University of Virginia Library

CCCXL. Virginia Company. Letter to the Governor and Council
in Virginia
May 2, 1623

A Copie of the letter to the Governor and Counsell of Virginia by the
Bony Bess

After or very hartie Comendac̃ons: Wee haue receaved yor letters sent by
the Trueloue and James, whereby we vndrstand through Gods assistance
you haue made a good begining to that iust revenge wch you owe the Authors
of that bloody Massacre: wch we desire you very earnestly wth all diligence
and care to prosecute, according to the advise and instrucc̃ons we haue
formerly given you and that course you haue already begun, vntill you
haue so fully accomplished it as yor security from all danger in that kind
may be fully wrought.

We cannot but be much grieved at the Sicknes and mortality that hath
hapned since the Massacre, wherein although we do acknowledge the
hand of God in chastizing of ors and yor Sines, yet since both now and
formerly it hath as from the naturall causes proceeded in great part through
distempers and disorders in dyet and lodginge; we most especially recomend
vnto yor care the p̢venting and remedieing of those inconveniences,
accordinge to those good and provident courses wch we haue so often
advised and directed you vnto: and in p̱ticuler we cannot but require, wch
we haue so often heretofore vrged the building of Guest-houses in each
Citty and Borough for the enterteinmt of new comers, whereof yor letters
of the last yeare gaue such hope and assurance, in regard of the great
retribution of 1500l wch you signified was to be gathred amongst you, as
we verily expected the p̱formance thereof ere this time; but as we do con-
ceiue and in part excuse the delay thereof through that great misfortune
that befell you, so we now cannot but require so much more dilligence and
care for the speedy p̱formance thereof. And in the meane while we very
earnestly recomend vnto you, the people that come now over in this
Shipp that yor cares & favours begin wth the first enterteining of them at

theire arivall, and extend to the accomodating and settlinge them respec-
tiuely, so as may be to their healthes and security according as in or letters
by the James and Trueloue we gaue you advise.

The carefull and dilligent prosecuc̃on of Staple Comodities wch we promist;
we aboue all thingℯ pray you to p̱forme, so as we may haue speedily the
reall proof and testimonies of yor cares and endeavors therein: especially
in that of Iron, of Vines, and Silke the neglect and delay whereof so long;
as it is of much shame and dishonor to the Plantation so it is to vs here
cause of infinit grief and discontent, especially in regard of his Matℯ iust
resentment therein, that his Royall expectac̃on after so long and patient
forbearance is not yet sattisfied, whereby although we might deservedly
feare a diminution of his Royall grace and loue to the Plantation, wch after
so long a time and so long a supplie by his Matℯ favor haue brought forth
no better fruit then Tobacco, yett by the goodnes of God inclyning his
princely heart, we haue received not only from the Lordℯ of his Privy
Counsell but from his Royall mouth, such assurance, not only of his tender
loue and care, but also of his Royall intentions for the advancement of the
Plantation; that we canot but exeedingly reioyce therein, and p̱swade
you wth much more Comfort and encouragement to go on in the buildinge
vpp of this Royall worke wth all sincerity and dilligence, and that wth that
p̱fect loue and vnion amongst yor selues as may really demonstrate that
yor intentions are all one the advancement of Gods glorie, and the service
of his Royall Matie p̱ticularities of his Matℯ gratious intentions for the
future good, you may in p̱te vndrstand them by the courses appointed by
the Lordℯ, whereof we here inclosed send you the Orders: And we are fur-
ther to signifie vnto you, that the Lordℯ of his Matℯ Privy Counsell, have-
ing by his Matℯ order taken into theire considerations the contract made
last Sommer by the Company haue dissolued the same; and signified that
his Matie out of his gratious and Royall intenc̃on and Princely favor to
the Plantation, hath resolued to graunt a sole Importation of Tobacco to
the two Plantac̃ons, wth an exeption only of 40000 weight of ye best Spanish
Tobacco to be yearely brought in: And it hath also pleased his Matie in
favor of the Plantac̃on to reduce ye Custom and imposic̃on of tobacco to
9d p̱ 1: And last of all we are to signifie vnto you that their Lops haue or-

dered that all the Tobacco shalbe brought in from both the Plantations;
as by theire Lops order, whereof we send you a Copy, you may p̱ceaue.