second Colony, a Patent was Granted to several Noblemen and Gentlemen,
of all that Tract of Land lying in the parts of _America_, between the
Degrees of forty and forty eight of Northerly Latitude, and into the
Land from Sea to Sea, which was call’d by the Patent _New England in
America_: For the better Government whereof, one Body-Politick and
Corporate was thereby appointed and ordain’d in _Plymouth_, consisting
of the said Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others, to the number of forty
Persons, by the Name of _The Council establish’d at_ Plymouth _in the
County of_ Devon, _for the Planting, Ruling, Ordering, and Governing of_
New England _in_ America.
[Sidenote: The Patent of _Virginia_ made void.]
The Miscarriages and Misdemeanors of the aforesaid Corporation for the
first Colony of _Virginia_, were so many and so great, that His said
Majesty was forc’d, in or about _October 1623._ to direct a _Quo
Warranto_, for the calling in of that former Patent, which in _Trinity_
Term following was legally Evinc’d, Condemn’d, and made Void, by
Judgment in the Court of the then _Kings-Bench_; as also all other
Patents, by which the said Corporation claim’d any Interest in
_Virginia_. Thus this Corporation of the first Colony of _Virginia_ was
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 of _England_.
[Sidenote: The Patent of _Mary-land_ granted to the Lord _Baltemore_.]
In the Year of our Lord 1631. the Right Honorable _George_ Lord
_Baltemore_ obtain’d a Grant of King _Charles_ the First of _Great
Britain_, _&c._ of part of that Land to the Northward, which is now
call’d _Mary-land_; but this Patent of _Mary-land_ was not perfected
till 1632. as you may understand more fully by the precedent Discourse
of _Mary-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 of
_Virginia_.
[Sidenote: The Patent _Carolina_ granted to several Noble Persons.]
And in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of King _Charles_ the Second of
_Great Britain_, _&c._ on _March 24. 1663._ _Edward_ Earl of
_Clarendon_, then High-Chancellor of _England_, _George_ Duke of
_Albemarle_, _William_, now Earl of _Craven_, _John_ Lord _Berkley_,
_Anthony_ Lord _Ashley_, Sir _George Carterett_ Knight and Baronet, Sir
_William Berkley_ Knight, and Sir _John Colleton_ Knight and Baronet,
obtain’d a Patent from His Majesty, of the Province of _Carolina_, which
lies to the Southward of _Virginia_, in which is included some part of
that Land which formerly belong’d to the said dissolv’d Company of
_Virginia_. So that _Virginia_ at 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, by _Mary-land_; on the South, by _Carolina_; on the East, by the
Ocean; and on the West, by the South-Seas.
[Sidenote: Rivers of _Virginia_.]
The Entrance by Sea into this Countrey is the same with that of
_Mary-land_, between _Cape Henry_ and _Cape Charles_, plac’d on each
side of the Mouth of the Bay of _Chesapeak_; on the West side whereof
you first meet with a pleasant and commodious River call’d
_James-River_, about three Miles wide at its Entrance, and Navigable a
hundred and fifty.
Fourteen Miles from this River Northward lies _York-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’d
_Rappahanock_, which is Navigable about a hundred and thirty Miles—from
whence following the Shore to the North you enter into _Patomeck-River_,
which is already describ’d in the precedent Discourse of _Mary-land_, to
which Province this River belongs, whose Southerly Bank gives Bounds to
that part of _Virginia_ and _Mary-land_.
To these Rivers many other Inland Branches and Rivulets are reduc’d, the
chief of which are hereafter specifi’d.
[Sidenote: Nature of the Countrey.]
The Countrey is generally even, the Soil fruitful, the Climate
healthful, and agreeable with _English_ Constitutions, 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 the first Year in _July_ and _August_,
a Disease which is call’d _A Seasoning_, whereof many died, like to what
is mention’d before in the Description of _Mary-land_, though more
mortal and common than in _Mary-land_, because _Virginia_ is a lower
Countrey, and somewhat hotter, insomuch that formerly divers ill of that
Distemper have come purposely from _Virginia_ to _Mary-land_, to recover
their Health; but now, since the Countrey is more open and clear from
Wood, few die of it, and many have no _Seasonings_ at all.
This Countrey affordeth generally all such Roots, Herbs, Gums, and
Balsoms, as are express’d before in the Relation of _Mary-land_.
[Sidenote: 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, because _Virginia_ is somewhat more
to the Southward of _Mary-land_, as in Vines, Oranges, Lemmons, Olives,
Silk, _&c._
[Sidenote: Silk-Grass.]
There is a Plant grows naturally in this Countrey, and in _Mary-land_,
call’d _Silk-Grass_, which will make a fine Stuff with a silky Gloss,
and better Cordage than Hemp or Flax, both for strength and durance.
[Sidenote: Fruits peculiar to _Virginia_.]
