ALthough there haue been many and sundry Treatises writ of Virginia, and the Commodities thereof; whereat malitious men may take occasion to cauill, but godly men will finde good cause to praise the Almighty, whose wonders are seene in the deepe, through the which we haue sailed to the discouery of this good Land: Yet I haue not thought it amisse (since I am to expresse some late Accidents) before-hand to summe vp the benefits of that Countrey; partly because they daily encrease by new Discoueries made, to the glory of our most gratious King, and euer renowned to all posteritie, for the founding and supporting of this most Royall and blessed work of Plantation, to the great honor, wealth [Page 2] and happinesse of his most famous Kingdomes; and partly, because such is the customary daintinesse of Readers, that they seldome take the paines to gather together all that hath beene written of any subiect, that so they might take the whole businesse into their consideration, (which is the onely way to make a true iudgement,) but vsually content themselues with one or two Bookes set out occasionally, and with refe­rence to some former Treatises, whereby they gaine but a lame and parcell-knowledge, and so oftentimes both preiudice themselues and the truth.

THE Countrey called VIRGINIA (so named by the late Virgin-Queene Elizabeth of blessed me­mory) being the rightfull inheritance of his Maiesty, as being first discouered at the costs and charges of that most prudent Prince of famous memory, King Henry the Seauenth, his Maiesties great Grand-father; The Patent whereof still extant to be seene, was gran­ted to Iohn Cabot and diuers other of his subiects, who went thither with sixe Saile of Ships, and discouered as farre as from Cape Florida to New-found-land, all along the Coast, and tooke possession thereof to the Kings vse, about that time when Ferdinando and Isabella discouered the Westerne Indies: (by which title of first discouery the King of Portugal and Spaine hold and enioy their ample and rich Kingdomes in their Indies East & West:) A coast where King Edward the Sixt after planted his fishing to the New-found-land by publike Act in Parliament, and of which Philip A­madas and Arthur Barlow tooke againe possession to the vse of the late Qu [...]ene Elizabeth: and after them, [Page 3] Sir Richard Greenfield, Sir Ralph Lane, and Sir Walter Rawleigh; at what time seuerall Colonies were there placed. And since his Maiesties most happy comming to the Crowne, being an absolute King of three of the most populous Kingdomes (which Charles the Fift was wont to tearme Officina gentium, the shop or forge of men,) finding his Subiects to multiply by the blessed peace they enioy vnder his happy gouern­ment, did out of his high wisedome and Princely care of the good of his Subiects, grant a most gratious Pa­tent to diuers Honourable persons, and others of his louing Subiects, authorizing them thereby to goe on in the Plantation of this his lawfull and rightfull King­dome of VIRGINIA, which by the blessing of Al­mighty God is growne to good perfection.

THis spatious and fruitful Country of VIRGINIA, is (as is generally knowne to all) naturally rich, and exceedingly well watered, very temperate, and healthfull to the Inhabitants, abounding with as many naturall blessings, and replenished with as goodly Woods, and those full of Deere and sundry other beasts for mans sustenance; and the Seas and Riuers thereof (many therein being exceeding fayre and na­uigable) as full of excellent fish of diuers sorts, and both water & land yeelding as great variety of fowle, as any Country in the world is knowne to afford. The situation whereof being neere the middest of the world, betweene the extremities of heate and colde, seemes to partake of the benefits of both, and therby becometh capable of the richest commodities of most parts of the Earth. From whence ariseth an assurance [Page 4] that (by the assistance and skill of industry) those rich Furres, Cordage, and other Commodities, which with difficulty and danger are now drawn from Russia, will be had in VIRGINIA and the parts adioyning, with ease and safety. And the Masts, Plancks, and Boards, the Pitch and Tarre, the Pot-ashes and Sope-ashes, the Hempe and Flaxe, which now are fetched from Norway, Denmarke, Poland, and Germany, will there be had in abundance. The Iron, which hath so wasted our English Woods, (that it selfe in short time must decay together with them) is to be had in VIR­GINIA (where wasting of Woods is an ease and bene­fit to the Planter) for all good conditions answerable to the best Iron of the world, whereof proofe hath beene made. The Wines, Fruits, and Salt of France and Spaine: the Silkes of Persia and Italy, will be had also in VIRGINIA, in no kinde of worth inferiour, where are whole Woods of many miles together of Mulberry trees of the best kindes, the proper food of the Silke-worme, and a multitude of other naturall commodities. Of Woods, Roots and Berries, for ex­cellent Dyes; of Plants and other Drugs for Physicall seruice; of sweet Woods, Oyles and Gummes, for pleasure and other vse; of Cotton-wooll, Silke-grasse and Sugar Canes, will there be had in abundance, with many other kindes. And for Corne, Cattell, and Fish, (which are the substance of the food of man) in no place better: the Graine also of our owne Country prospering there very well; but their Maize (being the naturall Graine of VIRGINIA) doth farre exceed in pleasantnesse, strength, fertilitie, and gene­ralitie of vse, the Wheat of England.

[Page 5]The Cattell which were transported thither (being now growne neere to fifteene hundred) doe become much bigger of body then the breed from whence they came. The Horses also (through the benefit of the Climate, and nature of their feeding) more beau­tifull and fuller of courage. And such is the extraor­dinary fertilitie of that soyle, that the Does of their Deere (a kinde differing from ours in England, yet no way inferiour) yeeld two Fawnes at a fall or birth, and sometimes three. And the Fishings along our Coasts are in plenty of Fish equall to those of New-found-land, and in greatnesse and goodnesse much superiour, and twice in the yeare to be taken, in their going and returne, which is not else-where found in such plenty and varietie; So as there went this yeare from diuers parts of this Kingdome, neere thirty Saile thither, who are well returned and richly fished.

