Ignorant, or enuious, if you be Readers: • t is not to satisfie the best of you that I now write, a more seasonable time I must take to imbarque my selfe in so rough a Sea and come off safe: onely his • uthoritie (who hath power to compell my selfe and duety) hath commaunded me to satisfie his aff • ctions (couetous of the dignitie and truth of this pious Plantation) with these particulars: that they are got abroade▪ and become publike, was no purpose in their first conception though some respect haue made them so now: A naked and vnstrudied discourse, I acknowledge, without notes reserued but in M • morie) to helpe it: yet thus much I doe a • ow, that it hath duety and truth to make good all other the wants, and imperfections of it: I will l • bour in no further excuse.

Concer • ing the Virginie pious worke it selfe, how it hath thriued vnder the commaund both of Sir Thomas Gates Knight, Gouernour, and Sir Thomas Dale Knight, and Marshall of the Collonie, these three yeeres and more: let me say, if (setting aside thine owne ouerwe •• ing and singularity) thy vnhoodded eye, can now at length looke vpon it (after so many yeeres of her patience a • d passions) thou wilt easily acknowledge, whose finger hath the al ••• - • uidance of it, and then (I doubt nothing) be • le • sed to here thy selfe intreated (out of those gre • t • lenties and hauings which God hath lent thee) to spare a little-little portion to the ful setl • ng and finishing vp a Sanctum Sanctorum an holy house, a Sanctuary to him, the God of the Spirits, of all flesh, amongst such poore and innocent seduced Sauages as we treate off, on whom let our hopes be, that it hath vouchsafed him now to be sufficiently reuenged for their forefathers Ingratitude and treaso • s, and now in his appointed time to des •• d in m • rcie, to lighten them that sit in darkenes, and in the shaddow o • death, and to direct their feete in the waies of peace.

Sure yong though in yeeres and knowledge I may be said to be, yet let me remember, to thee perhaps much knowing▪ Reader, what the wisest man that euer writ or speake (excepting him that was both God and man) hath said, that such who bring others vnto righteousnesse shal themselues shine as the stars in the firmament. And doubtlesse I doe beleeue, euen amongst the rest of my Articles, when these poore Heathens shall be brought to entertaine the honour of the name, and glory of the Gospell of our blessed Sauiour, when they shall testifie of the true and euerliuing God, and Iesus Christ to be their Saluation, their knowledge so inlarged and sanctified that without him they confesse their eternal death: I do beleeue I say (and how can it be otherwise?) that they shal breake out and cry with rapture of so inexplicable mercie: Blessed be the King and Prince of England, and blessed be the English Nation, and blessed for euer be the most high God possessor of Heauen and earth, that sent these English as • ngels to bring such glad tidings amongst vs. These will be doub • lesse the empaticke effects and exultation of • his so Christian worke, and may these nothing moue? Alas let S •• bal • at and Tobiah▪ Papists and Plai • es, Ammonites and Horonites, the seumme and dregges of the people, let them mocke at this holy Businesse, they that be filthie, let them be f • lthie still, and let such swine wallow in the mire, but let not the rod of the wick • d fal • vpon the l • t of the righteous, let not them shrinke backe, and call in their helpes from this so glorious enterprise, w • ich the Prophet Isaiah cals the declaring of God to the left hand, but let them that know the worke, re • oice and be glad in the happie successe of it, proclaiming that it is the euerliuing God that raigneth in England, and vnto the ends of the world.

Excuse me (curteous Reader) if caried beyond my purpose, I declaime passionately in this passiue and innocently despised worke, which I am sure is so full of goodnesse, and haue bin almost sixe yeeres a Suffer and eye witnes of his now well nigh at chieu • d happinesse, the full and vnstaind reportory of euery accident whereof euen from his beginning, together with the causes of the backwardnes, in prosperity thus • og, touching at the miraculous deliuery of the scattered company, cast vpon the Bermudas, when those for • unate Islands like so many faire Neriades which receiued our wrackt company, with the death of that pure and noble hearted Gentleman Sir George Sumers diing there my purp • se is shortly at large to publish, that at length some one escaped Leaper amongst so many saued, may returne backe and pay his v • wes of thanks giuing vnto that euer to be praised mercifull prouidence that brought vs thither, vntil when I wish thy zealous and ferne • t thoughts and indeuours to a businesse so full of piety, •• is this our Virginie Plantation.

THe many publications and impressions of Virginia, an imployment wherein to this day my selfe with many other vnstaid heads & thirstie after new designes, haue bin to vnprofitably ingaged, might iustly excuse my silence, did not the filiall duty whereby in all things to the vtmost of my power I am bound to obey my Father, compell me vnwillingly thereunto: A taske I know by himselfe and others, meerely because I haue bin Oculatus testis, thus imposed vpon me, in the vndertaking and performance whereof, I hartily wish that my poore relation, rich onely in truth (as I shall cleerely iustifie my selfe by cie witnesses also) may giue any credit or incouragement to proceede in a businesse so full of honour, and worth, whereunto (if there were no secondary causes) the already publisht ends, I meane the glory of God in the conuersion of those Infidels, and the honour of our King and country (which by right may claime at the least their superfluities, from those whom God hath in this world made his dispensors and purse-bearers) might be a sufficient spurre to resolued Christians, especially the state and condition of our collonie, so standing when I left it, and I assure my selfe in this time growne more mature, that an honest hart would euen relent, and mourne to thinke how poorely, I dare not say vnworthily it is prosecuted. It being true that now after fiue yeeres intestine warre with the reuengefull implacable Indians, a firme peace (not againe easily to be broken) hath bin lately concluded, not onely with the nighbour, and bordering Indidians, as on Pataomecke, Topahanah, and other Riuers, but euen with that subtill old reuengefull Powhatan and all the people vnder his subiection, for all whom Powhatan himselfe stands firmely ingaged, by which meanes we shall not onely be furnished with what commodities their countrie yeeldeth, and haue all the helpes they may afforde vsin our indeuours (as they are easily taught, and may by lenitie and faire vsage, as Sir Thomas Dale now principall commander there, and most worthy the honour he houlds, is well experienced in their dispositions, and accordingly makes vse of them) be brought, being naturally though ingenious, yet idlely giuē, to be no lesse industrious, nay to exceede our English, especially those which we hitherto and as yet are furnished with, who for the most part no more sensible then beasts, would rather starue in idlenesse (witnesse their former proceedings) then feast in labour, did not the law compell them thereunto, but also which will be most for our benefit, our owne men may without hazard, I might say with security (by selfe-experience) follow their feuerall labours, whereby twentie shall now bee able to performe more then heretofore hath bin fortie.

Though I coniecture and assure my selfe that yee cannot be ignorant by what meanes this peace hath bin thus happily both for our proceedings and the welfare of the Naturals concluded, yet for the hono •• of Captain Argol whose indeuours in the action intituled him most worthy, I iudge it no whit impertinēt in my discourse to insert them, which w • th as much breuity as I may, not omitting the circumstances most pertinent and materiall, I shall indeuour.

