University of Virginia Library

CCCLXXXVII. Virginia Company. A Letter to the Governor and
Council in Virginia
August 6, 1623

After or very hartie Comendations

Our last vnto you were by the Bonny Bess, by wch Shipp also the Lordℯ of
his Matℯ most Honobl Privy Counsell writt vnto you, both wch we hope you
haue long ere this received; yet of or owne letters we heare inclosed send
you the Copies: Touching the Comission we haue nothing to writt the
proceedingℯ therein not haueing yet come to any conclusion that we know
of, wherefore as til then we must be silent, so we hartely pray you in the
meane time not to be moved wth any vncertain or partiall rumors wch yo

shall heare, but to go on wth vnity, courage and constancie, in that great
worke comitted vnto you; to the advancement whereof (we doubt not but)
this Comission will in the end much conduce, according to the Royall
intention of his Matie declared in the Instituc̃on thereof; vppon wch we
are confident and so desire that you rest, being assured (wch by many
admirable examples we haue found) that as this enterprise of the Plan-
tac̃on, hath beene cheefly in or intenc̃ons, so it is in the acceptac̃on of God,
a work especially destined for his honor and service, and therefore shall in
the end prosper and come to p̱fecc̃on; In the hope whereof and the testi-
mony of or owne consciences, to haue wth all sincerity of intenc̃on and
indeavors p̱formed the vttermost of or abilities, we are much comforted
amidℯ those sorows wth wch we are deeply touched, vppon consideration of
the mortallity scarcitie & discomfortablenes, wch we vndrstand to be
amongst you; for the first, and last, we can giue no other helpe then or
humblest prayers to the devine Matie, nor other Counsell, then that wth
true repentance and p̱fect amendment of life, you labor to apease the wrath
of God, that burneth so fiercely: But for relief of the scarscity and great
wantℯ wch by some private mens letters, sent home in the Abigall, was
expressed to be in the highest degree of extremity: as soone as we had
notice thereof from the Lordℯ of the Privy Counsell, although we were
verie confident that err the supply could ariue from hence, you would be
abundantly stored by a plentifull harvest, yet for the declaration of or
tendr care and zeale for you, whereof not only the Lordℯ, but his Matie him-
self (as we from them vndrstood) was in his Princely mind much solicitous;
we procured an vndrwriteing of 7001 to be sent in Meal by way of a Maga-
zine; as for all other Comodities we found by the vndrtakeing of private
p̱sons, you would be supplied even to sup̱fluity: of this supply of Meale,
there goeth along in this Shipp the George about 40 hogsheadℯ the rest
imediatly follow in the Hopwell and Marmaduke, wth mr John Hart whom
the Adventurers send ouer the Cape-Marchant thereof; but if the George
ariue before his comeinge they intreat mr Blany to take care thereof vntill
mr Harts arivall, and in case mr Hart should miscarie, they do consigne
both this and the rest of the Meale that shall followe, to mr Blany, to be
by him sould to theire best profitt, and the proceed thereof, together wth
the account to be returned vnto them by the first. Two great difficulties
we found in compassinge this kind of supply: the first a com̃on hope, that
the plenty of the New harvest, whereof through yor promises there was
raised a generall confidence, would make it needles; the other, the extreme
high rate that good corne doth here at p̢sent beare, wch though it should
come opportunely, would make it vnwelcome; yet hath the zeale of yor
welfare, and feare of leaving you to any doubtfull extreamity, overcome
all private interest, in the mindℯ of these noble and worthie Adventurers;
wch as we wth much thankfullnes for yor sakes here acknowledg, so we
think you bound wth all gratfullnes to accept, and to show and yeeld not
only all due Justice, but all possible favor, vnto theire factors that a speedy
and profitable returne of these Adventurers may be made them.
Wee here inclosed send you the Roll of Subscription, esteeming the names
themselues will effectually p̱swade you, and the whole Colony, to conceaue
of theire mindℯ as * * * and to endeavor theire iust desires, as we
wish, by a full retribution: we haue * * * accompt of what it standℯ
in p̱ bushell, to be sent you, wch we desire you to make knowne to the Colony,
and wth all that Tobacco doth not here cleare one wth another xxd. a pound,
nor any likelyhood that it will mend in prize; wherefore we pray you first
to sattisfie yor owne mindℯ, and then others, that by theire true valuation
of Comodities, we here may be freed from those vniust and most vndeserved
taxac̃ons of oppression, wth wch we are scandalized, of selling Meale in
Virginia at thirty shillingℯ p̱ bushell, because for xli of tobacco, when
as truly by account offred vnto vs vppon oath, we are certaine that the
Meale sent the last yeare stood in aboue 12s p̱ bushell, and the 1500 waight
of Tobacco returned hither vppon that accompt by mr Blany is at this
p̢sent offered to be sould for 3s the pound, when the Custome, fraight &
other charges, together wth the wast, being deducted, there will not remaine
at the most aboue 18d pɫ: so that the greatest gaine that can be hoped is
25 p̱ Centũ, a gaine to high indeed in a certaine and orderly kind of trade;
but this is accompanied both by Sea and land wth so many hazardℯ, and
is spunn out to such a length of time before the Store be returned, that
none here wilbe p̱swaded to adventure vppon those tearmes, in whom the
desire of yor good, is not more strong then of theire owne profitt.