To conclude (but out of certaine aduertisements so often reiterated from thence, as well as by the con­stant relations of many hundreds now yearely com­ming & going) they auow, that it is a Country which nothing but ignorance can thinke ill of, and which no man but of a corrupt minde & ill purpose can defame, which as it paralelleth the most opulent and rich King­domes of the world, by lying in the same Latitude with them, so doth it promise richer Mynes of the best and most desired mettals with them, when the Colonie shall be of sufficient strength to open and de­fend them. And for the Passage thither, and Trade there, it is free from all restraint by forren Princes, whereunto most of our other accustomed trades are subiect: there is neyther danger in the way, through [Page 6] the encountring of the Enemy or Pyrate, nor meeting with Rockes or Sholes (by reason of the fayre and safe passage thorow the maine Ocean) nor tediousnes of iourney, which by reason of better knowledge then in former yeares (the fruit of time and obserua­tion) is oftner made and in fewer weekes, then for­merly it was wont to be in moneths; which (with the blessing of God) produced in the last Summer this effect, that in the Fleet of nine Saile of ships, transpor­ting aboue seauen hundred Passengers out of England and Ireland, for the Plantation, but one person (in whose roome another at Sea was borne) miscarryed by the way. And for them after ariuall, there are con­uenient lodgings now in building, and carefull atten­dance in Guests-houses prouiding, till those that ariue can prouide for themselues.

3570 People sent to Virginia in the three last yeares. 42 Saile of ships, 1200 Mariners im­ployed.In the three last yeares of 1619. 1620. and 1621. there hath beene prouided and sent for VIRGINIA forty two Saile of ships, three thousand fiue hundred and seauenty men and women for Plantation, with re­quisite prouisions, besides store of Cattell, and in those ships haue beene aboue twelue hundred Mariners im­ployed: 1500 To the Sommer Ilands. 9 ships, and 240 Mariners im­ployed. There hath also beene sent in those yeares nine ships to the Sommer Ilands with about nine hun­dred people to inhabite there, in which ships two hun­dred and forty Mariners were imployed. In which space haue beene granted fifty Patents to particular persons, for Plantation in VIRGINIA, who with their Associates haue vndertaken therein to transport great multitudes of people and cattell thither, which for the most part is since performed, and the residue now in preparing, as by the seuerall Declarations of [Page 7] each yeare in their particulars, (manifested and appro­ued in our generall and publike Quarter-Courts) and for the fuller satisfaction of all desirous to vnderstand the particularities of such proceedings, hath beene by printing commended to the vnderstanding of all.

The Letters written from the Gouernor and Trea­surer in VIRGINIA in the beginning of March last, (which came hither in April,) gaue assurance of ouer­comming and bringing to perfection in this yeare, the Iron-works, Glasse-works, Salt-works, the plentifull sowing of all sorts of English graine with the Plough, hauing now cleared good quantitie of ground; setting of store of Indian Corne or Maize, sufficient for our selues, and for trucke with the Natiues; restraint of the quantity of Tobacco, and amendment of it in the quality, learned by time and experience; The plan­ting of Vines and Mulberry-trees neere to their hou­ses, Figg-trees, Pomgranats, Potatoes, and Cotton­wooll seedes, Pocoon, Indico, Sugar-Canes, Madder, Woade, Hempe, Flaxe, and Silke-grasse; and for the erecting of a fayre Inne in Iames-Citie for the better entertainment of new commers, whereto and to other publike workes, euery old planter there offered free­ly and liberally to contribute. I write the words of their Letters. And how in a late Discouery made, a few moneths before by some of them to the South­ward, they had past thorow great Forrests of Pines, fifteene or sixteene miles broad, and aboue threescore miles long, very fit for Mastes for shipping, and for Pitch and Tarre, and of other sorts of woods fit for Pot-ashes and Sope-ashes, and came vnto a most fruitfull Country, blessed with abundance of Corne, [Page 8] reaped twice a yere (within the limits of VIRGINIA) where also they vnderstand of a Copper-myne, an essay whereof was sent, and vpon tryall here found to be very rich; and met with a great deale of Silk-grasse there growing, which monethly may be cut, of which kindes, and Cotton-wooll, all the Cambaya and Ben­gala stuffes are made in the East-Indies: and of which kindes of Silke-grasse was heretofore made a peece of Grogeram giuen to Queene Elizabeth. Mr. Hariot in his booke of Virgi­nia, 1585. And how that in December last they had planted and cultiuated in VIRGINIA Vines of all sorts, (as well those natural­ly growing, as those other Plants sent them from these parts of Europe) Orenge and Lemon-trees, Figge-trees, Sugar-Canes, Cotton-wooll, Cassaui Rootes, (that make very good bread) Plantanes, Potatoes, and sundry other Indian fruits and plants not formerly seene in VIRGINIA, which at the time of their said Letters beganne to prosper very well: as also their In­dico-seedes, for the true cure whereof there is lately caused a Treatise to be written.

Furthermore, they write that in a Voyage made by Lieutenant Marmaduke Parkinson, and other En­glish Gentlemen, vp the Riuer of Patomack they saw a China Boxe at one of the Kings houses where they were: Being demanded where he had it, made answer, That it was sent him from a King that dwelt in the West, ouer the great Hils, some tenne dayes iourney, whose Countrey is neare a great Sea, hee hauing that Boxe, from a people as he said, that came thither in ships, that weare cloaths, crooked swords, & somwhat like our men, dwelt in houses, and were called Acanack-China: and he offered our people, that he would send [Page 9] his Brother along with them to that King, which of­fer the Gouernor purposed not to refuse; and the rather, by reason of the continual constant relations of all those Sauages in VIRGINIA, of a Sea, and the way to it West, they affirming that the heads of all those seauen goodly Riuers, (the least wherof is greater then the Riuer of Thames, and nauigable aboue an hundred and fifty miles, and not aboue sixe or eight miles one from another) which fall all into one great Bay, haue their rising out of a ridge of hils, that runnes all along South and North: whereby they doubt not but to finde a safe, easie, and good passage to the South Sea, part by water, and part by land, esteeming it not aboue an hundred and fifty miles from the head of the Falls, where wee are now planted; the Discouery whereof will bring forth a most rich trade to Cathay, China, Ia­pan, and those other of the East Indies, to the inestima­ble benefit of this Kingdome.

