University of Virginia Library

CCCXXXV. "An Answere to a Declarac̃on of the Present State of
Virginia"
May, 1623

[No. 361.] A Breife Answere to the §a§ Declarac̃on lately made and
deliuered to his Maties Comrs in §by some few p̱sons vnduely (as
is conceaued) assuming to themselues§ the name of the Counsell
for Virginia of §touching§ the State of the Countrey and Colony
there together wth sondrie Obseruac̃ons tending to the discouerie
of the Reasons and causes of the ill success progress and success of
the businesses of that Plantation:

For the first part of the sd̴ Declarac̃on wch conteynes some description of
the fertilitie and healthfulnes and other §naturall§ comodities of that that
Contrey, it is beleaued to be generallie true, neither is it knowne that either

Sr Sam̃: Argall (who w liued there diuerse yeares and was first Admirall
and then Gouernor of the Countrey) nor yet Captaine Butler (who resided
there about 3 Monethes) haue writt or sayed any thing wch may tend to
the deprauac̃on of the Contrey in generall. And therefore are (as is
conceaued) are very vniustlie taxed §in the foresaid declarac̃on that§
for indirect purpose to §they§ haue dispraysed the same. Vnles it can be
thought that a man should dispraise a Contrey England or any other Contrey
if he should affirme that some p̱tes thereof were v barren & vnhealthfull
wch were a strange kind of construction.

The second p̱te of their declarac̃on consists of a seeming representation of
the true es face of the Colony in three periods of tyme: vzt im̃ediatly before
the Massacre towards th'end of the yeare 1621: im̃ediatlie after the
Massacre about §towardℯ§ the begiñing of the yeare 1622 And lastly as
they they conceaue it to bee at this p̢nt

[Indorsed:] A begining of an answere to the Companies Declar9 of the
p̢nt state of Virginia

[No. 362.]

An answere to a Declarac̃on of the present state of Virginia which was
presented to his Matie in Easter weeke laste by parte of the Companie
for Virginia vsurpinge the name of the whole Companie when in
truth a 4th parte of the whole Companie were present neither sum̃oned
nor p̢sent at the publishinge of it and very fewe had theire handℯ in it.

But before Wee fall vpon or Answere Wee thincke it fitt to discover one
other Artifice by wch the truth is obscured wth wch they begynne their
Declarac̃on. For they say That in the end of December 1618 there were
but 600 men and 300 Cattle left in Virginia. And yet they are Conscious
to them selues that Sr Tho: Smiths gou9nmt Contynued vntill Maye or
June ∥about th'end of Easter Terme∥ followinge in wch tyme more pas-
sengers went to Virginia ∥and diuerse shipps were at that tyme vpon their
way to Virginia and others sett out before Sr Tho. Smythes gouermt
expired wherein great nombers of people were transported, not less as
wee comput then 600 or 700 p̱sons, as by the names of the Shippes sett
downe in the m9gent may appeare∥ and that those∥ Cattle that springe
∥all∥ brought forth another yeares increase Both wch ought to haue beene

added to the former nombers if they would haue rightly informed His
Matie in what estate the Collonies were ∥was∥ left when Sr Tho: Smith left
the Gou9nmt, The ∥And in what plight and condic̃on they now are, wch
seemes to be the scope of their declarac̃on, The∥ seũall branches whereof
Wee shall nowe p̳ceede punctuallie to answere And for the first whereas
they say That in the first 12 yeares, beinge the whole tyme yt Sr Tho:
Smith was principall Goũnor of the Companie there was expended 80000li
and vpwardℯ ∥of the publiq̢ stock∥

Sr Tho: Smith saith that in all his ∥stet∥ the∥ tyme ∥by them limited∥ there
was not aboue 70000li∥cleare of the publiq̢ stock∥ expended about the Plan-
tac̃on; Wch of them are in the right must appeare by the bookℯ of Accomptℯ
of those tymes for the Difference is noe lesse then 10000li ∥and for the
clearinge heereof reffers himself to the bookes∥.

They say 80000li ∥this sum∥ was expended (besidℯ voluntaire Contribuc̃ions
∥other sum̃es of voluntary planters:∥).

This Clause (besidℯ voluntaire Contribuc̃ions ∥the sum̃es of voluntary
planters∥) Comes in the Reare and it is [2] thought might well haue beene
spared for it is not remembred that in those tymes wch were ∥the∥
begynningℯ of the Plantac̃on there were anie or at least of any ∥much∥
value of ∥in∥ that kinde: especially not beefore the time by them limited
in theyr declaration viz not beefore the 18 of December 1618.

They say that there were then left 600 p̱sons and 300 Cattle in the Colony
Although this is noe small matter Consideringe the Infancie of the
Plantac̃on in those tymes and the many Difficulties they mett wthall in
theire first enterprises that only wth ∥less then∥ the expence of 70000li
there should be planted soe many men and all of them soe well provided
that even by theire owne Confession ∥ ∥of these ∥men∥ that vsurp the
name of the Companie of the Authors of this declarac̃on∥ ∥ there was for
every twoe persons in the Collonie one head of English Cattle then lefte
(besidℯ manie other plentifulle provisions not menc̃oned) yet Certeynly
both the Nomber of Men and of Cattle was much more then they speake of
B Wch in regard they haue the bookℯ ɫres and Recordℯ of those tymes they
are better acquainted wth then anie mans memory can serue nowe to
remember: At least to those 600 men left in Virginia in the end of Decem-

ber 1618, they should haue added as was aforesaid those that were sent
between that tyme ∥stet∥ and the end of Sr Tho: Smiths Gou9nmt as alsoe
∥ ∥by wch Accompt it would as we conceaue appeare that there were 12 or
1300 p̱sons left ∥in the Colony∥ (besidℯ the numbers that haue ben borne of
them. And to the 300 Cattle they speak of then remayning they should
add at least their∥ ∥ th encrease of 300 Cattle that Springe: And if they
would haue dealt ingeniouslie they should haue set downe alsoe what other
Workℯ had beene done wth that stocke besidℯ the plantinge and nourish-
inge of soe manie men and Cattle vizt what discoveries were then made,
([135] a thinge of noe small expence and of most important consequence wherein
the laborℯ of worthy men imployed at the Charge of the Companie brought
vs the knowledge Wee nowe haue of those territories And it were to be
wished that Wee knewe the Countrie [3] aswell nowe as Wee did then; but
howsoever little or rather nothinge in this kinde hath beene done theise
last 4 Yeares yet should not the Authors of this Declarac̃on haue passed
over in silence that great Worke wch was performed wth noe small hazard
and expence ∥in the tyme of the first gouermt∥and was the very foundac̃on
and grownd plott of all that th hath beene ∥done∥ since.

