University of Virginia Library

XCIV. John Rolfe. A Letter to Sir Edwin Sandys
January 1619/20

Document in Magdalene College, Cambridge. Autograph Letter, Signed, with Seals
List of Records No. 154

Honored Sr

Studieng wth my self what service I might doe yow, as a token of my
gratefull rememberance for yor many favors and constant love shewed
me, aswell in my absence as when I was p̢sent wth yow I could not at
this tyme devise a better, then to giue yow notice of some p̱ticulers
both of or p̢sent estate, and what happened since the departure of the
Diana. And though I am well assured, yow wilbe satisfied herein more
fully by or Governor, yet I desire yor kind acceptance of this my poore
indeavor.

Presently after the Diana hadd her dispatch Sr George Yeardley (according
to a Com̃yssion directed vnto him and to the Councell of State,) caused
Burgesses to be chosen in all placℯ who mett at James City, where all
matters therein conteyned were debated by severall Com̃yttees and
approved: and lykewise such other lawes enacted, as were held expedient
& requisite for the wellfare and peaceable govermt of this Com̃on-weale.
Captaine Martines Burgesses for his Plantac̃on were not admytted to
this Assembly, the reasons I am assured yow shall receive from or Governor,
who sendeth home a report of all those p̳ceedingℯ.

These principall men being at James Citie, Capten William Epps (who
commandeth Smythes Hundred Company) was arraigned (as neere as
might be) according to the lawdable Lawes of England, for killing one
Captaine Edward Roecroft aɫs Stallenge. He came hether from the North
Colony in a shipp of Sr fferdinando Gorges (as he sayd) for some necessaries
wch he wanted; and to coast along the shoare to fynd and discover what
Harbors and riu9s he could: but through neglect of the Mr of the shipp
and others she was forced a ground in a storme neere Newports Newes,
and there sprang so greate a leake, that he could not carry her back
againe. This myschance happened through vncivill and vnmanly wordℯ
vrged by Stallenge (there being no p̢cedent malice) wth wch Captaine
Epps being much moved did strike him on the heade wth a sword §in the§
skabberd a such an vnfortunate blowe, that wthin 2. daies he died. The
Jury (whereof Capt Lawne was foreman a discreete and vnderstanding
man) hearing the Evidence, found him guilty of Manslaughter by Chaunce
meddley. The Governor fynding him (though young) yet a p̳per civill
gent, and of good hopes, not long after restored him to his Command.

Captaine Henry Spelman being accused by Rob̴te Poole (one of the inter-
pretors of the Indian language) of many crimes wch might be p̢iudiciall to
the State in generall, and to every mans safety in p̱ticular, receiued
Censure at this generall Assembly. But the Governor hoping he might
redeeme his faultℯ being §p̳ceeding§ much of Childishe ignorance, p̱doned
the pūnishmt [1b] vpon hope of amendmt. In triall whereof he was ym-
ploied as interpretor to Patawamack to trade for Corne.

Captaine Ward in his shipp went to Monahigon in the No: Colony in
May, and returned the latter end of July, wth fishe wch he caught there.
He [He] brought but a smale quantitie, by reason he hadd but little salte.
There were some Plymouth shipps where he harbored, who made greate
store of fishe, wch is farr larger then New-land-fishe.

The George was sent by the Cape Marchant (wth the Governors consent)
to New-found-land to trade and buy fishe for the better releif of the
Colony and to make triall of that passage. One other reason (as I take it)
was, for that the Magazin was well stoored wth goodℯ, it was some what
doubtfull, wheth9 a shipp would be sent to carry home the cropp so sone
as the George might vpon her returne back. She departed hence about
the 9th of July, and arriued here againe about the 10: of Septembr. She

made her passage to Newfound-land in less then 3. weekes, and was at
the banck amongst the french fishermen in 14. daies. She came back
hether againe in 3. weekℯ, wth bare wyndℯ, and brought so much fishe as
will make a saving voyadge, wch, besidℯ the greate releif, giveth much
content to the wholl Colony.

the Sturgeon shipp and the Triall departed hence togeth9 about the fiue
of July. Mr Pountys hath taken greate paines in fishing, and toward
Michellmas (the weather being somewhat temperate) made some good
sturgeon. He hopeth by the spring to be better fitted, wth Cellars and
houses, and to do some good therein.