But for the further proofe hereof, and of the North-west passage thither by Sea, I referre the Reader to the Treatie annexed at the end of this Booke, written by that learned and famous Mathema­tician, M ^r. Henry Briggs, which I hauing happily at­tained vnto, haue published for the common good.

Moreouer, the Letters of Mr. Iohn Berkley, some­times of Beuerstone Castle in the County of Glocester, (a Gentleman of an honorable Familie) likewise cer­tifie, that a more fit place for Iron-workes (whereof he was made Master & ouer-seer) then in VIRGINIA, both for wood, water, mynes, and stone, was not to be found: And that by Whitsontide then next (now past) the Company might relye vpon good quantities [Page 10] of Iron made by him: which also by Letters from Mr. George Sandis the third of March last, was confir­med, with this farther description of the place (called The falling Creeke) to be so fitting for that purpose, as if Nature had applyed her selfe to the wish and di­rection of the Workeman; where also were great stones hardly seene else-where in VIRGINIA, lying on the place, as though they had beene brought thi­ther to aduance the erection of those Workes.

The Letters of the French Vignerous or Vine-men, procured out of France & sent ouer into VIRGINIA, did likewise assertaine, that no Countrey in the world was more proper for Vines, Silke, Rice, Oliues, and other Fruits, then VIRGINIA is: and that it farre excelled their owne Countrey of Languedocke; the Vines of diuers sorts being in abundance naturally ouer all the Countrey: and they hauing planted some cuttings of Vines at Michaelmas last, in their Letters affirme that these bare Grapes already this Spring, to their great wonder, as being a thing they suppose not heard of in any other Countrey. A taste of Wine made of the wilde grape, they last yeare sent, with hope to send a good quantitie this next Vintage; and that the Mulberry-trees where they abode were in wonderfull abundance, and much excelling both in goodnesse and greatnesse those of their owne Coun­try of Languedocke: and that those Silke-wormes they haue, prosper exceeding well, and some Silke they hope to send this yeare, there wanting nothing to set vp that rich Commodity but store of hands where­with England doth abound. Of the fruit of which Mulberry-trees (as of a Plum there plentifully grow­ing) [Page 11] they would make wholsome drinkes for the Co­lony and people there.

The Letters of M ^r. Porey (verified also from the Go­uernor and Councell) aduertised of a late Discouery by him and others made into the great Bay Northward, (reseruing the sounding of the bottome thereof for a second Voyage,) where hee left setled very happily neare an hundred English, with hope of a good trade for Furres there to be had. From thence was brought by Lieutenant Perkinson, in his voyage, some of that kind of Earth which is called Terra Lemnia (there to be had in great abundance) as good as that of Turkey.

BY this (though it be but in part) the Reader may vnderstand the great riches and blessings of this excellent Countrey, which euen ordinary diligence and care must needes strangely improue. But that all men may see the vnpartiall ingenuity of this Dis­course, we freely confesse, that the Countrey is not so good, as the Natiues are bad, whose barbarous Sa­uagenesse needs more cultiuation then the ground it selfe, being more ouerspread with inciuilitie and trea­chery, then that with Bryers. For the land being tilled and vsed well by vs, deceiued not our expectation, but rather exceeded it farre, being so thankfull as to re­turne an hundred for one. But the Sauages though ne­uer Nation vsed so kindly vpon so small desert, haue in stead of that Haruest which our paines merited, retur­ned nothing but Bryers and thornes, pricking euen to death many of their Benefactors: yet doubt wee not, but that as all wickednes is crafty to vndoe it self, so these also, thorow our sides, haue more wounded [Page 12] themselues then vs, God Almighty making way for seueritie there, where a fayre gentlenesse would not take place. The occasion whereof thus I relate from thence.

THE last May there came Letters from Sir Francis Wiat Gouernor in VIRGINIA, which did aduer­tise that when in Nouember last he ariued in VIRGI­NIA, and entred vpon his Gouernment, he found the Country setled in a peace (as all men there thought) sure and vnuiolable, not onely because it was solemnly ratified and sworne, and at the request of the Natiue King stamped in Brasse, and fixed to one of his Oakes of note, but as being aduantagious to both parts; to the Sauages as the weaker, vnder which they were safely sheltred and defended; to vs, as being the easiest way then thought to pursue and aduance our proiects of buildings, plantings, and effecting their conuersion by peaceable and fayre meanes. And such was the conceit of firme peace and amitie, as that there was seldome or neuer a sword worne, and a Peece seldo­mer, except for a Deere or Fowle. By which assurance of securitie, the Plantations of particular Aduenturers and Planters were placed scatteringly and straglingly as a choyce veyne of rich ground inuited them, and the further from neighbors held the better. The hou­ses generally set open to the Sauages, who were al­waies friendly entertained at the tables of the English, and commonly lodged in their bed-chambers. The old planters (as they thought now come to reape the benefit of their long trauels) placed with wonderfull content vpon their priuate diuidents, and the planting [Page 13] of particular Hundreds and Colonies pursued with an hopefull alacrity, all our proiects (saith he) in a faire way, and their familarity with the Natiues, seeming to open a faire gate for their conuersion to Chri­stianitie.