Neither should they haue omitted ∥ ∥the large prouisions that were from
time to time sent from hence at the charge of the publicke to feed ∥&∥
cloth and furnish them Colony with necessaries which was giuen freely to
the Planters for their sustentation and releife which could not bee estimated
at less then 20000 markes if not 20000l nor haue omitted∥ ∥ the Ordinance
then sent, the Towns that were built, the fortℯ that were raised, thin-
closures that were made, the growndℯ that were Cleared, the Churches
storehouses bridges and other publiq̢ workℯ that were built∥ ∥ nor the ships
that were bought an for the Company ∥stet∥ with the publique stocke and
worne out in the Companies seruice∥ ∥ All wch besidℯ diu9s staple Com̃od-
ities then raised were the fruitℯ of that expence and of the endeavors and
Acc̃ons of those tymes, wch were blessed wth a successe if not answereable to
thexpectac̃on of all yet Certeynly beyond the hopes of many And therefore
vnder Correcc̃on it savors of too much detracc̃on to passe over those thingℯ
wch should most Commend and giue his Matie best satisfacc̃on Concerninge
the Well mannageinge of those affaires dureinge that tyme and to in siste
only vpon the leaveinge of soe manie men or ∥and∥ Cattle as if that had

beene all that had beene done wth thexpence of soe much money: When
indeed though it were a good ∥great∥ advancemt of the Plantac̃on to haue
soe manie men left there, well furnished, yet it seemes to be but the leaste
parte of the services that were then p̱formed.

But let vs see whether they deale more ingeniously in that wch follow-
eth. They say That the Companie was left then in debt neere 5000li [4]
But they are desired to sett downe wthall what was left in stocke towardℯ
the paymt thereof in money Plate and Comodities ∥weh if Or Memoryes
faile vs not was not less then 40001 for more eer besidℯ 800li payed in vnto
the Magazine the p̳ceed whereof came to the Companie and besidℯ sondry
800li that was in the colledg Cash & besidℯ sondry∥ also in debtℯ due to the
Companie wch since that tyme haue beene payd in and then it will appeare
whether there be not likewise a Defecte of truth in this Clause as well as
in all the former∥ ∥; for an if or memoryes doe not faile vs, ther was left
towardℯ the paymt of the sd̴∥ It is also desired whether that it be
declared whether 700li pretended to be owing by the Companie to the
Cash of the Colledge be not included in their 5000li wch they say the
Company was left in debt, for∥ ∥

But though the Authors of this Declarac̃on mistooke the former, yet per-
happs they will come neerer the Marke in declareinge the p̢sent State of
this Plantac̃on∥, during the and of that wch hath ben done during the
last gouerment.∥

They say therefore that whereas about a 4 yeares since there were but 600
p̱sons, nowe (notwithstandinge the late Mortalitie and Massacre) there
are remayninge as they Compute about 2500 p̱sons.

To wch wee answere that this Parenthesis of (Notwthstandinge the late
Mortalitie and Massacre) is not soe slightly to be passed over seeinge
that in the tymes of the greatest strength and enmitye of the Savages
and of the Weaknes of or Colony the like mischeife never happened as
this wch hath redownded not only to the losse of the lives of soe many
of his Matℯ Subiectℯ (whereof in all disasters of the like nature a strict
Accompt hath beene §alwayes§ required) and to the detriment of the
Plantac̃on thereby, but alsoe to the shame and reproach of or Nac̃on whoe
heretofore wth lesse then halfe the men that were thus butchered did dare

the whole power of those savage Princes and forced them either to a good
Corespondencie or to a yearely Contribuc̃on ∥and let them shew for triall
of the truith heereof whether in the whole 12 yeeres of Sr Thomas Smyths
gouernment there euer pased perished by the sword of handℯ of the sauages
half so many as haue bene butcherd and slayne by them in the compass
of one yeere∥ But then were the Gou9nors and Cheife Officers in Virginia
men of knowne sufficiencye and experience of §for§ those services and
meerely for theire meritt was that Charge and trust Com̃itted to them
But [5] whether those that at this tyme doe principally mannage those
affayres are men soe quallifyed or noe or rather out of favor or ∥alliance &∥
affecc̃on haue beene recom̃ended to that imployment and whether through
theire negligence and want to still this miserable accident hath §not§
befallen wee leaue it to be examined soe farr forth as to his Matℯ Com̃is-
sioners shall seeme fitt: As alsoe whether there be 2500 p̱sons nowe remayn-
inge in the Colony wch will appeare by the listℯ of men directed to be
Yearely sent from thence, in the p̱formance of wch mayne Instrucc̃on wee
suppose the Gou9nor and Officers there (whose Care and obedience in
this declarac̃on is Com̃ended) would not faile, especiallie it beinge easier
to make those listℯ of Men more p̱fecte this yeare then heretofore because
the people were drawne fron theire dispersed habitac̃ons and lived Close
together: But wee vehemently suspect that the nombers of people there
nowe resideing are farre lesse ∥ ∥and that in truth there are either not so
many or very few more ∥now in the Colony∥ then by in or Computac̃on
were left by Sr Tho: Smithe wch we are the rather induced to beleaue
because for ought we heare the ∥last∥ Catalogues of theise names p̱sons
are concealed so that ∥and it will appeare (though wth greife wee speake it)
wee haue wthin theis 4 yeares lost as manie or more men that wee did in
the whole 12 yeares before∥ we feare it will appeare that neare 4000 pso[ns]
of 4270 p̱sons wch by their owne Ro wthin theis 4 yeares haue ben sent
thither wee haue searee so many hundred and of 12 or 1300 left in Sr
Tho. Smithes tyme wch make about 5500 in all we haue not 1500 there
now remayninge: And we thinke that in 12 yeares before notwithstanding
the many difficulties that all new begun actions are subiect vnto, we lost
not 1200 p̱sons ∥For in the booke of the Massacre there was sent they say
in the first three yeares after Sr Tho. Smith left the Gou9nmt 3570 psons
And in theire relac̃on they say there went 700 over the last Sum̃er that is
4270 in all And by theire owne Confession there were 600 §left§ in the
Colony at that tyme. Soe that of 4870 psons and the Children wch since
that tyme haue beene borne of them there is ∥are∥ nowe as they Compute∥
not aboue 2500 §left§: by wch it is manifest that even by theire owne
Accompt ∥adding to that nomber the children that haue ben borne of
them∥ wee haue wthin the said 4 yeares lost at least as many as wee haue
remayninge and wee feare many hundreds moe. A thinge most lamentable
∥that the liues of so many men should be thus lost∥ especiallie if vpon
proofe it fall out that this great Destrucc̃on of people hath beene occasioned
by the Wilfullnes [6] of those whoe had the principall stroke in mannaginge
those affayres here and should neither haue procured nor given way to the
transportinge of such multitudes of people ∥as haue ben sent thither∥
till the Country had beene provided wth able and fitt p̱sons to direct and
wth Convenient lodginge and provision to receive releive and maynteyne
them. ∥And therefore it is humblie desired as a thing of most important
consequence that the causes of this great∥

