The Patent ofVirginiamade void.
The Miscarriages and Misdemeanors of the aforesaid Corporation for the first Colony ofVirginia, were so many and so great, that His said Majesty was forc’d, in or aboutOctober 1623.to direct aQuo Warranto, for the calling in of that former Patent, which inTrinityTerm following was legally Evinc’d, Condemn’d, and made Void, by Judgment in the Court of the thenKings-Bench; as also all other Patents, by which the said Corporation claim’d any Interest inVirginia. Thus this Corporation of the first Colony ofVirginiawas dissolv’d, and that Plantation hath been since Govern’d and Dispos’d of by Persons Constituted and Impower’d for that purpose from time to time, by immediate Commissions from the Kings ofEngland.
The Patent ofMary-landgranted to the LordBaltemore.
In the Year of our Lord 1631. the Right HonorableGeorgeLordBaltemoreobtain’d a Grant of KingCharlesthe First ofGreat Britain,&c.of part of that Land to the Northward, which is now call’dMary-land; but this Patent ofMary-landwas not perfected till 1632. as you may understand more fully by the precedent Discourse ofMary-land, which by express words in the said Patent is separated from, and thereby declar’d not to be reputed for the future, any part ofVirginia.
The PatentCarolinagranted to several Noble Persons.
And in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of KingCharlesthe Second ofGreat Britain,&c.onMarch 24. 1663.EdwardEarl ofClarendon, then High-Chancellor ofEngland,GeorgeDuke ofAlbemarle,William, now Earl ofCraven,JohnLordBerkley,AnthonyLordAshley, SirGeorge CarterettKnight and Baronet, SirWilliam BerkleyKnight, and SirJohn ColletonKnight and Baronet, obtain’d a Patent from His Majesty, of the Province ofCarolina, which lies to the Southward ofVirginia, in which is included some part of that Land which formerly belong’d to the said dissolv’d Company ofVirginia. So thatVirginiaat present extendeth it self onely, and is situated between thirty six and thirty seven Degrees and fifty Minutes, or thereabouts, of Northern Latitude, and is bounded on the North, byMary-land; on the South, byCarolina; on the East, by the Ocean; and on the West, by the South-Seas.
Rivers ofVirginia.
The Entrance by Sea into this Countrey is the same with that ofMary-land, betweenCape HenryandCape Charles, plac’d on each side of the Mouth of the Bay ofChesapeak; on the West side whereof you first meet with a pleasant and commodious River call’dJames-River, about three Miles wide at its Entrance, and Navigable a hundred and fifty.
Fourteen Miles from this River Northward liesYork-River, which is Navigable sixty or seventy Miles, but with Ketches and small Barques thirty or forty Miles farther.
Passing hence to the North you discover a third stately River, call’dRappahanock, which is Navigable about a hundred and thirty Miles—from whence following the Shore to the North you enter intoPatomeck-River, which is already describ’d in the precedent Discourse ofMary-land, to which Province this River belongs, whose Southerly Bank gives Bounds to that part ofVirginiaandMary-land.
To these Rivers many other Inland Branches and Rivulets are reduc’d, the chief of which are hereafter specifi’d.
Nature of the Countrey.
The Countrey is generally even, the Soil fruitful, the Climate healthful, and agreeable withEnglishConstitutions, especially since the increase of Inhabitants, and accommodation of good Diet and Lodging, which the first Planters found great want of heretofore. For many years, till of late, most New-comers had thefirst Year inJulyandAugust, a Disease which is call’dA Seasoning, whereof many died, like to what is mention’d before in the Description ofMary-land, though more mortal and common than inMary-land, becauseVirginiais a lower Countrey, and somewhat hotter, insomuch that formerly divers ill of that Distemper have come purposely fromVirginiatoMary-land, to recover their Health; but now, since the Countrey is more open and clear from Wood, few die of it, and many have noSeasoningsat all.
This Countrey affordeth generally all such Roots, Herbs, Gums, and Balsoms, as are express’d before in the Relation ofMary-land.
Trees
All sorts of Trees for Building and Husbandry, Fruit-Trees, Vines,&c.are found in both Countreys, equal in goodness and quantity, onely in such things as require more Sun, and that may be produc’d by Industry, there may be some little difference, becauseVirginiais somewhat more to the Southward ofMary-land, as in Vines, Oranges, Lemmons, Olives, Silk,&c.
Silk-Grass.
There is a Plant grows naturally in this Countrey, and inMary-land, call’dSilk-Grass, which will make a fine Stuff with a silky Gloss, and better Cordage than Hemp or Flax, both for strength and durance.
Fruits peculiar toVirginia.