The Country being in this estate, an occasion was ministred of sending to Opachankano the King of these Sauages, about the middle of March last, what time the Messenger returned backe with these words from him, That he held the peace concluded so firme, as the Skie should sooner fall then it dissolue: yea, such was the treacherous dissimulation of that people who then had contriued our destruction, that euen two dayes before the Massacre, some of our men were gui­ded thorow the woods by them in safety: and one Browne, who then to learne the language liued among the Warrascoyacks (a Prouince of that King) was in friendly manner sent backe by them to Captaine Ha­mor his Master, and many the like passages, rather in­creasing our former confidence, then any wise in the world ministring the least suspition of the breach of the peace, or of what instantly ensued; yea, they bor­rowed our owne Boates to conuey themselues crosse the Riuer (on the bankes of both sides whereof all our Plantations were) to consult of the diuellish murder that ensued, and of our vtter extirpation, which God of his mercy (by the meanes of some of themselues conuerted to Christianitie) preuented: and as well on the Friday morning (the fatal day) the 22 of March, as also in the euening, as in other dayes before, they came vnarmed into our houses, without Bowes or ar­rowes, or other weapons, with Deere, Turkies, Fish, [Page 14] Furres, and other prouisions, to sell, and trucke with vs, for glasse, beades, and other trifles: yea in some places, sate downe at Breakfast with our people at their tables, whom immediately with their owne tooles and weapons, eyther laid downe, or standing in their houses, they basely and barbarously murthered, not sparing eyther age or sexe, man, woman or childe; so sodaine in their cruell execution, that few or none discerned the weapon or blow that brought them to destruction. In which manner they also slew many of our people then at their seuerall workes and husban­dries in the fields, and without their houses, some in planting Corne and Tobacco, some in gardening, some in making Bricke, building, sawing, and other kindes of husbandry, they well knowing in what pla­ces and quarters each of our men were, in regard of their daily familiarity, and resort to vs for trading and other negotiations, which the more willingly was by vs continued and cherished for the desire we had of ef­fecting that great master-peece of workes, their con­uersion. And by this meanes that fatall Friday mor­ning, there fell vnder the bloudy and barbarous hands of that perfidious and inhumane people, contrary to all lawes of God and men, of Nature & Nations, three hundred forty seuen men, women, and children, most by their owne weapons; and not being content with taking away life alone, they fell after againe vpon the dead, making as well as they could, a fresh murder, defacing, dragging, and mangling the dead carkasses into many pieces, and carrying some parts away in derision, with base and bruitish triumph.

Neither yet did these beasts spare those amongst [Page 15] the rest well knowne vnto them, from whom they had daily receiued many benefits and fauours, but spite­fully also massacred them, without remorse or pitty, being in this more fell then Lyons and Dragons, which (as Histories record) haue beene so farre from hurting, as they haue both acknowledged, and grate­fully requited their Benefactors; such is the force of good deeds, though done to cruell beasts, as to make them put off the very nature of beasts, and to put on humanity vpon them. But these miscreants, contra­riwise in this kinde, put not off onely all humanity, but put on a worse and more then vnnaturall bruitish­nesse. One instance of it, amongst too many, shall serue for all.

That worthy religious Gentleman, Master George Thorpe Esquire, Deputie of the Colledge lands, some­times one of his Maiesties Pentioners, and in one of the principall places of command in VIRGINIA, did so truly and earnestly affect their conuersion, and was so tender ouer them, that whosoeuer vnder his autho­rity had giuen them but the least displeasure or discon­tent, he punished them seuerely. He thought nothing too deare for them, and as being desirous to binde them vnto him by his many courtesies, hee neuer de­nyed them any thing that they asked him, insomuch that when these Sauages complained vnto him of the fiercenesse of our Mastiues, most implacable and terri­ble vnto them, (knowing them by instinct it seemes, to be but treacherous and false-hearted friends to vs, bet­ter then our selues) he to gratifie them in all things, for the winning of them by degrees, caused some of them to be killed in their presence, to the great dis­pleasure [Page 16] of the owners, and would haue had all the rest guelt (had he not beene hindered) to make them the gentler and the milder to them. Hee was not onely too kinde and beneficiall to the common sort, but also to their King, to whom hee oft resorted, and gaue many presents which hee knew to be highly pleasing to him. And whereas this king before dwelt onely in a cottage, or rather a denne or hog-stye, made with a few poles and stickes, and couered with mats after their wyld manner, to ciuilize him, he first, built him a fayre house according to the English fashion, in which hee tooke such ioy, especially in his locke and key, which hee so admired, as locking and vnlocking his doore an hundred times aday, hee thought no deuice in all the world was comparable to it.

Thus insinuating himselfe to this King for his reli­gious purposes, he conferred after with him oft, and intimated to him matters of our Religion; and thus far the Pagan confessed, moued by naturall Principles, that our God was a good God, and better much then theirs, in that he had with so many good things aboue them endowed vs. Hee told him, if hee would serue our God, hee should bee partaker of all those good things wee had, and of farre greater then sense or rea­son euer could imagine. Hee wonne vpon him, as hee thought in many things, so as hee gaue him fayre hea­ring and good answer, and seemed to be much plea­sed with his discourse and in his company. And both hee and his people for the daily courtesies this good Gentleman did to one or other of them, did professe such outward loue and respect vnto him, as nothing could seeme more: but all was little regarded after by [Page 17] this Viperous brood, as the sequell shewed: for they not only wilfully murdered him, but cruelly and felly, out of deuillish malice, did so many barbarous de­spights and foule scornes after to his dead corpes, as are vnbefitting to be heard by any ciuill eare. One thing I cannot omit, that when this good Gentleman vpon his fatall hower, was warned by his man (who perceiued some treachery intended to them by these hell-hounds) to looke to himselfe, and withall ranne away for feare of the mischiefe he strongly appre­hended, and so saued his owne life; yet his Master, out of the conscience of his owne good meaning, and faire deserts euer towards them, was so void of all su­spition, and so full of confidence, that they had sooner killed him, then hee could or would beleeue they meant any ill against him. Thus the sinnes of these wicked Infidels, haue made them vnworthy of enioy­ing him, and the eternall good that he most zealously alwayes intended to them.