They add further in theire Declarac̃on that theis 2500 p̱sons now
remayninge were sent with thexpence only of 30000li of the publiq̢ stock
besides the charges of p̱ticuler societies and Planters.

To wch is answered that it is too grosse a solecisme ∥contradiction of
themselues∥ to say that the p̱sons nowe remayninge in Virginia were
sent thither at the Charge of the 30000li publiq̢ stock in the Declarac̃on
menc̃oned whereas themselues Confesse but a fewe lynes before that there
were 600 p̱sons ∥of them∥ left there in December. 1618. wch was longe
before that publiq̢ stocke raized soe that noe parte of that stocke could be
imployed about the transportac̃on of 600 of those 2500 p̱sons wch as they
p̢tend are now remayninge.

But is this 30000li all the money thath hath beene spent in theis plantac̃ons
since Sr Tho: Smiths tyme? they imply noe, but (wthout nameinge any
Sum̃e) they bringe in the rest wth a (besides the Charge of p̱ticuler societies
and Planters) This (besides) Carries more Weight wth it then it seems they
would haue it doe, and is indeed worthy to be placed in front in Capitall
letters and not to come in the Reare as a poore helpe, for sure it must needℯ
be a farr greater Sum̃e then the form9 and therefore worth the nameinge.
But somewhat is in it that this point must be thus obscured, p̱happs they

thought that seemes ∥seeing∥ all wch is toe be seeme §seene§ of theire
foure yeares labor is only some ∥very∥ fewe p̱sons more in Virginia then
were when Sr Tho: Smiths gou9nmt expired ∥wch yet is doubted∥, The
∥the∥ greater they made [7] the nomber of p̱sons to appeare and the lesse
the sum̃es of money thatei were expended, the better would theire Accompt
be accepted But for the Clearinge of the truth herein wee ∥say that we∥
Conceive that the moneyes expended wthin theis 4 Yeares about this
Plantac̃on cannot be lesse then 85000li 85400li for ∥or Reason is this∥ the
4270 p̱sons wch they say haue wthin theis 4 Yeares beene exported at the
rate of XXli a man comes to 85400li And that is the proporc̃on wch in
theire printed paper (Called the Inconveniences) they say the Companie
vsually allowes to the furnishinge of one man And in the paper of Accompt
how they the Lottery Money was expended wch they deliu9ed to his Matie
about twoe Yeares agoe they affirme as much: Soe that vnles they will
denye what heretofore they haue affirmed this Collecc̃on of the Charge of
90000li 85400li to be expended wthin theis last 4 Yeares seemes to be very
moderate ∥for we abate 5400li in the whole, of the proporcon wch they
themselves say they bestow in setting out these men For they say that
afterward in this declarac̃on that they spent 5000li in Iron Workes besidℯ
what was spent in other attemptℯ∥ And what effectℯ that huge expence
hath produced is in parte discovered by what hath beene alredy sayd And
shall hereafter be declared.

The Cattle they say what by Newe supplies and what by increase of the
form9 provision are multiplyed to aboue 1000. of Beasts

It is strange to see howe theis thingℯ are shuffled together tendinge to
obscure the truth for it had beene a very easie Matter and a farre more
Directe Course to haue ∥distinguished these and to haue∥ sett downe the
number of Cattle that haue beene sent wthin theis 4 yeares wch for ought
appeares to vs there haue not beene 200. A strange disproporc̃onable
proporc̃on for soe manie thowsandℯ §p̱sons§ as in that tyme haue beene
sent thither, and therefore this blinde of putting them together served well
to Cover that error But touchinge the number [8] of Cattle Wee may
well from their owne Confession make this Collecc̃on: The Cattle wch
were sent thither theis laste 4 Yeares if theire printed papers ∥that we
haue seene∥ be true were only 180 192 wch till this last Springe haue bred

few or none. Some of theis 180 192 dyed by the way and many dyed as
Wee haue Crediblie heard for want of good lookeinge to in Virginia.
Many alsoe haue beene slayne by the Indians since the last Massacre.
And yet if there remayne aboue 1000 it must necessarilie followe that there
were in many aboue 300 lefte by the old Gou9nmt But to howe manie
more might these haue beene encreased had not soe many persons beene
vnfortunatelie and inconsideratelie (as is Conceived) sent over to Consume
the fruitℯ of the form9 labors and another abuse latelie crept in of killing
the bull Calves wch was not suffred before theis last 4 Yeares for the Males
in form9 tymes were p̢served and trayned up to the yoke soe it appeares
that all they speake of to purpose in this Clause is only thencrease of the
old stocke for theire newe supplies in this kinde was scarce worth the
menc̃oninge.

But the Goats increase (say they) and the hoggs are growne innumerable

And what is herein Com̃ended but the ould Gou9nmt whose foundac̃on this
was and is meerely the worke of the Decourse of tymes for the goatℯ
would haue encreased whosoever had beene Gou9nors (if they would not
haue killed them vp) and the wilde Hoggℯ in the woodℯ would haue
multiplyed wthout a heardsman If any of theis had beene sent over
wthin theis 4 yeares it is like wee should haue heard of it in print And wee
would be gladd to heare of any store of tame hoggs res̃ved out of the ould
store But this is Warilie declyned ∥ ∥for we heare that notwithstanding
this infinite multitude of swyne a ∥the price of a∥ tame hogg is so much is m
is now 12li in the Colony.∥ ∥ As for those wilde hoggℯ wee accounte of
them as of the Deare in Virginia thingℯ belonginge to noe man and serue
to feed the Savages or the Maryners that live idlie there, rather then the
people of the Colony, whoe haue starved in the middest of this Imaginary
plenty, And by the end of this [9] Sum̃er wee faere it will to or greife yet
more appeare what mischeife and miseries theis Conceiptℯ of aboundance
haue brought vpon the Plantac̃ons.