The general letters vpon my knowledge, directed and sent to the honourable Virginia Councell, being most of them (though my selfe most vnworthy) by me penned haue intimated, how that the euerworthy gentlemā Capt. Árga •• in the heate of our home furies & disagreements by his best experience of the dispositiō of those people, partly by gentle vsage & partly by the composition & mixture of threats hath euer kept faire & friendly quarter with our neighbours bordering onother riuers of affinity, yea consanguinity, no lesse neere then brothers to Rowhatan, such is his well knowne temper and discretion, yea to this passe hath he brought them, that they assuredly trust vpon what he promiseth, and are as carefull in performing their mutuall promises, as though they contended to make that Maxim, that there is no faith to be held with Infidels, a meere and absurd Paradox: Nay as I haue heard himselfe relate, who is fide dignus, they haue euen bin pens • ue and discontented with themselues, because they knew not how to doe him some acceptable good turne, which might not onely pleasure him, but euen be profitable to our whole Collonie, and Plantation, yea euer assuring him that when the times should present occasion, they would take hold of her forelocke, and be the instruments to worke him content, and euen thus they proued themselues as honest performers, as liberall promisers. It chaunced Powhatans delight and da • ling, his daughter Pocahuntas, (whose fame hath euen bin spred in England by the title of Nonparella of Virginia) in her princely progresse, if I may so terme it, tooke some pleasure (in the absence of Captaine Argall (to be among her friends at Pataomecke (as it seemeth by the relation I had) imploied thither, as shopkeepers to a Fare, to exchange some of her fathers commodities for theirs, where residing some three months or longer, it fortuned vpon occasion either of promise or profit, Captaine Argall to arriue there, whom Pocahuntas, desirous to renue hir familiaritie with the English, and delighting to see them, as vnknowne, fearefull perhaps to be surprised, would gladly visit, as she did, of whom no sooner had Captaine Argall intelligence, but he delt with an old friend, and adopted brother of his Iapazeus, how and by what meanes he might procure hir captiue, assuring him, that now or neuer, was the time to pleasure him, if he entended indeede that loue which he had made profession of, that in ransome of hi • he might redeeme some of our English men and armes, now in the poss • ssion of her Father, promising to vse her withall faire, and gentle entr • ary: Iapazeus well assured that his brother, as he p • omised would vse her curteously promised his best indeuours and secresie to accomplish his desire, and thus wrought it, making his wife an instrument (which sex haue euer bin most powerfull in beguiling inticements) to effect his plot which hee had thus laid, he agreed that himselfe, his wife, and Pocahuntas, would accompanie his brother to the water side, whether come, his w •• e should faire a great and longing desire to goe aboorde, and see the shippe, which being there three or foure times, before she had neuer seene, and should bee earnest with her husband to permit her: he seemed angry with her, making as he pretended so vnnecessary a request, especially being without the company of women, which deniall she taking vnkindely, must faine to weepe, (as who knows not that women can command teares) whereupon her husband seeming to pitty those counterfeit teares, gaue her leaue to goe aboord, so that it would please Pochahuntas to accompany her: now was the greatest labour to win her, guilty perhaps of her fathers wrongs, though not knowne as she supposed to goe with her, yet by her earnest perswasions, she a ••• nted: so forth with aboord they went, the best cheere that could be made was seasonably prouided, to supper they went, merry on all hands, especially Iapazeus and his wife, who to expres their ioy, would ere be treading vpō Capt. Argals foot, as who sh •• ld say tis don, she is your own. Supper ended, Pochahuntas was lodged in the Gunners roome, but Iapazeus and his wife desired to haue some conference with their brother, which was onely to acquaint him by what • ratagem they had betraied his prisoner, as I haue already related: after which discourse to sleepe they went, Pochahuntas nothing mistrusting this policy, who neuertheles being most possessed with feare, and desire of returne, was first vp, and hastened Iapazeus to be gon, Capt. Argall hauing secretly well rewarded him, with a small Copp • r kettle, and som • th • r les valuable toies so highly by him esteemed, that doubtlesse he would haue betraied his owne father for them, permitted both him and his wife to returne, but told him, that for diuers considerations, as for that his father had then eigh of our English men, many swords, peeces, and other tooles, which he had at seuerall times by trecherons murdering our men, taken from them, which though of no vse to him, he would not redeliuer, he would reserue Pocahuntas, whereat she began to be • exceeding pensiue, and discontented, yet ignorant o the dealing of Iapazeus, who in outward appearance was no les discontented that he should be the meanes of her captiuity, much a doe there was to perswade her to be patient, which with extraordinary curteous vsage, by little and little was wrought in her, and so to Iames towne she was brought, a messenger to her father forthwith dispached to aduertise him, that his only daughter was in the hands & possession of the English: ther to be kept til such time as he would ransom her with our men, swords, peeces, & other tools treacherously taken from vs: the news was vnwelcome, and troublesom vnto him, partly for the loue he bare to his daughter, and partly for the loue he bare to our men his prisoners, of whom though with vs they were vnapt for any imployment) he made great vse: and those swords, and peeces of ours, (which though of no vse to him) it delighted him to view, and looke vpon.

He could not without long aduise & delibertion with his Councell, resolue vpon any thing, and it is true, we heard nothing of him till three moneths after, by perswasions of others he returned vs seauen of our men, with each of them a Musket vnseruiceable, and by them sent vs word, that whensoeuer wee pleased to deliuer his daughter, he would giue vs in satisfaction of his iniuries done to vs, and for the rest of our peeces broken and stolne from him, 500 Bushells of Corne • and be for euer friends with vs, the men, and Peeces in part of payment we receiued: and returned him answere, that his daughter was very well, and kindely intreated, and so should be howsoeuer he dealt with vs: but we could not beleeue that the rest of our Arms were either lost, or stolne from him, and therefore till he returned them all, we would not by any meanes deliuer his daughter, and then it should be at his choice, whether he would establish peace, or continue enemies with vs. This answere as it seemed, pleased him not very wel, for we heard no more from him till in March last, when with Captaine Argalls Shippe, and some other Vessells belonging to the Colony, Sir Thomas Dale with an hundred and fifty men well appointed, went vp into his owne Riuer, where his chiefest habitations were, and carried with vs his daughter, either to moue them to fight for her, if such were their courage and boldnesse, as hath been reported, or to restore the residue of our demands, which were our peeces, swords, tooles. Some of the same men which he returned (as they promised) ran to him again, and because he had put vs to the trouble to fetch them fiue hundred bushels of Corne: A great brauado all the way as we went vp the Riuer they made, demaunding the cause of our comming thither, which wee tould them was to deliuer Pocahuntas, whom purposely we had brought with vs, and to receiue our Armes, men, & corn, or else to fight with them, burn their howses, take away their Canoas, breake downe their fishing Weares, and doe, them what other damages we could: Some of them to set a good face on the matter, replied, that if wee came to fight with them? we were welcome, for they were prouided for vs, councelling vs rather to retire (if wee loued our safeties) then proceed, bragging, as well they might, that wee had euer had the worst of them in that Riuer, instancing by Capt: Ratliefe (not worthy remembring, but to his dishonor) who, with most of his company they betrayed and murthered: we told them since they durst remember vs of that mischief, vnlesse they made the better and more speedy agreement, we would now reuenge that trechery, and with this discourse by the way as we went, we proceeded, and had no sooner entred the narrow of the riuer, the channell there lying within shot of the shoare, but they let their arrowes flie amongst vs in the shippe, themselues vnseene to vs, and in the forehead hurt one of our men, whic • might haue hazarded his life without the present helpe of a skilfull Chirurgion.

