Starving Time in Virginia |
| by John Smith, 1607-1614 |
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Introduction
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Source:
Works 1608–1631, Edward Arber, ed., Birmingham, England, 1884, pp. 391–401, 497–516.
1607. Being thus left to our fortunes, it fortuned that within ten days scarce ten among us could either go or well stand, such extreme weakness and sickness oppressed us. And thereat none need marvel if they consider the cause and reason, which was this. While the ships stayed, our allowance was somewhat bettered by a daily proportion of biscuits, which the sailors would pilfer to sell, give, or exchange with us for money, sassafras, furs, or love. But when they departed, there remained neither tavern, beer, house, nor place of relief, but the common kettle. Had we been as free from all sins as gluttony and drunkenness, we might have been canonized for saints; but our president [Wingfield] would never have been admitted for engrossing to his private [use] oatmeal, sack, aquavitae, beef, eggs, or what not, but the kettle; that indeed he allowed equally to be distributed, and that was half a pint of wheat, and as much barley boiled with water for a man a day, and this having fried some twenty-six weeks in the ship's hold, contained as many worms as grains; so that we might truly call it rather so much bran than corn, our drink was water, our lodgings castles in the air. With this lodging and diet, our extreme toil in bearing and planting palisades so strained and bruised us, and our continual labor in the extremity of the heat had so weakened us, as were cause sufficient to have made us as miserable in our native country, or any other place in the world. From May to September, those that escaped lived upon sturgeon, and sea crabs. Fifty in this time we buried, the rest seeing the president's projects to escape these miseries in our pinnace by flight (who all this time had neither felt want nor sickness) so moved our dead spirits, as we deposed him, and established Ratcliffe in his place (Gosnoll being dead), Kendall deposed. Smith newly recovered, Martin and Ratcliffe was by his care preserved and relieved, and the most of the soldiers recovered with the skillful diligence of Master Thomas Wolton, our chirurgeon [surgeon] general. But now was all our provision spent, the sturgeon gone, all helps abandoned, each hour expecting the fury of the savages; when God, the Patron of all good endeavors in that desperate extremity so changed the hearts of the savages that they brought such plenty of their fruits and provision as no man wanted. And now where some affirmed it was ill done of the Council to send forth men so badly provided, this incontradictable reason will show them plainly they are too ill advised to nourish such ill conceits. First, the fault of our going was our own; what could be thought fitting or necessary we had; but what we should find, or want, or where we should be, we were all ignorant, and supposing to make our passage in two months, with victual to live and the advantage of the spring to work. We were at sea five months, where we both spent our victual and lost the opportunity of the time and season to plant, by the unskillful presumption of our ignorant transporters, that understood not at all what they undertook. … And now, the winter approaching, the rivers became so covered with swans, geese, ducks, and cranes that we daily feasted with good bread, Virginia peas, pumpions [pumpkins], and putchamins [persimmons], fish, fowl, and diverse sorts of wild beasts as fat as we could eat them; so that none of our tuftaffety humorists desired to go for England. But our comedies never endured long without a tragedy; some idle exceptions being muttered against Captain Smith for not discovering the head of the Chickahamania [Chickahominy] River, and taxed by the Council to be too slow in so worthy an attempt. The next voyage he proceeded so far that with much labor by cutting of trees asunder he made his passage; but when his barge could pass no farther, he left her in a broad bay out of danger of shot, commanding none should go ashore till his return. Himself, with two English and two savages, went up higher in a canoe; but he was not long absent but his men went ashore, whose want of government gave both occasion and opportunity to the savages to surprise one George Cassen, whom they slew, and much failed not to have cut off the boat and all the rest. Smith, little dreaming of that accident, being got to the marshes at the river's head, twenty miles in the desert, had his two men slain (as is supposed) sleeping by the canoe, while himself, by fowling, sought them victual. Finding he was beset with 200 savages, two of them he slew still defending himself with the aid of a savage, his guide, whom he bound to his arm with his garters, and used him as a buckler, yet he was shot in his thigh a little, and had many arrows that stuck in his clothes; but no great hurt, till at last they took him prisoner. When this news came to Jamestown, much was their sorrow for his loss, few expecting what ensued. Six or seven weeks those barbarians kept him prisoner, many strange triumphs and conjurations they made of him, yet he so demeaned himself among them as he not only diverted them from surprising the fort but procured his own liberty, and got himself and his company such estimation among them that those savages admired him more than their own quiyouckosucks[gods]. The manner how they used and delivered him is as follows: The savages, having drawn from George Cassen whether Captain Smith was gone, prosecuting that opportunity, they followed him with 300 bowmen, conducted by the king of Pamaunkee, who, in divisions, searching the turnings of the river, found Robinson and Emry by the far side. Those they shot full of arrows and slew. Then finding the captain … yet, dared they not come to him till, being near