University of Virginia Library

CCCIII. George Sandys. Letter to Sir Miles Sandys
March 30, 1623[58]

Sr

It is a Curtisie that addℯ not a litle to those manie wch I haue received
from you, that you vouchsafe to remember the so farre distant. A hope-
full begynneing we had in this Countrie, yet seconded with all the Calami-
ties wherwith God vseth to scourge a disobedient people, as murder,
dead by diseases, and scarcitie almost vnto famyne. Yet the first had
been a reformac̃on, had wee beene suffred to haue made the true vse of
it. for the English throughout this wild Countrye, planted dispersedlie in
small familyes, far from Neighbours, as Covetous of large pos̄sions (larger
then 100 tymes their Nomber were able to Cultivate) and to lyue like
Libertines out of the eye of the Magistrate, not able to secure them-
selues, nor to been releiued by others, vpon anie occasion, insomuch as if

they had had anie knowledge of the purpose of the Indians, the most part
Could not possiblie haue preuented their treacheries: but must either
haue beene beseiged in their houses (and Consequentlie famished) or Cut
of as they followed their labours. Vpon this occasion wee drew the
remainder Close together, whereby they might haue beene the better
gou9ned, and haue added to their lyues both Comfort and securitie presentlie
wee should haue begunne to fortifie Townes, to haue built framed houses,
to haue planted hortyardℯ and gardens to haue inclosed ground for or
Cattle, and set vpon more reall Comodities, by wch the Collony in short
time would haue growne strong, beautiful, pleasant rich and reputable
But such is the disposic̃on of those who glorie in their wisedomes, that they
will rather Justifie and proceed in their Errors then to suffer a supposed dis-
grace by reformeing them; So that wee are Comaunded to suffer eu9ie man
to retourne to his [2] divident, though in some stronger fashion and haue
our discrec̃ons and Courages Censured for doeing that wch they should
have begunne with, Who cleare themselues by the wronginge of others;
obiecting vnto vs their Instructions, whereof manie are infeasible and the
most Inconvenient, for to say the truth they knowe nothing of Virginia, nor
will beleiue anie thing from vs that is not answereable to their former Con-
cepc̃ons. But if eu9 they will doe anie good they must admit of our In-
formac̃ons, and suffer ther Instrucc̃ons, for the most part, to bee rather
advices then Commaundℯ. Extreame hath beene the mortalitie of this
yeare, wch I am afraid hath dobled the Nomber of those wch were
massacred; yet with our small and sicklie forces we haue discomforted
the Indians, round about vs, burnt their houses, gathered their Corne
and slaine not a few; though they are as swift as Roebuckℯ and not
to bee destroyed but by surprize or famine they now beginne to desire a
peace, and after the restituc̃on of their Prisoners, for whose sakes wee
seeme to bee inclineable thereunto and will trie if wee can make them
as secure as wee were, that wee may followe their example in destroying them
Although in particuler I haue not suffred much by the Indians, yet haue
I lost by sicknes 23 men of my small Nomber to the greate diminuc̃on of
my meanes, and impaire of my last yeares profit, and had I not hired in
good time the sixth part of a ship (wch Cost me aboue 140ɫi for my share)
I and the rest of my men had harld hardlie [3] escaped the perishing by
famyne. ffor all theis disasters I have sent home as much as will pay that
Sum; discharge 100ɫ wch I owe vnto them who haue my Cropp in their
pos̄sion, with 50 more wch my Cozen Myles standℯ bound for, and to
furnish me with necessityes in some poore sorte, for the yeare ensewinge,
I onelie p̢sume of yor fauour, in that I cannot possiblie th at this time in
regard of my great losses and unexpected vnexpences doe otherwise, to
deferre the payment of that 100ɫ (wch is all that I owe in the world) wch
you stand ingaged with me, vntill Christmas next, wch wilbee in Charge
to you in regard of the Annuitie, wch out of yor bountie you were pleased
to giue me; at wch time whether I liue or die it shalbee discharged. Well
may I put in die, for there is few of vs that haue not knockt this yeare at
the gates of death. but by the mercie of God I am now in perfect health,
as is the Gou9nour and his ladie (though after much sicknes) who recomend
ther seruices vnto you. Concerning Thomas Marson I haue neither seene
nor heard of him since he delivered me yor letter whether he be returned
for England, or dead, or gone to some remoued Plantac̃on I knowe not, but
if he be here he shall find me readie to giue him the §my§ best helpe in all
his occasions, and that yor recomendac̃on is to me a Comaund. Much
afflicted I am for the decaie of Sr Thomas Josseline and more for the ill
vsage of his old freindℯ. how eu9 I know you so noble that you will not
add sorrowe to afficc̃on nor forbeare it to Comfortt him in his miserie.
Remember I pray you my service and best wishes to those that are with
you, not forgetting my loue to Mr Franklinge whom I could wish here
with vs I rest