The last Clause of theis first branch is: That the old Debt of the Companie
(which before they menc̃oned to be 5000li) is Discharged

But it must be knowne as is aforesaid what of the old stocke was left
towardℯ the paymt of it ∥wch we conceaue was as much if not more then

would discharge it∥ And it is doubted that the Companie is at this
p̢psent more in debt then it was left then. For it is an vndeniable truth
that they haue stated Certeyne offices ∥in Virginia∥ wth great nombers of
Teñnts namely Gou9nors the Treasurors the Secretaries the Phisitians
Vice Admiralls A Deputie for the Companie∥s∥, and another Deputie for
∥the∥ Colledge Teñntℯ: and by or Computac̃on there wantℯ to theis officers
aboue 120 Men of the p theire promised and Contracted for nombers,
wch in equitye and Justice are to be made good vnto them and the very
sendinge soe manie p̱sons over, reasonablie furnished will Coste the Com-
panie at their owne rates 2400li the first penny and if anie of theis Newe men
should dye the first yeare the Company must supply them againe wch will
encrease the Charge. Besidℯ the Company owe to theis officers Nneere
twoe Yeares arreares for the Want of soe many Tenantℯ wch in equitye they
are bound to satisfie for especiallie seeinge by an Acte of Courte the 7th
of Oct: last it is acknowledged to be a Due Debt vnto them: The entrie of
wch Courte beinge afterwardℯ Called into question as a Wronge done to the
Company it was iustefyed and maynteyned that the Courte had done
right therein By wch it appeareth that even this way besidℯ all others the
Companie is at least 4400li in debt. And it is Conceived that the seale of
the Company is given here §for§ at least 2000li more And the vnder
officers of the Companie here are either in parte or whole vnpayed there
wages wch they haue dearely earned, besidℯ the wages Contracted for wth
the French [10] Viniarons All wch layd together wee Conceive that the
Companie at this p̢sent will proue to be in debt betweene six and seaven
thowsand powndℯ And noe meanes appeares wch may Way it can be
satisfyed or the Companies Teñnts nowe remayninge in Virginia hereafter
to be supplyed

And thus much by way of Answere to the first branch of that Declarac̃on
§by§ wch §it§ is apparent howe those th men that vsurp ∥vnder∥ the
name of the Company haue dealt wth his Matie in settinge downe both the
former and p̢sent estate of Virginia in the most Materiall partℯ thereof.
The second branch followeth in which they say ∥The second branch now
followeth∥ As in Mr Wrotts paper fo: 2 at this marke * ∥2: Branch
During theise last 4 yeares there hath ben At the beginning of theise last
4 yeares the only Com̃odityes of price, and vppon wch only a valuation was
sett to maynteine the trade were Tobacco and Sassafras: for in the two last

yeares before there was no course taken for setting vp of any other through
the pouerty of ye Countrey.∥

∥Answ.∥ Whereas they say at the begynninge of the 4 last yeares ∥there
were no Com̃odities but Tobacco & Sassafras∥ Wee goe further and say
(and that more truelie) that At the end of theis 4 Yeares there is noe
Comoditie but Tobaccoe, soe little hath beene done (since Sr Tho: Smith
left the Gou9nmt) towardℯ the advancemt of staple Com̃odities and it is
an abuseinge of the world to sett out bookℯ wch haue Caused much laughter
∥as they haue done∥ of the prizes of goodℯ to be had in Virginia when either
they are not nor canot cannot be had there at all, or at least not in many
yeares The modesty and Wisdome of the form9 gou9mt is to be Comended
that ∥was such as it∥ would not set a valuac̃on of that that either was not in
Esse, or was in noe greate proporc̃ons there but lefte eu9y Man to make his
best price of those thingℯ when they had raised them and not to vndervalue
mens labors soe much as this last valuac̃on of the Companies hath done
by wch Course ∥it is conceaued that∥ men haue beene deterred from imploye-
inge theire labors in raisinge those Comodities seeinge they will not
produce profitt enough to Clothe and feede them at the rate they prize
them at But whereas they affirme there was noe other Course to sett
vpp other Com̃odities besidℯ Sassaphras, §&§ Tobaccoe [11] in twoe yeares
before the old officers left the Gou9nmt, there is herein Com̃itted a Wilfull
error for wthin those twoe Yeares there were other Com̃odities besides those
twoe before named sent over and sould here in England and the perticulers
together wth their moneyes made of them given in Accompte by Sr Tho:
Smith or the husband of the Companie to the Auditors and to the then
Treasorer Sr Edwyn Sandys By wch Accomptℯ it appeares that there was
aboue 1000li starlinge made of staple Com̃odities dureing the old Gou9nmt,
parte of wch moneyes was raised vpon staple Com̃odities sent over the twoe
last yeares And this the Twoe Auncient Auditors Sr Edwyn Sandys and
Sr John Danvers are not ignorant of But of all other Sr Edwyn had least
Cause to taxe the twoe last Yeares Gou9nmt for he dureinge all that tyme
Wa was Chosen assistant to Sr Tho: Smith in regard of whose sicknes and
other imploymentℯ he vnder that title did in a manner ∥wholie∥ supplie his
place, soe the errors Com̃itted wthin that tyme (if any be) reflecte vpon
himselfe And here theire owne reason excuseth the former Gou9nmt
Vizt the povertie of the Companie and this branch likewise Sr Edwyn might

haue spared ∥for∥ the Companie could not haue beene soe poore if the
Lotteries had not beene suspended By wch Meanes Sr Edwyn made his
way easie to be Treasorer of Virginia and when he had obteyned that place
im̃ediatlie he was a meanes to sett vpp the runninge Lotteries againe.