And thus these miserable wretches, not hee, hath lost by it, who to the comfort of vs all, hath gayned a Crowne of endlesse blisse, and is assuredly become a glorious Martyr, in which thrice-happy and blessed state we leaue him. But these miscreants, who haue thus despised Gods great mercies so freely offered to them, must needs in time therefore be corrected by his iustice: So as those who by the way of mercies would not be drawne vnto him, shall some of them at length (no doubt) be brought vnto him by his way of iudgements: to which leauing them, I will knit againe together now the thred of my Discourse, and proceed to tell you, That at the time of this Massacre [Page 18] there were three or foure of our ships in Iames-Riuer, and one in the next Riuer, and daily more to come in, as three did within fourteene dayes after; one of which they endeuored to haue surprised, but in vaine, as had also beene their whole attempt, had any the least fore-knowledge beene in those places where the Mas­sacre was committed: yet were the hearts of the En­glish euer stupid, and auerted from beleeuing any thing that might weaken their hopes of speedy win­ning the Sauages to Ciuilitie and Religion, by kinde vsage and fayre conuersing amongst them. Hee, and the whole Councell write further, That Almighty God (they doubt not) hath his great worke to doe in this Tragedy, and will thereout draw honor and glory to his great Name; safety, and a more flourishing estate to themselues, and the whole Plantation there; and the more speedy conuersion of the Children of those Sauages to himselfe, since hee so miraculously preserued so many of the English (there being, God be praysed, about eleuen parts of twelue still remay­ning) whose desire to draw those people to Religion by the carelesse neglect of their owne safeties, seemes to haue beene the greatest cause of their own ensuing destruction. Yet it pleased God to vse some of them as instruments to saue many of their liues, whose soules they had formerly saued, as at Iames-Citie, and other places, and the Pinnace trading in Pamounkey Riuer, all whose liues were saued by a conuerted In­dian, disclosing the plot in the instant (wherof though our sinnes (say they) made vs vnworthy to be instru­ments of so glorious a conuersion in generall, yet his infinite wisedome can neuerthelesse bring it to passe [Page 19] with some more of them, and with other Prouinces there in his good time, and by such meanes as wee thinke most vnlikely. For euen in the deliuery of vs that now suruiue, no mans particular carefulnesse sa­ued any one person, but the meere goodnesse of him­selfe, freely and miraculously preserued whom it plea­sed him.

The Letters of Mr. George Sandis a worthy Gentle­man and Treasurer there, likewise haue aduertised (as many others from many particular persons of note and worth) besides the Relations of many returned in the Sea-flower (the ship that brought vs this vnwel­come newes) haue beene heard at large in the publike Courts, that whilst all their affayres were full of suc­cesse, and such intercourse of familiaritie, as if the In­dians and themselues had beene of one Nation, those treacherous Natiues, after fiue yeares peace, by a ge­nerall combination in one day plotted to subuert their whole Colony, and at one instant of time, though our seuerall Plantations were an hundred and forty miles vp one Riuer on both sides.

But before I goe any further, for the better vnder­standing of all things, you shall know that these wyld naked Natiues liue not in great numbers together, but dispersed, and in small companies; and where most to­gether, not aboue two hundred, and that very rare, in other places fifty or forty, or thereabouts, and many miles distant from one another, in such places among the Woods where they either found, or might easiliest make some cleared plots of ground, which they im­ploy wholly in setting of Corne, whereby to sustaine their liues. These small and scattered Companies (as [Page 20] I haue said) had warning giuen from one another in all their habitations to meete at the day and houre ap­pointed for our destruction, at all our seuerall Townes and places seated vpon the Riuer; some were directed to goe to one place, some to another, all to be done at the same day and time, which they did accordingly: some entring their Houses vnder colour of trucking, and so taking aduantage, others drawing our men a­broad vpon faire pretences, and the rest suddenly fal­ling vpon those that were at their labours.

They certifie further, that besides Master George Thorpe, before mentioned, Master Iohn Berkeley, Cap­taine Nathanael Powel, and his wife, (daughter of Master William Tracy, and great with childe) and Captaine Maycock, all Gentlemen of birth, vertue, and industry, and of the Councell there, suffered vn­der this their cruelty and treason.

That the slaughter had beene vniuersall, if God had not put it into the heart of an Indian belonging to one Perry, to disclose it, who liuing in the house of one Pace, was vrged by another Indian his Brother (who came the night before and lay with him) to kill Pace, (so commanded by their King as he declared) as hee would kill Perry: telling further that by such an houre in the morning a number would come from diuers places to finish the Execution, who failed not at the time: Perries Indian rose out of his bed and reueales it to Pace, that vsed him as a Sonne: And thus the rest of the Colony that had warning giuen them, by this meanes was saued. Such was (God bee thanked for it) the good fruit of an Infidell conuerted to Chri­stianity; for though three hundred and more of ours [Page 21] died by many of these Pagan Infidels, yet thousands of ours were saued by the means of one of them alone which was made a Christian; Blessed be God for euer, whose mercy endureth for euer; Blessed bee God whose mercy is aboue his iustice, and farre aboue all his workes: who wrought this deliuerance whereby their soules escaped euen as a Bird out of the snare of the Fowler.

Pace vpon this discouery, securing his house, before day rowed ouer the Riuer to Iames-City (in that place neere three miles in bredth) and gaue notice thereof to the Gouernor, by which meanes they were preuen­ted there, and at such other Plantations as was pos­sible for a timely intelligence to be giuen; for where they saw vs standing vpon our Guard, at the sight of a Peece they all ranne away. In other places that could haue no notice, some Peeces with munition (the vse whereof they know not) were there carried away, and some few Cartell also were destroyed by them. And as Fame diuulgeth (not without pro­bable grounds) their King hath since caused the most part of the Gunpowder by him surprized, to bee sowne, to draw therefrom the like increase, as of his Maize or Corne, in Haruest next. And that it is since discouered, that the last Summer Opachankano practi­sed with a King of the Eastern shore (no well-willer of his) to furnish him with store of poison (naturally growing in his country) for our destruction, which he absolutely refused, though he sent him great store of Beades, and other presents to winne him thereunto: which he, with fiue or sixe of his great men, offered to be ready to [...] against him. That the true cause [Page 22] of this surprize was most by the instigation of the De­uill, (enemy to their saluation) and the dayly feare that possest them, that in time we by our growing con­tinually vpon them, would dispossesse them of this Country, as they had beene formerly of the West Indies by the Spaniard; produced this bloody act. That neuer griefe and shame possessed any people more then themselues, to be thus butchered by so na­ked and cowardly a people, who dare not stand the presentment of a staffe in manner of a Peece, nor an vncharged Peece in the hands of a woman, from which they flye as so many Hares; much faster then from their tormenting Deuill, whom they worship for feare, though they acknowledge they loue him not.

