University of Virginia Library

CCLXI. Virginia Company. A Letter to the Governor and the
Council in Virginia
October 7, 1622

After or very hartie Comendac̃ons. Wee had not thought to haue written
vnto you till wee had beene invited by yor letters vnto vs: but the neces-
sitie of some thingℯ to be p̱formed by you hath made vs thinke it necessarie
to remember them in an extraordinarie maner, and to reinforce the
Instruccons and charge of the Counsell, by the advise and desires of vs
ye Company.

The late calamities that haue befalne, do much grieue but no whit daunt
vs, for wee see no daunger but rather advantage to be made thereby, nor
any further daunger, except it be in yor feares, wch would nowe be as vicious
as yor former securitie, and as much betray you to destruccon: for vs you
may see the encrease of or hopes and courage in the largnes of supplies
now sent by private men, since the publique is not able; vnto the con-
tinuance whereof we see such a disposition in mens mindℯ, as we cannot
but thinke, that the sheeding of this blood wilbe the Seed of the Planta-
tion, for the addic̃on of price, hath much endeared the purchase.

And now to all the rest, we conceaue it a Sinne against the dead, to
abandon the enterprize, till we haue fully settled the possession, for wch
so many of or Brethren haue lost theire lives: this is the first thing due
from vs and you; and the next, wch will likewise much further the other,
is a sharp revenge vppon the bloody miscreantℯ, even to the measure that
they intended against vs, the rooting them out for being longer a people
vppon the face of the Earth. for the effecting whereof, as you haue already
receaved advise from the Counsell (wch we desire you in all pointℯ to follow)
so you shall now receave a gratious supplie from his most exellent Matie
of Armes and weapons fitt and prop̱ for such service: the disposing of
them to p̱sons and places we leaue to yor iudgmentℯ, but only for vse;
the proprietie must remaine to the generall Collony, as the begining of a
Publique Armorie, and a perpetuall testimony of his Matℯ royall bountie

and favor: from wch wee hope very speedily to obtaine the meanes of
restoring the Publique, rewarding the good desertℯ of all, especially whose
worths shalbe shewed in these prsent difficulties, and fully to furnish the
number of Tenntℯ, wch in yors the Governor, and other officers places,
we vndrstand are wanting, not only to or griefe, but wonder. But both
for the future and that wch is past, rest assured we shall provide and make
sattisfacc̃on and had ear this donn in a very advantagable maner vnto
you, insteed of Tenntℯ sendinge you servantℯ, had not yor last letters dis-
claymed them, wthout such supply of Corne and victuall, as was impossible
for vs to provide, through or povertie, and itℯ high price: wherfore the
hundred youths, wch wth 500li we had procured from the Cittie, wee were
constreined to giue vnto the Sum̄er Ileandℯ Company to theire benefitt
and or damage, and all through want of Corne: The abundant planting
and provision whereof, haueing been for these last foure yeares so continu-
ally vrged from vs, and yett as constantly neglected and and contemned,
giues iust cause to doubt, (and the more through the two strang propo-
sisions, wch we heare of late haue beene made, of Ingrossinge all and
leavinge all:) that there hath been in some (in whom it ought least to
haue been) an intent to hinder the encrease of the Plantation further
then it might be theire owne gaine and greatnesse: a horrible Cryme, and
treason even against God himself, to whom this great work in or intentℯ
is principally consecrated; and yett such courses force vs allmost to such
suspic̄on: Neither shall we belieue otherwise of you Sr Francis Wyatt and
the rest, in whom we yett haue great confidence, exept the Collony and
Plantation be from henceforth, by yor courage, cares, and endeavors kept
and mantained, and every principall part thereof where formerly it was,
and that in abundance of grayne and victuall; wch since the Savadges
enmitie could not hinder in the Collonies weakest infancie, we cannot
thinke it can now do, when the strength thereof is almost ten times
doubled, exept we should thinke you lesse then they were: but we on the
contrary haue such confidence in yor vallors and wisdome, that we hope
to vndrstand as suddaine an end of this warr, as it had an vnexpected
begininge, beinge p̱swaded theire owne terrors will driue them away,
exept yors retaine them.