∥3 Branch: During these last 4 yeares there hath ben expended in setting
vp of Irone workes (ye Oare whereof is there in great plenty and excellent)
aboue 5000li which worke beeing brought in a manner to perfection was
greately interrupted by the late Massacre but ordered to be restored
againe with all possible diligence.∥

∥Answ.∥ Iron the oare in greate plentie and excellent was found to theire
hands many Yeares since and brought ouer wrought and vnwrought into
this Kingdome.

It is by vs Confessed that the greatest parte of the stocke belonginge to
the Colledge was wasted in this proiecte: for the 50 men sent over were
not able to mannage an Iron worke and soe turned good honest Tobaccoe
mongers The like successe [12] for the same reason had the twoe Iron
Workℯ attempted by the Adventurers of Southampton Hundred Then
the Companies stocke comes into ∥to∥ repayre the ruyns and if Wee may
beleeue ɫres there would haue beene somethinge done in the busines but
the same ɫres Craved large supplies and therefore were bound to p̳mise
faire then comes the Massacre and that was the fayrest excuse for all errors
and might haue served the relators turne very well and made them bould
to affirme that worke was wholly over throwne by it: especiallie they hav-
inge soe p̢sent a remedye at hand as this it is ordered to be restored wth
all possible dilligence But are either Workemen sought after, much lesse
intended to be sent, or is there any roule of subscripc̃on made to sett that
proiecte on foot againe? or is the publiq̢ stocke able to doe it? or will
the private purses of Southampton Hundred be any further drayned?
And if none of theis, to what purpose is such an order. Yet Wee will
giue them theire due and Confesse the whole truth that in this busines of
Iron wthin theis laste foure yeares wth the expense ∥(as they say)∥ of aboue
5000li there hath beene retorned from Virginia a fire shovell and tongℯ
and a little barre of Iron made by a Blomery wch might haue beene printed
in expresse Wordℯ aswell as some other thingℯi But ∥that∥ seriously let
anie indifferent man iudge what ∥so the∥ providence was vsed in thexpence

of the∥is∥ 5000li∥as of all the huge Sum̄ formerly menc̃oned may appeare,
and the managers of these businesses receaue their due com̃endam̃on∥

∥4. Branch That ye soyle produeeth &e∥

∥4th branch Answ.∥ That the soile p̳duceth vines in abundance, is an vnde-
niable truth and was notoriously knowne aboue 14. yeares nowe past,
but soe little Care was there taken to sent∥d∥ over Choice plantℯ of the
best kinde of Christendome (as they affirme) that Mr John Ferrar then
Deputie did not vouchsafe to send those twoe or three thowsand plantℯ
wch Capteyne Each bought purposelie from Malago to that end, nor did
soe much as put them into the Grownd to be p̢served and sent another
yeare, though desired to doe it, and his negligence was the greater Con-
sideringe that some of those plantℯ beinge sett here in Aprill. 1622. by a
gentleman of or Companie growe very well and they would haue beene a
great helpe to the [13] speedy raisinge of that soe much desired Com̃oditie;
for the Advancemt whereof wee haue received expresse direcc̃ons from his
most Sacred Matie.

∥5 Branch. The vignerouns &c∥

∥Answ. 5 branch:∥ The vignerouns that haue beene sent are some of them
dead, §&§ vnder those that remayne very fewe or noe servantℯ are put,
soe can Wee hope for little of that Com̃oditie from Virginia in manie Yeares:
last yeare Wee had a taste of Wyne, this Yeare nothinge, (the Massacre
saues all) and yet even dureinge the whole ∥old∥ gou9nmt the Companie
had some taste ∥of this Com̃oditie∥ sent them, and therefore Challengeth
the honor to haue beene the founders of it, and this is ∥it beeing a thing∥
notoriously knowne, for the Wyne was given to the Adventurers and
druncke at their gen9all meeting As for the 1000 plantℯ they say were
planted in some one Vineyard, Wee Will not Contend wth them, but
only pray them to explaine whether the Vineyard was a rood or an Acre
of grownd at moste and in directe termes to say whether it was only a
nursery of plantℯ set in a garden Plott or noe and whether the plantℯ
were those of the Countrye bringℯ forth, or of such as were sent from hence

∥6 Branch Mulberry &c∥

∥Answer. 6 branch∥ Mulbery trees the Countrie is full of and order taken
for plantinge them but little hath beene done therein, but only makes
∥making of∥ orders for the Planter little Cares to plant trees to feede the
silke worme that will not plant vines to make Wyne for his owne drinck-
inge ∥nor so muche as Corne for his owne releife∥ But the seed to the
great greife of the Companie ∥they say∥ hath in miscarried and ∥(we say)∥
alsoe by the negligence of Mr John Farrar, whoe would send all the seed
in one Box and sometymes in vnseasonable tymes of the yeare by wch
meanes the eggs hatched by the Waye and soe dyed for want of foote
∥food∥, from wch Course he would not be diverted though earnestly
pressed But nowe they haue received the seed as they say and Wee
Knowe they haue had seed in Virginia longe since and retorned from thence
silke in some quantitie wch was spunne in Sr Thomas Smiths Hall, They
haue had alsoe some seede since the newe Gou9nmt but suffred [14] it to
perish by reason there is such a poore valuac̃on set vpon silke in theire
booke of Rates that all men are discouraged to trade in that Com̃oditie
And dureinge the old gou9nmt there was a house built to p̢serve the Wormes
in when they Wrought and Mulbery trees were alsoe planted in those
tymes neau neere the habitac̃ons of or people both wch wth extreame
negligence haue beene decayed and suffred to perish such progressions
haue beene made in staple Com̃odities theis last foure Yeares