THus haue you seene the particulars of this mas­sacre, out of Letters from thence written, where­in treachery and cruelty haue done their worst to vs, or rather to themselues; for whose vnderstanding is so shallow, as not to perceiue that this must needs bee for the good of the Plantation after, and the losse of this blood to make the body more healthfull, as by these reasons may be manifest.

First, Because betraying of innocency neuer rests vnpunished: And therefore Agesilaus, when his ene­mies (vpon whose oath of being faithfull hee rested) had deceiued him, he sent them thankes, for that by their periury, they had made God his friend, and their enemy.

Secondly, Because our hands which before were tied with gentlenesse and faire vsage, are now set at liberty by the treacherous violence of the Sauages, [Page 23] not vntying the Knot, but cutting it: So that we, who hitherto haue had possession of no more ground then their waste, and our purchase at a valuable considera­tion to their owne contentment, gained; may now by right of Warre, and law of Nations, inuade the Country, and destroy them who sought to destroy vs: whereby wee shall enioy their cultiuated places, turning the laborious Mattocke into the victorious Sword (wherein there is more both ease, benefit, and glory) and possessing the fruits of others labours. Now their cleared grounds in all their villages (which are situate in the fruitfullest places of the land) shall be inhabited by vs, whereas heretofore the grubbing of woods was the greatest labour.

Thirdly, Because those commodities which the Indians enioyed as much or rather more then we, shall now also be entirely possessed by vs. The Deere and other beasts will be in safety, and infinitly increase, which heretofore not onely in the generall huntings of the King (whereat foure or fiue hundred Deere were vsually slaine) but by each particular Indian were destroied at all times of the yeare, without any difference of Male, Damme, or Young. The like may be said of our owne Swine and Goats, whereof they haue vsed to kill eight in tenne more then the English haue done. There will be also a great increase of wild Turkies, and other waighty Fowle, for the Indians neuer put difference of destroying the Hen, but kill them whether in season or not, whether in breeding time, or sitting on their egges, or hauing new hatched, it is all one to them: whereby, as also by the orderly vsing of their fishing Weares, no knowne Country in [Page 24] the world will so plentifully abound in victuall.

Fourthly, Because the way of conquering them is much more easie then of ciuilizing them by faire meanes, for they are a rude, barbarous, and naked people, scattered in small companies, which are helps to Victorie, but hinderances to Ciuilitie: Besides that, a conquest may be of many, and at once; but ciuility is in particular, and slow, the effect of long time, and great industry. Moreouer, victorie of them may bee gained many waies; by force, by surprize, by famine in burning their Corne, by destroying and burning their Boats, Canoes, and Houses, by breaking their fishing Weares, by assailing them in their huntings, whereby they get the greatest part of their sustenance in Winter, by pursuing and chasing them with our horses, and blood-Hounds to draw after them, and Mastiues to teare them, which take this naked, tanned, deformed Sauages, for no other then wild beasts, and are so fierce and fell vpon them, that they feare them worse then their old Deuill which they worship, sup­posing them to be a new and worse kinde of Deuils then their owne. By these and sundry other wayes, as by driuing them (when they flye) vpon their ene­mies, who are round about them, and by animating and abetting their enemies against them, may their ruine or subiection be soone effected.

So the Spaniard made great vse for his owne turne of the quarrels and enmities that were amongst the Indians, as throughly vnderstanding and following that Maxime of the Politician, Diuide & impera, Make diuisions and take Kingdomes: For thus he got two of the greatest Kingdomes of the West Indies, Peru and [Page 25] Mexico, by the Princes diuisions, and the peoples diffe­rences. After the death of Guainacapa king of Peru, his sonnes Attabalippa and Gascar falling to war about the kingdom, & each of thē striuing to make the Spaniard to his friend, Francis Pizzarro managing those their diuisions onely to his owne ends, easily stripped them both of that rich Kingdome, and became Master of Peru. And so likwise Ferdinando Cortez vanquished King Motezuma, and gained the Kingdome of Mexico from him by the aid and furtherance of the neighbo­ring people of the Prouince of Tascala, being deadly enemies to the Mexicans; for which seruice they of Tascala are freed by the Spaniards from all Tributes to this time. In VIRGINIA the many diuers Princes and people there are at this day opposite in infinite fa­ctions one vnto another, and many of them beare a mortall hatred to these our barbarous Sauages, that haue beene likely as false and perfidious heretofore to them, as vnto vs of late. So as the quarrels, and the causes of them, and the different humours of these people being well vnderstood, it will be an easie mat­ter to ouerthrow those that now are, or may bee our enemies hereafter, by ayding and setting on their ene­mies against them. And by these factions and diffe­rences of petty Princes, the Romans tooke their grea­test aduantage to ouercome this Iland of Great Bri­tayne, of which Tacitus fayes, Ita dum singuli pugnant vniuersi vincuntur. And Iustin hath the like saying of the cause of vanquishing the Grecian Cities.

Fiftly, Because the Indians, who before were vsed as friends, may now most iustly be compelled to seruitude and drudgery, and supply the roome of men [Page 26] that labour, whereby euen the meanest of the Planta­tion may imploy themselues more entirely in their Arts and Occupations, which are more generous, whi­lest Sauages performe their inferiour workes of dig­ging in mynes, and the like, of whom also some may be sent for the seruice of the Sommer Ilands.

Sixtly, This will for euer hereafter make vs more cautelous and circumspect, as neuer to bee deceiued more by any other treacheries, but will serue for a great instruction to all posteritie there, to teach them that Trust is the mother of Deceipt, and to learne them that of the Italian, Chi non fida, non s'inga muu, Hee that trusts not is not deceiued: and make them know that kindnesses are misspent vpon rude natures, so long as they continue rude; as also, that Sauages and Pa­gans are aboue all other for matter of Iustice euer to be suspected. Thus vpon this Anvile shall wee now beate out to our selues an armour of proofe, which shall for euer after defend vs from barbarous Incursi­ons, and from greater dangers that otherwise might happen. And so we may truly say according to the French Prouerb, Aquel (que) chose malheur est bon, Ill lucke is good for something.