dead with cold, he threw away his arms. Then … they drew him forth and led him to the fire, where his men were slain. Diligently, they chafed his benumbed limbs. He demanding for their captain, they showed him Opechancanough, king of Pamaunkee, to whom he gave a round, ivory double compass dial. Much they marveled at the playing of the fly and needle, which they could see so plainly and yet not touch it because of the glass that covered 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 them antipodes, and many other suchlike matters, they all stood as amazed with admiration. Notwithstanding, within an hour after they tied him to a tree, and as many as could stand about him prepared to shoot him; but the king, holding up the compass in his hand, they all laid down their bows and arrows, and in a triumphant manner led him to [the town of] Orapaks, where he was after their manner kindly feasted and well used. Their order in conducting him was thus: Drawing themselves all in file, the king in the middle had all their pieces and swords borne before him. Captain Smith was led after him by three great savages, holding him fast by each arm; and on each side, six went in file with their arrows nocked. But arriving at the town (which was but only thirty or forty hunting houses made of mats, which they remove as they please, as we our tents), all the women and children staring to behold him, the soldiers first, all in file and on each flank, officers … to see them keep their orders. A good time they continued this exercise, and then cast themselves in a ring, dancing in such several postures, and singing and yelling out such hellish notes and screeches; being strangely painted, everyone his quiver of arrows, and at his back a club; on his arm a fox or an otter's skin … their heads and shoulders painted red … which scarletlike color made an exceeding handsome show; his bow in his hand, and the skin of a bird with her wings abroad dried, tied on his. head, a piece of copper, a white shell, a long feather, with a small rattle growing at the tails of their snakes tied to it, or some suchlike toy. All this while, Smith and the king stood in the middle, guarded, as before is said; and after three dances they all departed. Smith they conducted to a longhouse, where thirty or forty tall fellows did guard him; and ere long more bread and venison was brought him than would have served twenty men. I think his stomach at that time was not very good; what he left they put in baskets and tied over his head. About midnight they set the meat again before him, all this time not one of them would eat a bite with him, till the next morning they brought him as much more; and then did they eat all the old, and reserved the new as they had done the other, which made him think they would fat him to eat him. Yet in this desperate estate to defend him from the cold, one … brought him his gown, in requital of some beads and toys Smith had given him at his first arrival in Virginia. 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. Smith told them that at Jamestown he 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 assault Jamestown craving his advice; and for recompense he should have life, liberty, land, and women. In part of a tablebook he wrote 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 wrote for and an inventory with them. The difficulty and danger, he told the savages, of the mines, great guns, and other engines exceedingly affrighted them, yet according to his request they went to Jamestown in as bitter weather as could be of frost and snow, and within three days returned with an answer. But when they came to Jamestown, 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 an answer, and such things as he had promised them; which they found accordingly, and with which they returned with no small expedition, to the wonder of them all that heard it, that he could either divine, or the paper could speak. … Not long after, early in the morning, a great fire was made in a longhouse, and a mat spread on the one side, as on the other; on the one they caused him to sit, and all the guard went out of the house, and presently came skipping in a great grim fellow, all painted over with coal, mingled with oil, and many snakes' and weasels' skins stuffed with moss, and all their tails tied together, so as they met on the crown of his head in a tassel; and round about the tassel was as a coronet of feathers, the skins hanging round about his head, back, and shoulders, and in a manner covered his face; with a hellish voice, and a rattle in his hand. With most strange gestures and passions he began his invocation, and environed the fire with a circle of meal; which done, three more suchlike devils came rushing in with the like antic tricks, painted half black, half red; but all their eyes were painted white, and some red strokes like Mutchato's along their cheeks. Round about him those fiends danced 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 sat 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 straining his arms and hands with such violence that he sweat, and his veins swelled, 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, then another oration, ever laying down so many corns as before, till they had twice encircled 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 used this ceremony; the meaning whereof they told him was to know if he intended them well or no. The circle of meal signified their country, the circles of corn, the bounds of the sea, and the sticks, his country. They imagined the world to be flat and round, like a trencher; and they in the middle. After this they brought him a bag of gun-powder, which they carefully preserved 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 welcome; but not any of them would eat a bite with him, but put up remainder in baskets. At his return to Opechancanough's, all the king's women and their children flocked about him for their parts; as a due by custom, to be merry with such fragments. …
