againe.
Decern. — The 10 th of December, M r Smyth went vp the
ryuer of the Chechohomynies 5 to trade for corne. He was
desirous to see the heade of that riuer ; and, when it was not
passible Av th the shallop, he hired a cannow and an Indian to
carry him vp further. The river the higher grew worse and
worse. Then hee went on shoare w th his guide, and left
4 Blanks in the original manuscript.
5 This river empties into the James River on the north side, a few miles above
Jamestown.
32 WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
Robinson & Emmery, 6 twoe of our Men, in the cannow ; w ch
were presently slayne by the Indians, Pamaonke's men, and
lice himself taken prysoner, and. by the means of his guide,
his lief was saved ; and Pamaonche, haueing him prisoner,
carryed him to liis neybors wyroances to see if any of them
knew him for one of those w ch had bene, some twoe or three
yeeres before vs, in a river amongst them Northward, and
taken awaie some Indians from them by force. At last he
brought him to the great Powaton (of whome before wee had
no knowledg), 7 who sent him home to our towne the viij"' of
January. 8
6 John Robinson is in the list of "gentlemen," and " Tho. Emry" is in the list of
"carpenters." — Sec Smith, as above.
' Sec p. 15.
8 It was while on this expedition, as we are told in one of the later publications of
Smith, that his life, which was threatened by Powhatan, was saved by his daughter
Pocahontas, just as he was about to suffer. The story is an interesting and romantic
one. But the critical reader of the accounts of Smith's adventures in Virginia will be
struck with the fact, that no mention whatever is made of this incident in his minute
personal narrative covering this period, written at the time, on the spot, and published
in 1G08; nor in the narrative of his companions, in the appendix to the tract of 1012;
in neither of which is any attempt made to conceal his valiant exploits and hair-breadth
escapes. In his "New England's Trials" (1022) is a brief incidental allusion, in an
ambiguous form, to his having been "delivered" by Pocahontas, when taken pri-
soner. But the current story first appears in the " Generall Historic," first pub-
lished in 1024. This book is compiled chiefly from earlier publications of his own and
others; and what relates to Virginia, for this early period, is taken for the most part
from the tract of 1012; though there is an occasional variation in the text, and inci-
dents related in the tract of 1008 are sometimes introduced. In the tract last named,
written by Smith himself on the spot, it does not appear that he considered his life at
all in danger while he was a guest or prisoner of Powhatan. The hazards which he
had run when he was first surprised by the Indians, and while in the hands of the
King of Pamaunkey — who took him prisoner after the slaughter of his only two
companions — and of the Other minor chiefs, were ended. The whole bearing of the
emperor towards him from the first, far from being hostile or even unfriendly, was in
every respect kind and hospitable. The emperor, says Smith, "kindly received me.
wingfield's discourse of vikginia. 33
During M r Smythe's absence, the President did sweat- M r
Archer one of the Councell, contrary to his oath taken in the
artycles agreed vpon betweene themselues (before spoken
with good words, and great platters of sundry victuals: assuring me of his friendship,
and my liberty in four days." A conversation then ensued between them, which
evidently resulted in inspiring mutual confidence. The savage was curious to know
what brought Smith into the country, and appeared satisfied with the answers he
received, which were far from the truth. He informed Smith as to the extent of his
dominions, the character of the neighboring tribes, &c; and his guest " requited his
discourse" by "describing to him the territories of Europe which were subject to our
great king, . . . the innumerable multitude of ships, . . . the terrible manner of fight-
in»" under Capt. Newport, whose '-greatness he admired, and not a little feared. He
desired me to forsake Paspahegh, and to live with him upon his river. . . . And thus
having, with all the kindness he could devise, sought to content me, he sent me home
with four men, — one that usually carried my gown and knapsack after me, two others
loaded with bread, and one to accompany me." This simple story of Smith's interview
with Powhatan, — here considerably abridged, — in which the name of the Indian
child Pocahontas is not even mentioned, shows quite a different treatment from what
is indicated in the following passage, subsequently interpolated in the most abrupt and
awkward manner into the account in the " Generall Historic." After describing the
statelv appearance of Powhatan in the midst of his courtiers and women, somewhat
as in the former account, the latter narrative proceeds to say, that, on Smith's entrance
before the king, the people gave a great shout. The Queen of Appamatuck was de-
puted to bring him water to wash his hands; and another brought him a bunch of
feathers, instead of a towel, to dry them. Then, "having feasted him after the best
barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held; but the conclusion was,
two great stones were brought before Powhatan. Then as many as could laid hands
on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head; and, being ready with their
clubs to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the king's dearest daughter, when no entreaty
could prevail, got her head in his arms, and laid her own upon his, to save him from
death: whereat the emperor was contented he should live to make him hatchets; and
her, bells, beads," &c. After some days, the emperor came to him, and told him they
now were friends, and presently he should go to Jamestown; where, with twelve
guides, he soon sent him.