The Cattle in the Triall came exceeding well, and gaue the Colony much
ioy and greate incouragemt. Both they horses and Mares wilbe very
vendible here a long tyme, the Colony increasing wth people as of late.

About the latter end of August, a Dutch man of Warr of the burden of a
160 tun̄es arriued at Point-Comfort, the Comandors name Capt Jope, his
Pilott for the West Indies one Mr Marmaduke an Englishman. They mett
wth the Trẽr in the West Indyes, and determyned to hold consort shipp
hetherward, but in their passage lost one the other. He brought not any
thing but 20. and odd Negroes, wch the Governor and Cape Marchant
bought for victuallℯ (whereof he was in greate need as he p̢tended) at the
best and easyest ratℯ they could. He hadd a lardge and ample Com̃yssion
from his Excellency to range and to take purchase in the West Indyes.

Three or 4. daies after the Trẽr arriued. At his arriuall he sent word
prsently to the Gou9nor to know his pleasure, who wrote to him, and did
request myself Leiftenante Peace and Mr Ewens to goe downe to him, to
desyre [2a] him to come vp to James Cytie. But before we gott downe
he hadd sett saile and was gone out of the Bay. The occasion hereof hap-
pened by the vnfrendly dealing of the Inh̴itantℯ of Keqnoughton, for he
was in greate want of victuallℯ, wherewth they would not releive him nor
his Company vpon any termes. he reported (whilst he staied at Keq-
noughton) that if wee gott not some Ord'nance planted at Point Comfort,
the Colony would be quyte vndone and that ere long: for that vndoubtedly

the Spanyard would be here the next §spring§ wch he gathered (as was
sayd) from some Spanyardℯ in ye West Indyes. This being spread abroade
doth much disharten the people ingenerall. ffor wee haue no place of
strength to retreate vnto, no shipping of c9teynty (wch would be to vs as
the wodden walles of England) no sound and experienced souldyers to
vndertake, no Engineers and arthmen to erect workℯ, few Ordenance, not
a serviceable carriadge to mount them on; not Am̄unyc̃on of powlder,
shott and leade, to fight and 2. wholl dayes, no not one gunner belonging
to the Plantac̃on, so yor Honors or soveraignes dignity, yor honors or poore
reputac̃ons §lives§ and labors thus long spent lieth too open to a suddayne,
and to an inevitable hazard, if a forroigne enemy oppose against §vs§. Of
this I cannot better doe, to giue yow full satisfacc̃on, then to referr yow to
the iudgemt and opynion of Capt Argall who hath often spoken and herof
during his govermt, and knoweth (none better) these defectℯ.

About the begynnyng of Septembr J-apazous (the King of Patawamackℯ
brother) cames to James Cyty to the Governor. Amongst other frivoulous
messagℯ he requested, that 2. shipps might be speedyly to Patawamack
where they should trade for greate stoore of corne. Herevpon (according
to his desyre) the Governor sent an Englishman wth him by land, and in
the begynning of October, Capt Wardℯ shipp and Som̃er-Iselandℯ frigate
departed James Cyty hether-ward.