∥ 7 Branch. Men &c∥

∥Answere. 7 branch∥ Men skilfull for sawe Mills were procured from
Germany and sent to Virginia at the Companies great Charge This Wee
Confesse it and averre that ∥to or vnderstandingℯ∥ it was the most indi-
gested proiecte that hath beene sett on foote by the Company: for vpon
b x x x supposall that the Rivers in Virginia Virginia afforded Convenient
meanes to erecte the sawe Mills and sett them on Worke theis Workemen
were in Hast procured and wth excessiue Charges sent over to Virginia
Where they spent 7 or 8 moneths to finde out a Convenient place to set the
Mills on, wch at last beinge found the poore Dutchmen beinge dishartned
by theire vnkind enterteynement in Virginia and almost famished by theire
meane provisions and beinge vtterlie disabled to bringe that worke to per-
fecc̄on wthout the helpe of Ma many handℯ wch an order of Courte made

here cold [could] not helpe them to in Virginia they (oppressed wth theis and
many other Difficulties too great for them to overcome) fell greiviouslie
sicke of the diseases incident to that Countrye and of that sicknes one of
or twoe of them dyed and the rest im̃ediatlie vpon theire recoverye (the
p̳mised helpe of Men failed failinge them) retorned for England and by
Consent of the Gou9nor whoe it seemes Conceived the busines was not
feasible and since theire retorne there hath beene nothinge attempted much
lesse done in that Worke: and theis are the good effectℯ wch they assure
His Matie in this branche of theire Declarac̃on will shortly appeare And
the principall proiect beinge thus weake what can be hoped or expected of
the rest The shipwrites that they speake of in the next place were not
sent at the Charge of the Company but only by the purse of private
Adventurers and in all were about 20 men and boyes Whereof [15] the
Maister workman is dead and many alsoe of his principall men whoe
brought their death wth them into the Countrye beinge fedd (as wee haue
heard) by Corrupte victualls in their passage to Virginia in the shipp
Called the Furtherance and for that ∥by meanes whereof And because∥
not only theis Shipwrightℯ but almost all the passengers that went in her
dyed im̃ediatly vpon theire landinge It is therefore humbly prayed that
diligent enquirie be made of this reporte and alsoe by whome the shipp
was victualled and set out at at or before her retorne: and to Conclude this
matter of Boatwrightℯ wch they never attempted tillt his laste Sum̃er they
are herein manie Degrees behinde the old Gou9nmt for in those tymes
there was builte ba boatℯ of all sortℯ vizt Barges Pinaces Frigatts Hoyes
shallops and the like.

In the salt workℯ wch they speake of there hath beene soe little done that
the Collonie by buyes all theire salt for theire necessarye vse wch worke
the old Gou9nors had brought longe since to good perfecc̃on In deed there
was an intenc̃on to haue sett vp those workℯ vpon Condicc̃on the Com̃oditie
might haue beene engrossed by thadventurers of South̴ton Hundred wch
monopolie was vrged home wth pressinge argumentℯ by the faithfull Treas-
urer ∥Sr Ed: Sandys∥ but was opposed to effecte, and ∥by wch∥ it is to
∥may∥ by obs̃ued that Sr Edwyn loues Monopolies better then the world
thinckℯ he doth and ∥els would he not as it is thought∥ proiected
secretly to his owne benefitt this of salt, and wiselie Contrived that other
of Cole sole sale of Tobaccoe; but fatallie failed of both in soe much that

neither the primitiue salt nor the derivative sallary prospered wth him:
For the other Com̃odities that ∥they speake of wch∥ they say they haue
sent other persons over to raise them: When they shall be at leasure to
name them wee will giue them a directe answere thereto, in the meane
tyme Wee passe over wth silence those nameles and to vs vnknowne
Com̃odities wch vnles there were anie such indeed wee wish noe menc̃on
had beene made of them in print wch hath given an occasion both to them
in Virginia and to those here that knowe they are but meere fancies to
suspecte the integritie and realitie of or proceedingℯ in theis businesses.

[16] ∥8 Branch∥ The lawe which stints men

∥Answ.∥ from plantinge aboue 100 Weight of Tobaccoe was passed wth
great difficultie in the Quarter Courte here as p̢iudiciall to the Adventurer
and was p̢sently Confirmed by the Planter whoe knowes nowe his vnder-
taker in England can demand of him but 50li of Tobaccoe for his whole
yeares labor soe that his Tenancye at halues is turned to a Certyne rent
But if the Planter that is a Teñnt shall punctuallie obs̃ue this lawe then he
hath to cloath himselfe and to buy Workinge tooles [sic] about 46li ∥pound
weighte∥ of Tobaccoe for the other 4li ∥pound∥ is defalked for duties
belonginge to his officer and minister and Tobaccoe beinge decried to 12d
the pownd in Virginia (as Mr Nicholas Ferrar affirned at the Councell
board it was) then the Planter hath 46s of money for his Tobaccoe and the
Marchant wth whome he is to trade raiseinge the prize of his goodℯ at
pleasure sometymes to the double sometymes to a 3d and never lesse then
to a 4th more then they Cost here in England the Planter hath by this
Account about 34s worth in Com̃odities when he is best dealt wthall for
his whole yeares labor and soe instead of reclayminge the Colonie from
excessive plantinge of Tobaccoe the poore planter must either starve or
be forced to plant it in greater quantities for his necessarye maynteñnce
And as for the settinge soe manie staple & rich Com̃odities on foote at one
instant ∥wch they speak of∥ it was a worke of an ill Consequence for thereby
nothinge is done in anie one of them but all is vanished into smoke (that
is to say into Tobaccoe) whereof alsoe they haue noe great store, for this
yeare they haue not sent home soe much as the little poore Plantac̃on of
the Sum̃er Islandℯ hath done wch is brought to the perfecc̃on that it is
come vnto by the labors and Charge only of a fewe priuate men.

The pretended competent val valuac̃on set vpon Com̃odities was a Worke
meerely vnnecessary: for the Marchant knowes what to giue and the
Planter loues his libertye, and esteemes this set price a bondage, it made
him alsoe despaire to thincke of those businesses because the rates were
sett soe lowe; It alsoe brought a scandall vpon the Companie as hath beene
said before to sett out in print fancies and imaginac̃ons in stead of reall
truth.

[17] ∥9. branch∥ The officers in Virginia are applauded

∥Ansr.∥ for their obedience in executeinge the direcc̃ons and Desires of
the Company here: Wee wish that men had beene imployed in that service
to whose advice and Councells the Companie here might rather haue hark-
ened and received light and informac̃on for theire p̳ceedingℯ ∥from thence∥
Then might it haue beene hoped that wee should neither haue spent soe
much money and paynes to soe little purpose, and most especiallie that
Wee should not haue lost the liues of soe manie of or deare Countrye Men,
a thinge that lies most heavie vppon vs: for wee knowe that he that sendℯ
a shipp to sea in an vnseasonable tyme, or wth an vnskilfull Pilott and he
that Com̃ittℯ the leadinge of soldiers to an vnfitt §&§ experienced Capteyne
is reputed Com̃onlie the Cause of theire destrucc̃on if such a disaster doe
befall them: And therefore Wee desire that or Com̃endac̃on of those
officers ∥and that govermt∥ vnder whome the destrucc̃on of soe manie
men hath happened may be spared vntill vpon due examinac̃on they shall
appeare to haue des̃ued noe blame therein.