No one can doubt that the earlier narrative contains the truer statement, and that
the passage last cited is one of the few or many embellishments with which Smith,
with his strong love of the marvellous, was disposed to garnish the stories of his early
adventures, and with which he or his editors were tempted to adorn particularly his
later works. The name of Pocahontas, afterwards the " Lady Piebecca," had become
34 wingfield's discourse of vibginia.
of), and contrary to the King's instruccons, and w th out Mr
Martyn's consent; whereas there weare no more but the
President and M r Martyn then of the Councell.
somewhat famous in the annals of Virginia, since the time Smith knew her there at
the age of thirteen or fourteen, when lie left the Colony for England. From her position,
she had been the means of rendering the Colony some service. Through her, an influ-
ence for good had been acquired over Powhatan. As the daughter of an emperor, —
possessing, as is said, some personal attractions, and the first convert of her tribe to
Christianity, — she had been, on her visit to England with her husband, John Rolfe, in
1016, an object of much curiosity and attention. The temptation, therefore, to bring
her on the stage as a heroine in a new character in connection with Smith, always the
hero of his chronicles, — and who, in his early adventures in the East, as he subse-
quently claimed, had inspired the gentle Tragabigzanda with the tenderest emotions
towards him, — appears to have been too great for him to withstand, and was not to be
resisted by those interested in getting up the " Generall Historie;" and therefore, in
reproducing the account of his imprisonment, this story — the substance of which
Smith appears to have intimated to her majesty Queen Anne, in general terms, while
the "Lady Rebecca" was in England ("Generall Historie," p. 121) — is introduced
for the first time into the narrative of this portion of his adventures.
It should be borne in mind, that Smith makes no claim to have been taken prisoner
more than once by the Indians, during his residence of two years and a half in Vir-
ginia. All his adventures during this period are related in detail, and there was but
one occasion on which the service claimed to have been rendered by Pocahontas
could have been performed. This marvellous story finds no proper place in any other
adventure; and the introduction of it into the narrative in the " Generall Historie" is
equivalent to setting aside the whole of the earlier account, so far as relates to the
manner of his reception and his whole treatment by Powhatan, when brought before
him a prisoner.
In its connection with this subject, the passage in the text of Wingfield, at this
place, becomes especially significant, as giving the main features of Smith's imprison-
ment as they were understood at Jamestown at the time, and, of course, as told by
Smith himself. According to this, as we have seen, his life was imperilled only at the
time of his first falling into the hands of the Indians, — " Pamaunkey's men;" and
he was saved by his Indian guide. The passage is silent as to Pocahontas; and the
name of Powhatan is introduced only in connection with the fact, that, when Smith
was brought before him a prisoner, he sent the captive home to Jamestown.
To those familiar with Secretary Ilamor's rare tract on Virginia, published in
1615, which is largely devoted to Pocahontas, his silence will be deemed equally
significant.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 35
M r Archer, being settled in his authority, sought how to
call M r Smyth's lief in question, and had indited hirn vpon a
chapter in Leuiticus for the death of his twoe men. 9 He had
had his tryall the same daie of his retorne, and, I believe, his
hanging the same or the next daie, so speedie is our lawe
there. But it pleased God to send Captn. Newport vnto us
the same evening, to o r vnspeakable comfort; whose arrivall
snued M r Smyth's leif and mine, because hee took me out of
the pynnasse, and gaue me leave to lye in the towne. Also
by his comyng was p e vented a parliam', 1 w ch y e newe Counsailo r ,
M r Recorder, intended thear to summon. Thus error begot
error.
