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In this excerpt from a letter to Sir Edwin Sandys, treasurer of the Virginia Company of London, the
Jamestown colonist
John Rolfe describes events in
the Virginia colony. These include the first meeting of the General Assembly, a murder trial, and a
controversy involving the Indian-language interpreter Captain Henry Spelman. He also notes the arrival of "20. and
odd Negroes," the first
Africans in Virginia. In greater detail he recounts a visit to Jamestown by
a Patawomeck elder Iopassus
(Japazaws), who in 1613 had been responsible for delivering Rolfe's since-deceased
wife Pocahontas into the hands of
Captain Samuel Argall. Now
Iopassus appeared to be engaging in diplomacy independent of Powhatan, Opechancanough, and the Indians of Tsenacomoco. The letter is dated
"January 1619/1620," the two years reflecting both the Old (Julian) Calendar and the
New (Gregorian) Calendar. Some spelling has been updated and contractions
expanded.
Studieng with my self what service I might doe yow, as a token of my gratefull
rememberance for yor many favors and constant love shewed me, aswell in my absence as
when I was present with yow I could not at this tyme devise a better, then to give
yow notice of some pticulers both of our present estate, and what happened since the
departure of the Diana. And though I am well assured, yow wilbe satisfied herin more
fully by our Governor, yet I desire your kind acceptance of this my poore
indeavor.
Presently after the Diana hadd her dispatch Sir George Yeardley (according to a
Commyssion directed unto him and to the Councell of State,) caused Burgesses to be
chosen in all places who mett at James City, where all matters therin conteyned were
debated by severall Commyttees and approved: and likewise such other lawes enacted,
as were held expedient & requisite for the welfare and peaceable govermt of this
Common-weale. Captaine Martines Burgesses for his Plataccon were not admitted to this
Assembly, the reasons I am assured yow shall receive from our Governor, who sendeth
home a report of all those proceedings.
— page 242 —
These principall men being at James Citie, Capten William Epps (who commandeth
Smythes Hundred Company) was arraigned (as neere as might be) according to the
lawdable Lawes of England, for killing one Captaine Edward Roecroft alias Stallenge.
He came hether from the North Colony in a ship of Sir fferdinando Gorges (as he sayd)
for some necessaries which he wanted; and to coast along the shoare to fynd and
discover what Harbors and rivers he could: but through neglect of the Master of the
shipp and others she was forced a ground in a storme neere Newports Newes, and there
sprang so greate a leake, that he could not carry her back againe. This myschance
happened through uncivill and unmanly words urged by Stallenge (there being no
precedent malice) with which Captaine Epps being much moved did strike him on the
heade with a sword in the skabberd a such an unfortunate blowe, that within 2. daies
he died. The Jury (whereof Capt Lawne was foreman a discreete and understanding man)
hearing the Evidence, found him guilty of Manslaughter by Chaunce medley. The
Governor fynding him (though young) yet a proper civill gent, and of good hopes, not
long after restored him to his Command.
Captaine Henry Spelman being accused by Roberte Poole (one of the interpretors of the
Indian language) of many crimes which might be prejudiciall to the State in
generall, and to every mans safety in particular, received Censure at this generall
Assembly. But the Governor hoping he might redeeme his faults being proceeding much
of Childishe ignorance, pardoned the punishment upon hope of amendment. In trial
whereof he was ymploied as interpretor to Patawamack to trade for Corne.
[…]
— page 243 —
About the latter end of August, a Dutch man of Warr of the burden of a 160 tunnes
arrived at Point-Comfort, the Comandors name Capt Jope, his Pilott for the West
Indies one Mr Marmaduke an Englishman. They mett with the Treasurer in the West
Indyes, and determined to hold consort shipp hetherward, but in their passage lost
one the other. He brought not any thing but 20. and odd Negroes, which the Governor
and Cape Marchant bought for victualls (whereof he was in greate need as he pretended)
at the best and easyest rates they could. He hadd a lardge and ample Commyssion from
his Excellency to range and to take purchase in the West Indyes.