Lastly, We haue this benefit more to our comfort, because all good men doe now take much more care of vs then before, since the fault is on their sides, not on ours, who haue vsed so fayre a cariage, euen to our owne destruction. Especially his Maiesties most gra­tious, tender and paternall care is manifest herein, who by his Royall bounty and goodnesse, hath continued his many fauors vnto vs, with a new, large, & Princely supply of Munition and Armes, out of his Maiesties [Page 27] owne store in the Tower, being gratiously bestowed for the safety and aduancement of the Plantation. As also his Royall fauor is amply extended in a large sup­ply of men and other necessaries throughout the whole Kingdome, which are very shortly to bee sent to VIRGINIA.

Neyther must wee omit the Honourable City of London, who to shew their zeale at this time (as they haue alwayes done vpon all Honourable occasions to their endlesse praise) are now setting forth one hun­dred persons, at their owne charges, for the aduance­ment of the Plantations. In the furtherance of which action, as the whole graue Senate of Aldermen haue shewed much piety and wisedome, so in particular, the Right Honourable Sir Edward Barkham Knight, the now Lord Mayor, hath demonstrated a most wor­thy mind. Besides many worthy Persons of birth and quality, and diuers others at their owne costs are now preparing for VIRGINIA. Neyther is any man to be deiected because of some such disasters as these that may seeme to thwart the businesse.

What growing State was there euer in the world which had not the like? Rome grew by opposition, and rose vpon the backe of her enemies. Marke but the Spaniard who is in the same Continent with VIR­GINIA, and hath now perfected his worke; Marke and tell mee, if hee hath not had more counterbuffes farre then wee, as out of their owne histories at large may be proued.

Columbus vpon his returne from the West Indies in­to Spaine, hauing left his people with the Indian in peace, and promise of fayre vsage towards them, yet [Page 28] at his comming backe againe, hee found no one man aliue of them, but all by the Natiues treacherously slaine.

After this againe, when the Spanish Colony was in­creased in great numbers, the Indians (from whom the Spaniards for trucking stuffe vsed to haue all their corn) generally conspired together to plant no corne at all, intending therby to farnish them, themselues liuing in the meane time vpon Cassaui (a root to make bread) onely then knowne to themselues: This plot of theirs by the Spaniards ouer-sight (that foolishly depended vpon Strangers for their bread) tooke such effect, and brought them to such misery by the rage of famine, that they spared no vncleane, no loathsome beast, no not the poysonous and hideous Serpents, but eate them vp also, deuouring one death to saue them from another: And by this meanes the whole Colony well-neare surfetted, sickned, and dyed miserably.

After againe, vpon fresh and great supplyes new made, an infinite company of them by their inconti­nency dyed of the Indian disease, that hath now got a French name, which at first (as being a strange and vnknowne malady) was deadly vpon whomsoeuer it lighted. Besides (before they knew the cause and remedy) very many lost diuers parts of their body, feet and hands principally, by a little vermine lesse then a Flea, and skipping like it, called Nigua, which got between the skinne and the flesh before they were aware, and there bred and multiplyed, making swel­lings and putrefactions, to the decay and losse of their bodily members.

What should I tell you that the Plantations diuers [Page 29] times were neare vndone, by the [...], factions, and malice of the Commanders one vnto another, Co­lumbus, to whom they were beholding for all, with his brothers, were sent home from the West Indies into Spaine bound with chaines: and some other great Commanders killed and murthered one another. Piz­zarro was killed by Almagros sonne, and him Vasco beheaded, which Vasco was taken by Blasco, and this Blasco was likewise taken by Pizzarroes brother. Thus by their owne spightfull and auaritious quarrels did they well-neare shake the mayne pillars of that Plan­tation.

These and many other calamities and mischiefes, too long to relate now, hapned vnto them more then euer did to vs. And at one time their plantation was euen at the last gaspe, all their Colony being resolued desperately to leaue it, had not two ships vnexpected come in with new supplyes: yet wee see for all these miseries, that they haue attained to their ends at last, Honor, power, and wealth; In so much as that Coun­trey, which (when they were dishartned with disa­sters) they beganne to be so weary of, that they were about to forsake it all, in short time after (seeing all stormes blowne ouer, and fayre weather shining vpon them) they were so in loue with their great fortunes, that they grew so iealous of them, as made them shut them vp from the sight of any but themselues. And then they petitioned their King, by an inuiolable De­cree to annexe and vnite the West Indies inseparably for euer to the Crowne of Spaine; which (for their better securitie and satisfaction) was accordingly per­formed and ratified, as it is to be seene in H [...] Hi­story [Page 30] of the West Indies. And whereas before, few could be hired to go to inhabite there, now with great suite they must obtaine it.

Thus haue they in time by industry, patience, and constancy effected this great worke of theirs, notwith­standing to encrease their difficulties also, they were to deale with a most populous & numerous nation, which they ouercame at last: So as Ouiedo in his third Booke of the first Part of his West Indie History saith, that of a million of Indians at least, that were in Hispaniola, there were not (in little more then forty yeares space after the first beginning of the Plantation) fiue hun­dred of thē & all their children liuing: for the Indians that liued there, after were brought out of the Conti­nent into that Iland, or out of one Iland to be planted in another. On the other side, the Natiues in VIR­GINIA are nothing populous, but thin and scattered Nations, as is knowne to all.

Here by the way to make a little Digression, since I haue mentioned Ouiedo who liued aboue twenty two yeares in the West Indies, I will acquaint you with his obseruation and iudgement of the nature and disposi­tion of the Indians there, that you may compare and see in what, and how farre, it agrees with that of the Natiues of VIRGINIA.