The wild Beasts, Birds, and Fish, are much the same also in this Countrey as are before describ’d in the precedent Description ofMary-land: Nevertheless we shall think it proper not to omit some Fruits, Plants, Beasts,&c.mention’d by the most authentick Describers ofNew England, as peculiar to that Countrey. The Fruits are, theirPutchamines, which are a kind of Damsons;Messamines, a kind of Grapes;Chechinquamins, a sort of Fruit resembling a Chesnut;Rawcomens, a Fruit resembling a Goose-berry;Macoquer, a kind of Apple;Mettaquesunnauks, a sort of Fruit resemblingIndianFigs;Morococks, resembling a Straw-berry, besides a Berry which they callOcoughtanamnis, somewhat like to Capers.
Roots.
Their peculiar Roots areTockawaugh, good to eat;Wichsacan, of great vertue in healing of Wounds;Pocones, good to asswage Swellings and Aches;Musquaspen, wherewith they Paint their Targets and Mats. Also they have in great request a Pulse call’dAssentamen, and the PlantMattouna, of which they make Bread.
Beasts.
Their peculiar Beasts are, theAroughena, resembling a Badger; theAssapanickorFlying-Squerril;Opassum, a certain Beast having a Bag under her Belly, wherein she carrieth and suckleth her Young;Mussascus, which smelling strong of Musk, resembleth a Water-Rat;Utchunquois, a kind of wild Cat.
Their peculiar Fish areStingrais.
Rivulets.
On the West side of the Bay ofChesapeak, betweenCape Henryand the Southerly Bank of the River ofPatomeck, are three fair Navigable Rivers, as is before mention’d, into which the other small Rivulets fall, which here we will give some account of, as also of theIndian, or antient Names by which these three principal Rivers were formerly known. The first whereof isPowhatan(now call’dJames-River) according to the Name of a large and considerable Territory that lieth upon it. The Rivers that fall into this Southward, areApamatuck; Eastward,Quiyonycohanuc,Nansamund, andChesapeak; and Northward,Chickamahania.
The second Navigable River isPamaunkee, by theEnglishnow term’dYork-River. The Rivulet that falls into this isPoyankatanck.
The third (which is before describ’d, and usually known by the Name ofRappahanoc) was formerly term’dToppahanoc.
This we thought fit here to insert, to the end no colour of mistake might remain to after Ages concerning the derivation or original change of such proper Names, especially being Places of great advantage to the Colony.
Several People of the ancient natives ofVirginia.
The chiefest of those Tribes or Divisions of People among theIndians, that were by Name known to theEnglishat their first arrival, were upon the RiverPouhatantheKecoughtans, thePaspaheges, (on whose Land is seatedJames-Town) theWeanocks, theArrohatocks, theAppametocks, theNansamunds, theChesapeacks, &c. On the RiverPamaunkee, are theYoungtanunds, theMattapaments, &c. On the RiverToppahanoc, theManahoacks, theMoraghtacunds, and theCuttatawomens. On the RiverPatawomek, theWighcocomocans, theOnawmanients, and theMoyanances. On the RiverPawtuxunt, theAcquintacsuacs, thePawtuxunts, and theMatapunients. On the RiverBolus, theSasquesahanoes: Southward from the Bay, theChawonocks, theMangoacks, theMonacans, theMannahocks, theMasawomeks, theAtquanahucks, and theKuscarawaocks, besides a number not material to be nam’d, as having had little of Transaction that we hear of with the Planters.
Number of Inhabitants.
The number ofEnglishInhabitants in this Country are in this present Year 1671. about thirty or forty thousand, who are plentifully stock’d with all sorts of tame Cattel, as Cows, Sheep, Horses, Swine,&c.and all sorts ofEnglishGrain; great store of brave Orchards for Fruit, whereof they make great quantities of Cyder and Perry.
They have been much oblig’d by that worthy Gentleman Mr.Edward Digges, Son of SirDudley Digges, who was Master of the Rolls, and a Privy Councellor to KingCharlesthe First, ofGreat Britain,&c.For the said Mr.Diggesat his great Charge and Industry, hath very much advanc’d the making of Silk in this Countrey, for which purpose he hath sent for several Persons out ofArmeniato teach them that Art, and how to wind it off the Cods of the Silk-worms; and hath made at his own Plantation in this Colony for some years last past, considerable quantities of Silk, which is found to be as good Silk as any is in the World, which hath encourag’d divers others to prosecute that Work.
The Commodities ofVirginia.
Though this Countrey be capable of producing many other good Commodities, yet the Planters have hitherto imploy’d themselves for the most part in Planting of Tobacco, as they do inMary-Land; whereof there are two sorts, one which is call’dSweet-scented, and the other call’dOranoack, orBright and Large, which is much more in quantity, but of lesser price than the former; and the Plantations uponYork Riverare esteem’d to produce the best of that sort ofSweet-scented: There is so much of this Commodity Planted inVirginia, and Imported from thence intoEngland, that the Custom and Excise paid inEnglandfor it, yields the King about fifty or threescore thousand PoundsSterling,per annum: With this Commodity the Planters buy of the Ships that come thither for it (which are above a hundred Sail yearly fromEngland, and otherEnglishPlantations) all Necessaries of Clothing, and other Utensils of Houshold-stuff,&c.which they want, though they make some Shoes, and Linnen and Woollen Cloth in some Parts ofVirginia, of the growth and Manufacture of the Countrey; and if they would Plant less Tobacco (as it is probable they will e’re long find it convenient for them to do, it being now grown a Drugof very low value, by reason of the vast quantities planted of it) they might in time provide themselves all Necessaries of Livelyhood, and produce richer and more Staple-Commodities for their Advantage.
