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]