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A PREFACE
of foure Poynts.
This plaine History humbly sheweth the truth; that our most
royall King James hath place and opportunitie to inlarge his ancient
Dominions without wronging any; (which is a condition most agreeable
to his most just and pious resolutions:) and the Prince his
Highness may see where to plant new Colonies. The gaining
Provinces addeth to the Kings Crown: but the reducing Heathen
people to civilitie and true Religion, bringeth honour to the King of
Heaven. If his Princely wisedome and powerfull hand, renowned
through the world for admirable government, please but to set these
new Estates into order; their composure will be singular:
of divers is confused; the generall Stocke is consumed; nothing but
the touch of the Kings sacred hand can erect a Monarchy.
Most noble Lords and worthy Gentlemen,
it is your Honorsthat have imployed great paines and large expence in laying the
foundation of this State, wherein much hath beene buried under
ground, yet some thing hath sprung up, and given you a taste of your
adventures. Let no difficulties alter your noble intentions. The action
is an honour to your Country: and the issue may well reimburse you
your summes expended. Our practices have hitherto beene but
assayes, and are still to be amended. Let your bountie supply the
necessities of weake beginnings, and your excellent judgements
rectifie the proceedings; the returne cannot choose in the end but
bring you good Commodities, and good contentments, by your
advancing shipping and fishing so usefull unto our Nation.
Yee valiant and generous spirits, personall possessors of these
new-found Territories, banish from among you Cowardise, covetousnes,
jealousies, and idlenes, enemies to the raising your honours and
fortunes; vertue, industry, and amitie, will make you good and great,
and your merits live to ensuing Ages. You that in contempt of
necessities, hazard your lives and estates, imploying your studies and
labours in these faire endevours, live and prosper as I desire my
soule should prosper.
For my selfe let emulation and envie cease, I ever intended my
actions should be upright: now my care hath beene that my Relations
should give every man they concerne, their due.
discovered and lived in the most of those parts, I could not possibly
have collected the substantiall truth from such a number of variable
Relations, that would have made a Volume at least of a thousand
sheets. Though the beginning may seeme harsh in regard of the
Antiquities, brevitie, and names; a pleasanter Discourse ensues. The
stile of a Souldier is not eloquent, but honest and justifiable; so I
desire all my friends and well-wishers to excuse and accept it, and if
any be so noble as to respect it, he that brought New England to light,
though long since brought in obscuritie, he is againe to be found a
true servant to all good designes.
So I ever rest yours to command,
John Smith
1. This may be interpreted to mean that the affairs of the colonies will be "composed
(or settled)" under a single head and that only the king can correct the confusion resulting
from the discord in the Virginia Council and the dissipation of the company's resources.
2. Smith was apparently addressing whatever governing body Virginia and Bermuda
might have in the uncertain days of 1623-1624, be it the commission or a new group similar
to the old council.
3. A hint that fishing and commerce would be more certain sources of profit than
visionary searches for mineral wealth.
1. George Percy was one who thought that Smith failed here (see the Biographical
Directory; and Philip L. Barbour, "The Honorable George Percy, Premier Chronicler
of the First Virginia Voyage," Early American Literature, VI [1971], 7-17).
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