Their usual way of Trafique in buying and selling is by exchange of one Commodity for another; and Tobacco is the general Standard, by which all other Commodities receive their value; but they have someEnglishand foreign Coyns, which serve them upon many occasions.
The Government is by a Governor and Council, Appointed and Authoriz’d from time to time by immediate Commission from the King ofGreat Brittain: And Laws are made by the Governor, with the consent of a General Assembly, which consists of two Houses, an Upper and a Lower; the first consists of the Council, and the latter of the Burgesses chosen by the Freemen of the Countrey; and Laws so made are in Force till His Majesty thinks fit to alter them.
The chief Court of Judicature is call’dThe Quarter-Court, because it is held every quarter of a Year, where all Causes Criminal and Civil are heard and determin’d, and the Judges of this Court are the Governor and Council: The present Governor in this Year 1671. is SirWilliam Berkley, who was made Governor by KingCharlesthe First, ofGreat Brittain, &c.in the Year 1640. And those of the Council are SirHenry Chichesly, who is one of the greatest and most considerable Planters there, and Mr.Edward Diggsbefore-mention’d, Mr.Thomas LudwelSecretary, Major-GeneralRobert Smith, and divers other worthy Gentlemen.
That Part of the Country where theEnglishare Planted, is divided into nineteen Counties,viz.Northampton-CountyinAcomack, on the Eastern shore; and on the Western shore,Corotuck,Lower-Norfolk,Nansemund,Isle of Wight,Surry,Warwick,Henerico,James,Charles,York,New-Kent,Glocester,Middlesex,Lancaster,Northumberland,Westmoreland,Rappahanock, andHarford-Counties.
In every one of these Counties there are inferior County-Courts kept every Month; these take no Cognizance of Causes relating to Life or Member, or exceeding a certain limited Value, such being refer’d to the Quarter-Courts only, to which likewise there lie Appeals from their Inferior Courts.
There are Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers in every respective County, appointed by the Governor, for the Administration of Justice, who sit there according to his Order, and whereof these County-Courts are chiefly compos’d.
There are few Towns as yet erected in this Colony; the Principal Seat of theEnglishthere, is at a Place call’dJames-City, in Honor of KingJamesofGreat Brittain, &c.This is situated in aPeninsula, on the North-side ofJames River, and has in it many fair Brick and other good Houses: In this place are held the Quarter-Courts, General Assemblies, the Secretaries Office, and all other Affairs and greatest Concerns of the Colony are here dispatch’d. On the same side, nearer the Mouth of this River, standsElizabeth-City, containing also several good Houses of Brick and Timber.
SirWilliam Berkley, the present Governor resides at a place somewhat distant fromJames-City, call’dGreen-spring, a fair Brick House, which he himself caus’d to be Built.
The other Towns of Note belonging to theEnglish, are onlyHenricopolis, orHenry’s-Town(so nam’d from PrinceHenrythen living, built in a very convenient place, more within Land, about eighty Miles distant fromJames-City) andDale’s-Gift, so nam’d from SirThomas DaleDeputy-Governor of the Countrey, about the Year 1610.
TheIndiansofVirginiafar exceed those ofMary-land, in Treachery and Cruelty to theEnglishthere, as will appear by this following Relation of their Proceedings towards them, since the first Seating of that Colony, wherein nevertheless, the Civility of some particular Persons at their first Landing is not to be omitted.
Transactions between theEnglishand the Natives.
Upon the first arrival of CaptainAmidasand CaptainBarlowinWingandacoa, nowVirginia, they were accosted byGranganimeo(the King’s Brother of that Countrey) who, attended with a Train of forty or fifty Men, came in a very civil manner to Treat about a Commerce of Trade and Traffique, which immediately began between them, and several Barters were made:Granganimeo, who was very just of his word, and always kept his promis’d Day of meeting, fancying most a Pewter Dish, gave twenty Deer-skins for it, and boring a Hole therein, hung it about his Neck for a Breast-plate; afterwards he, with his whole Company, and his Wife and Children, frequently and familiarly did eat and drink aboard theEnglishShips, the King himself call’dWingina, lying sick at his chief Town, six days Journy off, of a dangerous Wound which he had receiv’d from a neighboring King his mortal Enemy. Some of theEnglishgoing to Land upon the Isle ofRoanoack, were met byGranganimeo’s Wife, who, her Husband being absent, commanded her Servants some to draw their Boat ashore, some to carry them on their Backs to Land, others to carry their Oars into the House for fear of stealing; and having caus’d a great Fire to be made to warm them, and to dry those that had been wet in their Voiage, she afterwards entertain’d them with a plentiful Feast or Banquet after that Country fashion; and when they took alarm at the coming of two or three of her Men with Bows and Arrows, she caus’d the Bows to be broken, and the Men to be beaten out of the House, besides several other demonstrations of extraordinary civility; and when not withstanding all this they could not be perswaded to Lodg any where but in their Boat, she us’d all means imaginable to make them quit their Jealousy, and accept of a Lodging in the House.
