University of Virginia Library

CCII. Council of the Virginia Company. A Letter to the
Governor and Council in Virginia
November 26, 1621

Nouember 26th 1621.

After or verie hartie Comendac̃ons: Our last vnto you were by ye Warwick
and Tyger, wch departed hence about the midle of September wth a Maga-
zine of 2000li vndr the handℯ of mr Blany, and about fiftie Maidℯ: wch
we hope are long ere this safely arived wth you, we were then so ample in
or advices, concerning the ordering of those supplies, as we shall not need
at p̱sent to enlarge any thing concerning them, further then wth all earnest-
nes to desire yor serious cares and vttermost endevors for the accomplish-
inge of thingℯ in such maner, as they were then recomended vnto you;
wch will not only be here of vs and the Company very gratefully accepted
as a pledge from yor selues and the Collony, of that mutuall good-will
and respect wch or affecc̃onate loue and zealous care of theire welfare doth
deserue; but vndoubtedlie produce many great matters, highly to the
benefitt and advancement of the Plantation: for what may you not expect
that a iust and faire p̱formance of thingℯ will bring to passe, when the
expectation only and confidence thereof haue done so much, and caused
so many kindℯ of Adventures, one whereof, and one of the principall is,
the trade of Furrs now by the Discouerie to be attempted, and we hope
by gods blessinge shalbe happelie effected, if yor serious cares and endevors
be bestowed therevppon: wch although we nothing doubt of in a matter
of so great honor, and excedinge profit to the Collony as this is like to
be, and wherevnto we haue so often and earnestly been by them invited:
yett we canot but againe and againe desire you to giue all favor and assist-
ance therevnto, and that in all earnest and effectual maner.

The hope of Silkeworme seed whereof we are yett disapointed, hath kept
the Shipp longer then we meant, and later then p̱happℯ were fitt for the
two vioadges she is to be employed: that neither of them therefore may
miscarrie, we pray youe to take order, that she may wth all expedic̃on

proceed on her ffurr vioadge, and not to suffer any time to be lost, either
by default of the Marriners (if they should be negligent) or for want of
such supplies as they are to receiue from you. the Aduenturors of South-
ampton hundred (who out of a noble disposition to forward the bussines,
haue wth great charg undrtooke it thus in theire Shipp) haue very abun-
dantly provided her wth all thingℯ necessarie; yet if there be any thing
whereby shee may be strengthned or accomodated, we desire you to furnish
her therewth: and in p̱ticuler that you lett them haue the brasse peeces
wch were sent in the Charles.

If likewise the Shippℯ Company shall seeme to weake we desire you to
make supplie out of the Collony, of such men as are most fitt, and in
especiall that you putt in two or three skilfull in the languages and maners
of the Indians, and expert in those places, wherein the trade is to be,
that may serue for guides and Interpreters.

The Adventurers had purposed to haue sent some quantities of beanes
and pease for trade but the Shippℯ hould (the ordinarie calamitie of Vir-
ginia vioadges) proues to scant, and they haue beene further informed
that those graines are not so acceptable as the Virginia Mase: wherefore
we desire you to furnish them wth such quantities of maze as they shall
need as likewise wth whatsoeur else may be to the furtherance of the
acc̃on: In wch what soever p̱sons or goodℯ shalbe employed, the Adventurers
are willinge, that a due sattisfac̃ion may be made them thereone.

They haue desired vs to send you both the Invoyces of theire goodℯ, and
the Coppie of the Instrucc̃ons wch they haue given vnto Capt Jones;
whereby you may p̱ceiue how much they relie vppon yor Counsell and
assistance, wch as well for theire owne sakes (that so much deserues) and
also for ors (that so earnestly intreat you) we assure them will not be
wanting: And especially we intreat you Sr Francis Wyatt as Governor,
and Sr George Yeardley, and mr Pountis, whose experience in the
cuntrie, and interest in the bussines are greatest, to be most particularly
carefull and solicitous thereof, that thingℯ may be so contrived wth iudge-
ment and ordered wth wisdome, as not only the present vioadg may proue
succesfull; but a future trade be established: wee desire you to esteeme
it, as indeed it is, though vndrtaken by private men, yett a very generall

and publique bussines, so we conceiue it, and in that regard, haue thought
good to com̄end it vnto you in this letter: Of other matters the Bona
Nova and Hopewell will certifie you. And so wth humble prayers to God
Almightie, to protect and guide you in all your affaires, we rest