As for the last yeares Magazine by how much the paine and loue in procur-
inge was more extraordinary and the losse that hapned in the Sum̃er
Ileandℯ the greater, by so much the more do we earnestly intreat yor
assistance and favor to mr Blany if he shall need it, for the recovery of the
debtℯ vppon that Magazine. wth the same care we recomend likewise vnto

you that former Magazine sent in the Warwick, wch being of neare 20001
and two yeares time now past, there hath been by mr Blany returned not
2000 waight: wee are moved thus p̱ticulerly to recomend these bussinesses,
considering, that although the interest be of private men, yet the conse-
quence is of most publique good, or evill, to the Colony: Besides in these
two there is due from you Sr Francis Wyatt, and you mr George Sandis a
p̱ticuler and especiall care, in regard that as vppon yor faith and security,
the last yeares Magazine was sent; so the first that went along wth you, was
in the greatest part adventured vppon confidence that yor sup̱intendent
care should not be wanting to cause a due and profitable returne; wherefore
in the Adventurers names we very especially recomend them vnto you.
And although they do no way suspect the integritie of mr Blany, yet being
much, and iustly as we conceaue offended that he hath not at least sent
home the accountℯ, wch by how much the returnes were the slacker and
poorer ought to haue beene don the more exactly & fully they haue besought
vs to desire you to require of him a p̱fect account, of what he hath sold,
what he hath remaninge, and what Tobacco or debtℯ are in his hand due
vnto them vppon these accountℯ, wch accomptℯ they desire may be deliured
vnto mr John Hart, who is to return wth them, and the goodℯ themselues,
wth the first opportunity: but of these thingℯ theire private instrucc̃ons
and Comissions will further advise you; we haue desended to this p̱ticuler
at theire instant request, in regard that they suppose that this or publique
recom̃endac̃on wilbe a warrant vnto you, wth lesse offence, for p̱formance of
strict iustice where it shalbe needfull in the recoverie of debtℯ: and on mr
Blany it imposeth a necessitie not to spare any since if he would he cannot;
wch conduceing so much to the end wch he faithfully promised the benefitt
of the Aduentures, we conceaue he cannot but be gladd of; and we haue
willingly therefore thus donn; besides as it is or desire, so it is the Aduen-
tures offer that both theire accountℯ in Virginia and here, should be opne
and knowne of all, that ye fairnes and sincerity of theire Intenc̃ions might
be evident by the smalnes of the gaine they proposed vnto themselues,
and the constancie of theire loue in the continuance of Supplies after so
many and great losses.