In the Year 1585. a Company that went over with SirRichard Greenvil, burnt the Town ofAquascogoc, for a Silver Cup that was stoln by some of theIndians, took PrisonerMenatonon, King ofChawonoc, who gave Relation of a King about three days Journy off, who possess’d an Island rich in Pearl, which was taken in a deep Water that inviron’d it. Going towards the Countrey of theMangoacks(among whom in the Province ofChaunis Temaotan, they heard of a Mine of strange Copper call’dWassador, withSkiko, the King ofChawonock’s Son, andManteo, a faithful Salvage, for their Guide) they were treacherously dealt with byWingina, aliasPemissapan(for so, his BrotherGranganimeobeing lately dead, he had alter’d his Name) who endeavor’d to stir up a Confederacy of theChawonocks,Moratocks, andMangoacksagainst them; yet by the urgent perswasions ofEnsenorehis Father, the truest Friend theEnglishhad, after the death ofGranganimeo, and seeing them safe return’d from their Journey, wherein he thought they had all perish’d, and especially uponMenatonon’s sending Messengers to them with Pearl, andOkiscoKing ofWeopomeock, to yield himself Vassal to the Queen ofEngland, his Hatred was somewhat cool’d; butEnsenoredeceasing soon after, he return’d to his old treacherous Practices again, and in the end, while he was contriving Mischief against the Planters, he himself was shot, taken Prisoner, and beheaded.
After the Company left uponVirginiaby SirRichard Greenvil, (for he himself was return’d) tir’d out with hunger, hardship, and the many extremities they were at last reduc’d to, had deserted the Place, and obtain’d passage forEngland, through the civility of SirFrancis Drake, pitying their distress, fifty Men more were Landed uponRoanoack-Isle, by the same Person, who how they were surpris’d and destroy’d by the Natives, was discover’d at large to the Supply that was sent over in the Year 1587. by Mr.White.
A small Party under CaptainSmithgoing down the River toKeconghean, were very fiercely assaulted by sixty or seventyIndians, but their Musquet-shot did such Execution amongst them, that they fled into the Woods and left behind them the Image of their God, which had been carry’d before them as their Standard, and not long after sent one of theirQueiongcasocksto offer Peace, and to redeem theirOkee; whichSmithgranting, on condition six onely of them would come unarm’d and load his Boat with Provisions; and promising more over to become their Friend, and furnish them with Beads, Copper, and Hatchets: They accepted the Condition, and brought him Venison, Turkies, wild Fowl, Bread, and what else they had, Singing and Dancing in sign of Friendship till they departed.
In his next Voyage for the discovery of the Head ofChickamahaniaRiver, he was, through the neglect of his Sea-men who were sent to watch the Booty, taken Prisoner; in which condition he was kept a whole Month: then being releas’d, he got Provisions for the People inJames-Town; which had they not timely receiv’d, they had all abandon’d the Place, and return’d toEngland.
KingPowhatan.
James-Townburnt.
While Affairs stood thus in a mean condition, CaptainNewportarriving there with a Ship and sixty Men to strengthen the Plantations, he went toWeromocomoco, where KingPowhatankept his Court, and found him sitting on a Bed of Mats, and an Embroider’d Leather Cushion, Cloth’d in Deer-skins; at his Feet sat a young Maiden, and on each side of the House twenty Concubines; his Head and Shoulders painted red, and a Chain of white Beads about his Neck.Newportto oblige him, gave him anEnglishYouth; for which he receiv’dPowhatansFriendMamontak; with whom returning, he found a sad accident,for the Fire had not onely burnt the Houses of the new Planters, but also the Pallisado’s aboutJames-Town, made for a Defence against the Enemies Assaults, and most of their Store; which was so much the worse, because it hapned in the Winter, and indeed had prov’d very fatal, had not a Ship, which was suppos’d to be lost, happily arriv’d there with a considerable quantity of Provisions.
Smith’s Voyage.
His remarkable Exploits.