Being thus iustly prouoked, we presently manned our boates, went ashoare, and burned in that verie place some forty houses, and of the things we found therein, made freeboote and pillage, and as themselues afterward confest vnto vs, hurt and killed fiue or sixe of their men, with this reuenge sa •• sfying our selues, for that their presumption in shooting at vs, and so the next day proceeded higher vp the Riuer, the Indians calling vnto vs, and demaunding why we went a shoare, burnt their houses, killed and hurt their men, and tooke away their goods. We replied that though we came to them in peaceable manner, and would haue beene glad to haue receiued our demaunds with loue and peace, yet we had hearts and power to take reuenge, and punish where wrongs shold be offered, which hauing now don, though not so seuerely as we might, we rested content therewith and are ready to imbrace peace with them if they pleased, Many excuses they seemed to pretend, that they shot not a • vs, but (if any such abuse were offered) it was some stragled Indian, ignorant of our pretence in comming to them, affirming that they themselues would be right glad of our loue, and would indeauour to helpe vs to what we came for, which being in the possession of Powhatan their King, they would without delay dispatch messengers to him, to know his purpose and pleasure, desiring faire quarter some 24 howers, for so long they pretended it would be before their messengers might returne: this wee graunted, and what we promised, we euer exactly performed, the time now come, we inquired what Powhatan would doe, and had for answere, that our Englishmen lately with him, fearefull to be put to death by vs, were runne away, and some of Powhatans men sent abroade in quest of them, but our swords and peeces so many as he had should be brought the next day, which meerely to delay time, they bare vs in hand the next day they came not, higher vp the riuer we went, and ancored neere vnto the chiefest residencie Powhatan had, at a towne called Matchcot where were assembled (which we saw) about 400 men, well appointed with their bowes and arrowes to welcome vs, here they dared vs to come a shoare, a thing which we purposed before, so a shoare we went, our best landing being vp a high steepe hill which might haue giuen the enemy much aduantage against vs, but it seemed they as we were vnwilling to begin, and yet would gladly haue bin at blowes, being landed as if they had no shew of feare, they stirred not from vs, but walked vp and downe, by and amongst vs, the best of them inquiring for our Weroance or king, with whom they would gladly consult to know the occasion of our comming thither, wherof when they were informed, they made answere that they were there ready to defend themselues, if we pleased to assault them, desiring neuerthelesse some small time to dispatch two or three men once more to their king, to know his resolution, which if not answerable to our requests, in the morning if nothing else but blood would then satisfie vs, they would fight with vs, and thereby determine our quarrell, which was but a further delay to procure time to carrie away their prouisions, neuerthelesse we agreed to this their request, assuring them till the next day by noone we would not molest, hurt, nor detaine any of them, and then before we fought, our Drum and Trumpets should gi • e them warning: vpon which promise of ours, two of Powhatans sonnes being very desirous to see their sister who was there pr • s • nt ashore with vs, came vnto vs, at the sight of • hom, and her well fare, whom they suspected to be worse intreated, though they had often h • ard the contrary, they much reioyced, and promised • hat they would vndoubtedly perswade their father • o redeeme her, and to conclude a firme peace foreuer with vs, and vpon this resolution the two brothers with vs retired aboarde, we hauing first dispatched two Englishmen, Ma • ster Iohn Rolfe and maister Sparkes to acquaint their Father with the businesse in hand, the next day being kindly intreated, they returned, not at all admitted Powhatans prese • ce, but spake with his brother Apachamo, his successor, one who hath already the commaund of all the people, who likewise promised vs his best indeauors to further our iust requests, and we because the time of the yeere being then Aprill, called vs to our businesse at home to prepare ground, and set corne for our winters prouision, vpon these termes departed, giuing them respite t • ll haruest to resolue what was best for them to doe, with this Prouiso, that if finall agreement were not made betwixt vs before that time, we would thith • r returne againe and destroy and take away all their corne, burne all the houses vpon that ri • er, leaue no • asish • ng Weere standing, nor a Canoa in any c • eeke therabout, and destroy and kill as many of them as we coul • .

Long before t • is time a gentleman of approued b • hauiour and hon • st cariage, maister Iohn R • lfe had bin in loue with Pocahuntas and • he with him, which thing at the instant that we were in parlee with them, my selfe made known to Sir Thomas Dal • by a letter from him, whereby he intreated his aduise and furtherance in his loue, if so it seemed fit to him • or the good of the Plantation, and Pocahuntas her selfe, acquainted her brethren therewith: which resolution Sir Thomas Da • e wel approuing, was the onely cau • e: hee was so milde amongst them, who otherwise would not haue departed their riuer without other conditions.

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

Besides this loue by this meanes with Powhatan concluded, it will be worth my pa • nes to tunouer our friendship with our next neighbours, the Chicohomin • es late • y confirmed, a lustie and daring people, who haue long time liued free from Powhatans subiection, hauing law • s and gouernors within themselues: these people hearing of our concluded peace with Powhatan, as the no • se thereof was soone bruted abroade, sent two of their men vnto vs, and two fat Bucks for present to our king (for so Sir Thomas Dale is generally reputed and termed amongst them) and offe • ed themselues and seruice vnto him, alleadging that albeit in former times they had bin our en • mies, and we theirs, yet they would now if we pleased become not onely our trustie friends, but euen King IAMES his subiects and tributari • s, and relinquish their old name of Ch • cohominies, and • ake vpon them, as they call vs the name of Tossantessa • , and because they h •• e no principall commander or Wer • ance, they would intreate Sir Thomas Dale as King IAMES his deputie to be their supreame head, King and gouernor, and in all iust causes and quarrels to defend them, as they would be ready at all times to aide him, onely their desire was to inioy their owne lawes and liberties, and because himselfe, by reason of his many other imployments, beside the charge he hath of his owne people, may not be alwaies present amongst them, to be gouerned as formerly by eight of the elders and principall men amongst them, as his substitutes and councellers, and euen this was the summe and effect of their embassie, Sir Thomas Dale appointed a day to send some men into their riuer, to propose certaine conditions vnto them, whereunto if they assented he would gladly accept of their proffered friendship, and be himselfe their Weroance: and with this answere offering them copper for their venison, which they refused to take, dismissed them.

When the appointed day came, Sir Thomas Dale himselfe and Captaine Argall with 50 men in a barge and frigot, well appointed, least any trecherie might be intended, set forward to Chicohominie, an arme of our riuer some seauen miles from Iames Town, where we found the people according to promise expecting our comming, assembled and met together, who after their best and most friendly manner, bad vs welcome, and because our businesse at home would permit vs but small time of stay with them, they presently sent for their principal men, some of whom were then absent, whi • h hastned vnto vs, & the next morning very early assembled, and sat in counsell about this businesse, Captaine Argall (supplying Sir Thomas Dales place amongst them, who though there present for some respects, concealed himselfe, and kept aboarde his barge) after long discourse of their former proceedings, Captaine Argall tould them, that now since they had intreated peace and promised their loue and friendship, hee was sent vnto them from the great Weroance to conclude the same, all former iniuries on both sides, set apart and forgotten, which he would doe vpon these conditions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It shall not be vnnecessarie to insert the occasion (as we im • gine) of this their much desired, vnexpected friendship, which was questionlesse some sodaine feare of Powhatans displeasure, being vnited with vs, • ow able to reuenge their disobedience done vnto him: for you must imagine, these people presuming vpon their owne strength and number (in no one place in those parts, which we know, so many togeather) to haue a long time neglected Powhatan, and refused, (which the place hath▪ been formerly accutomed, and as his right may chal • enge the homage and duty of subiects, which they ought to haue performed: to which obedience, fearing our power might compell them, they chose rather to subiect themselues to vs, then being enemies to both, to expose & lay themselues open to Powhat • ns tiranny, & oppression: for this they did chiefely insist vpon, that he was an ill Weroaules, full of cruelty, and minstice, couetous of those things they had, and implacable if they denyed him whatsoeuer he demaunded, and f • r these reasons, desired to be made one people wi • h vs, to curbe the pride and ambition of Powhatan, from whom to def • nd them (they tould vs it would be no breach of peace on our parts since now they were no longer Chicohomimes, or Naturalls, of that place, but Tossantessars, and King IAMES his subiects, whom we are bound to defend.

