The Virginia company in London, deceived by false reports, and misled
by their own sanguine imaginations, had conceived an expectation not
only of finding precious metals in the country, but of discovering the
South Sea, from the mountains at the head of James-river; and it was
thought, that the journey thither, might be performed in eight or ten
days. For the purpose of making this capital discovery, they put on
board Newport’s ship, a barge capable of being taken to pieces, and put
together again at pleasure. This barge was to make a voyage to the head
of the river, then to be carried in pieces across the mountains, and to
descend the rivers which were supposed to run westward to the South Sea.
To facilitate this plan, it was necessary to gain the favour of Powhatan,
through whose country the passage must be made; and as means of winning
him, a royal present was brought over, consisting of a bason and ewer,
a bed and furniture, a chair of state, a suit of scarlet clothes, with
a cloak and a crown, all which were to be presented to him in due form;
and the crown placed on his head, with as much solemnity as possible. To
a person who knew the country and its inhabitants so well as Smith, this
project appeared chimerical, and the means whereby it was to be carried
on, dangerous. With a small quantity of copper and a few beads, he could
have kept Powhatan in good humour, and made an advantage of it for the
colony, whereas a profusion of presents he knew would but increase his
pride and insolence. The project of travelling over unknown mountains
with men already weakened by sickness, and worn out with fatigue, in
a hot climate, and in the midst of enemies, who might easily cut off
their retreat, was too romantic even for his sanguine and adventurous
spirit. His opinion upon the matter cannot be expressed in more pointed
language, than he used in a letter to the company. “If the quartered
boat was burned to ashes, _one_ might carry her in a bag, but as she is,
five hundred cannot, to a navigable place above the falls.” His dissent
however was ineffectual, and when he found that the voice of the council
was for executing it, he lent his assistance to effect as much of it as
was practicable.
Previously to their setting out, he undertook, with four men only, to
carry notice to Powhatan of the intended present, and invite him to come
to James-Town, that he might receive it there. Having travelled by land
twelve miles to Werocomoco, on Pamunky (York) river, where he expected
to meet Powhatan, and not finding him there, whilst a messenger was
dispatched thirty miles for him; his daughter Pocahontas, entertained
Smith and his company with a dance, which for its singularity, merits a
particular description.
In an open plain, a fire being made, the gentlemen were seated by it.
Suddenly a noise was heard in the adjacent wood, which made them fly
to their arms, and seize on two or three old men, as hostages for their
own security, imagining that they were betrayed. Upon this the young
princess came running to Smith, and passionately embracing him, offered
herself to be killed, if any harm should happen to him or his company.
Her assurances, seconded by all the Indians present, removed their
fears. The noise which had alarmed them, was made by thirty girls, who
were preparing for the intended ceremony. Immediately they made their
appearance, with no other covering than a girdle of green leaves and
their skins painted, each one of a different colour. Their leader had
a pair of buck’s horns on her head, an otter’s skin as her girdle, and
another on one arm; a bow and arrow in the other hand, and a quiver at
her back. The rest of them had horns on their heads, and a wooden sword
or staff in their hands. With shouting and singing, they formed a ring
round the fire, and performed a circular dance for about an hour, after
which they retired in the same order as they had advanced. The dance was
followed by a feast, at which the savage nymphs were as eager with their
caresses as with their attendance; and this being ended, they conducted
the gentlemen to their lodging by the light of fire brands.
The next day Powhatan arrived, and Smith delivered the message from his
father, Newport (as he always called him) to this effect. “That he had
brought him from the King of England, a royal present, and wished to
see him at James-Town, that he might deliver it to him; promising to
assist him in prosecuting his revenge against the Monacans, whose country
they would penetrate even to the sea beyond the mountains.” To which the
savage prince with equal subtility and haughtiness, answered, “If your
King has sent me a present, I also am a King, and am on my own land. I
will stay here eight days. Your father must come to me, I will not go to
him, nor to your fort. As for the Monacans, I am able to revenge myself.
If you have heard of salt water beyond the mountains, from any of my
people, they have deceived you.” Then with a stick he drew a plan of that
region on the ground; and after many compliments the conference ended.
The present being put on board the boats, was carried down James-river
and up the Pamunky, whilst Newport, with fifty men, went across by land
and met the boats, in which he passed the river, and held the proposed
interview. All things being prepared for the ceremony of coronation, the
present was brought from the boats; the bason and ewer were deposited,
the bed and chair were set up, the scarlet suit and cloak were put on,
though not till Namontac (an Indian youth whom Newport had carried to
England and brought back again) had assured him that these habiliments
would do him no harm; but they had great difficulty in persuading him to
receive the crown, nor would he bend his knee, or incline his head in
the least degree. After many attempts, and with actual pressing on his
shoulders, they at last made him stoop a little and put it on. Instantly,
a signal being given, the men in the boats fired a volley, at which the
monarch started with horror, imagining that a design was forming to
destroy him in the summit of his glory; but being assured that it was
meant as a compliment, his fear subsided, and in return for the baubles
of royalty received from King James, he desired Newport to present him
his old fur mantle and deer skin shoes, which in his estimation were
doubtless a full equivalent; since all this finery could not prevail
on the wary chief to allow them guides for the discovery of the inland
country, or to approve their design of visiting it. Thus disappointed
they returned to James-Town, determined to proceed without his assistance.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Florida Indians.