Whilst the Town was rebuilding,Smithset Sail in an open Barque with fourteen Men, and discover’d two Isles beforePoint Charles, to which he gave his Name; then ran into the InletChesapeack, in the midst of which lay several Islands, by the Sea-men call’dRussels. Before the RiverWighcomocothey found a disturbed Sea, and more Northerly a Bay with fresh and hot Water, and at last he met with twoVirginians, which conducted theEnglishalong a Creek toOnawmoment, where some hundreds of them lay in Ambuscade, according toPowhatan’s appointment, to cut offSmith; who leaping forth on a sudden appear’d like Devils, all painted; but the Bullets flying about made them all run away.Smith, whose Design was onely to discover the Countrey, and the Silver Mine ofPatawomeck, ten Leagues up into the Countrey, found the Metal to be of little value, so that he return’d with little Success, being newly cur’d of a poysonous Wound in the Arm, which was given him by a Fish not unlike a Shark, whilst he lay aground nearToppahanock.
A while after being inform’d ofPowhatan’s Design to destroy theEnglish, (though he had been lately Presented byNewportwith a Silver Basin, a rich Chair, Bed, and Furniture belonging to it, with other things of value) he, to prevent him, chose forty eight out of two hundred Men which were Garrison’d inJames-Town, then going toWerowocomoco, Landed with much trouble, the River being frozen above half a Mile from the Shore.
AGermanSoldier amongstSmith’s Company giving private notice toPowhatanof the Design of theEnglish, made his Escape by flight: ButSmithgoing on toPamaunke, found KingOpechancangoughwith seven hundred Men in Arms, threatning a fierce Battel; butSmithmaking directly up to him, set his Pistol on his Breast, and forc’d him to lay down his Arms.Powhatanby this time provided with Swords and Musquets by twoDutch-men, also began to bestir himself afresh; but his Intentions being too soon known, he was again quieted, and forc’d a second time to sendSmitha String of Pearl; after which a Peace was concluded between all the Natives and theEnglish.
Many other Quarrels and Encounters there were in the Infancy of the Plantation between theIndiansand theEnglish, wherein it would be endless to recount all the Treacheries and Ambuscades of the Salvages, some of which had prov’d very pernicious to the Planters, had they not been betray’d to CaptainSmithbyPocahonta, KingPowhatan’s Daughter, who upon all occasions shew’d her self a great Friend to theEnglish, having sav’d the Captain’s Life, when, being her Father’s Prisoner, he was just brought to Execution.
This Lady was afterwards brought intoEngland, Christned by the Name ofRebekah, and Married to one Mr.Rolf, and died atGravesendin an intended Voyage back to her own Countrey.
Nor did their Cruelties and Treacheries end when the Plantation came to be more setled, for on the two and twentieth ofMarchabout the Year 1621. in the time of SirFrancis Wyat’s Government, they generally combin’d to destroy all theEnglishthere; and carried on this devilish Design with such dissimulation and dexterity, that in one day they cut off seven hundred Men, Women, and Children, there being at that time not above fifteen hundred in the Countrey.
Since which time, in the Year of our Lord 1643. there hapned another bloodyMassacre, wherein near five hundredEnglishwere in one Night miserably butcher’d by those barbarous and perfidious Salvages: whose Blood the present Governor, SirWilliam Berkley, nobly and justly reveng’d the Year following, utterly destroying most of them, and taking Prisoner their chief Emperor,Opichancono, who died not long after in Prison.
Having given but a small hint, in its proper place, of the Story of CaptainSmith’s Imprisonment byPowhatan, and his deliverance from Death byPocahonta; we have thought not improper to reserve the Story of it, being very remarkable for a particular Relation, before we conclude our Description ofVirginia, since otherwise we should have interrupted the Series of our former Discourse.
The Salvages having drawn from oneGeorge Cassen, whither CaptainSmithwas gone, prosecuting that opportunity, they follow’d him with three hundred Bowe-Men, conducted by the King ofPamaunkee, who in divisions, searching the turnings of the River, found two of his Men by the fire side, whom they shot full of Arrows, and flew. Then finding the Captain, who, as is said, us’d the Salvage that was his Guide as his Shield, (three of them being slain, and others sore gall’d) the rest would not come near him: Thinking thus to have return’d to his Boat, regarding them as he march’d, more than his way, he slipp’d up to the middle in an Osier-Creek, and his Salvage with him, yet durst they not come to him, till being near dead with cold, he threw away his Arms: Then according to their composition, they drew him forth, and led him to the Fire, where his Men were slain; diligently they chaf’d his benumm’d Limbs, he demanding for their Captain, they shew’d himOpechankanough, King ofPamaunkee, to whom he gave a round Ivory double compass Dyal. Much they marvel’d at the playing of the Fly and Needle, which they could see so plainly, and yet not touch it, because of the Glass that cover’d them; but when he demonstrated by that Globe-like Jewel, the roundness of the Earth, and Skies; the Sphere of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and how the Sun did chase the Night round about the World continually; the greatness of the Land and Sea; the diversity of Nations, variety of Complexions, and how we were to themAntipodes, and many other such like matters, they all stood as amaz’d with admiration: Notwithstanding, within an hour after they ty’d him to a Tree, and as many as could stand about him prepar’d to shoot him; but the King holding up the Compass in his Hand, they all laid down their Bowes and Arrows, and in a triumphant manner led him toOrapaks, where he was after their manner kindly Feasted, and well us’d.
