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TO HIS WORTHILY
affected Friend, Captaine John Smith.
Have given just prayse to thee, and to thy Booke,
Deare friend receive this pledge of my good will,
Whereon, if thou with acceptation looke,
And thinke it worthie, ranke amongst the rest:
Use thy discretion, I have done my best.
2. "Anonymous"; Arber misread this as αγώγνμòς(Smith, Works, 288). In some
copies of the Generall Historie there is a grave accent on the last syllable, and both nu's
look like gamma's, but Arber's word does not exist in Greek.
The Contents of the generall History,
divided into six Books
The first Booke.
THE first voyage to the new World,
by Madock Prince of Wales. The
next by Hanno Prince of Carthage,
and how it was offred King Henry 7.
by Christopher Cullumbus, that
undertooke it for the Spanyards. 1492.
How John Cabot was imployed
by King Henry the 7. and found the
Continent before Cullumbus. Also Sir
Martin Frobisher, and Sir Humphrey
Gilbert ranged towards the North.
And how Captaine Amidas was sent
to discover the coast of Florida by Sir
Walter Raleigh and his associates.
And the Country Wingandacoa was
called Virginia by Queene Elizabeth.
Page 1-4.
Sir Richard Greenvill sent thither
with 108. he left for a plantation. The
discovery of the Rivers Chawonok and
Moratoc. The trechery of their King,
who with eight more were slaine, and
they all returned to England againe
the same yeare with Sir Francis Drake.
pag. 5-9.
The Observations of Master
Heriot. Of their commodities, victuall,
fruits, beasts, fishes, and foules. Their
Religion, and beliefe of God, of the
Creation of the world, and man; the
immortalitie of the soule; the subtiltie
of their Priests; the peoples simplicitie,
and desire of salvation; and other
Accidents. pag. 9-12.
Sir Richard Greenvill sent to
supply them. Not finding them, left
fiftie. Their successe. page 13.
Master White sent to relieve
them, found they were all slaine, yet
left 115. more, and departed.
Returning the second time, he
could not heare of them; his Observations
and Accidents. pag. 14-16.
A discovery by Captaine Gosnoll
of Elizabeths Isles; his Observations,
Relations, and returne. pag. 17. 18.
The voyage of Captaine Pring to
the same Coast.
The discovery of Captaine Waymouth;
his Observations, Relations,
and returne. pag. 18-20.
A Map of the old Virginia, with
the figures of the Salvages.
The second Booke.
Of Virginia now planted,
discovered by Captaine Smith.
THE Latitude, Temperature, and
Capes; a description of Chisapeack
Bay, and seaven navigable
Rivers that fall into it, with their
severall Inhabitants, and diversitie of
Language. pag. 21-25.
Of things growing Naturally, as
woods, fruits, gummes, berries, herbs,
roots; also of beasts, birds, and fishes;
how they divide the yeare, prepare
their ground, plant their corne, and
use it, and other victuall. pag. 25-29.
What commodities may be had
by industry. The description of the
people, their numbers, constitutions,
dispositions, attyre, buildings, lodgings
and gardens, their usage of
Bowes and Arrowes, knives, swords,
targets, and boats: how they spinne,
make fish-hooks, and ginnes, and their
order of hunting. Consultations and
order in Warres. pag. 29-33.
Their musicke, entertainment,
trade, Physicke, Chirurgery and
Charmes. Their Religion, God, burials
ordinary and extraordinary, Temples,
Priests, Ornaments, solemnities, Conjurations,
Altars, sacrifices, black
boyes, and resurrection. pag. 34-36.
The manner of their government,
their Emperor; his attendants, watch,
treasury, wives, successors and authority:
tenure of their lands, and manner
of punishment, with some words
of their Language Englished. pag. 37-
40.
And a Mappe of the Countrey of
Virginia now planted.
1. This is probably a mere notice to the
binder to insert the (Smith/Hole) map of
Virginia after p. 40.
The third Booke.
Of the Accidents and
Proceedings of the English.
THEIR orders of government, Accidents
in going, first landing and
governement setled. pag. 41. 42.
