University of Virginia Library

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226

LXXXVI. Council in Virginia. "The putting out of the Tenantℯ
that came ouer in the B. N. wth other orders of the
Councell"
November 11, 1619

By the gouernor & Counsell:

As Concerninge the Company of a hundred new men sent hither in the
Bona Noua to become Tennantℯ vpon the Companies land and the Col-
ledge land fifty vnder the Comand of Captaine weldinge and thother
fifty to be Comanded by Lieutennant whiteaker because ther provision
of victualles beinge but 544 bushellℯ of English meale at ye moderatte
allowance of two poundℯ of meale a day to a man would not last them
above 5 Monthes and 14 dayes, and for asmuch as wee find by experience,
that were abundaunce of new men are planted in one body they doe
overthrowe themselues either by Contagion of sicknes or by the mother
and Cause thereof, ill example of Idlenes, moreouer because diuers of
those new men Cominge heither in tyme of winter might miscarry by
lyinge in the woodℯ before such time as Conveniente howses Could be
erected for the harbouringe of them all, and lastly seeinge that most of
these new men beinge put forth into the service of old planters, might
not onely be prsently howsed and prouided of necesaries but be trayned
vp also in all the vsuall workes of the Country, and be well Seasoned for
the pubiqve service against another yeare.

It was thought expedient by the gouernor and Counsell to aduise the said
two gentlemen to rent out the greatest part of ther people to some honest
and sufficent men of the Colonie tell Cristmas Come twelue month for
iij barrellℯ of Indian Corne and 55ɫ waight of tobacco a man wch might
abundantlie serve them for victuallℯ and Apparrell for the yeare next
ensuinge the expirac̃on of ther time when as they should returne to the
publique busines and be able to instructe other new Commers as they
themselues had bine instructed:

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If any of them should Chaunce to dye in the meane time the renters are
to pay proportionably for their life time yf any doe fall sicke the renters
are to stand to the hazard and at the terme of their service a steward is
to be apoynted to be appointed to receiue ther Annuity:

Lieftenant Bartlett is to take to ferme till Cristmas Come twelue month
eleuen of the Companyes men the remayner of fifteene that Came wth
Capt Lawne in the marygold to Apparell and arme them and att the end
of that terme to alowe 55ɫ wayght of tobacco and three barrellℯ of Corne
to each man:

Question beinge mad of the danger of his seate beinge far from any other
Englishe Plantacõn in the bottom of the bay Warrestogack he said he
was Confident to make the place good against the Indians beinge a necke
land and defended by his howse especially seeinge Lieftennant Basse
and Ensigne washer are to ioyne with hime who together with his Com-
panies will make vp a party of thirtye men:

He is to haue lent hime the Crope newe reaped of the ground beinge 34
barrellℯ of eares and to repaye yt the next Crop.

yt is thought most Convenient to seat Captaine weldinge with his remayin-
der at Harrowatox in Consortship with Captaine Mathewes, both for his
ease in buildinge ther beinge two howes allready builte to his hand and
for his securitye against Indians tell he haue better strenthe and meanes
to seatt vpon the Colledge land for wch purpose he went to the same place
wth Captaine Mathewes on Tewesday Night Nouemb 15: 1619:

Lieftenant whitakers Nouember 16th went wth his remainder to seat
himselfe vpon the Companies land some fower milles from James Citty
westward towardℯ the mouthe of the Chickahominie riuer:

The Inhabitantℯ of Kequohtan the boundℯ of the Com̄on Lande not-
wthstandinge are permitted to Continew vpon the seates wher they now
are till they haue out of the same seates mad them selues sufficient recom-
pense for buildinge the howses and Clearinge the land grounde. and are
to Choose ther divident alonge the banke of the great riuer betweene
Kequohtan and Newportℯ Newes:

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228

Att the same Consultation Nouembr 11th the gouernor demanded the
opinion of the Counsell concerninge a p̳iect revealed vnto him by Neue-
mettanan an Indian Comonly Called by the name of Englishe Jacke wth
the fethers at Charles hundredth ye 25th of october: as from the parte of
Opachancamo who by the mouthe of the same Indian reqvired from the
governor some 8 or tenn Engleshe wth ther Armes to assiste hime in battell
against a people dwelinge about a daies Jornye beyond the ffallℯ Called
Massituppamohtnock to bee revenged of hime for murtheringe c9taine
woemen of his Contrary to ye law of Nations, offeringe to furneshe our
people wth Indyan shooes to march and to Carry thire Armor for them
tell they should haue occatyon to vse yt as lickwise to share all the booty
of male and female Children: of Corne and other thingℯ and to devide the
Conqvered land into two eqvall partℯ betweene vs and them:

This p̳iect those of the Councell embraced because they found the warre
to be lawfull and well grounded the ayd reqvired to be verye small and
not of Consequence enough for Opachancano to put any trecherous dis-
aster vpon, this ye onely way to obliege Opachancano who ever since Sr
george yeardlies §cominge§ in hath stood aloofe vpon termes of dout and
Jealousy and would not be drawne to any treaty at all notwthstanding
all the Arte and endeauor the gouernor could vse, the Children taken in
ther warre might in time serue as well for priuatt vses of p̱itular p̱sons as
to furnishe ye intended Collidge this beinge a fayer opp̱tunitye for the
Aduancment of this blessed worke seinge those Indians are in noe sort
willinge to sell or by fayer meanes to part wth their Children, lastly this
Cworse at least for ye p̢sent might wine amity and Confidence from
Jtoyatin the great Kinge from Opachancano his brother and lickwisse from
their subiectℯ of these thre riuerℯ of Ronoake Powsatan and Pamunky:

By the Gouernor and Counsell at James Citty Nouembr 12th 1619:

Wheras accordinge to a law enacted in the generall Assembly fower Tasters
were to be Chosen for settinge Downe the prices of tobacco: It is thought
fitt by the gouenore and Counsell that these fower vizt Ensigne wm̃
Spencer: John Boys gentt John Jefferson gent and John Tooke Mrℯ mate
of the george should be appointed for that purpose, who for discharge of
the same duty tooke this Oath ffollowinge:

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You shall at all times accordinge to your taste and accordinge to your
Judgment and Conscience make report of the true value and price of
Tobacco whether at three Shillingℯ or eyghten pence or vnder, soe helpe
you god &c.:

This day the Gouernor and Counsell found out a Convenient seat for
Lieftennante Whitaker vpon the Companyes landℯ:

[Indorsed by Nicholas Ferrar:] The putting out of the Tenantℯ that
came ouer in the B. N. wth other orders of the Councell. 1619.

[Marginal notes by Nicholas Ferrar.]