Their order in conducting him was thus; Drawing themselves all in Fyle, the King in the midst had all their Bowes and Swords borne before him. CaptainSmithwas led after him by three great Salvages, holding him fast by each Arm; and on each side six went in Fyle with their Arrows nocked. But arriving at the Town (which was but onely thirty or forty Hunting Houses made of Mats, which they remove as they please, as we our Tents) all the Women and Children staring and gazing at him, the Souldiers first all in Fyle wheel’d off to the Rear in good Order; on each Flank were Officers, like Serjeants to see them keep their Postures: A good time they continu’d this Exercise, and then cast themselves in a Ring, Dancing in such several Postures, and singing and yelling out such hellish Notesand Screeches; being strangely Painted, every one his Quiver of Arrows, and at his Back a Club; on his Arm a Fox or an Otters-skin, or some such matter for his vambrace; their Heads and Shoulders Painted red, with Oyl andPoconesmingled together, which Scarlet-like colour, made an exceeding handsome show; his Bowe in his Hand, and the Skin of a Bird with her Wings abroad dry’d, ty’d on his Head, a piece of Copper, a white Shell, a long Feather, with a small Rattle growing at the Tails of their Snaks ty’d to it, or some such like Toy. All this whileSmithand the King stood in the midst, guarded, as before is said, and after three Dances they all departed.Smiththey conducted to a long House, where thirty or forty tall Fellows did guard him, and e’re long, more Bread and Venison was brought him than would have serv’d twenty Men, I think his Stomack at that time was not very good; what he left, they put in Baskets and ty’d over his Head. About midnight they set the Meat again before him; all this time none of them would eat a bit with him, till the next Morning they brought him as much more, and then did they eat all the old, and reserv’d the new as they had done the other, which made him think they would feed him for slaughter: Yet in this desperate estate to fend him from the cold, oneMaocassaterbrought him his Gown, in requital of some Beads and ToysSmithhad given him at his first arrival inVirginia.
Two days after a man would have slain him (but that the Guard prevented it) for the death of his Son, to whom they conducted him to recover the poor man then breathing his last.Smithtold them, that atJames-Townhe had a Water would do it, if they would let him fetch it, but they would not permit that; but made all the preparations they could to assaultJames-Town, craving his advice, and for recompence he should have Life, Liberty, Land, and Women. In part of a Tablebook he writ his mind to them at the Fort, what was intended, how they should follow that direction to affright the messengers, and without fail send him such things as he writ for, and an Inventory with them. The difficulty and danger, he told the Salvages, of the Mines, great Guns, and other Engines, exceedingly affrighted them, yet according to his Request they went toJames-Town, in as bitter weather as could be of Frost and Snow, and within three days return’d with an Answer.
But when they came toJames-Town, seeing Men sally out as he had told them they would, they fled; yet in the night they came again to the same place where he had told them they should receive answer, and such things as he had promis’d them, which they found accordingly, and with which they return’d with no small expedition, to the wonder of them all, supposing that he could either Divine, or the Paper could speak: then they led him to theYouthtanunds, theMattapanients, thePayankatanks, theNantaughtacunds, andOnawmanientsupon the Rivers ofRapahanock, andPatawomek, through intricate ways, and back again by divers other several Nations, to the Kings Habitation atPamaunkee, where they entertain’d him with most strange and fearful Conjurations. Not long after, early in the Morning, a great fire was made in a long House, and a Mat spread on each side thereof; on the one they caus’d him to sit, and all the Guard went out of the House, and presently there came skipping in a great grim Fellow, all Painted over with Coal, mingled with Oyl; and many Snakes and Wesels-skins stuff’d with Moss, and all their Tails ty’d together, so as they met on the Crown of his Head in a Tassel; and round about the Tassel was a Coronet of Feathers, the Skins hanging round about his Head, Back, and Shoulders, and in a manner cover’d his Face; with a hellish voice, and a Rattle in his Hand. With most strange gestures and passions he began his Invocation, and environ’d the fire with a Circle of Meal; whichdone, three more such like Devils came rushing in with the like antique Tricks, Painted half black, half red; but all their Eyes were Painted white, and some red strokes likeMutchato’s, along their Cheeks: round about him those Fiends Danc’d a pretty while, and then came in three more as ugly as the rest, with red Eyes, and white strokes over their black Faces; at last they all sate down right against him, three of them on the one hand of the chief Priest, and three on the other; then all with their Rattles began a Song, which ended, the chief Priest laid down five Wheat Corns, then stretching his Arms and Hands with such violence, that he sweat, and his Veins swell’d, he began a short Oration: at the conclusion, they all gave a short groan, and then laid down three Grains more; after that, began their Song again, and then another Oration, ever laying down so many Corns as before, till they had twice incircled the Fire; that done, they took a bunch of little Sticks, prepared for that purpose, continuing still their Devotion, and at the end of every Song and Oration, they laid down a Stick between the Divisions of Corn: till night, neither he nor they did either eat or drink, and then they feasted merrily, with the best Provisions they could make: Three days they us’d this Ceremony, the meaning whereof they told him, was to know if he intended them well, or no. The Circle of Meal signifi’d their Countrey, the Circles of Corn the bounds of the Sea, and the Sticks his Countrey. They imagin’d the World to be flat and round, like a Trencher, and they in the midst. After this they brought him a Bag of Gun-powder, which they carefully preferv’d till the next Spring, to Plant as they did their Corn, because they would be acquainted with the nature of that Seed.Opitchapam, the King’s Brother, invited him to his House, where, with as many Platters of Bread, Fowl, and wild Beasts, as did environ him, he bid him wellcome, but not any of them would eat a bit with him, but put up all the remainder in Baskets. At his return toOpechancanoughs, all the Kings Women, and their Children, flock’d about him for their Parts, as a due by Custom, to be merry with such Fragments.