1608. At last they brought him to Meronocomoco, where was Powhatan, their emperor. Here more than 200 of those grim courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had been a monster; till Powhatan and his train had put themselves in their greatest braveries. Before a fire upon a seat like a bedstead, he sat covered with a great robe made of raccoon skins, and all the tails hanging by. On either hand did sit a young wench of sixteen or eighteen years, 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 bedecked with the white down of birds, but everyone with something, and a great chain of white beads about their necks. At his entrance before the king, all the people gave a great shout. The queen of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers instead of a towel to dry them. Having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was: two great stones were brought before Powhatan; then as many as could laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the king's dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save his from death. Whereat the emperor was contented he should live to make him hatchets, and her bells, beads, and copper; for they thought him as well of all occupations as themselves. For the king himself will make his own robes, shoes, bows, arrows, pots; plant, hunt, or do anything so well as the rest. … Two days after, Powhatan having disguised himself in the most fearful manner he could, caused Captain Smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods, and thereupon 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; then Powhatan, more like a devil than a man, with some 200 more as black as himself, came unto him and told him now they were friends, and presently he should go to Jamestown to send him two great guns and a grindstone, for which he would give him the country of Capahowosick, and forever esteem him as his son Nantaquoud. …
1609. The day before Captain Smith returned for England with the ships, Captain Davis arrived in a small pinnace, with some sixteen proper men more. To these were added a company from Jamestown, under the command of Captain John Sickelmore, alias Ratcliffe, to inhabit Point Comfort. Captain Martin and Captain West, having lost their boats and near half their men among the savages, were returned to James-town; for the savages no sooner understood Smith was gone but they all revolted, and did spoil and murder all they encountered. Now we were all constrained to live only on that Smith had only for his own company, for the rest had consumed their proportions. And now they had twenty residents with all their appurtenances. Master Piercie, our new president, was so sick he could neither go nor stand. But ere all was consumed, Captain West and Captain Sickelmore, each with a small ship and thirty or forty men well appointed, sought abroad to trade. Sickelmore, upon the confidence of Powhatan, with about thirty others as careless as himself, were all slain; only Jeffrey Shortridge escaped; and Pocahontas, the king's daughter, saved a boy called Henry Spilman, that lived many years after, by her means, among the Patawomekes. Powhatan still, as he found means, cut off their boats, denied them trade; so that Captain West set sail for England. Now we all found the loss of Captain Smith; yea, his greatest maligners could now curse his loss. As for corn provision and contribution from the savages, we had nothing but mortal wounds, with clubs and arrows. As for our hogs, hens, goats, sheep, horses, or what lived, our commanders, officers, and savages daily consumed them; some small proportions sometimes we tasted, till all was devoured. Then swords, arms, pieces, or anything we traded with the savages, whose cruel fingers were so oft imbrued in our blood, that what by their cruelty, our governor's indiscretion, and the loss of our ships, of 500 within six months after Captain Smith's departure there remained not past 60 men, women, and children — most miserable and poor creatures. And those were preserved for the most part by roots, herbs, acorns, walnuts, berries, now and then a little fish. They that had starch in these extremities made no small use of it; yea, even the very skins of our horses. Nay, so great was our famine that a savage we slew and buried, the poorer sort took him up again and ate him; and so did diverse one another boiled and stewed with roots and herbs. And one among the rest did kill his wife, powdered [salted] her, and had eaten part of her before it was known; for which he was executed, as he well deserved. Now, whether she was better roasted, boiled, or carbonadoed [broiled], I know not; but of such a dish as powdered wife I never heard. This was that time, which still to this day, we called the starving time. It were too vile to say, and scarce to be believed, what we endured; but the occasion was our own for want of providence, industry, and government, and not the barrenness and defect of the country, as is generally supposed. For till then in three years, for the numbers were landed us, we had never from England provision sufficient for six months, though it seemed by the bills of lading sufficient was sent us, such a glutton is the sea, and such good fellows the mariners. We as little tasted of the great proportion sent us as they of our want and miseries, yet, notwithstanding, they ever overswayed and ruled the business, though we endured all that is said, and chiefly lived on what this good country naturally afforded. Yet had we been even in Paradise itself with these governors, it would not have been much better with us; yet there was among us, who, had they had the government as Captain Smith appointed, but that they could not maintain it, would surely have kept us from those extremities of miseries. This in ten days more would have supplanted us all with death.