Rob̴te Poole being wholly ymployed by the Governor of messagℯ to the
greate King, p̱swaded Sr George, that if he would send Pledgℯ he would, he
would come to visite him. Or Corne and Tobacco being in greate aboun-
dance in or groundℯ (for a more plentyfull yere then this, it hath not pleased
God to send vs since the beginning of this Plantac̃on, yet very contagious
for sycknes, whereof many [2b] both old and new men died) the Governor
sent two men vnto him, who were returned wth frivoulous aunsweres,
sayng he never hadd any intent to come vnto him. The Gou9nor being
iealous of them (the rath9 because wee hadd many straggling Plantac̃ons,
much weakened by the greate mortality, Poole lykewise proving very
dishonest) requested Captaine William Powell and myself (for Opachan-
kano p̳fesseth much love to me, and giueth much credite to my wordℯ) to
goe in a shallopp unto Pomonkey ryver: wch wee did. Going vp that

ryver wthin 5. myles of his house wee sent Capt Spelman and Tho: Hobson
vnto him wth the Governors message. The shipp and frigate (being not
farr out of their way to Patawamack) went in the night about 12. myles
into the riu9, and wee hasting vpp wth or shallopp, the messengers were
wth Opaihankano, before or asone as any newes came to him eyther of
the shipps or or arriuall, wch much daunted them and putt them in greate
feare. Their intertaymt at the first was harshe, (Poole being even turned
heathen) but after their message was delyuered, it was kindly taken, they
sent away lovingly, and Poole accused and Condemned by them, as an
instrumt that sought all the meanes he could to breake or league. They
seemed also to be very weary of him. Sh Opachankano much wondered
I would not goe to him, but (as I wished the messengers) they said I was
syck of an ague, wherewth they was were satisfied. Wee hadd no order
to bring Poole away, nor to make any shew of discontent to him, for feare
he should p̱swade them to some myscheif in or corne feildℯ, hoping to gett
him away by fayre meanes. So wee returned in greate love and amyty to
the greate content of the Colony, wch before liued in dayly hazard, all
messagℯ being vntruly delyu9ed by Poole on both sidℯ.

The Chikahomynies come not at vs, but wee receyue no domage by them.

The Governor hath bounded the lymyttℯ of the 4. Cerporac̃ons the Com-
panies, the Governors, the Vniversity and Glebe landℯ according to the
Com̄yssion.

[3a] All the Ancient Planters being sett free haue chosen placℯ for their
dividendℯ according to the Com̃yssion. Wch giueth all greate content,
for now knowing their owne landℯ, they strive and are prpared to build
houses §&§ to cleere their groundℯ ready to plant, wch giveth the * * *
greate incouragemt, and the greatest hope to make the Colony florrish
that ever yet happened to them.

Vpon the 4. of November the Bona Noua arriued at James Cyty. All
the passengers came lusty and in good health. They came by the west
Indyes, wch passage at that season doth much refreshe the people.

The proporcon9 of Victuallℯ brought for those 100. men fell so short, that
Captaine Welden and Mr Whitakerℯ were forced (notwthstanding or
plenty) to putt out 50. or thereaboutℯ for a yere, by the Governors and
Councellℯ advise. ffor whom they are to receyue the next yere, 3. barrellℯ
of corne and 55ll͠ of tobacco for a man; wch their sicknes considered (for
seldom any escapeth little or much) is more then they of themselues could
eu9 gett. By this meanes the next yere, they wilbe instructed to p̳ceed
in their owne busynes and be well instructed to teache new-com̄ers. Wth
the remaynder (being about 25. a peece, the one is seated wth one Capt
Mathewes 3. myles beyond Henrico for his owne securytie, and to his
greate content. And Mr Whithakers wthin 4. myles of James Cyty on
the Companies land.

Vpon Saterday the 20th of November at night Mr Ormerod died at James
Cytie, after a long and tedious sicknes, the cheif occasion the flux, wch of
late hath much raigned amongst vs. His death is generally much lamented,
the Colony receyving hereby a greate loss, being a man of so good life,
learnyng & carriadge as his fellow here he left not behing him.

One Mr Darmer a gent sent out by the Plymouth Company arriued here
about the end of September in a smale bottome of 7. or 8. tun̄es, he hadd
coasted from Monah[ucon] to or Plantac̃on, and found an Inland sea to
the No: of vs, the depth whereof he could not search for want of meanes,
and wynter com̄yng on. He is fitting his smale vessell, and purposeth
this spring to make a new tryall.