At last, they brought him toMeronocomoco, where wasPowhatantheir Emperor. Here more than two hundred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had been a Monster; tillPowhatanand his Train had put themselves in their greatest Braveries. Before a Fire, upon a seat like a Bedsted, he sat cover’d with a great Robe, made ofRarowcun-Skins, and all the Tails hanging by. On either hand did sit a young Maid, of sixteen or eighteen years of Age, and along on each side the House, two rows of Men, and behind them as many Women, with all their Heads and Shoulders Painted red; many of their Heads bedeck’d with the white Doun of Birds, but every one with something, and a great Chain of white Beads about their Necks. At his entrance before the Emperor, all the People gave a great shout. The Queen ofAppamatuckwas appointed to bring him Water to wash his Hands, and another brought him a bunch of Feathers, in stead of a Towel to dry them: Having Feasted him after their barbarous manner as well as they could, a long consultation was held, but in conclusion, two great Stones being brought beforePowhatan, as many as could, laid Hands on him, dragg’d him to them, and thereon laid his Head, when being ready with their Clubs, to beat out his Brains,Pocahontas, the Emperors dearest Daughter, seeing no intreaty could prevail, got his Head in her Arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death; whereat, the Emperor was contented he should live to make him Hatchets, and her Bells, Beads, and Copper; for they thought him a Man of all Occupations like themselves; for the King himself will make his own Robes, Shoes, Bowes, Arrows, Pots, Plant, Hunt, or do any thing as well as the rest.
A New _DISCRIPTION OF_ CAROLINA _By Order of the_ Lords Proprietors
Two days after,Powhatanhaving disguis’d himself in the most fearful manner he could, caus’d CaptainSmithto be brought forth to a great House in the Woods, and there upon a Mat by the Fire to be left alone. Not long after, from behind a Mat that divided the House, was made the most doleful noise he ever heard; thenPowhatan, more like a Devil than a Man, with about two hundred more as black as himself, came unto him, and told him, That now they were Friends, and presently he should go toJames-Town, to send him two great Guns and a Grindstone, for which he would give him the Countrey ofCapahowosick, and for ever esteem him as his SonNantaquoud. So toJames-Townwith twelve GuidesPowhatansent him. That Night they Quarter’d in the Woods, he still expecting (as he had done all this long time of his Imprisonment) every hour to be put to one Death or other, for all their Feasting: but Almighty God (by his Divine Providence) had mollifi’d the Hearts of those sternBarbarianswith compassion. The next Morning betimes they came to the Fort, whereSmithhaving us’d the Salvages with what kindness he could, he shew’dRawhunt,Powhatan’s trusty Servant, two Demi-Culverins and a Milstone, to carry toPowhatan: they found them somewhat too heavy; but when they saw him Discharge them, they being loaded with Stones, amongst the Boughs of a great Tree loaded with Isickles, the Ice and Branches came so tumbling down, that the poor Salvages ran away half dead with Fear. But at last we regain’d some Conference with them, and gave them some Toys, and sent toPowhatan’s Women and Children such Presents, as gave them in general, full content.
Situation and Description ofCarolina.
Carolinais that part ofFloridawhich lies between twenty nine and thirty six Degrees and thirty Minutes of Northern Latitude: It is wash’d on the East and South, with theAtlantickOcean; on the West withMare Pacificum, or the South Sea; and on the North, bounds onVirginia. A Countrey wherein Nature shews how bountiful she can be without the assistance of Art, the Inhabitants (excepting a littleMaizwhich their old Men and Women Plant) depending meerly on the natural and spontaneous Growth of the Soil for their Provisions, the Woods furnishing them with store of Fruit and Venison, and the Rivers with plenty of several sorts of wholsom and savory Fish.