The Adventurers that sent the Maidℯ desire likewise or recomendac̃on of
the bussines vnto mr Pountis, from whom they hope the full return this
yeare, wch we earnestly desire, that it may in the same, or some other

profitable maner he readventured. The ffurr-Adventurers by the wick-
ednes of the Captaine and Mariners is quite ourthrowne; wherefore we
desire the Addition of yor care, in the Glass, and Shippwrightℯ, that
thereby some p̱te of amendℯ may be made if possible; for the last it was
the most costly and chargeable that we ever vndrtook and therefore, we
most especially recomend it vnto you all, and in p̱ticuler vnto mr George
Sandis. And whereas mr John Ferrar besides his large Adventure therein
is engaged 2001, therevppon we cannot but add or publique request vnto
you, since both his mind and the benefitt it self were so publique, that the
proceed of theire labors wch we cannot thinke but to be good (howsoeuer
much empaired by the losse of so many principall men) may be carefully
collected and returned to him by the first.

This, and the rest of these bussinesses, we haue thus p̱ticulerly and largly
touched now, not that we doubt yor best endeavors of iustice, care, and
favors, would haue beene otherwise wanting, haueinge beene so often for-
merly recomended vnto you, and in theire owne nature deserving it so
much: but that we think it or dutie wth as much care to solicitt the retri-
bution from you, as we did wth desire importune the Adventurrs from
hence for you.

The advancement of Staple Comodities, we haue so often and so largely
written of, that we haue now nothing to add, but that exept there be some
speedy p̱formance, by the settinge vpp of some better Comoditie then
Tobacco, neither can we hope for the encrease of the Plantation, nor
may you there already expect subsistance, so vilde will the prise of that
weed be vppon the great gluttℯ of the next yeare, wch as we assure or
selues will bring in foure times the quantities, will likewise abate aboue
half the prise.

The Vines and Silk are in yor owne powers powers to effect, and we hope a
good entrie hath beene made into them, according to yor promise, whereof
if we may see some [29] fruite as we hope to do this returne, it wilbe a
grreat repaire not only to ors and yor credi[tt] but to the honor of the
Plantation, wch hath much suffered in the long delay of these so p̱mised
workℯ, that not only the Maligners of this Plantation, but even diurs
frendℯ and well willers therevnto seeme to stagger in an vncertainty of
belief, either of the Cuntries fittnes for them, or of the sincerity of yors

and or intentions for the accomplishing of them: but we wish and hope
that some reall proofe thereof returned from you, shall iustifie both, in
assurance whereof, we do not desire you to begin, but to continue in that
you haue begunn, and in an effectuall maner to prosecute them; by a generall
setting them vpp in all convenient places, by a strict p̢serving of the
Mulberie trees, that they be not wasted (wherein we are informed there is
great neglect;) by an exact and strict account, of the p̱formance of ors and
youre Comandℯ in those pointℯi by the encouraging those that are
forward herein, and punishing them that are backward; and lastly by all
possible meanes that may conduce to the speedy and full effectinge, of
these two great workes. And whereas the ffrenchmen are they on whom,
in greatest part, the progresse of these depend; we especially recomend
them vnto yor care and loue, desiringe that theire wantℯ of apparell and
other necessaries, may by you be supplied to the full, out of the Companies
Stock there; and whereas there covenanted times do shortly expire, we
pray you so to deale wth them, as they may be p̱swaded to continue, if not
for ever yett at least so long, vntill theire skill and knowledg in those
thingℯ may be deriued into such numbers of or people, as may be sufficient
for a large imployment in those workℯ. And in this thing we pray you to
vse yor best care and wisdomes considering that it will not be easie, if these
men return discontented, to procure others from theire cuntrie, neither is
it indeed possible to the Company now extreamly in debt, to be at so great
charge for the sending anew of others, as these men came to; wherefore
we earnestly pray you, not to lett the occac̃on and meanes in yor handℯ
to slipp away, wch if you do we know no possibility of repairing it; yet
would we not haue them by violence, or any vniust meanes deteined (wth
wch Gods blessing will not go along) but by faire and gentle p̱suations, and
by the offer of so beneficiall covenantℯ vnto them, as they may rest paid
wth, and you be certainly able to p̱forme: for as for vs here at home, although
we are not out of hope (haueing verie iust and due ground therefore) in
convenient time to raise a reasonable Stock of money, yet till we may see
it effected, we thinke it not honorable vppon vncertainties, to engage or
certaine faith, for paymentℯ in this kind; wherefore we pray so to contriue
it, as theire satisfac̃on from hereafter may arise from Virginia: And because
vppon or contract wth them, there is and wilbe a great Sum̃e due vnto them,
we very earnestly desire the vttermost of all youre endeavors; and in
p̱ticuler the care and fidelity of mr George Sandis, for the sending home of
mies, wch we pray you wth all care and constancie to prosecute by all good
courses both of warr and policie, so farr as may stand wth iustice and truth,
for howsoeur they are worthie to receaue it, yet are you to worthie to vse
any false dealinge, and we desire that yor proceedingℯ may be so faire as
may not only be free from the fault, but any iust ground of suspic̃on.