As for Enemies of equall condic̄on in Armes and vndrstanding, and more
mightier in power then yor selues, we know none, and in God feare none;

yett we thinke it yor dutie to stand alwaies vppon yor guard, and prepared
for defence as much as you may, the rest God will supplie if you serue him.
Abundance of Munition, wch yor selues must take care that both the
Publique and Private, be allwaies well stored, wch the exercising and
training vpp of the people in Martiall Discipline, and carefull preservation
of theire Armes, wherein there must needℯ haue been vnanswerable
neglect: if there be that want, yor letters imply, are thingℯ obvious that
we need not further touch: To those we desire you to take into yor con-
sideration the continuall mantainance of good Shipping in the River;
wch might easely be effected, if by raysinge of any Staple Comodities,
they might haue some part of fraight homewardℯ a little would suffice,
such is the danger and povertie of [26] all Marchauntℯ employmentℯ, that
the certainty of verie smale gaine, would invite Shipping in abundance, of
all times in the yeare to transport people for Virginia, wch would not only
serue by the accomodatinge of every mans occacons to further great
numbers: but also by a necessary engagement of those to whom the
Shipping belongℯ, cause many large Addventures to be made and much
people to be sent that otherwise would never go. We pray you seriously
therefore to endeavor it, and to take into yor consideration what depend-
ance good thingℯ haue one vpon another and how a right and orderly
proceeding bringℯ all enterprises to p̱feccon, seeing the following of Staple
Comodities doth not only tend to the conveniences of well living there,
and to the riches of them that raise them, but bringeth along wth it not
only the encrease of ye Plantation but also the defence and security thereof;
every Shipp being a Bullwark: and because by the same meanes, they that
meane you, harme can only offend you, we thought it necessarie aboue all
thingℯ, to secure the River from suddaine Invasion by Shipping: To wch
purpose haveing fruitlesly attempted, allthough by the meanes of very
noble Parsonages, who were best able to effect itt, what hath in the name
of the Collony beene so often and importunatly requested, the sending of
Enginers, we haue gladly embraced the offer of Capt Each, concerning the
erecting of a Block house about Blunt Point, wherevnto we weare p̱swaded
and entreated by the advise and desires of almost all that knowe that
Cuntrie, aswell Planters, as Seamen, as a thing very feazable & of great
benefitt. wherevppon although the alteration of mens myndℯ vppon the
first newes of the late Callamitie, and much more yor grievous appre-
hension of itt, brought it into consultation whether it were not impossible
to make those preparations and provision, that on or partℯ weare requisite
thereto, yett we resolved to go on wth or former deliberation, and haue
(though wth extreame difficultie and hazard) by Gods blessing effected
whatsoever we intended. Now that you on yor partℯ faile not to p̱forme
and accomplish the thing it self, we desire, entreat and even adiure you;
for yor owne sakes, for ors, for yor safty, for yor reputation, and for the
sattisfac̃on of all good myndℯ, who are in a longing expectation thereof:
If the difficulties proue greater then are here conceived, in the wrestling
wth them wilbe the tryall of yor courages and in the over coming of them,
the encrease of yor honors. If the worke proue not of that consequence
as is prtended yet it wilbe alwaies more worth then the labor and cost,
that is thereto required, and ye remonstrance of yor willingnes to p̱forme
what you can to yor owne safety, will effectually moue and produce (wee
doubt not) the means to p̱forme fully what you desire: to speake plainly
we shall never belieue nor dare to attempt any thing of great engagement
and hazard, till by reall example of some extraordinarie worke by you
effected, we may haue proofe of the sinceritie of yor intenc̃ons & assurance
not to be deluded and frustrated, as we haue hitherto beene in so great
and chargeable vndrtakingℯ. Performe in this, and you cannot further
require, what we will not vndrtake for you in this kind; if this of it selfe
proue not sufficient, wch we well hope:

The Adventurers of Martins Hundred, haue very worthily made offer,
and ordered their officers that the fifte parte of theire hundred be from
time to time employed in this work till it may be p̱fected: Southampton
Hundred haue followed the example, and generally all privat Adventures
of vs that haue people in Virginia, very willingly agree to the like proporc̃on:
this tax wee haue here made, not to giue you thereby authority (wch needed
not) but to giue a good example to the rest of the Collony, by taking more
of the burthen then proporc̃onable can be due vnto vs, chearfully to sup-
ply the rest of that shalbe needfull. This disposition of myndℯ, we assure
orselues you shall find, if not, you must make it, and compell them to theire
owne good, that will not otherwyse vndrstand it, but we hope there shalbe
no such occac̃on given, considering the merveilous forwardnes of the
Colony in this kind by many letters expressed: the remembrance whereof
bringℯ to mynd the noble offer made by Sr George Yeardley, worthie

the place he bore, to whom we must acknowledge the honor of this propo-
sic̃ons first moveing, and accordingly doubt not but in the furtherance of
ye execuc̃on of it, he will deserve both yor, and or thankℯ in an especiall
maner. The Shipp and Mariners imployment as you find in the Charter-
partie is to be discharged by a fraight of 800li and that to be raysed by
the lading aboard of 64000 waight of Tobacco at 3d p̱li att wch rate
besides the generall Companyes, it is agreed and ordered by the severall
societies, and the Adventures of Southampton hundred, the old Maga-
zine, and last yeares Joynt stock and that now sent, both consigned to
mr Ed: Blany, the Glasse, the ffurrs, the Maydℯ, the Shipwrights that their
Tobacco shalbe laden aboard and sent home in the Abigaile, and if it
shalbe thought necessarie by the officers and factor, to send home any of
it before, that then there shalbe lefte in the handℯ of mr George Sandys
the Treasuror, the fifteenth pound of Tobacco (and more if that will not
sattisfie) towardℯ the makeing vpp of the 800li wch is to be paid the Shipp,
and for other necessarie vses of the Colony: vnto the same condic̃ons do
all private Adventurers [26a] likewise agree, condic̃onally you hold equall
the same course vppon all the Tobacco through the Land; wch wee hold
very equall and indeed necessarie to be don, if you cannot find better
meanes for the discharge of such payment, as the Company hath covenñted
to Capt Each, wch being plainly expressed in the Charterparty sent you,
we shall not need to repeat, but only to desire yor especiall care, so to
order and dispose thingℯ, as we be not dishonored nor endamaged any
way, nor any thing lefte to vs here to pay: and likewise for sattisfacc̃on
and payment of the materiallℯ now sent for the erecting of the forte, wch
haue alwaies been promised by the Colony to be sattisfied and repaid, and
now so much the more stricktly to be observed because they be adventuer
of diurs private men, who for the furtherance of this work, seeing the
Companies inabilitie haue made provision of the thingℯ and consigned
them to mr Blany, wth order not to dispose of any of them, till the fforte
be served: this theire good myndℯ deserue yor especiall care, that they
may be reimbursed of this charge.

And now we come to the returning of yor Magazine and Adventures now
and formerly sent, wch we are extreamly solicitous, not so much for or owne
Interesses (although they be great) as for yors, wch be farr more: for vs