Captayne Newport, haueing landed, lodged, and refreshed
his men, ymploied some of them about a faire stoare
Without designing to impeach the general trustworthiness of Smith's original nar-
rations, ami with no disposition to detract from the " Generall Historie " (a large part
of which is compiled from writings of others) and the " True Travels," to the extent
implied in Burk's designation of the former as an "epic history or romance" (see
Burk's History of Virginia, preface), it must be admitted that the tendency to exagge-
ration and over-statement in these later publications is evident. Referring to what has
already been said, it would be curious to trace other variations in the two accounts
of Smith's imprisonment especially referred to, — in the "True Relation" and. in the
" Generall Historie." But this note is already too much extended. An admirable ana-
lysis of Smith's " Generall History " and " True Travels" maybe found in Palfrey's
History of New England, vol. i. pp. 89-93.
9 " Some, no better than they should be, had plotted with the President, the next
day, to have put him to death by the Levitical law, for the lives of Robinson and
Emry; pretending the fault was his," &c. — Smith's Generall Historie, p. 49. Smith,
probably, was to be tried by the spirit of the law laid down in Lev. xxiv. 19-21.
1 If, by a parliament, is here intended the whole body of colonists or their repre-
sentatives, it is certain that no authority for summoning such an assembly was vested
in the Council or Colony. — Stith, pp. 37-41.
3G WINGFIELD's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
house, others about a stove, and his maryners aboute a
church: 2 all w ch workes they finished cherefully and in short
tyme.
January. — The 7 of January, 3 our towne was almost quite
- The narrative, in the Appendix to Smith, complains that the mariners spent
much time hunting for gold; kept the ship long in the country (fourteen weeks),
consuming their food, "that the mariners might say they built such ;t golden church,
that we can say the rain washed to near nothing in fourteen days."
Smith thus describes " what churches we had, order of service," &c, when he first
went to Virginia: "When I went first to Virginia, I well remember, we did hang an
awning (which is an old sail) to three or four trees to shadow us from the sun. Our
walls were rails of wood; our seats, unhewed trees, till we cut planks; our pulpit, a
bar of wood nailed to two neighbouring trees. In foul weather, we shifted into an old
rotten tent, for we had few better; and tlii< came by the way of adventure for new.
This was our church, till we built a homely thing like a barn, set upon cratchets,
covered with rafts, sedge, and earth; so was also the walls: the best of our houses of
the like curiosity, but the most part far much worse workmanship, that could neither
well defend wind nor rain. Yet we had daily Common Prayer morning and evening,
every Sunday two sermons, and every three months the holy Communion, till our
minister [Mr. Hunt, the date of whose death is uncertain] died; but our Prayers daily,
with an Homily on Sundays, we continued two or three years after, till more preachers
came. And surely God did most mercifully hear us, till the continual inundations of
mistaking directions, factions, and numbers of unprovided Libertines, near consumed
us all, as the Israelites in the wilderness." — Smith's "Advertisements," &c, London,
1631, pp. 32, 33.
3 According to the dates in the text, this fire took place the day before the
arrival of Newport; but Smith says, "Within five or six days after the arrival of
the ship, by a mischance our Fort was burned, and the most of our apparel, lodging,
and private provision. Many of our old men diseased; and [many] of our new, for
want of lodging, perished." — True Relation. The inference from the account in the
Appendix to Smith's Virginia is clear, that Newport had arrived some time before
the fire took place. If the ship remained at Jamestown " fourteen weeks," as is
stated in the tract last named, — sailing for England, April 10, — it would show that
she arrived some days earlier than the date given in the text. Smith and Wingfield
agree as to the arrival of Newport on the evening of the day of the former's return
from his captivity among the Indians.
wingfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 37
burnt, 4 with all our apparell and prouision ; 5 but Captn. New-
port healed our wants, to our great comforts, out of the great
plenty sent vs by the prouident and loving care of our wor-
thie and most worthie Councell.