1610. But God, that would not this country should be unplanted, sent Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Sommers with 150 people most happily preserved by the Bermudas to preserve us. Strange it is to say how miraculously they were preserved in a leaking ship. …
1611. In the beginning of September 1611, he [Sir Thomas Dale] set sail, and arrived where he intended to build his new town. Within ten or twelve days he had environed it with a pale, and in honor of our noble Prince Henry called it Henrico. The next work he did was building at each corner of the town a high, commanding watchhouse, a church, and storehouses; which finished, he began to think upon convenient houses for himself and men, which, with all possible speed he could, he effected, to the great content of his company and all the colony. This town is situated upon a neck of a plain rising land, three parts environed with the main river; the neck of land, well impaled, makes it like an isle. It has three streets of well-framed houses, a handsome church, and the foundation of a better laid (to be built of brick), besides storehouses, watchhouses, and suchlike. Upon the verge of the river there are five houses, wherein live the honester sort of people, as farmers in England, and they keep continual sentinel for the town's security. About two miles from the town, into the mainland, is another pale, nearly two miles in length, from river to river, guarded with several commanders, with a good quantity of corn-ground impaled, sufficiently secured to maintain more than I suppose will come this three years. On the other side of the river, for the security of the town, is intended to be impaled for the security of our hogs, about two miles and a half, by the name of Hope in Faith, and Coxendale, secured by five of our manner of forts, which are but palisades, called Charity Fort, Mount Malado (a guesthouse [hospital] for sick people), a high seat and wholesome air, Elisabeth Fort, and Fort Patience. And here has Master Whitaker chosen his parsonage, impaled a fair-framed parsonage, and 100 acres called Rocke Hall, but these are not half finished. About Christmas following, in this same year 1611, in regard of the injury done us by them of Appamatuck, Sir Thomas Dale, without the loss of any except some few savages, took it and their corn, being but five miles by land from Henrico; and considering how commodious it might be for us, resolved to possess and plant it, and at the instant called it the New Bermudas, whereunto he has laid out and annexed … many miles of champion and woodland ground. … In the nether hundred he first began to plant; for there is the most corn-ground, and with a pale of two miles, cut over from river to river, whereby we have secured eight English miles in compass. Upon which circuit, within half a mile of each other, are many fair houses already built; besides particular men's houses near to the number of fifty. Rochdale, by a cross pale almost four miles long, is also planted with houses along the pale, in which hundred our hogs and cattle have [a] twenty-mile circuit to graze in securely. The building of the city is referred till our harvest be in, which he intends to make a retreat against any foreign enemy. About fifty miles from these is Jamestown, upon a fertile peninsula, which, although formerly scandaled for an unhealthful air, we find it as healthful as any other part of the country. It has two rows of houses of framed timber, and some of them two stories and a garret higher; three large storehouses joined together in length; and he has newly strongly impaled the town. This isle, and much ground about it, is much inhabited. To Kecoughtan we accounted it forty miles, where they live well with half that allowance the rest have from the store, because of the extraordinary quantity of fish, fowl and deer. …
1612. Since, there was a ship laden with provision and forty men; and another since then with the like number and provision, to stay twelve months in the country, with Captain Argall, which was sent not long after. After he had recreated and refreshed his company, he was sent to the River Patawomeke to trade for corn, the savages about us having small quarter, but friends and foes as they found advantage and opportunity. But to conclude our peace, thus it happened. Captain Argall, having entered into a great acquaintance with Japazaws, an old friend of Captain Smith's, and so to all our nation, ever since he discovered the country, heard by him there was Pocahontas, whom Captain Smith's Relations entitles the nonpareil of Virginia. And though she had been many times a preserver of him and the whole colony, yet till this accident she was never seen at Jamestown since his departure.
