University of Virginia Library

CCLXXVI. Alderman Robert Johnson. Declaration of the
Prosperous State of the Colony
Early in 1623 (?)

Alderman Johnsons Declaratione of the Prosperous estate of the Colony
Duringe Sr. Thomas Smiths tyme of Gouerment.

Notwithstandinge many disasterous accidentℯ yt enterprizes of this nature,
especyally in the infancy therof are subiect vnto, yt pleased god soe to
blesse the labors and endevers, that were ymployed for the begiñge and
Progress of this Plantatione, that in the first twelve yeers, duringe all wch
tyme Sr Thomas Smith was Treasurer and Gouernor of the Compeny,
wth the Expence of 70000li or there aboutes, brought in for the most p̱te
by voluntary Adventurors, beeinge agreate many of them his neere freendes
and allyants, and for his sake Joyninge them selves in that Busines, and
wth the losse of a very fewe of his maties Subiectℯ (those alsoe beinge People
for the most p̱te of the meanest Ranke, A large and very spacyous p̱te
of the Country was fully discouered, The Coastes, havens, Portes, Creekℯ,
and rivers therof p̱fectly knowne, most Comodyous places of Strength and
Conveniency of habitatione selected and made Choyse of, Those places
p̱tely recovered or procured from the Salvages, and p̱tly by infinite labor
beinge generally overspred wth wood, cleared enclosed and Culltivated,
many howses, barnes, and fortes builte, Churches, Bridges, and Store-
howses, and all other publique and necessary workes erected, nott lesse as
we Compute, then one Thowsande Englysh people, when Sr Thomas
Smith left ye Gourment, were there inhabitinge wth plenty of Corne, Cattle,
swyne, Poultrie and other good p̳rovisiones to feede and norsyshe them,
A competent number of able and suffycient ministers to instruct them,
worthie and expert Comanders, Capts and officers to direct them and gou-
erne them, store of armes powder and munitione to defende them, divers
staple Comodities (besides Tobacco) fownd out for the p̢sente to encorage.
and in p̳cess of time to enrich them, Barkes Pynnaces Shallops Barges

and boates built in the Country the better to accomodate and secure them,
The natives of the Country in soe awfull a aleancye and amytie wth them,
that many of those heathens voluntariely yeelded them selves subiectℯ
and servantℯ to our gratious Soueraigne and priding themselues in that
title, did togeather wth moste of the rest pay a yeerly Contributione of
corne for Sustentatione of the Colony, and were kept in such good respect
and Corespondency, that they becam mutually healpfull and p̳fitable
each to other, To this growth of p̱fectione was the estate of that Planta-
tione advanced even in the first twelve yeeres, ye affayers therof beinge
wth much vnanimytie, moderatione, inegratie and iudgment princypally
directed by Sr Thomas Smith and the accomptℯ of the moneys receaved
and disbursed, Awdited vppon oath by men of credit and reputation,
wthowt all exceptione.

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