This vigilant Caj)tayne, slacking no oportunity that might
advaunce the prosperity of the Collony, haueing setled the
company vppon the former workes, took M r Smyth and M r
Scrivenor (another Councellor of Virginia, vpon whose dis-
cretion liveth a great hope of the action), went to discouer
the River Pamaonche, on the further side whearof dwelleth the
Great Powaton, and to trade w th him for corne. This River
lieth North from vs, and runneth East and West. I haue
< " The houses first raised were all burnt, by a casualty of fire, the beginning of the
second year of their seat, and in the second voyage of Capt. Newport; which since
have been better rebuilded, though as yet in no great uniformity either for the fashion
or beaut}' of the street. A delicate-wrought, fine kind of mat the Indians make, with
which (as they can be trucked for or snatched up) our people do dress their chambers
and inward rooms; which make their houses so much the more handsome. The
houses have wide and large country chimneys, in the which is to be supposed (in such
plenty of wood) what fires are maintained : and they have found the way to cover their
houses now (as the Indians) with the barks of trees, as durable, and as good proof
against storms and winter weather, as the best tyle; defending likewise the piercino-
sunbeams of summer, and keeping the inner lodgings cool enough, which before, in
sultry weather, would be like stoves, whilst they were, as at first, pargetted and
plastered with bitumen or tough clay. And, thus armed for the injury of changing
times and seasons of the year, we hold ourselves well apaid, though wanting arras
hangings, tapestry, and gilded Venetian cordovan, or more spruce household garniture
and wanton city ornaments." — Strachey, in Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1753.
5 " Good Mr. Hunt, our preacher, lost all his library, and all that he had but the
clothes on his back; yet none ever saw him repine. This happened in the winter of
that extreme frost, 1607." — Smith's Virginia, Appendix, p. 20.
6 Matthew Scrivener, one of the second supply with Newport. He, with ten others
was drowned in a skill", within a year from this time. — Ibid., p. 71.
38 wixgfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
nothing but by relation of that matter, and therefore dare
not make any discourse thereof, lest I mought wrong the
great desart w ch Captn. Newport's loue to the action hath
deserued ; espially himself being present, and best able to
giue satisfaction thereof. I will hasten, therefore, to his
retorne.
March. — The 9 th of March, he retorned to James Towne
w th his pynnasse well loaden w th corne, wheat, Jbeanes, and
pease, to our great comfort <fe his worthi comendacons."
By this tyme, the Counsell & Captayne, haueing intentiuely
looked into the carryadge both of the Councellors and other
officers, remoued some officers out of the stoare, and Captn.
Archer, a Councellor whose insolency did looke vpon that
litle himself w th great sighted spectacles, derrogating from
others' merrits by spueing out his venemous libells and in-
famous chronicles vpon them, as doth appeare in his owne
hand wrighting ; ffor w dl , and other worse tricks, he had not
escaped y c halter, but that Captn. Newport interposed his
advice to the contrary.
Captayne Newport, haueing now dispatched all his busines 8
and set the clocke in a true course (if so the Councell will
keep it), prepared himself for England vpon the x th of
' A minute account of this trading expedition, during which Capt. Newport for the
first, time had an interview with the "great Powhatan," and from which the forty who
embarked on it returned with two or three hundred bushels of corn, may be seen in
the "True Relation," and a more brief account in the Appendix to Smith's Virginia.
8 Newport, being warmly seconded by Capt. Martin, though against the advice of
Smith, loaded the ship home with "gilded dirt," supposing it to be gold-dust. — Ibid.,
pp. 21, 22.
wingfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 39
April], 9 and arryued at Blackwall on Sunday, the xxj" 1 of
Maye, 1608.
FINIS.
I humbly craue some patience to answere many scandalus
imputacons w ch malice, more than malice, hath scattered vpon
my name, and those frivolous three names obiected against
me by the President and Councell ; and though nil conscire
sibi be the onely maske that can well coner my blushes, yett
doe I not doubt but this my appologie shall easily wipe them
awaie.
It is noised that I combyned w th the Spanniards to the dis-
truccon of the Collony ; That I ame an atheist, because I
carryed not a Bible w th me, and because I did forbid the
preacher to preache ; that I affected a kingdome ; That I did
hide of the comon prouision in the ground.
I confesse I haue alwayes admyred any noble vertue &
prowesse, as well in the Spanniards (as in other nations) ; but
naturally I haue alwayes distrusted and disliked their neigh-
borhoode. I sorted many bookes in my house, to be sent vp
to me at my goeing to Virginia ; amongst them a Bible. They
were sent me vp in a trunk to London, Av ,h diuers fruite, con-
sents, & p e serues, w ch I did sett in M r Crofts his house in
9 " He set sail for England the tenth of April. Master Scrivener and myself, with
our shallop, accompanied him to Cape Hendrick."— True Relation. Wingfield, the
author of this narrative, and Archer, returned home at this time with Capt. Newport.