∥10 branch∥ ∥Answ.∥

∥10. It is not remembred that there haue ben any lawes giuen to the people
in the Colony from hence during these last 4 yeares, but it is desired if
they have made any such for the well gouerning of the Colony they may
be produced. We confess there were some lawes made by the Planters
themselues, if they have made any such in their generall assembly, but
were neu9 that we know confirmed here so that they remayne not in
force but by coñiuence only and so may serue to ensnare a Gouernor
who shall not concurr wth their Humor that manage businesses here and
what content or settlement this can giue to the Company Colony we
know not in the meane tyme we are sure we heare much complaint of

wrongℯ and oppressions amongst them And whereas they say that∥
To remoue extortion and to allure worthy p̱sons, they haue sett out
Competent mayntẽance for officers and Wee haue Cause to Conceive the
sicknes is not Cured but the Charge increased and become insupportable
to the Companie. Wee are sure the benefitt is shared by brothers, Cozens,
and assured freindℯ there to those whoe by that and other meanes sway
all the businesses of the Plantac̃on both there and here; Wee say alsoe
that parte of this Charge was vnseasonablie layd when the Companies
stocke was vtterly exhausted whereby or bound bountie may be applauded
but or discrec̃on will be shrewdly questioned; And whereas they say that
theis offices were stated wth pencions at the Councells and Companies
great Charge, It had beene as wee Conceive more truely and gratefully
said that it was done wth the Monies raised by Lotteries wch was a
Worke and effecte of grace in his most excellent Matie soe that the Charge
in deed issued not from the Councell and Companie as here is alledged
∥intimated∥ but out of the purses of the subiecte in gen9all.

[18] ∥11 branch∥ Theire cares haue not bene

∥Answ9∥ vneffectuall wee Confesse for the Colony is nowe oppressed wth
famyn and sicknes wthin and engaged in a Warre wth the Natives wthout,
And whereas the savages were formerlie brought to good Corespondencie
∥& or∥ made tributarie to vs, they nowe dare maynteyne an open Warre
wth or people and beinge armed wth or Weapons and havinge learned the
vse of Muskett ∥or guns∥ can brave them ∥or men C countrymen∥ at
theire verie doores: and in theis necessities what but vtter shippwracke
can be expected when at the helme of this Wetherbeaten shipp ∥vessell∥
there sittℯ scarce one able and experienced Councellor to guide her but all
of them gen9allie either newe Com̃ers or men of Contemplac̃on and dis-
course ∥&∥ not of action or experience in gou9nmt.

But you ∥they∥ say that at home you ∥they∥ haue raised soe great a
fame of Virginia that many p̱sons of good sorte haue remoued themselues
thither.

Wee Confesse that the fame they haue raised of Virginia hath sent
manie other over of good qualitie that trusted to their rumors of plentye
and aboundance wth small or noe p̳visions whoe either haue all perished

or haue suffred horrible extreamities for theire Credulitye and this mis-
cheife would haue swallowed vp the liues of many more men but that
there haue alwayes some risen vpp in the Companie whoe haue opposed
theis miserable pollicies wch being vsed vnder a specious p̢tence of ad-
vanceinge the Plantac̃on haue produced the miserable effectℯ that nowe
though too late Wee may be all sensible of, that haue anie Christian
Compassion lefte ∥in vs∥: But as the miseries wch manie haue Mett Wthall
in Virginia hath ∥haue∥ sent back some of good quallitie (that ∥who∥
haue outlived them) home into England, soe wee feare more will shortly
followe But were the former tymes in this inferior to theis later as theis
men would imply If it be soe for tryall of the truth thereof wch must
appeare by p̱ticulers, Wee desire ∥amongst others whose∥ they would
match theis men whose names they shall finde in the m9gent whoe adven-
tured their p̱sons into Virginia dureinge the old gou9nmt And then it will
appeare whether in this point alsoe as in all others the Plantac̃on goeth not
backward.

[19] ∥12 Branch∥ There haue beene 44 Patentℯ

∥Answ.∥ graunted wthin theis 4 yeares and many more Wee Confesse but
aboute 28 of them ∥(as we compute)∥ were either graunted to such persons
as had begunne theire Plantac̃ons before theis 4 yeares or to men that haue
done nothing wth them but only purchased theire freedomes thereby and
perhapps a Councellors place either here, or there or by it haue made theire
farest introducc̃on to an office in Virginia or p̢sently made demand of one
But whereas they say that theis persons to whome theis 44 Patentℯ are
graunted haue haue vndertaken each of them to transporte one hundred
men at the least It is desired they would set downe what securitie the
Companie hath that this shall be p̱formed ∥and in what tyme∥ and why
those that haue not p̱formed accordinge to theire vndertakinge are not
pressed therein. The last Clause of this branch wch ∥sayes∥ positively that
in the former 12 yeares there were not aboue twoe Patentℯ graunted seemes
too peremptorye that in theis former 12 yeares Wee finde that theis 4.
∥double that number∥ vizt one to Sr Samuell Argall, one to Martyns
Hundred, one to Capteyne Martyn and one to Capteyne Lawne whoe all
proceeded effectually to plant the land graunted vnto them effectually
accordinge to the purpose of theire Patentℯ Soe that what good hath beene

effected by this Course of grauntinge Patentℯ had itℯ vse and grownd
∥rise and ground∥ from the old Gou9nmt, though wee Confesse it was not
soe lavish in Parchmt as theis later tymes haue beene, the good fruitℯ
whereof wee would most gladdly knowe.