This Maintenance, which without forecast or toil they receive from the natural fruitfulness of the Countrey, will, if we consider either the largeness of their Growth, or the duration of their Lives, be thought neither scanty nor unhealthy, their Stature being of a larger size than that ofEnglish-men, their Make strong and well proportion’d, a crooked or mis-shapen Person being not to be found in the whole Countrey; and (where the chance of War, which they are almost continually engag’d in one against another in their little Governments, spares any of them) they live to an incredible old age; so that when theEnglishcame there, they found some of their Kings, who saw descend from them the sixth Generation.
Productions of the Soil.
The Soil is very rich and fertile, producing naturally Walnuts, Grapes (of which theEnglishwho are there Planted have made very good Wine) Apricocks, Bullys, with a multitude of others; besides the Woods also are full of very good Peaches, and all the Season of the Year strew’d all over with Strawberries. Mulberry-Trees are the common growth of the Woods; and to assure you they are the natural Offspring of the Place, and grow to an incredible bigness, one whereof theEnglish(who are new Planted atAlbemarle PointonAshleyRiver) made use to fasten the Gate of their Pallisado to, was so large, that all who came from thence say, they never saw any Oak inEnglandbigger, which is but the ordinary size of the Mulberry-Trees of this Countrey, which is so sure an Argument of the richness of the Soil, that the Inhabitants ofVirginiaenquiring of the Seamen who came from thence, concerning the Quality and Product of the Countrey, when they were inform’d of the large Mulberry-Trees it produc’d, were so well satisfi’d with it, that they made no farther Enquiry. There are also other Trees, as Ash, Poplar, and Bay, with several sorts unknown to us ofEurope; but those which make it almost all one general Forrest of large Timber-Trees, are Oak, both red and white, and Cedar. There are also here and there large Groves of Pine-Trees, some a hundred Foot high, which afford a better sort of Mast than are to be had either inMary-LandorNorway. These larger Trees weaving their luxuriant Branches into a close Shade, suffer no Under-wood to grow between them, either by their Droppings, or else the Heads of Deer which loosening all the tender Shoots, quite destroy it; so that a great part of the Countrey is as it were a vast Forrest of fine Walks, free from the heat of the Sun, or the incumbrance of Shrubs and Bushes, and so clear and open, that a Man may easily ride a Hunting amongst the Trees, yielding a Prospect very pleasant and surpassing. On the Skirts of these Woods grow lesser Trees and Shrubs of several sorts; amongst them are sundry Dying Materials, which how well the Inhabitants know how to make use of, appears in the Deer-Skins that the chief of them wear, which are Painted, or rather Dy’d, with several lively Colours. But amongst their Shrubs, one of most note and use is that whose Leaves make theirCasini, a Drink they frequently use, and affirm to be very advantageous for the preservation of Health; which, by the description ourEnglishgive of the size, colour, and shape of the Leaf, the sort of Tree it grows on, and the taste, colour, and effects of the Drink, which is nothing but the Decoction of the Leaf, seems to be the very same with theEast-India TEE, and by those who have seen and tasted both, affirm’d to be no other, and may very probably be a spontaneous and native Plant of this Place, since those who give us an account of it, tell us, that this so much valu’d Leaf grows most plentifully inNanking, a Province inChinaunder the very same Latitude, and very much agreeing in Soil and Situation with this ofCarolina.
What Herbs else the Countrey produces, theEnglishEnquirers (who by minding their Plantations and Settlement there, have been taken off from such unprofitable Actions) give us but little account, onely they say, that those Plats of Ground which have been formerly clear’d off by theIndiansfor the Planting their Corn, they found thick cover’d with three-leav’d Grass and Dazies, which the fertility of the Soil thrusts forth, whenever the Natives remove their Tillage to some other place, and leave the Earth to its own production; and in other parts they found plenty of Garden Herbs growing wild. The low and Moorish Grounds are for the most part overgrown with Sedge and Reeds, and such other Trash, which usually incumbers rich and uncultivated Lands; those they callSwamsas, which with a little Husbandry would prove very good Meadows. There are also some large and pleasantSavanas, or grassy Plains.
These are a part of the Trees and Plants best known to us, that Nature of her self produces, in a Soil which contrives and nourishes any thing. TheEnglishwho are now Planted in the most Northern parts of it, atAlbemarle, bordering onVirginia, have Apples, Pears, Cherries, Apricocks, Plumbs, and Water-Melons, equalling, and if you will believe the Inhabitants, both in largeness of size and goodness of taste, exceeding any inEurope. And they who are Setled farther South onAshleyRiver, have found that the Oranges, Lemmons, Pomegranates, Limes, Pomecitrons,&c.which they Planted there, have thriven beyond expectation; and there is nothing which they have put into the Earth, that through any defect in the Soil, hath fail’d to prosper.