CCCXIV. Statements of Seamen as to Conditions in Virginia[101]
Between April and June, 1623
Manchester Papers, No. 349
Document in Public Record Office, London
List of Records No. 441
From the Attestation of diuers sufficient and vnderstanding sea men
Symon Blow mas-
ters mate
Generally The landing is verrye badd bothe for men and goods.
It is reported by the same persons that they haue seene goods so landed
from the Abigall this Voyage right Against the companies store howses,
and the gouernors howse, Armours, swords, musquets, truncks and such
like goods, lye a fortnight together vncared for, euerie tide beeing over-
flowed with water and the trunks readie to bee swallowed.
Likewise Iron bars and sowes of Ledd, and milstones and Grinstones and
Iron furnaces, lye right against the same places sunk and couerd with
sand, the water dayly overflowing them.
and they likewise report that the ould planters for the most part wish the
gouernment had remained in the same state it was in Sr Thomas Dale
his time and Sr Samuell Argolls time, in which time the Indians All the
Bow men of those that bordered vpon the English payed a tribute of
Corne and those gouernors so husbanded that busness that the Indians
were forced to borrow corne for seed of the English and to repay it at
theyr haruest with graat aduantidge
[In the margin]
the treasurer hath generally a badd report for his hard dealings with the
planters. The companie hath a maga[zi]n out of which they do furnish
such as are in need of prouision, but do ma[k]e them pay vnmercifully
for what they bargaine for, as for example, A gallon of Aquauitie of 2s
or * * *[109]
vid more, 6 pound of tobacco hath bin payd for it at
* * *[110]
the pound.
This voyage som passengers out of the Abigall haue died in the streets,
at James towne, and so litle cared for that they haue lien vntill the hogs
haue eaten theyr Corps, and in generall litle care of ought but extortinge
vpon the people.
[Indorsed:] Concerning the state of Virgin.
