This man's memory is closely identified with the history of this
country, and his death was a sensible shock to the struggling
destinies of Virginia. In the language of one of the historians,
"Virginia had its origin in the zeal and exertions of Bartholomew
Gosnold." He had early patronised the settlement of the Colony, while
it was yet in embryo. He possessed a knowledge of the country not
exceeded by any man of his time, which had been acquired by actual
voyages to that region; and on his return, to the accuracy of his
details of its real advantages, and to the ardor of his speculations
upon its brilliant perspective, is mainly to be attributed the revival
of the enterprise which had drooped with the misfortunes of Raleigh.
The importance of the services of a man like Smith had not escaped his
penetration, and he enlisted him in the expedition, by means most
likely to engage the attention of an ardent and adventurous mind like
Smith's--by opening to him schemes full of enterprise and danger, but
full also of the promise of lasting fame. He had been the steadfast
friend of Smith in all his persecutions before the Council; and
although unable entirely to protect him, his known high standing with
the company in England, to which they were all responsible, joined to
his moderation and firmness on the spot, contributed much to assuage
their dissensions, and operated as a partial check to the reckless
depravity of Wingfield and his creatures.