University of Virginia Library

CXC. Virginia Council and Company. Letter to Governor and
Council in Virginia
September 11, 1621

A Copie of the Counsellℯ letter. To the Gournor and Counsell of Virginia
Sent by the Warwicke

September 11th 1621

After or very hartie Comendac̃ons: you shall now by this Shipp the
Warwicke and the Pinace that cometh along wth her receiue those supplies
that we formerly in or letters by the George and Marmaduke promised;
the setting forth of wch hath beene of so exceedinge troble and labor vnto
vs, being but a very few on whom so great a burthen hath lien, as we haue
not been able to intend any thinge else: wherefore in that regard, as also
that the noble Earle of Southampton, is not yet returned to London nor
those eminent p̱sons, wthout whose Councell, and authoritie we thinke it
not fitt to proceed to resoluc̃on in so waightie bussinesses: or letters and
dispatches by the Bona Nova, and the Margrett & John must yett remaine
vnanswered; but by the Dutie wch about the Midle of the next month is
to depart, wee hope you shall receiue full sattisfacc̃on; wch Shipp shall
bring wth her store of Silke worme seed and abundance of vine plantℯ, for
both wch we desire not only that generall p̱perac̃ons be made, but that
timely notice, and order be given throughout the whole Colony that every
p̱ticuler man may make provision for the arrivinge of some quantitie of
them both; and that a straight charge be given for the preseruing of vines
and Mulbery Trees, wch we vndrstand are wth others promiscuously de-
frayed: and because the skill of handling them, is only derived from the
ffrench men, we canot but here recomend them to yor fauor and
regard, that they may be kindly vsed and cherished: we haue as
by the Invoice youe shall perceiue sent them and the Duch-men
(the delay of whose most necessarie workes is wth much indigna-
tion here resented) dius provisions of victuallℯ, as also a Cloth to
make them apparrell; for hose and shooes and other such matters
we desire they may be supplied by the Companies stock there,