The wild Beasts, Birds, and Fish, are much the same also in this
Countrey as are before describ’d in the precedent Description of
_Mary-land_: Nevertheless we shall think it proper not to omit some
Fruits, Plants, Beasts, _&c._ mention’d by the most authentick
Describers of _New England_, as peculiar to that Countrey. The Fruits
are, their _Putchamines_, 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 resembling _Indian_ Figs;
_Morococks_, resembling a Straw-berry, besides a Berry which they call
_Ocoughtanamnis_, somewhat like to Capers.
[Sidenote: Roots.]
Their peculiar Roots are _Tockawaugh_, 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’d _Assentamen_, and the
Plant _Mattouna_, of which they make Bread.
[Sidenote: Beasts.]
Their peculiar Beasts are, the _Aroughena_, resembling a Badger; the
_Assapanick_ or _Flying-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 are _Stingrais_.
[Sidenote: Rivulets.]
On the West side of the Bay of _Chesapeak_, between _Cape Henry_ and the
Southerly Bank of the River of _Patomeck_, 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 the _Indian_,
or antient Names by which these three principal Rivers were formerly
known. The first whereof is _Powhatan_ (now call’d _James-River_)
according to the Name of a large and considerable Territory that lieth
upon it. The Rivers that fall into this Southward, are _Apamatuck_;
Eastward, _Quiyonycohanuc_, _Nansamund_, and _Chesapeak_; and Northward,
_Chickamahania_.
The second Navigable River is _Pamaunkee_, by the _English_ now term’d
_York-River_. The Rivulet that falls into this is _Poyankatanck_.
The third (which is before describ’d, and usually known by the Name of
_Rappahanoc_) was formerly term’d _Toppahanoc_.
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.
[Sidenote: Several People of the ancient natives of _Virginia_.]
The chiefest of those Tribes or Divisions of People among the _Indians_,
that were by Name known to the _English_ at their first arrival, were
upon the River _Pouhatan_ the _Kecoughtans_, the _Paspaheges_, (on whose
Land is seated _James-Town_) the _Weanocks_, the _Arrohatocks_, the
_Appametocks_, the _Nansamunds_, the _Chesapeacks_, &c. On the River
_Pamaunkee_, are the _Youngtanunds_, the _Mattapaments_, &c. On the
River _Toppahanoc_, the _Manahoacks_, the _Moraghtacunds_, and the
_Cuttatawomens_. On the River _Patawomek_, the _Wighcocomocans_, the
_Onawmanients_, and the _Moyanances_. On the River _Pawtuxunt_, the
_Acquintacsuacs_, the _Pawtuxunts_, and the _Matapunients_. On the River
_Bolus_, the _Sasquesahanoes_: Southward from the Bay, the _Chawonocks_,
the _Mangoacks_, the _Monacans_, the _Mannahocks_, the _Masawomeks_, the
_Atquanahucks_, and the _Kuscarawaocks_, besides a number not material
to be nam’d, as having had little of Transaction that we hear of with
the Planters.
[Sidenote: Number of Inhabitants.]
The number of _English_ Inhabitants 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 of _English_ Grain; 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 Sir _Dudley Digges_, who was Master of the Rolls, and a
Privy Councellor to King _Charles_ the First, of _Great Britain_, _&c._
For the said Mr. _Digges_ at 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 of _Armenia_ to 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.
[Sidenote: The Commodities of _Virginia_.]
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 in _Mary-Land_; whereof
there are two sorts, one which is call’d _Sweet-scented_, and the other
call’d _Oranoack_, or _Bright and Large_, which is much more in
quantity, but of lesser price than the former; and the Plantations upon
_York River_ are esteem’d to produce the best of that sort of
_Sweet-scented_: There is so much of this Commodity Planted in
_Virginia_, and Imported from thence into _England_, that the Custom and
Excise paid in _England_ for it, yields the King about fifty or
threescore thousand Pounds _Sterling_, _per annum_: With this Commodity
the Planters buy of the Ships that come thither for it (which are above
a hundred Sail yearly from _England_, and other _English_ Plantations)
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 of _Virginia_, 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
Drug of 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 some _English_ and
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 of _Great
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’d _The 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 Sir _William
Berkley_, who was made Governor by King _Charles_ the First, of _Great
Brittain, &c._ in the Year 1640. And those of the Council are Sir _Henry
Chichesly_, who is one of the greatest and most considerable Planters
there, and Mr. _Edward Diggs_ before-mention’d, Mr. _Thomas Ludwel_
Secretary, Major-General _Robert Smith_, and divers other worthy
Gentlemen.
That Part of the Country where the _English_ are Planted, is divided
into nineteen Counties, _viz._ _Northampton-County_ in _Acomack_, 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_, and _Harford-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
the _English_ there, is at a Place call’d _James-City_, in Honor of King
_James_ of _Great Brittain, &c._ This is situated in a _Peninsula_, on
the North-side of _James 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, stands _Elizabeth-City_, containing also several
good Houses of Brick and Timber.