1613. Being at Patawomeke, as it seems, thinking herself unknown, was easily by her friend Japazaws persuaded to go abroad with him and his wife to see the ship; for Captain Argall had promised him a copper kettle to bring her but to him, promising no way to hurt her but keep her till they could conclude a peace with her father. The savage, for this copper kettle, would have done anything, it seemed by the Relations. For though she had seen and been in many ships, yet he caused his wife to feign how desirous she was to see one, that he offered to beat her for her importunity, till she wept. But at last he told her if Pocahontas would go with her, he was content; and thus they betrayed the poor innocent Pocahontas aboard, where they were all kindly feasted in the cabin. Japazaws treading oft on the captain's foot to remember he had done his part. The captain, when he saw his time, persuaded Pocahontas to the gunroom, feigning to have some conference with Japazaws, which was only that she should not perceive he was any way guilty of her captivity. So sending for her again, he told her before her friends she must go with him and compound peace between her country and us before she ever should see Powhatan. Whereat, [Japazaws] and his wife began to howl and cry as fast as Pocahontas; that upon the captain's fair persuasions, by degrees pacifying herself, and Japazaws and his wife with the kettle and other toys, went merrily on shore, and she to Jamestown. A messenger forthwith was sent to her father, that his daughter Pocahontas he loved so dearly, he must ransom with our men, swords, pieces, tools, etc., he treacherously had stolen. This unwelcome news much troubled Powhatan, because he loved both his daughter and our commodities well, yet it was three months after ere he returned us any answer; then by the persuasion of the Council, he returned seven of our men, with each of them an unserviceable musket, and sent us word that when we would deliver his daughter, he would make us satisfaction for all injuries done us, and give 500 bushels of corn, and forever be friends with us. That he sent, we received in part of payment, and returned him this answer: That his daughter should be well used; but we could not believe the rest of our arms were either lost or stolen from him, and, therefore, till he sent them, we would keep his daughter. This answer, it seemed, much displeased him, for we heard no more from him for a long time after; when with Captain Argall's ship, and some other vessels belonging to the colony, Sir Thomas Dale, with 150 men well appointed, went up into his own river, to his chief habitation, with his daughter. With many scornful bravados they affronted us, proudly demanding why we came thither. Our reply was we had brought his daughter, and to receive the ransom for her that was promised, or to have it perforce. They, nothing dismayed thereat, told us we were welcome if we came to fight, for they were provided for us; but advised us, if we loved our lives, to retire, else they would use us as they had done Captain Ratcliffe. We told them we would presently have a better answer; but we were no sooner within shot of the shore than they let fly their arrows among us in the ship. Being thus justly provoked, we presently manned our boats, went on shore, burned all their houses, and spoiled all they had we could find; and so the next day proceeded higher up the river, where they demanded why we burned their houses. And we, why they shot at us. They replied it was some straggling savage, with many other excuses, they intended no hurt, but were our friends. We told them we came not to hurt them but visit them as friends also. Upon this we concluded a peace, and forthwith they dispatched messengers to Powhatan, whose answer, they told us, we must expect four-and-twenty hours ere the messengers could return. Then they told us our men had run away for fear we would hang them, yet Powhatan's men were run after them. As for our swords and pieces, they should be brought us the next day, which was only but to delay time, for the next day they came not. Then we went higher, to a house of Powhatan's called Matchot, where we saw about 400 men well appointed. Here they dared us to come on shore, which we did. No show of fear they made at all, nor offered to resist our landing, but walking boldly up and down among us, demanded to confer with our captain, of his coming in that manner, and to have truce till they could but once more send to their king to know his pleasure, which if it were not agreeable to their expectation, then they would fight with us, and defend their own as they could. Which was but only to defer the time, to carry away their provision. Yet we promised them truce till the next day at noon, and then, if they would fight with us, they should know when we would begin by our drums and trumpets. Upon this promise, two of Powhatan's sons came into us to see their sister; at whose sight, seeing her well, though they heard to the contrary, they much rejoiced, promising they would persuade her father to redeem her, and forever be friends with us. And upon this, the two brethren went aboard with us; and we sent Master John Rolfe and Master Sparkes to Powhatan to acquaint him with the business. Kindly they were entertained, but not admitted to the presence of Powhatan, but they spoke with Opechancanough his brother and successor. He promised to do the best he could to Powhatan, all might be well. So it being April, and time to prepare our ground and set our corn, we returned to Jamestown, promising the forbearance of their performing their promise till the next harvest.