Archer came back to Virginia the next year, as master of one of the ships — in com-
pany with Gates and Somers — which left England in May or June, 1609. — See Smith's
Virginia, Appendix, pp. 22. 93; Sirachey, in Purchas, vol. iv. p. 1734.
40 WINGPIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
Ratcliff. 1 In my beeing at Virginia, I did vnderstand my
trunk was thear broken vp, much lost, my sweetmeates eaten
at his table, some of my bookes w ch I missed to be seene in
his hands; and whether amongst them my Bible was so
ymbeasiled or mislayed by my seruants, and not sent me, I
knowe not as yet.
Two or three Sundayes mornings, the Indians gave vs
allarums at our towne. By that tymes they weare answered,
the place about us well discouered, and our devyne service
ended, the daie was farr spent, The preacher did aske me if
it were my pleasure to haue a sermon : hee said hee was pre-
pared for it. I made answere, that our men were weary and
hungry, and that he did see the time of the daie farr past (for
at other tymes hee neuer made such question, but, the ser-
vice finished, he began his sermon) ; & that, if it pleased
"him, wee would spare him till some other tyme. I never
failed to take such noates by wrighting out of his doctrine
as my capacity could comprehend, vnless some raynie day
hindred my indeauo r . My mynde never swelled with such
ympossible mountebank humors as could make me affect any
other king-dome then the kingdom of heaven.
As truly as God liueth, I gave an ould man, then the keeper
of the private stoure, 2 glasses w ,h sallet oyle w ch I brought
w ,h me out of England for my private stoare, and willed him
to bury it in the ground, for that I feared the great heate
i Probably the hamlet of Ratcliffe, which is in the southern division of the parish
of Stepney, about one mile from London. — See LysorCs Environs of London, vol. ii.
pp. 712-15.
WINGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OP VIRGINIA. 41
would spoile it. Whatsoeuer was more, I did never consent
vnto or knewe of it ; and as truly was it protested vnto me,
that all the remaynder before menconed of the oyle, wyne,
& c , w ch the President receyued of me when I was deposed,
they themselues poored into their owne bellyes.
To the President's and Councell's obiections I saie, that I
doe knowe curtesey and civility became a governor. No
penny whitle was asked me, but a kniffe, whereof I had none
to spare. The Indyans had long before stoallen my knife.
Of chickins I never did eat but one, and that in my sicknes.
M r RatclifF had before that time tasted of 4 or 5. I had by
my owne huswiferie bred aboue 37, and the most part of them
of my owne poultrye ; of all w eh , at my comyng awaie, I did
not see three liueing. I never denyed him (or any other)
beare, when I had it. The corne was of the same w ch wee all
lined vpon.
M r Smyth, in the tyme of our hungar, had spread a rumor
in the Collony, that I did feast myself and my seruants out of
the comon stoare, w th entent (as I gathered) to haue stirred
the discontented company against me. I tould him privately,
in M r Gosnold's tent, that indeede I had caused half a pint of
pease to be sodden w th a peese of pork, of my own prouision,
for a poore old man, w ch in a sicknes (whereof he died) he
much desired ; and said, that if out of his malice he had
given it out otherwise, that hee did tell a leye. It was
proued to his face that he begged in Ireland, like a rogue,
w th out a lycence. To such I would not my name should be a
companyon.
M r Martin's payns, during my comaund, never stirred out of
6
42 wixgfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
our towne tenn scoare ; and how slack Lee was in his watch-
ing and other dutyes, it is too well knowne. I never defrauded
his sonne of any thing- of his own allowance, but gaue him
aboue it. I believe their disdainefull vsage and threats,
which they many tymes gaue me, would have pulled some
distempered speeches out of fare greater pacyence than myne.
Yet shall not any revenging humor in me befoule my penn
w th their base names and liues here and there. I did visit
M r Pearsie, M r Hunt, M r Brewster, M r Pickasse, M r Allicock,
ould Short the bricklayer, 2 and diuerse others, at seuerall
tymes. I never miskalled at a gent, at any tyme.
Concerning my deposing from my place, I can well prone
that M r RatclifF said, if I had vsed him well in his sicknes
(wherein I find not myself guilty of the contrary), I had never
bene deposed.