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

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

The greatest, and many enemies and disturbers of our proceedings, and that which hath hitherto deterd our people to addresse themselues into those parts, haue been onely two; emnity with the Naturalls, and the bruit of famine: one of these two (and that indeede, which was some cause of the other) I haue already remoued, and shall as easily take away the other: howbeit it were too great folly (I might say impudency in me) to auer that there hath raigned no such in • ection in the Colony, occasioned, meerly by misgouernment, idlenesse, and faction, and chiefely by the absence ofthe euer worthy Commaunders, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Summers by the prouidence of God, miraculously wract and saued vpon the hopefull Sumer Islands, since my selfe cannot but witnesse (of which I had some tast) in what a miserable condition, we found the Colony at our ariuall there, from the Bermudas, not liuing aboue threescore persons therein, and those scarce able to goe alone, of welnigh six hundred, not full ten moneths before: yet now I dare and will boldly affirme to the greatest aduersary of the Plantation, that shall auer the contrary, that there is that plenty of foode, which euery man by his owne industry may easily, & doth procure that the poorest there, & most in want, hath not bin so much pinched with hunger this 4 yeers that if he would take any pains, he knew not wher to fetch a good meales meate: and true it is, that euery day by the prouidence, and blessing of God, and their owne industry, they haue more plenty then other, the reason hereof is at hand, for formerly, when our people were fedde out of the common store and laboured iointly in the manuring of the ground, and planting corne, glad was that man that could slippe from his labour, nay the most honest of them in a generall businesse, would not take so much faithfull and true paines, in a weeke, as now he will doe in a day, neither cared they for the increase, presuming that howsoeuer their haruest prospered, the generall store must maintain them, by which meanes we reaped not so much corne from the labours of 30 men, as three m • n haue done for themselues: to preuent which mischiefe heerafter Sir Thomas Dale hath taken a new course, throughout the whole Colony, by which meanes, the generall store (apparrell onely excepted) shall not be charged with any thing: and this it is, he hath allotted to euery man in the Colony, three English Acres of cleere Corne ground, which euery man is to mature and tend, being in the nature of Farmers, (the Bermuda vndertakers onely excepted) and they are not called vnto any seruice or labor belonging to the Colony, more then one moneth in the yeere, which shall neither be in seede time, or in Haruest, for which, doeing no other duty to the Colony, they are yeerly to pay into the store two barrells and a halfe of Corne: there to be reserued to keep new men, which shall be sent ouer, the first yeere after their arriuall: and euen by this meanes I dare say, our store will be bountifully furnished, to maintain three or foure hundred men, whensoeuer they shall be sent thither to vs, that mony which hitherto hath bin disbursed, to prouide a tweluemoneths • victualls, if there were but now halfe so much bestowed in clothes, and bedding, will be such comfort to the men, a • euen thereby the liues of many shall not onely be preserued, but also themselues kept in strength and heart, able to per ••• me such businesses, as shall be imposed vpon them • and thus shall also the former charge b • well saued, and yet more businesse effected, the action renowned and more commodity returned to the Merchant, and ye • saint for want of encou • agement.

Concerning the vndertaking of the Bermuda Citty, a businesse of greatest hope, euer begunne in our Territories there, their Pattent, which I purpose in this Treatise to insert, doth apparantly demonst • ate, vpon what termes and conditions they voluntarily haue vndertaken that imployment, how forward that businesse is, in his due place shall bee expressed, onely giue me leaue with as much breuity as I may, least any man should diuert his minde, and be fearefull to aduenture his person thither, for feare of famine and penury, to amplifie a little the plenty there, for if it be true, as most eertaine it is, that those whom I haue described vnder the title of Farmers, can pay into our Store, two barrels and a halfe of Corne yeerely, and others who labour eleauen moneths in the generall businesse of the Colony, and but one to prouide thems • lues victualls, why should any man (if he be industrious) mistrust staruing? if otherwise, for any part, and I thinke all that are ingaged in the Action, and vnderstand the businesse, accord with me heerein, and would not wish his company there, nay they shall much wrong themselues, and the Action, if they doe not withstand such, and deny them passage: for euen they and none else haue been the occasions of the manifould imputations, & disgraces, which Virginia hath innocently vndergon, through their defaults: I would therefore by these relations not onely encourage honest and industrious: but also deterre all lasie, impotent, and ill liuers from, addressing themseues thither, as being a Country too worthy for them, and altogeather disconsonant to their natures, which must either brooke labour or hazard, and vndergoe much displeasure, punishment, and penury, if they escape a thing which few idlers haue don, the scuruy dis • ase, with which few, or none once infected, haue recouered.

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

Now, least any man should yet rest discouraged because as yet no mention is made of any other prouision of victualls, saue onely of bread corne, whih graunt, it may with labour be competently procured, will affoord but a bare, and miserable liuing, I thinke there is no man so ignorant to conceiue, that such a main continent as is Virginia, boundlesse, for ought we haue discouered, and so goodly Riuers, no where else to be parralled, should be more barraine of Cattell, Fish, and Foule, then other Lands, assuredly they are not: for true it is, that the Land is stored with plenty and variety of wilde beasts, Lions, Bears, Decre of all sorts, (onely differing from ours in their increase, hauing vsuall, three or foure Fawnes at a time, none that I haue seen or heard off vnder two: the reason whereof som of our people ascribe to the vertue of some grasse or hearb which they eate, because our Goats often times bring foorth three, and most of them two: for my part I rather impute their fecundiry to the prouidence of God, who for euery mouth prouideh meate, and if this increase were not, the Naturalls would assuredly starue: f • r of the Deere (they kill as doe wee Bee • es in England) all the yeer long, neither sparing yong nor olde, no not the Does readie to fawne, nor the yong fawnes, if but two daies ould) Beauers, Otters, Foxes, Racounes, almost as big as a Fox, as good meat as a lamb, hares, wild Cats, muske rats, Squirills flying, and other of three or foure sorts, Apossumes, of the bignesse and likenesse of a Pigge, of a moneth ould, a beast of as strange as incredible nature, she hath commonly seauen yong ones, sometimes more and sometimes lesse which at her pleasure till they be a moneth olde or more she taketh vp into her belly; and putteth forth againe without hurt to her selfe or them.

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

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

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

Nor are these prouicion of bread, flesh and fish, al we haue for sustentation of mans life, behold more change and variety of foode, which our soile and climate affordeth, Carrats, Parsneps, Turneps, Raddish, Pumpions (of the west Indie kinde in great abundance, of one seede I haue seen an hundreth, much better then ours and lasting all the yeere) Cabbadge, Parsley, all manner of pothearbs and other hearbes, Marger •• , Time, wi • ter-Sauory, Lettice Purslaine, &c, and besides the naturall graine of that Country, as wheate pease and beanes, it did me much good to view our English wheate how forward it was, full eard, of one graine fortie cares or more, a span long, and onely wanting ripening in mid Iune our English pease then ripe, and beanes very forward, and English barly very hopefull, such as mine e • es neuer beheld, better in England: And if that soile bring forth these things (as can those which haue bin there with me affirme and witnesse) as plentifull and vnchangeable for taste and quantity as England or any other country, why shold any man that hath his limbes, in a peaceable state as is that, so much as dreame of staruing?

To goe yet a little further, I my selfe know no one Country yeelding without art or industry so manie fruites, sure I am England doth: wilde grapes in abundance al the woods ouer, their iuice sweete and pleasant in taste, some of them wee haue replanted in a vineyard adioyning to Henrico, the quantity of three or foure Akers which were this yeere very plentifully laden, to what perfection they will come, the next returne will aduertise: Cherries little inferior to ours, which if replanted may prooue as much better as now they are worse Pissmienplums in bygnes and fashion like a Medlar of a flipticke quality, other sorts of plummes like to our wheat plums, and in goodnes answerable: great fields and woods abounding with Strawberies much fairer and more sweete then ours, Mulberries of great bignesse, and about the Bermuda Cittie and Hundirds thereunto belonging great store thereof, Maricocks of the fashion of a Lemmon whose blossome may admit comparison with our most delight some and bewtifull flowers, and the fruite exceeding pleasant and tast ••••• Ches •• it-trees towards the fals as many as oakes, and as fertile, many goodly groues of Chincomen trees with a huske like vnto a Chesnut, raw or hoyled, luscious and harty meate: Walnuts of three or four sorts, where o • 〈◊〉 might be yeerely made great quantity of oyl • s, as vsefull and good as that of Oliues: some filberds I haue seene, Crabbes great store, lesse, but not so sower as ours, which grafted with the Siens of English • aple trees, without question would beare very good fruite, and we doubt not but to haue the Siens enough the next yeere, there being in Sir Thomas Gates his garden at Iames town, many forward apple & peare trees come vp, of the kernels set the yeere before.

If all this be not sufficient, loe further incouragement, the collony is already furnished with two hundred neate cattell, as many goates, infinite hogges in heards all ouer the woods, besides those to euerie towne belonging in generall, and euery priuate man, some Mares, Horses & Colts, Poultry great store, besides tame Turkeis, Peacockes and Pigeons plentifully increasing and thriuing there, in no Countrie better.

Of our yong Steeres the next winter we doubt not to haue three or foure Ploughes going, which once compast, we shall in short time be able to repay England the corne they haue lent vs.