1614. Long before this, Master John Rolfe, an honest gentleman and of good behavior, had been in love with Pocahontas, and she with him; which thing, at that instant, I made known to Sir Thomas Dale by a letter from him, wherein he entreated his advice, and she acquainted her brother with it, which resolution Sir Thomas Dale well approved. The bruit of this marriage came soon to the knowledge of Powhatan, a thing acceptable to him, as appeared by his sudden consent, for within ten days he sent Opachisco, an old uncle of hers, and two of his sons to see the manner of the marriage, and to do in that behalf what they were requested, for the confirmation thereof, as his deputy; which was accordingly done about the first of April. And ever since we have had friendly trade and commerce, as well with Powhatan himself as all his subjects. Besides this, by the means of Powhatan, we became in league with our next neighbors, the Chickahamanias [Chickahominies], a lusty and a daring people, free of themselves. These people, so soon as they heard of our peace with Powhatan, sent two messengers with presents to Sir Thomas Dale and offered them his service, excusing all former injuries. Hereafter they would ever be King James's subjects, and relinquish the name of Chickahamania, to be called Tassautessus, as they call us, and Sir Thomas Dale [to be] their governor, as the king's deputy. Only they desired to be governed by their own laws, which is eight of their elders as his substitutes. This offer he kindly accepted, and appointed the day he would come to visit them. When the appointed day came, Sir Thomas Dale and Captain Argall, with fifty men well appointed, went to Chickahamania, where we found the people expecting our coming. They used us kindly, and the next morning sat in council to conclude their peace upon these conditions: First, they should forever be called Englishmen, and be true subjects to King James and his deputies. Second, neither to kill nor detain any of our men nor livestock but bring them home. Third, to be always ready to furnish us with 300 men against the Spaniards or any. Fourth, they shall not enter our towns, but send word they are new Englishmen. Fifth, that every fighting man, at the beginning of harvest, shall bring to our store two bushels of corn, for tribute, for which they shall receive so many hatchets. Last, the eight chief men should see all this performed, or receive the punishment themselves. For their diligence they should have a red coat, a copper chain, and King James's picture, and be accounted his nobleman. All this they concluded with a general assent and a great shout to confirm it. Then one of the old men began an oration, bending his speech first to the old men, then to the young, and then to the women and children to make them understand how strictly they were to observe these conditions, and we would defend them from the fury of Powhatan, or any enemy whatsoever, and furnish them with copper, beads, and hatchets. But all this was rather for fear Powhatan and we, being so linked together, would bring them again to his subjection; the which to prevent, they did rather choose to be protected by us than tormented by him, whom they held a tyrant. And thus we returned again to Jamestown. When our people were fed out of the common store and labored jointly together, glad was he who could slip from his labor, or slumber over his task he cared not how; nay, the most honest among them would hardly take so much true pains in a week as now for themselves they will do in a day. Neither cared they for the increase, presuming that howsoever the harvest prospered, the general store must maintain them, so that we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty as now three or four do provide for themselves. To prevent which, Sir Thomas Dale has allotted every man three acres of clear ground, in the nature of farms, except the Bermudas, who are exempted, but for one month's service in the year, which must neither be in seedtime nor harvest; for which doing, no other duty they pay to the store but two barrels and a half of corn. From all those farmers (whereof the first was William Spence, an honest, valiant, and an industrious man, and has continued from 1607 to this present) from those is expected such a contribution to the store, as we shall neither want for ourselves, nor to entertain our supplies. For the rest, they are to work eleven months for the store, and have one month only allowed them to get provision to keep them for twelve, except two bushels of corn they have out of the store. If those can live so, why should any fear starving? And it were much better to deny them passage that would not, ere they come, be content to engage themselves to those conditions; for only from the slothful and idle drones, and none else, have sprung the manifold imputations Virginia innocently has undergone; and therefore I would deter such from coming here that cannot well brook labor, except they will undergo much punishment and penury, if they escape the scurvy. But for the industrious, there is reward sufficient, and if any think there is nothing but bread, I refer you to [Smith's] Relations that discovered the country first.
| | To cite this page:
John Smith " Starving Time in Virginia," Annals of American History. <http://america.eb.com/america/print?articleId=385145> [Accessed April 29, 2016]. |
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