History of Virginia :: :: University of Virginia Library

Renewed Interest in Virginia. — Nearly twenty years
elapsed after the planting of the lost colony before another
effort was made to settle Virginia. Then the times grew
favorable for a renewal of the enterprise, and many influential
persons became interested in it. Men, too, were
found in abundance, who were eager to make personal trial
of this new field of adventure. It seemed to offer an easy
road to fortune and to renown. Fabulous stories written
about America, its heathen peoples and "monstrous strange
beasts," were read with delight; and maps, which showed
the location of new lands, cities, and rivers, were eagerly
examined. From the pulpit, clergymen declared that "Virginia
was a door which God had opened for England."

The London and the Plymouth Companies. — Two associations
were in 1606 formed to settle colonies in the vast
domain known as Virginia. To Sir Thomas Gates, Sir
George Somers, and others, who constituted what was
known as the London Company, authority was given to
found a colony in the southern part of Virginia, and it
was to be planted anywhere between the thirty-fourth and
the forty-first degrees of north latitude; that is, between
what is now the southern part of North Carolina and the
mouth of the Hudson River. Three years later, the boundaries
of the southern colony were enlarged, and made to

embrace the territory two hundred miles north and two
hundred south of what is now known as Old Point Comfort
and to extend "up into the land from sea to sea";
that is, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. To the
Plymouth Company authority was granted to establish a
colony in the northern part of Virginia, afterwards named
New England; but no permanent settlement was made in
this territory till 1620, thirteen years after Virginia was
settled.

The First American Charter. — On April 10, 1606, King
James signed a charter, which he had himself prepared,
for the government of the colony the London Company
was to plant. The laws laid down were, on the whole,
unwise, and not calculated to advance the prosperity of
a struggling community. The chief provisions were as
follows: The colony was to be governed by a council
appointed by the king, the members of which were to
reside in England; and this council was to appoint a
subordinate one in Virginia, which was to govern according
to laws, ordinances, and instructions prescribed by the
king. The land was to be held free of any military or
other service to the king, but to him was to be given one
fifth of all precious metals that might be found. It was
also provided that for five years the settlers should have
things in common, but that after this land should descend
to the eldest son, as it did in England; that the Church of
England should be established; and that efforts should be
made to find a short and easy way to the "South Sea" and
to the East Indies. One provision is worthy of special
notice — that the colonists and their children were to have
forever the rights and privileges of native Englishmen.

The Beginners of the Nation. — One hundred men were
soon secured, who were to be the pioneers. Among them

were to be found men of every rank. There were some
carpenters, laborers, and tradesmen, but more than half
the number were gentlemen. Several of these were men
of property, but many were younger sons, who went out
from home in the hope of bettering their condition in life
by a sudden accession of wealth. On the whole, the emigrants
were not suited to bear the hardships of life in
an uncivilized land. A few, however, had the qualities
of leaders. These were Captain John Smith, who was
a man of unusual ability; Bartholomew

Captain John Smith

Gosnold, an experienced
explorer, who was one of
the most efficient promoters of
the undertaking; George Percy,
a brother of the Duke of Northumberland;
and Rev. Robert
Hunt, a minister of the Established
Church.

The Departure. — Finally all
preparations were completed,
and on December 19, 1606, the
expedition set sail from Blackwall,
below London. The event stirred the patriotic feeling
of England, and aroused great interest even in so busy
a city as London. Michael Drayton wrote a lyric poem in
honor of the argonauts, and prayers were offered up in
the churches for their success. They embarked in three
small ships, the Susan Constant of one hundred tons, the
Godspeed of forty tons, and the Discovery, a pinnace of
twenty tons. The expedition was under the command
of Captain Christopher Newport.

The Voyage. — Captain Newport sailed round by the
Canaries, following the usual route. Stormy weather made

the voyage long and dangerous. For four months the
ships were tossed and buffeted by the waves; and not till
April 26, 1607, did the adventurers reach the Chesapeake
Bay, the northern and southern capes of which they
named after the king's two sons, Charles and Henry.
Soon after passing the capes, they entered a beautiful
river, which in honor of their sovereign they called the
James, and a point of land at which they touched in entering
its mouth, they named Point Comfort. The banks of
this noble river, which the Indians called the Powhatan,
were covered with showy white dogwood blossoms, mingled
with brilliant red buds; and from either side the perfume
of spring flowers was wafted to the ships. To the storm-tossed
travelers the land looked like a veritable paradise,
and they decided that "heaven and earth had never agreed
better to frame a place for man's habitation."

The First Virginia Council. — The names of the first
Virginia Council had been put, by orders of the king, in a
sealed box, which was not to be opened till the expedition
reached Virginia. It was examined on the night of April
26; and the councilmen were found to be Bartholomew
Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Maria Wingfield, Christopher
Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin, and George
Kendall. Wingfield was elected president. But Smith
was at first excluded from the Council on the ground that
he had conspired to usurp all authority and make himself
"King of Virginia." This charge was at a later period
proved to be untrue, and he was then admitted.

Exploring. — Seventeen days were spent in exploring.
The following quaint description tells what happened when
a small party first landed: "At night, when wee were going
aboard, there came the savages creeping from the Hills
like Beares, with their Bowes in their Mouthes, charged us

very desperately, hurt Captain Gabrill Archer in both
hands, and a Sayler in two places of the body very dangerous.
After they had spent their arrowes, and felt the
sharpness of our shot, they retired into the Woods with a
great noise and so left us."

Location of Jamestown Chosen. — On May 13, 1607, the
settlers selected a site for a city, naming it Jamestown,
which they fondly hoped would grow into a great metropolis.

The Settlement of Jamestown

The location chosen was on the western end of a malarial
peninsula, lying on the north side of the river, about forty
miles from its mouth. The peninsula has since become
an island. The landing having been effected, the Council
elected Mr. Wingfield president, who then delivered an
oration, in which he explained why John Smith had been
refused admittance to the Council. After this the colonists
proceeded without delay to pitch tents, whose white
coverings were soon seen gleaming among the green trees.

They rendered their arms and their provisions secure, and
fixed a place to hold religious services. Later, cabins were
built on the peninsula; and the place began to assume the
appearance of a settled community.

A Fort Built. — Toward the end of May, as the men
were planting corn, a shower of arrows came hurtling
upon them, followed by the shrill war whoop of the savages.
One boy was slain and seventeen men wounded
Up to this time but little preparation had been made for
defense; but now all work was stopped till a strong fort
could be built and palisaded. This was soon completed,
and the settlers felt secure from attack.

QUESTIONS

1. What of the renewed interest in Virginia?
2. For what purpose were the London and Plymouth Companies
formed?
3. What parts of Virginia were given to each company?
4. By whom was the charter for the London Company signed?
5. What were the chief provisions of this charter?
6. Give an account of the pioneers of Virginia.
7. Name those who possessed qualities of leaders.
8. In what year did they leave England?
9. What interest was shown in their expedition?
10. Give the names of the three ships in which they embarked? By
whom were they commanded?
11. Give an account of their voyage.
12. When did they reach the Chesapeake Bay?
13. After whom were the capes Charles and Henry named?
14. What name did they give the river they entered?
15. Who constituted the first Virginia Council?
16. Why was John Smith at first excluded?
17. What is said of their explorations?
18. How did the colonists give the peninsula the appearance of a settled
community?
19. What happened towards the end of May?