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

Obiect that pleaseth the want of cloathes, so long as there are wilde beasts there, and the beasts haue skinnes on their backes (if the necessity were such) why should not we as doe the naturals, cloath our selues therewith, it is no worse then our fore-fathers haue worne before vs, and such as will saue vs from the colde in winter, and heate in summer: but admit there▪ were no skinnes or being there, our people disdaine to weare them. If there be any man that hath beene so ill an husband here that he cannot furnish himselfe with a yeeres prouision of apparrell; if I might counsell he should not be suffered to goe thither, for that country is not for him, as for others who can prouide apparrell for the first yeere, I holde him a worse husband then the former, that shall at any time after be worse cloathed then he went ouer: the valuable commoditie of Tobacco of such esteeme in England (if there were nothing else) which euery man may plant, and with the least part of his labour, tend and care will returne him both cloathes and other necessaries. For the goodnesse whereof, answerable to west-Indie Trinidado or Craeus (admit there hath no such bin returned) let no man doubt. Into the discourse wherof, since I am obuiously entred, I may not forget the gentleman, worthie of much commendations, which first tooke the pains to to make triall thereof, his name Mr Iohn Rolfe, Anno Domini 1612. partly for the loue he hath a long time borne vnto it, and partly to raise commodity to the aduenturers, in whose behalfe I witnesse and vouchsafe to holde my testimony in beleef • , that during the time of his aboade there, which draweth neere vpon sixe yeeres, no man hath laboured to his power, by good example there and worthy incouragement into England by his letters, then he hath done, witnes his mariage with Rowhatans daughter, one of rude education, manners barbarousand cursed generation, meerely for the good and honour of the Plantation: And least any man should conceiue that some sinister respects allured him hereunto, I haue made bold contrary to his knowledge in the end of my treatise to insert the true coppie of his letter, written to Sir Thomas Dale to acquaint him with his proceedings, and purpose therein, the rather to giue testimony to the misconstruing and ill censuring multitude of his integritie, in the vndertaking a matter of so great a consequent, who in my hearing haue not spared to speak their pleasures; his owne letter hits them home, and the better sort, who know to censure iudiciously cannot but highly commend and approue so worthy an vndertaking.

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

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

I shall little neede, and indeede it were but wast and Idle for me to repeate and mention the commodities, which with onely labour may bee there procured: many Treatises hath them at full. Samples haue beene sent home, and no man disputeth the goodnes, or the quantitie there to be had: take therefore double courage to yourselues, and let these two yeeres neglect be restored by a cheerefull and new onset, and for your incouragement reade yet a little further, and view the face of the Colony, euen superficially portraide: see what effects these three ye • res haue wrought.

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

This businesse taken order for, and the care and trust of it committed to his vnder officers, to Iames Towne he hastened, where the most company were, and their daily and vsuall workes, bowling in the streetes, these he imployed about necessary workes, as felling of Timber, repairing their houses ready to fall vpon their heads, and prouiding pales, post and railes to impaile his pu • posed new Towne, which by reason of his ignorance in those parts, but newly arriued there, he had not resolued where to seate. For his better knowledge therefore of those parts, himselfe with an hundreth men, spent some time in discouery, first Nansamund Riuer, which in dispight of the Indians, then our enemies, he discouered to the head, after that, our owne Riuer, to the fals, wherevpon a high land inuironed with the mayn Riuer, som sixteene or twentie miles, from the head of the Fals, neere to an Indian Towne called Arsahattocke, he resolued to plant his new Towne, and so did, whereof in his due place I shall make a briefe relation.

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

Thus much obuiously, I proceede in his indeuours vntill Sir Thomas Gates his happie arriuall, which was onely in preparing timber, pales, posts and railes for the present impaling this new Towne to secure himselfe and men from the mallice and trechery of the Indians, in the midst and hart of whom, he was resolued to set downe, but before he could make himselfe ready for that businesse, Sir Thomas Gates though his passage more long then vsuall, to second him herein, happily arriued about the second of August, with sixe good Shippes, men, prouisions and cattle, whom as yet not fully discouered, we supposed to be a Spanish fleete, thus induced the rather to beleeue, because in company with him were three Caruals, vessels which neuer before had bin sent thither, and now onely for the transportation of the Cattle. It did mee much good, and gaue great courage to the whole company to see the resolution of Sir Thomas Dale, now wholy busied (our land fortifications to weake to withstand a forraigne Enemy) in lading our prouisions aboard the two good Shippes, the Starre and Prosperous, and our own Deliuerance, then riding before Iames town, aboarde which Shippes, he had resolued to encounter the supposed Enemy, animating his people, not onely with the hope of victory if they readily obeied his direction, but also assuring them that if by these meanes God had ordained to set a period to their liues, they could neuer be sacrificed in a more acceptable seruice, himselfe promising, rather to fire the Spanish Shippes with his owne, then either basely to yeelde, or to be taken: and in nothing he seemed so much discontent as that we could not possibly lade aboarde all our prouisions before (the winde being then very faire) they might haue bin with vs, whilest therefore the rest were labouring their vtmost to lade aboarde our prouisions, hee caused a small shallop to be manned with thirty readie and good shot to discouer directly what Shippes they might be, and withall speede to returne him certaine word, which within three houres they did, assuring him that is was an English • eete, Sir Thomas Gates Generall thereof: which newes how welcome it was vnto him, principally because now he doubted not the happie progression of the affaires in hand, let any man (equally with him affected to the good and welfare of the action) iudge and determine.

The worthies being met, after salutation and welcome giuen, and receiued, Sir Thomas Dale acquainted Sir Thomas Gates both with such businesses as he had affected since his arriuall, and also of his resolution to builde a new Towne, at the Fales, which designe and purpose of his, Sir Thomas Gates then principall Gouernour in Virginia, well approuing, furnished him with three hundred and fiftie men, such as himselfe made choise of, and the beginning of September 1611 he set from Iames town, and in a day & a halfe, landed at a place where he purposed to seate & builde, where he had not bin ten daies before he had very strongly impaled seuen English Acres of ground for a towne, which in honour of the noble Prince Henrie (of euer happie and blessed memory, whose royall heart was euer strongly affected to that action) he called by the name of Henrico. No sooner was he thus fenced, and in a manner secured from the Indians, but his next worke (without respect to his owne health or particular welfare) was building at each corner of the towne, very strong and high commanders or watchtowers, a faire and handsome Church, and storehouses, which finished he began to thinke vpon conuenient houses, and lodgings for himselfe and men, which with as much speede as was possible, were more strongly and more handsome then any formerly in Virginia, contriued and finished, and euen in foure moneths space, he had made Henrico much better and of more worth then all the worke euer since the Colonie began, therein done.

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

For the further enlargement yet of this Town, on the other side of the Riuer, by impaling likewise: for we make no other fence, is secured to our vse, especially for our hogges to feede in, about twelue English miles of ground, by name, Hope in faith, CoxenDale, secured by fiue Forts, called, Charity Fort, Mount malado, a retreat, or guest house for sick people, a high seat, and wholsome aire, Elzabeth Fort, and Fort patience: and heere hath Mr. Whitacres chosen his Parsonage, or Church land, som hundred Acres impaled, and a faire framed parsonage house built thereupon, called Rocke Hall of this Towne, and all the Forts thereunto belonging, hath Captaine Iames Dauis, the principall Commaunde, and Gouernment.