out of the Magazine wch comes now along in the Warwicke large and
abundante in all vsefull and necessarie Comodities: for as for vanities
and sup̱fluities, although we find they yeeld most profitt in Virginia; yet
we haue thought it most vnfitt to norish by such supplies that evill humor
of prid[e] and ryott wch we wish were vtterly extirpated: and this or care
therein hath had an eie rather to the benefitt of the plantation then the
profitt of the Adventurors; wch shall not we hope proue preiudiciall, but
rather breed a willingnes and desire in the whole Collony to make vs
a speedy and profitable returne of the stock now sent (& not as hitherto
evill and disgracefull wordℯ for or zeale of theire welfare, and nothing att
all or at least lesse then the principall laide out) for theire relief and
comfort: for youe shall vndrstand, that (not only of the ould Magazine
wch was about 7000 pound, we cannot hope to see much aboue half and
hitherto to haue not received any one peny) but even the new Magazine
sent last yeare by mr Blany is returned backe wth losse of the principall
it self, after almost two years time and so many hassardℯ born and yett to
beare; a thinge so vnkindly and distastfully taken here, as if the accomptℯ
had been sooner knowne we much fear thet supplies now sent had beene
farr short of what they now are: But that we may not now againe incurr
the like vnworthie damages; we desire you by whose wisdome and integ-
ritie, wee expect a generall redresse, to be by all lawfull and iust fauors
aidinge and asistinge to the bussines it selfe; and to or factor mr Blany,
that both his p̱son and the goodℯ may be safely & conveniently provided
for and accomodated; and that the sellinge and bartering of them be left
free to his discretion, and accordinge to the prices and instrucc̃ons he
hath here given vnto him by the Adventurers, whose vnanimious resotuc̃on
and charg is not to accept of tobacco at 3s p̱ pound; findinge besides all
former losses that neare 40 thousand waight sent home last yeare for the
generall Company and Magazine, the better half hath not yeelded xviijd
p̱ pound, and the rest not aboue ijs to wch prices there is no possibilitie that
they should ariue this next yeare: so that there must be an abatement of
the price of tobacco there; neither can we yield (wch is by some planters
propounded) but by the whole Company, not only the Adventurers of
the Magazine denied to continue the ould rate of 3s per pound, and to ad
vallew as much in the goodℯ sent hence, as the tobacco is esteemed lesse
worth then that rate for although for matters of profitt, it might go currant
much alike; yet thereby we should manteine [19a] the Collony in theire
overweening esteeme of theire darlinge Tobacco, to the ourthrow of all other
Staple Comodities, and likewise continue the evill will they haue conceived
there, and the scandalous reportℯ here spread of oppression, and exacc̃ons
from the Company, selling all theire Comodities for three tymes the vallew
of what they cost, vppon wch fond and vniust surmises they thinke itt
lawfull to vse all maner of deceipt and falshood in theire tobacco, that
they put of the Magazin wch is the next thing wherein we desire yor
care and favor, being assured from or factor in Holland yt exept the
tobacco that shall next come thence, proue to be of more p̱fecc̃on and good-
nesse then that was come home last, there is no hope that it will vent
att all, for albeit itt passed once yett the wary buyer will not be againe
taken, so that we heartily wish that youe would make some provision
for the burninge of all base and rotten stuff, and not to suffer any, but
very good, to be cured, at least sent home whereby certainly there would
be more advanced in the price then losse in the quantity: howsoever we
hope that no bad nor ill condic̃oned Tobacco shalbe by compelling author-
itie (abusing it power given for publique good to private benefitt) putt
vppon or factor: and very earnestly desire that he may haue the helpe
of iustice to constreine men to pay theire debtℯ vnto him, both remaining
of the last yeares accompt, and what shall this yeare grow dew, and that in
Comodities of the same vallew and goodnes as shalbe by him contracted
for. The ingrossinge of some of the principall Comodities in the last
Magazine is here much distasted, as a wrong to the stocke, to be deprived
of theire best Comodities at a low rate: but principally to the whole
Collony who were thereby made to pay dearer, and forced to take other
Comodities that they needed not: These disorders we point at and are
so long and earnest in this bussines of the Magazine, not out of the private
interest wch some of vs haue therein, but out of a true and sincere care
and zeale of the generall good of yt Plantac̃on, wch we are asured will
receiue notable advancement by a good and speedy returne for that will
much help, if it come to the fitt Markett of this stock now adventured, the
good p̱ceed whereof will encourage and confirme the good mindℯ of the
ould Adventurers, by many losses almost beaten out, and draw in many
men into the Company, and wch most of all p̱happℯ concerneth the Collony,
establish a constant and larg trade wth them, whereby not only all theire
wantℯ, but even theire desires, wilbe at all times plentifully furnished: but
on the contrary if this succeed like the former, it is in vaine eur to hope
for like suplies from hence: for want whereof if the Collony fall vppon
any calamitie or miserie, theires be the shame and guilt whose fault it is;
as for vs, it wilbe our comfortℯ neither to haue failed in abundance of
charitie hitherto, nor in timely advise and warningℯ now given.

By this Shipp and Pinace called the Tyger, we also send as many maidℯ
& yong weomen as will make vpp the number of fiftie, wth those twelue
formerly sent in the Marmaduk; wch we hope shalbe received wth the same
Christian pietie and charitie as they are sent from hence; the providinge
for them at theire first landing, and disposinge of them in Mariage (wch is
or cheife intent) we leaue to yor care & wisdome to take that order as may
most conduce to theire good, and sattisfacc̃on of the Adventurors for the
charges disbursed in settinge them forth, wch coming to twelue pounds &
vpwards they require one hundreth and fiftie of the best leafe tobacco
for each of them; and if any of them dye there must be a proportionable
addition vppon the rest; this increase of thirty poundℯ weight, since those
sent in the Marmaduke, they haue resolued to make finding the great
shrinkage and other losses vppon the tobacco from Virginia will not beare
lesse; wch tobacco as it shalbe received, we desire may be deliuered to mr
Ed: Blany who is to keepe thereof a p̱ticuler accompt. We haue vsed
extraordinary dilligence and care in the choise of them and haue received
none of whom we haue not had good testimony of theire honest life and
cariadge, wch together wth theire names we send here inclosed for the
sattisfacc̃on of such as shall Marry them; for whose further encoradgement
we desire youe to giue publique notice that the next spring we purpose to
send over as many youths for apprentices to those that shall now Marry
any of them and make vs due sattisfacc̃on: this and theire owne good
desertℯ together wth yor favors and cares will we hope marry them all vnto
honest and sufficient men, whose names will reach to p̱sent repayment:
but if any of them shall vnwarily or fondly bestow her self (for the libertie
of Mariadge we dare not infrindg) vppon such as shall not be able to giue
p̢sent sattisfacc̃on; we desire that at least as soone as abillity shalbe they
be compelled to pay the true quantitie of tobacco proporconed, and that
this debt may haue p̱cedence of all others to be recovered: for the rest
wch we hope will not be many, we desire yor best furtherance for providing
them fitting services, till they may hapne vppon good matches; and are
here perswaded by many old Planters that there wilbe maisters enow found