The Salvages assault the Fort,
the ships returne, their names were
left,
the building of James
Towne, the beginning of Trade, two
projects to abandon the Country. pag.
43-46.
Their first attempts upon the
Salvages. Captaine Smith taken prisoner;
their order || of Triumph, and
how he should have beene executed,
was preserved, saved James towne
from being surprised, how they Conjured
him. Powhatan entertained
him, would have slaine him; how
Pocahontas his daughter saved him,
and sent him to James Towne. The
third plot to abandon the Countrey
suppressed. pag. 47-49.
Their first Supply and Accidents.
The Salvages opinion of our God.
Captaine Smith revisits Powhatan;
James Towne burnt; A conceited gold
mine; A needlesse charge; Captaine
Newports returne for England. pag
50-53.
James Towne rebuilt, with a
Church and Store-house; The Salvages
plot to murther all the English;
their insolencies suppressed. Different
opinions among the Councell. p. 53.
Their names landed in this Supply.
p. 54.
The discovery of the Bay of
Chisapeack. Their fight and conference
with the Kuskarawaoks; Ambuscadoes
prevented in the river
Patawomek; A mine like Antimony.
pag. 55-58.
How to deale with the Salvages.
Smith neare killed with a Stingray.
With many other Accidents in the discovery.
A needlesse misery at James
towne redressed. pag. 58-59.
The second Voyage to discover
the Bay. Their Incounter with the
Massawomekes and Tockwhoghs; the
Sasquesahanoughs offer subjection
to the English. The exceeding love of
the Salvage Mosco. Their fight with
the Rapahanocks; their fight with the
Manahokes. The King of Hassaninga's
brother taken prisoner; his relation of
those mountaines; peace concluded
with all those Nations. pag. 59-64.
The discovery of the river Payankatank;
their fight with the Nandsamunds,
and Chisapeacks; their
returne to James town. p. 65.
The Presidency surrendred to
Captaine Smith. The second Supply
by Captaine Newport, many Presents
sent from England to Powhatan, his
scorne, Consultations; factions suppressed;
Captaine Smith visiteth Powhatan;
Pocahontas entertaines him
with a Maske; the Coronation of
Powhatan, and Conditions. pag. 68.
The discovery of the Monacans;
a punishment for swearing; the
Chickahamanians forced to Contribution;
the abuses of the Mariners;
Master Scriveners voyage to Werowocomoco.
pag. 68-70.
Captaine Smiths Relation to
England of the estate of the Colony:
the names of them arrived in this
Supply. pag. 71. 72.
Nandsamund forced to Contribution.
The first Marriage in Virginia.
Apamatuck discovered. pag. 73.
Captaine Smiths journey to
Pamaunkee. The discovery of the
Chawwonocks. Smiths discourse to
Powhatan; His reply and flattery; and
his discourse of Peace and Warre. Powhatans
plot to murther Smith, discovered
by his daughter Pocahontas.
pag. 77.
Their escape at Pamaunkee. The
Dutch-men deceive Captaine Winne,
and arme the Salvages; sixteene
English beset by seven hundred
Salvages, Smith takes their King
Opechankanough prisoner; the Salvages
excuse and reconcilement. p.
77.-80.
Master Scrivener and others
drowned; Master Wiffins desperate
journey to Pamaunkee; Powhatan
constraines his men again to be
trecherous; he is forced to fraught their
Ship; Smith poysoned; the Dutch-mens
trechery. pag. 80-82.
The Dutch-mens plot to murther
Smith. He taketh the King of Paspahegh
prisoner, and others; they
become all subject to the English. pag.
84.
A Salvage smoothered, yet recovered;
three or foure Salvages slaine
in drying stolne
extremity occasioned by ratts; Bread
made of dryed Sturgeon; the punishment
for loyterers; the discovery of
the Mangoags. Captaine Argals first
arrivall; the inconveniences in a
Plantation. p. 84-89.