I proceed to our next and most hopefull habitation, whether we respect commodity, or security, (which we principally aime at) against forraigne designes, and inuasions, I meane the Bermuda Citty, begun about Christmas last, which because it is the neerest adioyning to Henrico, though the last vndertaken, I hould it pertinent to handle in the next place. This Towne, or plantation is seated by land, some 5 miles from Henrico, by water fourteene, being the yeer before the habitation of the Appamatucks, to reuenge the trecherous iniurie of those people, done vnto vs, taken from them, besides all their Corne, the former before without the losse of any, saue onely some few of those Indians, pretending our hurt) at what time Sir Thomas Dale, being himself vpon that seruice, and duly considering how commodious a habitation and seat it might be for vs, tooke resolution to possesse and plant it, and at that very instant, gaue it the name of the new Bermudas, whereunto he hath laid out, and annexed to be belonging to the freedome, and corporation for euer, many miles of C • ampion, and woodland, in seuerall Hundreds, as the vpp • r and nether Hundreds, Rochdale hundred, Wests Sherly hundred, and Digges his hundred In the nether hundred he first began to plant, and inhabite for that there lyeth the most conuenient quantity of Corne ground, and with a Pale cut ouer from, Riuer to Riuer, about two miles long, wee haue securd some eight miles circuit of ground, the most part champion, and exceeding good Corne ground, vppon which pale, and round about, vpon the verge of the Riuer in this Hundred, halfe a mile distant from each other, are very faire houses, already builded, besides diuers other particular mens houses, not so few as fifty, according to the conditions of the pattent graunted them, which who so pleaseth to peruse, shall in the end of my discourse finde it inserted. In this Plantation next to Sir Thomas Dale is principal, in the Commaund, Captaine Georg Yardley, Sir Thomas Gates his lieftenaunt, who se endeauours haue euer deserued worthy commendations in that imployment. Rochdale Hundred by a crosse pale, well nigh foure miles long, is also already impaled, with bordering houses all along the pale, in which Hundred our hogges, and other cattell haue twenty miles circuit to graze in securely. The vndertaking of the chiefe Citty deferred till their Haruest be in, which once reaped, all hands shall be imployed theron, which Sir Thomas Dale purposeth, and he may with some labour effect his designes, to make an impregnable retreat, against any forraign inuasion, how powrefull so euer.

About fifty miles from this seat, on the other side of the Riuers, is Iames towne situate, vpon a goodly and fertile Island: which although formerly scandoled with vnhealthfull aire, we haue since approued as healthfull as any other place in the country: and this I can say by mine own experience, that that corn and gardaine ground (which with much labour beeing when we first seated vpon it, a thick wood) wee haue cleered, and impaled, is as fertile as any other we haue had experience and triall off. The Towne it selfe by the ca • e and prouidence of Sir Thomos Gates, who for the most part had his chiefest residence there, is reduced into a hansome forme, and hath in it two faire rowes of howses, all offramed Timber, two stories, and an vpper Garret, or Corne lof • high, besides three large, and substantiall Storehowses, ioyned togeather in length some hundred and twenty foot, and in breadth forty, and this town hath been lately newly, and strongly impaled, and a faire platforme for Ornance in the west Bulworke raised: there are also without this towne in the Island, some very pleasa • t, and beutifull howses, two Blockhouses, to obserue and watch least the Indians at any time should swim ouer the back riuer, and come into the Island, and certain other farme howses. The commaund and gouernment of this town, hath master Iohn Scarpe, Li • tenant to Captain Francis West, Brother to the right Honourable, the Lord Lawarre.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It may be heere happily expected, that I should giue vp the relation of Captaine Argalls particular voyages and indeauours, and euen as in a Plat, demonstrate his Norward discoueries, from which businesse I desire to be excused, partly, because himselfe is best able to make his owne relations, and partly, because my home imployments would not permit me leisure to accompany him, though my selfe desirous, in any of his voyages, whose indeauours, if I should indeauour to make knowne, and publish, could receiue no honour at all by my commendations, or descriptions: much might they be impaired, through my ignorance, or vnskillfullnes to set them foorth: yet cannot I omit to publish to the world, what present reliefe he hath don to the Colony, furnishing vs by two trading▪ voyages, with three and twenty hundred bushels of Corne, into our store deliuered: beside, what he reserued for his mens prouision, what he bestowed vpon well deseruers, and what his men appropriated,

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

His Norward discoueries towards Sacadeh • c, and beyond to Portroyall, Sancta▪ Crux, and thereabout may not be concealed: In which his aduentures, if he had brought home no commodity to the Colony, (which yet he did very much, both of apparrell, victualls, and many other necessaries) the honour which he hath done vnto our Nation, by displanting the French, there beginning to seate & fortesie within our limits, and taking of their Ship and Pinnas, which he brought to Iames Towne, would haue been reward enough for his paines, and will euer speake loud his honour, and approue • valour.

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

It is true the Saluadges there inhabiting (before Captaine Argalls arriuall) esteemed the French as Demy-Gods, and had them in great estimation: but seeing them vanquished and ouercom by vs, forsook the • , yea, which is no meane point of pollicy, desired our friendship, telling Captaine Argall, that hee had vndone them for euer, for that the French by yeer • ly trade with them for Furres, furnished them with ma • y necessaries, whereof they had great want, which trade by this meanes might happily be hindered. But Captaine Argall hath agreed with them to res • rue their Furr • s for him, and promised the • , once a yeere to come thither, and truck with them: they seemed very well content, assuring him, that though the French should at any time arriue there, and proffer them trade, they would reserue all their Furs for him, and what profit by this meanes onely, may be returned to the Virginia aduenturers, I submit to Captaine Argalls owne oppinion and iudgement.

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

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

I departed the fifteenth of May early in the morning, with the English Boy, and two Indian guides, from the Bermudas, and came to his court or residence (as I iudge some three score miles distant from vs, being seated at the h •• d almost of Pama • nkie Riuer, at a towne called M • tchCot) the next night after, about twelue of the clocke, the former night lodging in the open woods, feareles and without daunger: when we were come oppo •• te to his Towne, the maine riuer betweene him and vs, least at any time we should martch by land vnto him vndiscouered: my Indian guides called f • r a Canoa ( • boate made onely of one tree, after the fashion of a hollow trough) to transport vs, giuing them to know that there was two English sent vpon businesse to Powhatan from the English Weroance, which once knowne, a Canoa was presently sent, and we ferried ouer, Powhatan himselfe attending at the landing place to welcome vs. His first salutation was to the Boy, whom he very wel rem • mbred, after this manner: my childe you are welcome, you haue bin a straunger to me these foure yeeres, at what time I gaue you leaue to goe to Paspahae (for so was Iames towne called before our seating there) to see your friends, and till now you neuer returned: you (said he) are my child, by the donatiue of Captaine Newport, in liew of one of my subiects Namontacke, who I purposely sent to King Iames his land, to see him and his country, and to returne me the true report thereof, he as yet is not returned, though many ships haue arriued here from thence, since that time, how ye haue delt with him I know not? hauing thus ended his speech to him, he addressed himself to me, and his first salutation, without any words at all, was about my necke, and with his hand he seeled round about it, so as I might haue imagined he would haue cut my throate, but that I knew he durst not, he asked me where the chain • of pearle was, I demaunded what chaine: that, said he, which I sent my Brother Sir Thomas Dale for a present, at his first arriuall ▪ which chaine, since the peace concluded, he sent me word, if he sent any Englishman vpon occasion of busines to me, he should weare about his necke, otherwise I had order from him to binde him and send him home againe. It is true Sir Thomas Dale had sent him such word (which till then my selfe neuer heard of) and for this purpose had giuen his Page order to deliuer me the said chaine, who forgot it: I was doubtfull at the first how to answere him, yet presently I replied that I was not ignorant of that message from his brother, formerly sent vnto him, whereby he onely cutended that if vpon extraordinary and sudden occasion, he should be co • strained to send an English man vnto him without an Indian guide, then in testimonie that he sent him hee should weare the chaine about his necke: but in case any of his owne people should conduct any English vnto him, as did me, two of his owne men, one of them a Counceller vnto him, who was acquainted with my businesse▪ their testimony s • ould be sufficient, and the chaine then needelesse to be worne, which answere pleased him well, and fourth with he brought vs to his house, not full a stones cast from the waterside, whereinto being come, himselfe sat downe on his bedsteade side, bed th • re was none mo • e then a single mat, on each hand of him was placed a comely and personable young woman, not twenty yee • es old the eld ••• , which they call his Queenes, the house with in round about be • set wi • h them, the outside guarded with an hundred bowmen, with their quiuers of arrowes at their backes, which at all times, & places attend his person.