there who will readily lay down what charge shalbe required, vppon
assurance of repayment at theire mariadges wch as iust and [20] reasonable
we desire may be given them. But this and many other thingℯ in
this bussines we must referr to yor good considerations and faithfull
endevors, hopeinge a worke begun here out of pittie and tending so much
to the benefitt of the Plantation shall not miscarry for any want of good
will or care on yor partℯ.

The Society of Martins hundred whose designes by many misfortunes as
well here as in Virginia haue beene hitherto checked, do now againe go
forward cherefully; sendinge a supplie of people largly furnished with all
necessarie provisions; the succouringe, and cherishinge of them and theire
proceedingℯ, we in effectuall manr recomend vnto you, desiringe youe to
be by all possible favors aidinge and asistinge vnto them: and in p̱ticuler if
the Inhabitantℯ of Wolster-Holmes Towne, theire old tenantℯ shall vn-
kindly refuse to enterteine for a while these new Comers in theire howses,
we desire that by yor Comand they may be billited amongst them, and
they compelled to so charitable and bounden a dutie; as likewise if they
shall vse any aversnes or remissnes in the deliury of such cattle as by the
Adventurers is here ordered, we desire you by your authoritie to make the
devision, and not to p̱mitt the people now sent to suffer any preiudice at
all for the want of them: The Comand and oursight of these people they
haue comitted to mr Richard Keane now resident in Virginia.

The Company is by diurs waies informed that there is great want of
worthie Ministers in Virginia wherefore they haue enterteined, and now
send along, mr Thomas White a man of good sufficiencie for learning, and
recomended for integritie & vprightnes of life and of so good zeale to the
Plantac̃on, that he is content to go wth that smale allowance the Com-
panies stock is able now to aford him, and to put himself vppon such pre-
ferrment there, as he shall deserue, and you shall be able to accomodat
him wth, wch if it be of the places belonging to the Company, we haue
promised him here an addicc̃on to the smale allowance he hath now re-
ceived: and likewise that yor godly care and wisdomes will provide for
him in some competent maner, till he may be furnished wth the full number
of tenantℯ belonging to the Ministrie; wch for him and all others shall we
hope in the begininge of the Spring be accomplished: If he find enter-
teinment from any private hundred; then we shall expect from them the

restitution of or charges, that is six poundℯ for his passage and eight poundℯ
deliured him towardℯ the making of some provisions. as for bookes we
doubt not but you wilbe able to supplie him out of the lybraries of so
many that haue died.

There are two ffrench youths now sent to Capt Tho: Nuce part of those
Ten promised him the next Springe; this anticipation although in a very
difficult time for want of mony, we haue yeelded vnto, vppon Sr John
Davers his motion, that Capt Nuce might be so much pleasured. Wee
send likewise one Miles Prickett to be employed in the Companies service
and especially in making of Salt wch we are informed he heretofore prack-
tised in Virginia, he is to serue till Allhollantide in the yeare 1622 wthout
any reward at all, wch is here before hand paid him by his passage and
apparrell given him.

The releases of diurs p̱sons here graunted we pray you to make good the
Condic̃ons seurally specified, as also to giue yor best furtherance for the
accomplishment of all such bussines as by p̱ticuler letters or pettic̃ons
vndrwritten are recomended vnto youe, from the Counsell and Company,
whose last and ioynt request is in the behalf of Capt Guy and the Maister
of the Warwick, that vppon the good p̱formance of theire vioadg as well
kindly vsinge and cherishinge the Passengers, as safely deliuringe all
theire goodℯ, they may be dispatched from Virginia; and what theire
necessities shall require may speedily and curteously be supplied; and if
you send any goodℯ home in this Shipp or any other we pray youe to take
bond for the deliury of the same; and giue them order to stay at the Ile
of Wight or the Downes wthout breakinge bulke, till they receiue direcc̃on
from hence at what Port they shall vnlade at. And so wishinge a happy
begininge and prosperous success in all yor waightie affaires, we at p̱sent
betake yor and the whole Colony vndr yor charge to the blessing of God
Almightie; and rest

London the 11th September 1621