Concerning the sending home of the Sassafras as last yeare in the Abigall,
where it had come fraight free, it would haue been profitable, so now on the
contrarie, it would be of damage wherefore we pray you not to go on that
course, but to find some other way towardℯ the dischargeing of the fraight
due vppon the Abigall, the account whereof we here send you, being not a
little grieved, that you did not last yeare p̱forme what we had vndrtaken,
being as we conceaue most easie to haue beene donn, but we pray you
that amendℯ may be now made and we thinke it equitable that they who
last yeare should haue alon p̱formed it, should now more liberally contribute
vnto it.

Yor vndrtakeingℯ to build a forte we much comend, and much long to
heare what progresse you haue made therein; we pray you what you haue
so well begunn, may be constantly p̳secuted vntill it be fully effected, and
that no difficulties whatsoever cause you to neglect it.

Itt doth not a little greve vs, that we are not able to p̱forme that supplie
of yors ye Governor and Treasurors Tenantℯ, wch we promised, and you
iustly expect; or failing therein hath beene and is through those accidentℯ
wch we neither could foresee before they came, nor can now through them
so freely dispose of thingℯ; we pray you therefore rightly to waigh the
occac̃ons, wth yor damage, and to beleeue or solicitousnes to make you
amendℯ, is litle lesse then yor owne desires; and or hopes are that before
the next Spring we shall sattisfie both.

In the mean while, those Tenantℯ that belong to the Company, wch were
vnder Capt Nuce his Com̃and, we pray you may be directed and employed
in the most beneficiall maner for themselues and vs; And we are content
in reward of Capt Nuce his service (as also [30] for her owne vertues
sake, whereof we haue heard good Com̃endac̃ons) to bestow vppon mrs
Nuce his widdowe, the profitt of those mens labors this present yeare,
that did belong to her husbandℯ office if he had lived; wherefore we desire

you that she may enioy them, and we do not only think her worthie of
iustice in all other respectℯ, but of all favor that you can shew her; So wth
or prayers to God for the guidinge and directing you, in all yor waightie
affaires, that it may be to his glorie, and yor owne good; We bid you hartely
farewell. Given in a great & generall Court held for Virginia the 6th of
August 1623 and ordered to be sent in the name of the Company, to the
Governor and Counsell of State in Virginia.

Postscript: By this Shipp the Hopewell you shall receaue three great Bibles,
two Com̃on prayer bookℯ and Vrsinaes Cathechisme; being the guift of
an vnknowne p̱son for the vse of those Churches that most need them.

Teste.

Nicholas Fferrar. Deputie

Teste.

Ed. Collingwood. Secretarie.