The government altered; the
arrivall of the third Supply; mutinies;
Nandsamund planted; breach of peace
with the Salvages; Powhatans chiefe
seat bought for Copper; Mutinies.
pag. 90. 91.
Captaine Smith blowne up with
Gun-powder; a bloudy intent; the
causes why he left the Country and his
Commission; his returne for England;
the ends of the Dutch-men. Certaine
Verses of seaven Gentlemen. p 95.
3. "Their names [who] were left"
refers to the list of first planters who remained
in Virginia when the ships sailed
back to England.
The fourth Booke.
With their Proceedings after the
alteration of the Government.
How the mutiners proceeded; the
Salvages revolt; the planting
point Com- || fort. Them at Nandsamund,
Salvages. Captaine Ratliff, with thirtie
slaine by Powhatan. The fruits of
improvidence. The arrivall of Sir
Thomas Gates. James Towne abandoned.
The arrivall of the Lord La
Warre; their actions, and both their
returnes. pag. 105-108.
The government left to Captaine
Percie; and his proceedings. The
arrivall of Sir Thomas Dale, and his
actions. pag. 109-110.
The second arrivall of Sir Thomas
Gates; the building Henerico, and the
Bermudas; how Captaine Argall tooke
Pocahontas prisoner. Dales voyage to
Pamaunkee. The marriage of Pocahontas
to Master Rolfe. Articles of
Peace with the Salvages. p. 110.-114.
The government left to Sir
Thomas Dale. Captaine Argals voyage
to port Royall. Master Hamers to
Powhatan; and their Accidents. pag.
115. 116.
The manner of the Lottery. A
Spanish Shippe in Virginia. Dale
with Pocahontas comes for England.
Captain Yerley left Deputy Governour;
his warres and peace with the
Chickahamanians, and proceedings.
pag. 117-121.
A relation to Queene Anne of the
quality and condition of Pocahontas;
how the Queen entertained her;
Captaine Argall sent governor; the
death of Powhatan; ten English slaine;
Argals accidents and proceedings. The
Lord de la Warre sent againe governour;
his death. A relation of their
present estates. Haile-stones 8. inches
about. pag. 121-125.
Sir George Yerley sent governor;
Waraskoyack planted. A parliament
in Virginia; foure Corporations appointed;
the adventures of Captaine
Ward; the number of ships and men
sent this yeare; gifts given; Patents
granted. pag. 125-127.
A desperate Sea fight by Captaine
Chester with two Spanish men of
warre; the names of the Adventurers.
pag. 128-138.
Notes and observations. A relation
of their estates by Master Stockam.
The arrivall of Sir Francis Wyat with
nine ships. Master Gockings plantation;
and their accidents; the number
of ships and men sent this yeare; gifts
given, Patents granted. p. 139-141.
Master Pories journeyes to Pawtuxunt,
and other places, with his
accidents. pag. 141.-143.
Captaine Each sent to build
Forts and Barks. The cause and
manner of the Massacre; the numbers
slaine; the providence of Captaine
Nuse; Captaine Chroshaw his voyage
to Patowomek. pag. 143-151.
Captaine Smiths offer to the
Company to suppresse the Salvages.
Their answer; the manner of the
Sallery; Chroshaw stayes at Patawomek;
the escape of Waters and his
wife. Captaine Hamar goes to Patawomek;
Chroshaws plot for all their
preservations. Captaine Madison sent
to Patawomek. Captaine Powell kils
three Salvages. Sir George Yerleys
journey to Acomack. The misery of
Captaine Nuse. The kindness of the
King of Patawomek; a vile policy of a
Salvage; Madisons mischiefe unto the
Patawomeks. It was not well don
to make Opechankanough drinke
healths. 300. surpriseth Nandsamund
and Pamaunkee. The opinion of Captaine
Smith how to subject the
Salvages. The arrivall of Captaine
Butler in Virginia, and other Accidents.
pag. 152-161.
The losse of Captaine Spilman
and 26. men. A particular of such
necessaries as are fit for private
persons or families. pag. 161. 162.