The first thing hee offered vs was a pipe of Tobacco, which they call Pissimore, whereof himselfe fi • st dranke, and then gaue it me, and when I had drank what I pleased, I returned his pipe, which with his owne hands he vouchsafed to take from me: th • n began he to inquire how his Brother Sir Thomas Dale fared, after that of his daughters welfare, her mariage, hi • vnknowne sonne, and how they liked, liued and loued together: I resolued him that his brother was very well, and his daughter so well content that she would not change her life to returne and liue with him, whereat he laughed heartily, and said he was very glad of it. Now proceede (said he) to deliuer the cause of your vnexpected comming; I certified him my message was priuate, to be deliuered to himselfe, without the presence of any, saue one of his Counceller • , by name Pepas • hicher, one of my guides, who was acquainted with my businesse, he instantly comm • uded all, both men and women out of the house, his two Queenes onely excepted, who vpon no occasion whatsoeuer, may sequester themselues. Now (said he) speake on, and my selfe by my interpreter thus begun, Sir Thomas Dale your Brother, the principal commander of the English men, sends you greeting of loue and peace, on his part inuiolable, and hath in • estimonie thereof (by me sent you a worthie present, vid, two large peeces of copper, fiue strings of white and blew beades, fiue wodden combes, ten fish-hookes, and a paire of kniues, all which I deliuered him, one thing after another, that he might haue time to view each particular: He willed me also to certifie you, that when you pleased to send men, he would giue you a great grinding stone: my message and gift hitherto pleased him, I proceeded thus. The bruite of the exquesite perfection of your yongest daughter, being famous through all your territories, hath come to the hearing of your Brother Sir Thomas Dale, who for this purpose hath addressed me hither, to in • reate you by that brotherly friendship you make profession of, to permit her (with me) to returne vnto him, partly for the desire which himse • fe hath, and partly for the desire her ••• ter hath to see her of whom, if fame hath not bin prodigall, as like enough it hath not, your brother (by your fauour) would gladly make his neerest companion, wife and bed • ellow (many times he would haue interrupted my speech, which I intreated him to heare out, and then if he pleased to returne me answere) and the reason hereof is, because being now friendly and firmely vnited together, and made one people (as he supposeth and beleeues) in the band of loue, he would make a naturall vnion betweene vs, principally becaus • himselfe hath taken resolution to dwel in your country so long as he liueth, and would therefore not only haue the firmest a • surance hee may, of perpetuall friendship from you, but also hereby binde himselfe thereunto.

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

I gladly accept your Kings salute of loue & peace, which while I liue I shall exactly, both my selfe and subiects maintaine and conserue: his pledges thereof I receiue with no lesse thankes, albeit they are not so ample; howbeit himselfe a greater Weroance, as formerly Captaine Newport, whom I very well loue, was accustomed to gratefie me with. But to the purpose, my daughter whom my brother desireth, I sould within these few daies to be wife to a great Weroance for two bushels of Roanoake (a small kinde of beades) made of oystershels, which they vse and passe one to another, as we doe money (a cubites length valuing sixe pence) and it is true she is already gone with him, three daies iorney from me. I replied that I knew his greatnesse and power to be such, that if he pleased heerein to gratifie his Brother hee might, restoring the Roanoake without the imputation of Iniustice, take hoame his daughter againe, the rather because she was not full twelue yeeres old, and therefore not marriageable: assuring him beside the band of peace, so much the firmer he should haue treble the prise of his daughter, in beades, Copper, Hatch • ts and m • ny other things more vsefull for him? his answere hereunto was, that he loued his daughter as deere as his owne life, and though he had many Children, he delighted in none so much as in her, whom if he should nor often beholde, he could not possibly liue, which she liuing with vs he knew he could not, hauing with himselfe resolued vpon no termes whatsoeuer to put himselfe into our hands, or come amongst vs, and therefore intreated me to vrge that suite no further, but returne his brother this answer.

I desire no firmer assurance of his friendship, then his promise which he hath already made vnto mee; from me, he hath a pledge, one of my daughters, which so long as she liues shall be sufficient, when she dieth he shall haue another childe of mine, but she yet liueth: I holde it not a brotherly part of your King, to desire to bereaue me of two of my children at once; further giue him to vnderstand, that if he had no pledge at all he should not neede to distrust any iniurie from me, o • any vnder my subiection, there haue bin too many of his men and my killed, and by my occasion there shall neuer bee more, I which haue power to performeit, haue said it: no n •• 'though I should haue iust occasion offered, for I am now olde, and would gladly end my daies in peace, so as if the English offer me iniury, my country is large enough, I will remoue my selfe farther from you. Thus much I hope will satisfie my brother. Now because your selues are wearie, and I sleepie, we will thus end the discourse of this businesse. Then called he one of his men, and willed him to get some bread for vs, himselfe the meane while telling vs that they not expecting our comming, as vsually they doe eate vp all their other victnals, presently the bread was brought in two great wodden bouls, the quantity of a bushel sod breade made vp round, of the bignesse of a tenise b • ll, whereof we eate some few, and disposed the rest to many of his hungrie guarde which a • tended about vs: when we had eaten he caused to be fetch • d a great glasse of sacke, some three quarts or better, which Captain Newport had giuen him sixe or seauen yeeres since, carefully preserued by him, not much aboue a pint in all this time spent; and gaue each of vs in a great oister shell some three spoonefuls; and so giuing order to one of his people to appoint vs a house to lodge in, tooke his leaue for that night, and we departed. We had not bin halfe an houre in the house before the fleas began so to torment vs that wee could not rest there, but went forth, and vnder a broade oake, vpon a mat reposed our selues that night no sooner were we awakt and vp in the morning, but Powhatan himselfe came to vs, and asked vs how we fared, and immediatly led vs to his house, where was prouided for our breakefast a great bole of Indian pease and bea • es boyled together, and as much bread as might haue sufficed a dosen hungry men, about an houer after boyled fresh fish, and not long after that roasted Oysters, Creuises and Crabbes: his • en in this time being abroade a hunting some venison, others Turkeis and such like beasts and foule as their woods afforde, who returned before ten of the clocke with three does and a bucke, very good and fat venison, and two great cocke Turkeis, all which were dressed that day, and supper ended, scarce a bone to be seene.

Whiles I yet remained there, by great chaunce came an English man thither, almost three yeeres before that time surprised, as he was at worke neere Fort Henrie, one William Parker growen so like both in complexion and habite to the Indians, that I onely knew him by his tongue to be an Englishman, he seemed very • oyfull so happily to meete me there. Of him when we often inquired, the Indians euer tolde vs that he fell sicke and died, which till now we beleeued • he intreated me to vse my best indeuours to procure his returne, which thing I was purposed so soone as I knew him, and immediately went with him to Powhatan, and tolde him that we credibly bel • eued that he was dead, but since it was otherwise I must needes haue him home, for my selfe of necessitie must acquaint his brother that I had seene him there: who if he returned not, would make another voyage thither purposely for him: Powhatan seemed very much discontent, and thus repli • d. You haue one of my daughters with you, and I am therewith well content, but you can no sooner see or • now of any English mans being with me, but you must haue him away, or else bre • ke peace and friendship: If you must needes h • ue him, he shal • goe with you, but I will send no guides along with you, so as if any ill befall you by the way, thanke your selues. I answered, that rather then I would goe without him, I would goe alone, the way I kne • well enough, and other daungers I feared not, since if I • eturned not safely, he must expect our reuenge vpon him and his people, giuing him further to know, that his brother our king might haue iust occasion to distrust his loue to him, by his slight respect of me, if he returned mee home without guides. He replied not hereunto, but in passion and discontentment from me, not till suppe • time speaking any more vnto me: when sending for me, he gaue me share of such cates as were for himself prouided, and as good aspect and countenance as before; but not a word concerning my returne, till himselfe at midnight comming to me, and the boy where we lay awaked vs, and tolde me that Pepaschech • r and another of his men, in the morning should accompany vs home, earnestly reque •• ing me to remember his brother to send him these particulars. Ten peeces of Copper, a shauing kni • e, an iron frow to cleaue bordes, a grinding stone, not so bigge but four or fiue men may carryit, which would be bigge enough for his vse, two bone combes, such as Captaine Newport had giuen him; the wodden ones his own men can make: an hundred fish-hookes or if he could spare it, rather a fishing saine, and a cat, and a dogge, with which things if his brother would furnish him, he would require his l • ue with the returne of skinnes: wherewith he was now altogether vnfurnished (as he tolde me) which yet I knew hee was well stored with, but his disposition mistrustfull and ielous, loues to be on the surer hand.