Capt Lawne at his arriuall seated himself in Wareskoyack Bay wth his
Company, but by his owne sycknes and his peoples (wherein there was
improvidency) he quytted his Plantac̃on, went vpp to Charles Cyty,
and about Novembr died. So his p̳iect is lykely (vnles better followed
and well seconded) to come to nothing.

Smythes Hundred people are seated [are seated] at Dauncing Point, the
most convenyent place wthin their lymittℯ. There hath bene much
sycknes amongst them: so yt this yere no matter of gaine or of greate
industry can be expected from them.

Martynes Hundred men seated at Argall Towne wth good & convenyent
houses haue done best of all New-Com̄ers. Many who were industrious
having reaped good cropps, but most not of equall spiritt and industrious
haue less, yet exceeded other New-Com̄ers. Many of these haue also
died by sycknes, but not comparab comparable to other placℯ.

About the latter e begynning of Decembr Capt Ward wth his shipp and the
frigate came from Patawamack. Japasons hadd dealt falsely wth them,
for they could gett little trade, so that they brought not aboue 800 bushellℯ,
the most p̱te whereof they tooke by force from Jupasons Country who
deceyued them, and a smale quantyty they traded for. But in conclusion
being very peaceable wth all the oth9 Indyans, at their departure they
also made a firme peace againe wth Japazons.

At this tyme also came Captaine Woodiff in a smale shipp of Bristow, who
brought his people very well, and made his passage in tenn weekℯ.

Thus ffarr farr as p̱te of my duty (ever ready at yor service) haue I breifly
made knowen vnto yow, some p̱tyculers of or estate: and wthall in con-
clusion cannot chose but reveale vnto yow the sorrow I conceyve, to heare
of the many accusac̃ons heaped vpon Captaine Argall, wth whom my
reputac̃on hath bene vniustly joynted [4a] but I am p̱swaded he will
aunswere well for himself. Here haue also bene divers deposyc̃ons taken
and sent home by the Diana, I will tax no man therein: but when it shall
come to farther triall, I assure yow that yow shall fynd many dishonest
and faithles men to Captaine Argall, who haue receyued much kindnes at
his handℯ & to his face will contradict, and be ashamed of much, wch in
his absence they haue intymated against him. Lastly, I speake on my
owne experience for these 11. yeres, I neuer amongst so few, haue seene
so many falseharted, envious and malicious people (yea amongst some
who march in the better ranck) nor shall yow ever §heare§ of any the
iustest Governor here, who shall liue free, from their scandallℯ and
shameles exclamac̃ons, if way be given to their reportℯ. And so desyring
yor kind acceptance hereof, being vnwilling to conceale any thing from
yorself (who now, to myne and many others comfortℯ, standeth at the
helme to guide vs and bring vs to or the Port of or best happynes, wch of
late wee say principally by yor goodnes wee now inioy) eyther wch yow

may be desyrous to vnderstand or wch may further yow for the advauncemt
of this Christian Plantac̃on I take my leave, and will ever rest

[Indorsed by Sir Edwin Sandys:] Mr John Rolfe from Virginia Jan: 1619.

By the George.

• Narration of the Late p'cedings in Virginia.
• Cape Cod-fish larger then that of Nue-found-land
• The fishing voiage of the George.
• The Treasurors return: Extreme feare of the Spaniards: Want of all
  things.
• Ships sent to the K. of Patowamach.
• Voiage to Opuchankeno. Pooles villanie.
• † The 4. Burrough & publique land set out.
• Φ Joy and good successe of dividing ye Lands.
• Φ The Voiage of the Bona nova. Vide C. Weldons seate. Vide Death
  & praise of Mr Ormerod.
• Mr Damer of Plimmouths discoveries.
• Captain Ward's Voiage for Corn.
• In favor of C. Argal. That people ill-conditioned

To Sr Edwin Sandys.

[Addressed by self:] To the Honored and my much respected frend Sr
Edwyn Sandys Kt, Treasorer for the Virginia Company these.