They are (saith hee) by nature sloathfull and idle, vitious, melancholy, slouenly, of bad conditions, ly­ers, of small memory, of no constancy or trust. In an­other place he saith, The Indian is by nature of all peo­ple the most lying and most inconstant in the world, sottish and sodaine: neuer looking what dangers may happen afterwards, lesse capable then children of sixe [Page 31] or seauen yeares old, and lesse apt and ingenious. This is the generall disposition of most of them, though there be some (sayes he) that be wise and subtill. And indeede it should seeme so, when they could ouer­reach and goe beyond the Spaniard so much, to put that tricke of staruing them (as aforesaid) vpon them, to their so great and almost totall destruction.

But to come againe to that which I first intended: Since the Spaniard (as we see) in his Plantations hath gone thorow farre more hazards, and greater difficul­ties then euer wee haue had, we therefore in looking to what is past, vpon great reason ought likewise not to be deterred, but so much the rather inuited to pro­ceede with constancy and courage. And if besides wee looke (as most men doe) after the riches of a Coun­trey to inuite vs on, aske those that haue beene there, and haue trauelled farre and neare, and they will tell you, that no Countrey in the world doth naturally abound with more Commodities then VIRGINIA doth. The Clymate is knowne to be more temperate, and the soyle more rich then that of the West Indies is: neyther doth it want mynes of all sorts, no not of the richest, as is knowne to some now liuing, and shall be manifested when fit time shall serue. And yet to thinke that Gold and Siluer mynes are in a Countrey (other­wise most rich and fruitfull) the greatest wealth of a Plantation, is but a popular error, as is that opinion likewise, That the Gold and Siluer is the greatest wealth of the West Indies now at this present time. True it is indeed, that in the first Conquest the Spa­niards got great and mighty treasure from the Indi­ans, which they in long space had heaped vp together, [Page 32] and in those times the Indians shewed them entyre and plentifull rich mynes, which by length of time (as is well known and published to the world by those that haue beene there) are wasted and exhausted since, so as now the charge of getting those mettals is growne most excessiue, besides the consuming and spoyling many men of their liues, which are depriued of them by the vapors that come out of the Gold and Siluer mynes, which are most pestilent and deadly, as diuers authors auerre. Amongst others, a late Geo­grapher speaking of the West Indies, and of those mynes there, saith, Odor ex auri & argenti fodinis no­xius admodum; ne (que) tamen prohibuit aëris corruptissimi violentia Hispanos, ne in alio orbe nouum moriendi lo­cum quaererent. So as all things considered by these mynes, what by the liues of many men lost in them, and what with the great charge otherwise in getting them, the cleare gaine to the Aduenturers from these mettals (the Kings part defrayed) is but small to them, nothing neere so much I am sure, as is imagined. And were it not for other rich Commodities there that en­able and enrich the Aduenturers, those of the Con­tractation house were neuer able to subsist by this. For the greatest part of their gaine and profit I say consists not in these mynes, but in their other Commodities, partly natiue, and partly translated from other parts of the world, and planted in the West Indies: As in their mighty wealth of Sugars (the Sugar Canes be­ing transported first from the Canaries,) and in Gin­ger, and some other commodities deriued from the East Indies thither: in their Cochanile, their Indico, their Cotton, their infinite store of Hydes and Skins, [Page 33] their Quick-siluer, and Allom, Wood, and Brasill-wood, &c. And their many other Dyes, Paints, Peta­rarana, Tobacco, Gummes, Balmes, Oyles medeci­nall, and Perfumes, their Sarsaparillia, and many other physicall drugs, (for which, learned Physitians and skilfull Simplers were sent to take a suruey, and make an exquisite draught of all the Plants in colours.) These I say and other the like commodities are the West Indies indeed vnto the Aduenturers, by which they are inabled to inrich themselues, and to sustaine the mighty charge of drawing out the Gold and Siluer▪ to the great and cleare reuenew of their King.

I had many things of importance to say more, but I will detain the Reader no longer now. To conclude then, seeing that Virginia is most abundantly fruitfull, and that this Massacre must rather be beneficiall to the Plantation then impaire it, let all men take courage, and put to their helping hands, since now the time is most seasonable and aduantagious for the reaping of those benefits which the Plantation hath long promi­sed: and for their owne good let them doe it speedily, that so by taking the prioritie of time, they may haue also the prioritie of place, in choosing the best Seats of the Country, which now by vanquishing of the Indians, is like to offer a more ample and faire choice of fruitfull habitations, then hitherto our gentlenesse and faire comportment to the Sauages could attaine vnto. Wherein no doubt but all the fauour that may be, shall be shewed to Aduenturers and Planters. And for old Aduenturers, there is due vnto them and their heyres (according to the Orders of the Company) for each twelue pounds ten shillings formerly paid [Page 34] into the treasury, one hundred Acres of Land, vpon a first diuision, and as much vpon a second, the first being planted. And whosoeuer transports himselfe or any other, at his charge into VIRGINIA, shall for himselfe and each person so transported, before Mid­summer, 1625. haue to him and his heyres for euer, fifty Acres of land vpon a first Diuision, and as much more vpon a second: the first fifty being cultiuated or manured, if such person continue there three yeares, eyther at once or seuerall times, or dye after hee bee shipped for that Voyage.

Lastly, it is to be wished, that euery good Patriot will take these things seriously into his thoughts, and consider how deeply the prosecution of this noble Enterprise concerneth the honor of his Maiestie and the whole Nation, the propagation of Christian Re­ligion, the enlargement, strength, and safety of his Maiesties Dominions, the rich augmenting of his Re­uennues, the imploiment of his Subiects idle at home, the increase of men, Mariners and shipping, and the raising of such necessary commoditie, for the impor­tation of which from forren Countries fo great and incredible summes are continually issued and expen­ded. Some may helpe with their purses, some with their persons, some with their fauour, some with their counsell: especially amongst others, let Ministers in their publike and priuate prayers commend these Plantations to the blessing of Almighty God: To whom be all honor and glory, for euer and euer, Amen.