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

In the morning, himselfe and wee were timely stirring to be gone: to breakefast first we went, with a good boyled Turkie, which ended, he gaue vs a whole Turkie, besides that we left, and three baskets of bread to carry vs home, and when we were • eady to depart, hee gaue each of vs an excellent Bucks skin, very well dressed, and white as snow, aud s • nt his sonne and daughter each of them one, demaunding if I well remembred his answer to his brother, which I repeated to him: I hope (laid he) this will giue him good satisfaction, if it doe not? I will goe three daies iourny f • rther from him, and neuer see English man more: if vpon any other occasion hee send to me again, I will gladly ent • rtain his missiues, and to my powre accomplish his iust requests: and euen thus himselfe conducting vs to the water sid • , he tooke leaue of vs, and we of him: and about ten of the clock the next night after, we were come to the Bermudas. This discourse I haue briefely as I could, and as the matter would permit, the rather related, to make knowne, how charie Powhatan is, of the conseruation of peace, a thing much desired, and I doubt not right welcom newes, to the vndertakers heer) as may appeare by his answeres to my requests, and also by my safe passage thither, & homwards, without the lest shew of iniury offred vnto vs, though diuers times • by the way, many stragliug Indians met vs, which in former times, would gladly haue taken so • aire occasion to worke their mischiefe and bloody • designes vpon vs. By all which, as likewise by our forward progression in our affaires, I hope such good successe and benefit to bee speedily reaped, that • y selfe, though I blesse GOD for it, who hath so prouided for me, that I may liue more happily heere, then many who are fearefull to aduenture thither) could eu • n willingly make a third voyage thither if by my poore endeauours the businesse might receiue the least furtherance. God, (I hope) will raise vp meanes beyond mans imagination, to perfect his owne glory and honour, in the conuersion of those people, of whom vndoubtedly, (as in all other parts in the world, he hath predestinated some to eternall saluation, and blessed shall those be that are the instruments thereof) I hope this poor Narration will moue euery honest heart, to put his helping hand thereunto. For my part, as I haue been fiue yeers a personall workeman in that building, so shall I euer, as my meanes may permit me, be ready to offer my mite towards the furnishing of others, and againe (if need require) personall labor therein.

THere be two properties especially remarkeable, which should moue all men earnestly and constantly, with all their meanes and endeuour, to desire the a • cheiuing of any thing, and bringing of the same vnto perfection: first the worth and excellencie: secondly the durablenesse and continuance thereof. For as that thing which is not durable, by reason of fragilitie and fugacitie, is not vsually esteemed of men, though it be excellent: so that likewise which is not precious, is worthely little regarded, though it be neuer so durable. Now the Virginian plantation hath both these notable properties, if at the least we will, and impeach them not our selues; for what is m • re excellent, more precious and more glorious, then to conuert a heathen Nation from worshipping the diuell, to the sa • ing knowledge, and true worship of God in Christ Iesus? what more praiseworthy and charitable, then to bring a sauage people from barbarisme vnto civi •• itie? what more honour • ble vnto our ••• ntre • , then to reduce a farre disioyned forraign • nation, vnder the d • e obedience of our dread Soueraigne the Kings Maiestie? what more conuenient then to haue good s • ates abroade for our euer flowing multitudes of people at home? what more profitable then to purchase great wealth, which most now adaies gape after ouer-greedily? All which benefits are assuredly to b • e had and obtained by well and plentifully vpholding of the plantatio • in Virginia. And for the durablenesse of all these great and singular blessings, there • an (by Gods assistance) be no doubt at all made, if mens hearts vnto whom God hath lent abilitie) were but inla • ged cheerefully to aduenture and send good companies of honest industrious m • n thither with a mind to inlarge Christs kingdome: for then will God assuredly maintaine his owne cause. But alas, as there was neuer yet any action so good. so honourable, so glorious, so pious and so profitable, but hath had checkes and disconr • gements, both by open enemies abroade, and intestine aduersaries at home with in it owne bowels: euen so may I truely say, hath this m • st glorious, most honourable, most pious and most profitable enterprise had. For as of old, when Zerubbabel▪ Ezra and Nehemia returned from Babell, by allowance of the king of Persia to Ierusalem, and began to repaire the walles thereof, and to restore Gods seruice, there wanted not a Sanballat and others to say: what doe these weak • Iewes? will they fortifie themselues? will they sa • crific • ? will they fini • h it in a day? Noe, for although they builde, yet if a fox goe vp, he shall euen breake downe that stony wall, Euen so deale many Sanballates and Tobiahes forraigne and domesticall enemies of this most religious worke: yea there be many who will not seeme enemies thereunto, but yet will neither further the businesse themselues, no not according to their owne ingagements which in conscience and • redit • they ought) nor quietly suffer o • hers that otherwise • old, but discourage them therin all they may som saying as Iudah once did. The strength of the bear • rs is weakned, and there is much earth, so as we are n • t able to build • the wall. Som s • ying with the vnfaithfull Spies, sent forth to search the l •• d of Canaan: The land wee went t • rough to • earch it out is a land that eateth vp the inhabitan • s th • reof, for all the people we saw in it ar • stro • g and m • n of • reat stature: yea and some others say, there is much already expended, and yet n • profit ariseth, neither is there victuals to be had, for the preseruing of life and soule together. But oh my deere countrie-men, be not so farre bewitched herewith as to be still discouraged thereat for t • ose that bring a vilde slauder vpon this action, may die by a plague bef • re the Lord, as those men did: but rather remembring your a • ncient worth, renowne, valour and bounty, harken vnto Caleb and Iosua, who stilled the peoples mourning: saying, Let vs goe vp at once and possesse it, for vndoubtedly we shall ouercome it; yet not so much now by force of armes as the Israelites did then by warrant from God (nor by vtterly destroying of them, as some haue cruelly done since) as by gentlenesse, loue, amity and Religion. As for profit it shall come abundantly, if we can with the husband-man, but freely cast our corne into the ground, and with patience waite for a blessing. And of victuals, there is now no complaint at all, and that which was hapned by the meere lasie negligence of our owne people.

Now to the end that you may the better perceiue these things to be true, & be thereby the more animated cheerefully to goe forward in the vpholding of this holy worke, I will no longer detaine you from the perusall of some Calebs and Iosu • hs faithfull reports (writ there in Iune last this present yeere 1614. and sent hither by the last shippe that came thence) for further incouragement to put hereunto speedily & plentifully your helping hands with al • lacrity: As for the that are able, & yet wil not further, but indaunger the veter ruining of this so glorious a cause (by their miserablenesse (being without loue and charitie) to the great dishonour of God, and our Countries perpetuall shame should it now sinke, and fall to the gonnd: I leaue them to him that made them, to dispose of them according to his infinite wisdome. And so come to the letters themselues: the first and chiefest whereof is from Sir Thomas Dale, Marshall and Gouernour of Virginia, vnto a Minister of London.

VIrginia therefore standing now in such a goodly proportion, and faire forwardnesse of thriuing, as it was neuer yet hitherto seen in, since it began to be first planted: cannot but soone come to perfection, to the exceeding great comfort of all well affected Christians, and no small profit of the planters, and aduenturers: if it be well seconded and supplyed, with a good number of able men: Wherefore, let none bee heerafter vnwilling all they may to further this most honourable Action, and be forward to vphold and support it from falling, by their speech, and countenance, and freely aduenturing thither, both in their persons, & also by their purses, as God hath inabled them. To conclude, as Azariah sayd once to King Azah, Iuda, and Beniamin, so say I vnto all. Bee yee strong threfore, and let not your hands be weake: for your worke shall haue a reward. And as the holy Apostle said to the Corinthians, Be ye therefore stedfast, vnmoueable, abundant alwaies in the vvorkes of the Lord, for as much as ye know your labour is not in vaine in the Lord, let vs not therefore bee vvearie of vvelldoing: for in due season, vvee shall reape, if wee faint not as the Apostle tolde the Galatians. Farewell.