M r Smyth said, if it had not bene for M r Archer, I hadd
never bene deposed. Since his being here in the towne, he
hath said that he tould the President and Councell that they
were frivolous obiections they had collected against me, and
that they had not done well to depose me. Yet, in my con-
science, I doe believe him the first <fc onely practizer in theis
practisses. M r Archer's quarrell to me was, because bee had
not the choice of the place for our plantation ; because I mis-
2 The name of "Mr. Robert Hunt, Preacher," is in the list of first planters. — See
pp. 43, 44. " William Bruster, gentleman," died Aug. 10, 1607, "of a wound given by
the Savages, and was buried the eleventh day." " Dru Pickhouse " was one of the
first planters. " The nineteenth day [°f August] died Drue Piggase, gentleman."
''The fourteenth day [of August], Jerome Alikock, Ancient, died of a wound." —
Percy, in Purchas, as above. "Old Short's" name is not among the first planters.
The list is not complete.
wingfield's DISCOURSE OP VIRGINIA. 43
liked his leying out of our towne, in the pinnasse ; because I
would not sware him of the Councell for Virginia, w ch neyther
I could doe or he deserve.
M r Smyth's quarrell, because his name was menconed in the
entended & confessed mutiny by Galthropp. 3
Thomas Wootton, the surieon, because I would not sub-
scribe to a warrant (w ch he had gotten drawne) to the Trea-
surer of Virginia, to deliuer him money to furnish him w ,h
druggs and other necessaryes ; & because I disallowed his
living in the pinnasse, haueing many of o r men lyeing sick &
wounded in o r towne, to whose dressings by that meanes he
slacked his attendance.
Of the same men, also, Captn. Gosnold gaue me warning,
misliking much their dispositions, and assured me they would
lay hold of me if they could ; and peradventure many, because
I held them to watching, warding, and workeing ; and the
Collony generally, because I would not giue my consent to
starue them. I cannot rack one word or thought from my-
self, touching my carryadg in Virginia, other than is herein
set down.
If I may now, at the last, p e sume vpon yo r favours, I am
an hble suitor that your owne loue of truth will vouchsafe to
releave me from all false aspertions happining since I em-
barked me into this affaire of Virginia. For my first worke
(w ch was to make a right choice of a spirituall pastor), 4 I ap-
3 " Stephen Galthrope" died the fifteenth day of August, 1607. — Percy, as above.
4 Mr. Hunt, the preacher, is here referred to.
" On the 19th of December, 1606, we set sail ; but, by unprosperous winds, were
kept six weeks in the sight of England: all which time, Mr. Hunt, our Preacher, was
so weak and sick, that few expected his recovery. Yet, although he were but ten or
-J4 WIJSGFIELD'S DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA.
peale to the remembraunce of my Lo. of Caunt : his grace,
who gaue me very gracious audience in my request. And the
world knoweth whome I took w th me : truly, in my opinion,
a man not any waie to be touched w th the rebellious humors
of a popish spirit, nor blemished w th ye least suspition of a
factius scismatick, whereof I had a spiall care. For other
obiections, if yo r worthie selues be pleased to set me free,
I haue learned to despise y e populer verdict of y e vulgar. I
ever chered up myself w th a confidence in y e wisdome of
graue, iudicious senate 1 " 8 ; <fc was never dismayed, in all my
service, by any synister event: though I bethought me of
y e hard beginnings, w ch , in former ages, betided those worthy
spirits that planted the greatest monarchies in Asia & Europe ;
wherein I obserued rather y e troubles of Moses & Aron, with
other of like history, then that venom in the mutinous brood
of Cadmus, or that harmony in y e swete consent of Amphion.
And when, w th y e former, I had considered that even the
betheren, at their plantacon of the Romaine Empire, were
not free from mortall hatred & intestine garboile, likewise
twelve miles from his habitation (the time we were in the Downs), and notwithstand-
ing the stormy weather, nor the scandalous imputations (of some few little better than
Atheists, of the greatest rank among lis) suggested against him, all this could never
force from him so much as a seeming desire to leave the business," &c. — Smith's
Virginia, Appendix, p. 2.
"It is evident [from the above] that Robert Hunt's habitation must have been
in Kent; and I find, in Hasted's History of Kent (vol. iii. p. 640), that Robert Hunt,
A.M., was appointed to the vicarage of Reculver, Jan. 18, 1594; and that he resigned
it in 1602. I cannot find, in the list of the Kentish Clergy at that time, any other Mr.