wee hope God will otherwise repay, if you do not, but for you, wee cannot
conceaue, but that as you iustly deserue, you wilbe cleane leafte & aban-
doned from any supplies hereafter; and what danger that may be, yor
prsent necessities speake, wch because they were not last yeare foreseene,
no regard was had of returning any thing nor beɫiefe; to the protestation,
wch at or request §desire§ the Counsell in theire letters by the Warwick
made, wch we cannot but remember to or griefe, though to or iustification:
lett the smart of sence now teach, what on the creditt of or wordℯ you would
not learne, that yor gaines to yor damage by thus gaining tyme, and that
the returning of or Stockℯ home so much empaired, how eare it be pleasant
vnto you for a while, will in the end be more bitter vnto you then vs:
speedy and full returnes must be made, else it is impossible for vs to pro-
ceed on, not so much for or vnwillingnes, as or inabilities, or Adventures
are greater, then we can now beare, much lesse increase. This scant
supplie wch is now sent had been impossible to haue been raised, if either
the necessitie that required it, or the pawne that you offer had been lesse;
the preservation of the whole Colony, and the Revenues of the whole;
or if the securitie had been worse then the faith of you the Governor,
Treasuror, and Counsell, or the dilligence and importunity of them that
labored it here, lesse then indefatigable, and such as would receiue no
nay, you had wanted even all, that you shall now God willing receaue.
Wee send you the Rolle to Subscription to giue you evidence hereof. The
multitude of Adventures, and maner of bringing in mony to all good
vndrstanding demonstratℯ, that thingℯ are at the bottome, exept the
currant be againe restored from Virginia. Wee haue no more in this
point to add, but that as we see it, the restles labor of those that here
beare office, by procuring Adventures to supplie ye Colony so wee thinke
it should be yors, to provide that by profitable returnes, they may be
enabled and encouraged to continue it. The Companies great pouertie,
and many debtℯ keepℯ vs infinitly perplexed, and the more because there
are dayly inevitable occac̃ons of expence & no ground or hope of Revenues
exept from Virginia: we therefore most earnestly intreat you, seriously to
endeavor the improvinge of the Companies Revenues there; and in
p̱ticular that the debtℯ due vppon the 50 youths sent in the Dutie, and
others, may be wthout faile recovered and sent home this yeare: wherein
we especially require the care and dilligence of mr George Sandys whose
charge it is; and haue acordingly ordered that there should be p̱ticuler
Instrucc̃ons given by the Auditors and Bookeeper in this point to wch we
referr.

Wee thinke it very fitt that you send home by the Abigaile 60000 waight
of Sassafras, in regard she is to bring it fraight free, what shalbe made
thereof assure yorselues, shall according to or promise be returned in
Armes, and Munition, or otherwise expended in fortificac̃on, as yorselues
shall desire: But we pray you in no sort to rely vppon that for the pay-
ment of Capt Each in any part, much lesse in whole, in regard the price
is so base, and the glutt so great, that it will not sell but at very long time,
and that for very litle.

There haue been many Petic̃ons putt vp vnto vs of greevances, for wrongℯ
by vniust factors and p̱tners in Virginia, and of claymes to landℯ, and
goodℯ, by the late death of frendℯ: all wch together wth or desires vndr
them: we haue ordered to be sent you, and very earnestly request you, to
see that iustice be fully and speedily p̱formed, and an accompt of all yor
proceedingℯ endorsed vppon the backℯ of the Petic̃ons wth all conveniencie
returned; that by the relief of the oppressed and helpinge of the poore
and needy, you may gaine favor both wth God and men.

The Adventurers of Martins hundred, haue now sett forth a verie charge-
able supply of people [27] for the reposessing of theire Plantation: the
thing is very pretious to vs, that vndrstand the seasonablenes of it, and
see what an advantage of reputation the whole bussines of the Plantation
hath receaved by theire good example of courage and constancie, wch is
more remarkable by the abundance of difficulties they haue overpast: we
canot but herein acknowledge a singular obligation of orselues, and all
that loue the Plantation, vnto them; wch if you do we desire you to expresse
it, by the furthering and assisting theire people and affaires, wth all the
favor and help, that you possibly may. And as this great body, so likewise
we think it or duty to recommend vnto you, all the p̱ticuler Planters that
now come over; desiring you that the abundance of yor loves and cares,
may be to the setling and disposing of them, as much as may be to theire
content; but certainly to theire safety and welfare.

These are the thingℯ that we haue thought good to remember thus vnto
you, and for discharge of or duty to require at yor handℯ: The manteyning
of the Plantation by yor courage, and the providing for the plenty of it
by yor industrie, by yor wisdome, and by this prsent worke of the fforte to
secure yorselues from enemies, and from the famine and nakednes by a
iust retribution of profitt to yor frendℯ: that you be carefull of the publique
Revenues, wthout wch yor private cannot long flourish; and that you do
iustice and right, as you desire to receaue it; that wth loue and care you
entertaine them that come vnto you wth expectac̃on thereof: and now
lastly that you cary vpright and sinceare myndℯ, and go on forward wth
constancie in good, and patience in evill: So shall no doubt Godℯ blessing
be vppon you to the prosperity of all yor enterprises, and the rewarding
of yor desertℯ. Given in a great and generall Court held for Virginia the
7th of October 1622. And ordered to be signed by the Deputy and
wittnessed by the Secretary in the name of the Company.

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