Three or 4. daies after the Treasurer arrived. At his arrivall he sent word presently
to the Governor to know his pleasure, who wrote to him, and did request myself and
Leiftenante Peace and Mr Ewens to goe downe to him, to desyre him to come up to James
Cytie. But before we gott downe he hadd sett saile and was gone out of the Bay. The
occasion hereof happened by the unfrendly dealing of the Inhabitants of Keqnoughton,
for he was in greate want of victualls, wherewith they would not releive him nor his
Company upon any termes. He reported (whilst he staied at Keqnoughton) that if wee
got not some Ord'nance planted at Point Comfort, the Colony would be quyte undone and
that ere long: for that undoubtedly
— page 244 —
the Spanyard would be here the next spring wch he
gathered (as was sayd) from some Spanyards in the West Indyes. This being spread
abroade doth much disharten the people ingenerall. ffor wee have no place of
strength to retreate unto, no shipping of certeynty (wch would be to us as the wodden
walles of England) no sound and experienced souldyers to undertake, no Engineers and
arthmen to erect works, few Ordenance, not a serviceable carriadge to mount them on;
not Ammunycon of powlder, shott and leade, to fight and 2. wholl dayes, no not one
gunner belonging to the Plantaccon, so your Honors our soveraignes dignity, your
honors our poore reputacons lives and labors thus long spent lieth too open to a
suddayne, and to an inevitable hazard, if a forroigne enemy oppose against us. Of
this I cannot better doe, to give yow full satisfaccon, then to referr yow to the
judgement and opynion of Capt Argall who hath often spoken and herof during his
goverment, and knoweth (none better) these defects.
About the begynnyng of September J-apazous (the King of Patawamacks brother) came to
James Cyty to the Governor. Amongst other frivoulous messages he requested, that 2.
shipps might be speedyly to Patawamack where they should trade for greate stoore of
corne. Hereupon (according to his desyre) the Governor sent an Englishman with him by
land, and in the begynning of October, Capt Wards ship and Sommer-Iselands frigate
departed James Cyty hether-ward.
Roberte Poole being whole ymployed by the Governor of messages to the greate King,
perswaded Sir George, that if he would send Pledges he would, he would come to visite
him. Our Corne and Tobacco being in great aboundance in our grounds (for a more
plentyfull yere then this, it hath not pleased God to send us since the beginning of
the Plantaccon, yet very contagious for sycknes, whereof many both old and new men
died) the Governor sent two men unto him, who were returned with frivoulous
aunsweres, sayng he never hadd any intent to come unto him. The Governor being
jealous of them (the rather because wee hadd many straggling Plantaccons, much
weakened by the greate mortality, Poole lykewise proving very dishonest) requested
Captaine William Powell and myself (for Opachankano professeth much love to me, and
giveth much credite to my words) to goe in a shallopp unto Pomonkey ryver: wch wee
did. Going up that
— page 245 —
ryver within 5. myles of his house wee sent Capt Spelman and Tho:
Hobson unto him with the Governors message. The shipp and frigate (being not farr out
of their way to Patawamack) went in the night about 12. myles into the river, and wee
hasting upp wth our shallopp, the messengers were with Opaihankano, before or asone
as any newes came to him eyther of the shipps or our arrivall, wch much daunted them
and putt then in greate feare. Their intertayment at first was harshe, (Poole being
even turned heathen) but after their message was delyvered, it was kindly taken, they
sent away lovingly, and Poole accused and Condemned by them, as an instrument that
sought all the meanes he could to breake our league. They seemed also to be very
weary of him. Sh Opachankano much wondered I would not goe to him, but (as I wished
the messengers) they said I was syck of an ague, wherewith they was were satisfied.
Wee hadd no order to bring Poole away, nor to make any shew of discontent to him, for
feare he should perswade them to some myscheif in our corne feilds, hoping to gett him
away by fayre meanes. So wee returned in greate love and amyty to the greate content
of the Colony, wch before lived in dayly hazard, all messages being untruly delyvered
by Poole on both sides.
The Chikahomynies come not at us, but wee receyve no domage by them.
[…]
— page 247 —
Thus ffarr farr as parte of my duty (ever ready at your service) have I breifly made
knowen unto yow, some partyculers of our estate: and withall in conclusion cannot
chose but reveale unto yow the sorrow I conceyve, to heare of the many accusaccons
heaped upon Captaine Argall, with whom my reputaccon hath bene unjustly jointed but I
am perswaded he will aunswere well for himself. Here have also bene divers
deposyccons taken and sent home by the Diana, I will tax no man therein: but when it
shall come to farther triall, I assure yow that yow shall fynd many dishonest and
faithles men to Captaine Argall, who have receyved much kindnes at his hands & to
his face will contradict, and be ashamed of much, wch in his absence they have
intymated against him. Lastly, I speake on my owne experience for these 11. yeres, I
never amongst so few, have seene so many falseharted, envious and malicious people
(yea amongst some who march in the better ranck) nor shall yow ever heare of any the
justest Governor here, who shall live free, from their scandalls and shameles
exclamaccons, if way be given to their reports. And so desyring your kind acceptance
hereof, being unwilling to conceale any thing from yourself (who now, to myne and
many others comforts, standeth at the helme to guide us and bring us to our the Port
of our best happyness, wch of late wee say principally by your goodnes wee now injoy)
eyther wch yow
— page 248 —
may be desirous to understand or wch may further yow for the
advauncement of this Christian Plantaccon I take my leave, and will ever rest
At your service and commaund in all faithfull dutyes