∥branch 13.∥ Wee doe ∥not∥ finde that the tenne

∥Answ.∥ tymes more new Adventurers ∥who∥ haue come in wthin theis
foure yeares haue brought in to the publique Treasury 200li and they can
hardly shewe that the hundred they speak of whoe meete at their quarter
Cortℯ haue at any tyme vnderwritten f[our]e 300li to releive the Collonies
Wth Corne Apparrell and munic̃on in this tyme of extreamitye, when
∥whereas∥ diu9s single p̱sons dureinge the old gou9nmt haue voluntarie ∥ly∥
lent for supplie of the p̢sent wantℯ double the same ∥as great a∥ Sum̃e
But this wch they glory in of the Multitude of Adventurers wherewth
theire Courtℯ are filled may ∥p̱haps be∥ more truely be Complayned of as
a [20] greivance and a thinge we Worthie the enquireinge into And then
it will be seene Whether that Course be for the helpe and Advancemt of
the Plantac̃on or Whether they be not invited to make that apparance for
other sinister endℯ as either to make sure some elecc̃on of officers assured
friend to the p̢sent Carriage ∥Managers∥ of ∥these∥ businesses or to be
spectators of some arraignemt, or to be hearers of some bitter Invectiues and
scandalous asperc̃ons to the end they may be sure to haue them spread over
Towne and Countrye or to Confirme some sweete busines such as the Sallary
was or at least to countenance and grace theire proceedingℯ wch is the more
probable because that sometymes when only the directe businesses of the
Plantac̃on are to be handled there haue Wanted a Competent nomber of
Councellors to keepe an ordinary Courte even since theis glorious tymes
that haue beene soe plentifull in bringinge forth Adventurers And those
Courses wch haue beene practised thus to encrease the nomber and by
pluralitie of voice to sway busines accordinge to theire owne affecc̃ons hath
made most of the old reall Adventurers vtterly to desist and give ouer the
Worke Soe that of this multitude of Adventurers wch they bragge of
Virginia may most truelie though wth greife say Inopem me Copia fecit.

∥14. Branch∥ The imploymt of 42 sale of shipps

∥Answ.∥ in 4 yeares is in it selfe a good busines but the grownd of theire
imploymt was in great parte holpen by the Discoveri§y§e of the fishinge in
newe England found out dureinge Sr Tho: Smiths gou9nmt at the Charge
of the Company by Sr Samuell Argall, Capteyne John Smith and others:
As for those that ∥so many∥ of the 42 shipps that ∥as∥ haue beene imployed
only in transporte of multitudes of people to Virginia it will wee thincke be
sufficiently Conceived by what hath formerly beene said that theire labors
might haue beene better spared then vsed for then had Wee saved not
only many Mens liues but the Colony had beene likewise better furnished
wth victualls and provision: much whereof the Maryners of those shipps
lingeringe there for a poore fraight of Tobaccoe haue beene a meanes to
waste and Consume even in this tyme of dearth and scarcitie wch nowe
raignes amounge them.

* * * * * * * * *[143]

[23] erectinge of one Forte In the Meane tyme Wee Wish they could giue a
good Accompt of vpholding them that Were made in Sr Tho: Smiths tyme
Wch Wee feare are all or the most of them ruyned, soe provident and
carefull haue they beene both in the name of sendinge of his Mate subiectℯ
to Virginia as hath beene aforesaid, and of theire safetye when they come
thither.

∥And∥ Thus haue Wee playnely and fully as Wee hope made answere to
the seu9all branches of theire declarac̃on by wch in some sorte may appeare
the Different Carriage and successe of that Plantac̃on vnder the first
gou9nmt thereof by the space of the first 12. yeares and vnder the later
gou9nmt dureinge theis last 4. yeares In breife (passinge over the Workℯ
wch were effected dureing the first gou9nmt the p̱ticulers whereof for
proofe of/what hath beene said here in gen9all shall hereafter be more
fully declared) Wee conceive and (though wth greife) wee ∥must∥ speake
it, because in Conscience and Dutye vpon this occasion wee hold orselues
bound therevnto ∥so to doe∥ That for aught appeares to vs the true estate
of the Plantac̃on and the fruite [of][144] the last 4 yeares labors may be thus
Sum̃ed vp vizt ∥That∥ 90000. sterlinge at th[e] leaste hath dureinge the
said 4 yeares beene exhausted That in that tyme the Kinge hath loste
aboute 3000 of his Subiectℯ lives if not more, That these fewe whoe remaine

in the Colonie are for the most parte in great want and miserye, That
they are ingaged in a warr with the Natiuℯ whoe doe now insult over
them, That the old and most healthfull partℯ of the Plantac̃ons are or
were lately deserted, That the fortℯ bridges and publiq̢ workℯ made in
the tyme of Sr Tho: Smiths gou9mnt are (if not all yet most of them)
either ruyned or demolished and none in lieue of them erected, That a
great parte if not all the ordnance sent in Sr Tho: Smiths tyme (these
beinge none other for ought wee heare sent since) is become vnserviceable
That there is noe staple Com̃odities yet raised, not one Guesthouse built
(the want whereof hath beene the death of manie men) That most of the
old Adventures here and best experienced Com̃aunders and officers there
haue deserted that worke and in theire Roome or Courtℯ here stuffed
wth a great many Men whoe beinge in little or noe Adventure And the
poore Collonie there left to the guidance of Men little or rather nothinge
at all experienced in materiall ∥martiall∥ busines whereby (besides the
sicknes, no mortalitie ∥famine∥ and other miseries that invade them
∥Colony∥) their lives are in Contynuall ieopardye, and the ruyn and
Destrucc̃on of the whole worke together wth the honor thereof most
apparently threatned.

Lastly for supply of theis defectℯ not only the publiq̢ stocke who[ll]y[145]
exhausted but the Companie by the Computac̃on aforesaid, six or seaven
thowsand powndℯ in debt Soe that it were to be wished those who drew
the declarac̃on to his Matie would leave varnishinge theire owne Acc̃ons
wth colourable shewes and Causinge balladℯ to be printed of Wee knowe
not what imaginarie successe plentye and prosperitie and ∥be drawne∥ so
farr at last §soe§ farre ∥to∥ Com̃iserate the Calamities ∥ous∥ and distressed
estate of that ∥or∥ poore Colonie ∥Countryemen∥ as fullie and Cleerelie [to]
discover the same to the viewe of or most gracious Sou9aigne whoe out of
his tender regard of the good and welfare of that enterprise hath beene
pleased to appoint the whole Carriage of those businesses to be searcht
into & examined by his Worthie Com̃issioners to whose good acceptac̃on
wth all dure due respect wee p̢sent this answere and ∥setting aside all
partiall respects∥ shall be redy wth honest hartℯ to Contribute or ∥best∥
endeavors for findeinge out the truth, and ∥for∥ Advancemt of that publiq̢
Svice.