A briefe relation by Captaine
Smith to his Majesties Commissioners,
for the reformation of Virginia. The 7
questions the right Worthie Commissioners
demanded, and his answers;
how the King hath pleased to
take it into his consideration. pag.
163-168.
At this present two ships are
going; more a preparing; new Commissions
sent.
A Proclamation, no Tobacco be
used in England, but what shall come
from Virginia, or the Somer Isles;
quere the Proclamation.
1. "Quere the Proclamation" seems to
be a printer's query that was not deleted,
similar to the one in the Proceedings, 41. A
proclamation on tobacco, in fact, was urged
by the House of Commons and the commissioners
for Virginia, but none is known
before that of Sept. 29, 1624, after the
Generall Historie was entered for publication
(July 12) and after the last date mentioned
therein (July 15, on p. 168). Cf. Susan
Myra Kingsbury, ed., The Records of the
Virginia Company of London (Washington,
D.C., 1906-1935), III, 163.
The fift Booke.
A MAPPE of the Somer Isles and
Fortresses.
the Isles, the fruits, fishes, soyle, ayre,
beasts, birds, with the relation of the
shipwrack of Henry May. pag. 169-
173.
The shipwrack of Sir Thomas
Gates, and Sir George Somers; their
accidents, deliverance and arrivall in
Virginia. Somers returne to the Isles;
his death, and Epitaph, the accidents
hapned; three men lived there alone
two yeares. pag. 174-177.
Master More sent to make a
plantation. A peece of Amber Greece
found of 80. pound || weight; much
dissension; Mores industrie in fortifying
and waighing Ordnance out of the
wracks. Their first Supply; a strange
increase of Potatoes. The attempt of 2.
Spanish ships; a great mortality; a
strange being of Ravens; a new
Supply, with their Accidents, and
Moores returne. pag. 177-180.
The rent
of the six governours; awonderfull accident of Hilliard, not
much lesse then a miracle. pag. 181.
182.
The government of Captaine
Tuckar; Assises; the strange adventure
of 5 men in a boat; plants from the
West Indies; the endevours of Captaine
Powell; Assises. The Country
neer devoured with ratts; their strange
confusion. The divisions of the Isles
into Tribes, and Tribes into shares, by
Master Norwood; the names of the
189.
The first Magazin; two exployts
of desperate fugitives. The returne of
Captaine Tuckar. Captaine Kendall
left deputy-governor, and their Accidents.
pag. 189-191.
The government of Captaine
Butler; A platforme burnt, and much
hurt by a Hericano. The refortifying
the Kings Castle. The arrivall of two
Dutch Frigots. The rebuilding the
Mount, and a Tombe for Sir George
Somers. The reformation of their
lawes and officers. Their Assises. A
Parliament. Their acts; their opinion
of the Magazin. The building three
Bridges. The generall Assises; A
strange deliverance of a Spanish
wracke. A strange Sodomy; many
Ordnances got from wracks. Their
estates present. p. 191-199.
Master Barnard sent to be governour;
his arrivall, death, and funerall,
with the proceedings of Master Harrison
his successor, and Captaine Woodhouse
their governor. pag. 200-201.
Certaine Verses of Master Withers,
and other Gentlemen.
2. Again, this seems to be a notice to
the binder to insert the Bermuda engravings
after p. 168. Regarding the name: since the
season was often spelled "sommer" and the
family name of Sir George Somers was often
spelled "Summer[s]," it is not surprising
that the punning continued long after its
first mention by John Chamberlain, in a
letter dated Feb. 12, 1612 (Norman
Egbert McClure, ed., The Letters of John
Chamberlain [Philadelphia, 1939], I, 334). On
comparison with the Broadside, it is evident
that Smith assembled much of his material
after 1623. Nevertheless, the last page and
a half of Bk. V had to be padded with
poetry (again from the Description of N.E.)
so that Bk. VI could begin on a right-hand
page.
3. "Rent" is apparently some sort of
error for "rule." Smith's subtitle (p. 181,
below), "The rule of the six Governors," is
also the subtitle of Lib. III of Nathaniel
Butler's MS "Historye of the Bermudaes or
Summer Islands" (B.L., Sloane MS 750).