Hunt who bore the same Christian name; and, coupling the date of the resignation
above stated with the period at which the first pastor of the English Colon y must have
been contemplating his departure to America, I think it most probable that he was the
Vicar of Reculver." — Anderson's History of the Church of England in the Colonies, vol. i.
pp. 169, 170.
wingfield's DISCOURSE OF VIRGINIA. 45
that both y e Spanish & English records are guilty of like fac-
tions, it made me more vigilant in the avoyding thereof: and I
ptest, my greatest contencon was to p e vent contencon, and my
chiefest endeavour to p serue the Hues of others, though w ,h
great hazard of my own ; for I neuer desired to enamell my
name w th bloude. I reioice that my trauells & daungers haue
done somewhat for the behoof of Jerusalem in Virginia. If it
be obiected as my ouersight to put my self amongst such men,
I can saie for myself, thear wear not any other for o r consort;
& I could not forsake y e enterprise of opening so glorious a
kingdom vnto y e King, wherein I shall ever be most ready to
bestow y poore remainder of my dayes, as in any other his
heighnes' dissignes, according to my bounden duty, w th y e
vtmost of my poore tallent. 5
5 In the " Visitation of the County of Huntingdon, under the authority of William
Camden," in 1613, I find an Edward Maria Wingfield (without doubt, our author) then
living, unmarried, "of Stonley Priorye in comit. Hunt, jam superstes, 1613." He be-
longed to a distinguished family. His father was " Thomas Maria Wingfeild, who was
christened by Queene Mary and Cardinall Poole." His grandfather was " S r Rich'
Wingfeild of Kimbolton Castle, in Hunt., k., 12 th sonne of S r John Wingfeild of Leth-
eringham, k., and of his wiffe Elizab. Fitz-Lewis." Sir Richard " was Chancellor of
the Duchie of Lane, Lord-Deputy of Callis, and made K. of the Garter by Henr. 8.
His 1 wiffe was Katherine, Dutchess of Bedfrod and Buckingham ; ... by whom S r Rich'
had no issue: 2 dl *, he maried Bridget!, da. and heire of S r John Wilshire, and had all
his children by her. He is buried at Toledo in Spayne."
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
'^^^^M^^M^W^M^\ If 11 M !ii ;; i !|i|| mi !!! m iPMilli
jjijlf^ ;|jif;;iijjij
ftjill^jjilftft 014 443 540 ^M
■ iiiiiiii iiiiiii i ii i^i iiS ij iiiilii ^
w ' 'i'l:'!' 1 .'!' ' !'!■!'!' I'l'i'iJ'Sil'd i , « , «s;«:*i» ,'tf «I«I« > ' 'iMiliJi «? 'i'iIiM' ' WiV,< iW't! M'! 1 !' 'i 1 !' 'i!"!'!'!' 'I'l'iiit"!' 'I 1 'i' ' iiS!'!'! 1 '{' 'i!i!i!'!'!' 'i 1 !'
iJ'i'lH'rrijini'l'tiiJ'i'i'i'roS'I'j'ri'i i! , ! , ij?i , i •J'l'i'r
|iiiJ!|iji||ii|;!:llji|;|ii|||
lllltlllllll
ft&!i!teSSfe:! | . , fflWS i 1 ::^': 1 :!!! !!;'::: i H^iif® 1 ! 1 H S! | j | !i^S ! : i i | ii!^i 1 i ! i 1 : | : | ^i!!;: ! : i, . | ! ! :!!
; < : * ! * ! * ! * i i ' ! ' ! ' I * ' ' ' * ! : 1 ; t ; '• i ■ ; • ; > ! ■ ! ; I ; * ; < ; ' ; • ; ■ ! ; ; ; ! ; 1 ; ■ j ■ ; ; ! ; ! ; ! ; 1 ;
• !>!' 1 ■ 1 * *! i !«!•!*!' I 1 ' '■;*'!* ! * 1 ' I ;';•!' i ■ I * i * * '•!';* I' J ' ' ''■'''<!'! '^ I *
' I'l'ih 'i !'! , i i i , i!i li'i'i'iliii.' > 'I'i'iltS!'!' 'i'iIi i!i!i ' 'i 1
iiliiiiiiijjijii;;^
'*' ' ' ! JiityS
'i'i ' i ' • ' ' ■
i.'.'i'i'i i i i i
[ felW J!!'?*. 1 ! W: ! !W ':![!!•:';:!•! j;i]!j:iJ::::!:!.i.!^it:^i!{l!.!