Sir _William Berkley_, the present Governor resides at a place somewhat
distant from _James-City_, call’d _Green-spring_, a fair Brick House,
which he himself caus’d to be Built.
The other Towns of Note belonging to the _English_, are only
_Henricopolis_, or _Henry’s-Town_ (so nam’d from Prince _Henry_ then
living, built in a very convenient place, more within Land, about eighty
Miles distant from _James-City_) and _Dale’s-Gift_, so nam’d from Sir
_Thomas Dale_ Deputy-Governor of the Countrey, about the Year 1610.
The _Indians_ of _Virginia_ far exceed those of _Mary-land_, in
Treachery and Cruelty to the _English_ there, 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.
[Sidenote: Transactions between the _English_ and the Natives.]
Upon the first arrival of Captain _Amidas_ and Captain _Barlow_ in
_Wingandacoa_, now _Virginia_, they were accosted by _Granganimeo_ (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 the _English_ Ships, the King himself call’d _Wingina_, 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 the
_English_ going to Land upon the Isle of _Roanoack_, were met by
_Granganimeo_’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 Sir _Richard Greenvil_,
burnt the Town of _Aquascogoc_, for a Silver Cup that was stoln by some
of the _Indians_, took Prisoner _Menatonon_, King of _Chawonoc_, 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 the _Mangoacks_ (among whom in the
Province of _Chaunis Temaotan_, they heard of a Mine of strange Copper
call’d _Wassador_, with _Skiko_, the King of _Chawonock_’s Son, and
_Manteo_, a faithful Salvage, for their Guide) they were treacherously
dealt with by _Wingina_, alias _Pemissapan_ (for so, his Brother
_Granganimeo_ being lately dead, he had alter’d his Name) who endeavor’d
to stir up a Confederacy of the _Chawonocks_, _Moratocks_, and
_Mangoacks_ against them; yet by the urgent perswasions of _Ensenore_
his Father, the truest Friend the _English_ had, after the death of
_Granganimeo_, and seeing them safe return’d from their Journey, wherein
he thought they had all perish’d, and especially upon _Menatonon_’s
sending Messengers to them with Pearl, and _Okisco_ King of
_Weopomeock_, to yield himself Vassal to the Queen of _England_, his
Hatred was somewhat cool’d; but _Ensenore_ deceasing 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 upon _Virginia_ by Sir _Richard 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 for _England_, through the civility of Sir _Francis
Drake_, pitying their distress, fifty Men more were Landed upon
_Roanoack-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 Captain _Smith_ going down the River to
_Keconghean_, were very fiercely assaulted by sixty or seventy
_Indians_, 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 their _Queiongcasocks_ to offer Peace, and to redeem their
_Okee_; which _Smith_ granting, 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 of _Chickamahania_
River, 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 in _James-Town_;
which had they not timely receiv’d, they had all abandon’d the Place,
and return’d to _England_.
[Sidenote: King _Powhatan_.]
[Sidenote: _James-Town_ burnt.]
While Affairs stood thus in a mean condition, Captain _Newport_ arriving
there with a Ship and sixty Men to strengthen the Plantations, he went
to _Weromocomoco_, where King _Powhatan_ kept 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. _Newport_ to oblige him, gave him an
_English_ Youth; for which he receiv’d _Powhatans_ Friend _Mamontak_;
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 about
_James-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.
[Sidenote: _Smith_’s Voyage.]
[Sidenote: His remarkable Exploits.]
Whilst the Town was rebuilding, _Smith_ set Sail in an open Barque with
fourteen Men, and discover’d two Isles before _Point Charles_, to which
he gave his Name; then ran into the Inlet _Chesapeack_, in the midst of
which lay several Islands, by the Sea-men call’d _Russels_. Before the
River _Wighcomoco_ they found a disturbed Sea, and more Northerly a Bay
with fresh and hot Water, and at last he met with two _Virginians_,
which conducted the _English_ along a Creek to _Onawmoment_, where some
hundreds of them lay in Ambuscade, according to _Powhatan_’s
appointment, to cut off _Smith_; 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 of _Patawomeck_, 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 near _Toppahanock_.
A while after being inform’d of _Powhatan_’s Design to destroy the
_English_, (though he had been lately Presented by _Newport_ with 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 in _James-Town_, then going to
_Werowocomoco_, Landed with much trouble, the River being frozen above
half a Mile from the Shore.
A _German_ Soldier amongst _Smith_’s Company giving private notice to
_Powhatan_ of the Design of the _English_, made his Escape by flight:
But _Smith_ going on to _Pamaunke_, found King _Opechancangough_ with
seven hundred Men in Arms, threatning a fierce Battel; but _Smith_
making directly up to him, set his Pistol on his Breast, and forc’d him
to lay down his Arms. _Powhatan_ by this time provided with Swords and
Musquets by two _Dutch_-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 send _Smith_ a String of Pearl; after which a Peace was
concluded between all the Natives and the _English_.