See p. 169n, below.
The sixt Booke.
A MAPPE of New England.
Howthis country hath bin accounted
but a miserable Desert. Captain
Smiths first voyage; what peace and
warres he had with the Salvages, and
within 6. moneths returned with 1500
1. worth of commodities; got Prince
Charles to call it New-England. A
Table of the old names and the new.
page. 203-205.
Captaine Hobsons voyage to
Capawuk; the Londoners apprehend
it. The situation: notes for ignorant
undertakers. The description of the
Country. Staple Commodities; present
proofe of the healthfulnesse of the
clime. Observations of the Hollanders
chiefe trade. p. 209.
Examples of the altitude comparatively;
the reasons why to plant it.
An example of the gaines every yeare;
a description of 15. severall Countries
in particular. Of their Kings, rivers,
harbors, Isles, mountains, landmarks,
fruits, woods, birds, fishes, beasts, etc.
and how as well Gentlemen as mecanicks,
may be imployed, and get much
wealth, with the reasons and causes of
the defaylements. p. 206-221.
Captaine Smiths second voyage;
his ship neere foundered in the Sea;
He reimbarketh himselfe; incountreth
the English Pyrats; fought with the
French Pyrates; is betrayed by 4.
French men of warre; how he was
released; his men ran from him with
ship and all; how he lived with the
French men; what fights they had,
what prizes they tooke; the French
mens ingratitude. 13 sayle cast away:
how he escaped, proceeded in France,
returned for England, and punished
them ran from him. pag. 222-227.
The yearely trialls of New-England;
the benefit of fishing, as
Master Dee, and divers report, and
approoved by the Hollanders Records;
how it becomes so well apprehended,
that more then 150. have
gone thither to fish, with an estimate
of their gaines, with many observations
and Accidents. pag. 228-230.
A Plantation in New-England;
their first landing; divers journeys and
accidents; the description of the
harbors, bayes, lakes, and that place
they inhabit, called New-Plimouth;
conference with the Salvages; and
kinde usage of the King of the
Massasoyts; a strange policie of
Tusquantum. pag. 230-234.
The Salvages make warres for
their friendships; the English revenge
their friends injuries. Notes and
observations. They lived two yeares
without Supplyes; the death of Tusquantum;
they contrive to murther
the English; how the English did cure
a King sicke to death; two most
desperate Salvages; the courage of
Captaine Standish; the Salvages sue
for peace, pag. 235-239.
A most remarkable observation
of Gods love. 40 sayle fished there this
yeare; the religion of the Salvages;
the government; an answer to objections;
considerations; the charge; the
order of the Western men. p. 240-242.
The effects of shipping; the Popes
order for the East and West Indies.
How to build a little navy royall, contention
for New-England. The necessitie
of martiall power. p. 243-244.
The charge to set forth a ship of a
100. tuns, both to make a fishing
voyage, and increase the plantation.
The facilitie of the fishing lately observed.
Their present estate at New-Plimouth,
and order of government.
pag. 245-248.
Its not his part that is the best
Translator,
To render word for word to every
Author.
1. Once more, we appear to have a
notice instructing the binder where to insert
the map of New England. It is worth noting
in this book that the Contents parallel the
Broadside only to the year 1616. Although
Smith had much of the material in 1623, it is
obvious that it was not in order in time for
the Broadside.
1. This seemingly irrelevant couplet is
the first of a series of epigrammatic illustrations
that Smith borrowed from Bishop
Martin Fotherby, Atheomastix; clearing foure
truthes, against atheists and infidels ... (London,
1622), a folio volume of nearly 400
pages. These do not adhere strictly to
Fotherby's original, but the alterations are
minor. For a full discussion, see Philip L.
Barbour, "Captain John Smith and the
Bishop of Sarum," Huntington Library Quarterly,
XXVI (1962-1963), 11-29. Here the
borrowing is from Atheomastix, sig. B6r,
from Horace, De Arte Poetica. It is not one
of those specifically analyzed in the study in
question.
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