John Smith, True Relation, 1608
WEBSOURCE: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browsemod?id=J1007
Selection I (Use this part to help answer questions about why the source was written and published.)
A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Note as has Happened in Virginia Since the First Planting of that Colony, which is now resident in the South part thereof, till the last return from thence.
Written by Captaine Smith one of the said Colony , to a worshipful friend of his in England
John Smith
LONDON
Printed for John Tappe, and are to be sold at the Greyhound in Paules-Church yard, by W.W.
1608
To the Courteous Reader
… so I gentle Readers, happening upon this relation by chance (as I take it, at the second or third hand) induced thereunto by diverse well wishers of the action, and none wishing better towards it then my self , so far forth as my poor ability can or may stretch too, I thought good to publish it: but the Author being absent from the press , it cannot be doubted but that some faults have escaped in the printing, especially in the names of Countries, Towns , and People, which are somewhat strange unto us: but most of all, and which is the chief error, (for want of knowledge of the Writer some of the books were printed under the name of Thomas Watson, by whose occasion I know not, unless it were the over rashness , or mistaking of the workmen , but since having learned that the said discourse was written by Captain Smith, who is one of the Counsel there in Virginia: I thought good to make the apology , by showing the true Author so far as myself could learn , not doubting, but that the wise noting it as an error of ignorance, will pass it over with patience, and if worthy an applause , to reserve it to the Author, whose pains in my judgement deserve commendations; some : what was more by him written, which being as I thought (fit to be private) I would not adventure to make it public what more may be expected concerning the situation of the Country, the nature, of the clime, number of our people there resident, the manner of their government, and living, the commodities to be produced, & the end & effect it may come too, I can say nothing more then is here written, only what I have learned and gathered from the generall consent of all (that I have conversed with all ) as-well mariners as others, which have had employment that way; is that the Country is excellent & pleasant, the clime temperate and health full, the ground fertile and good, the commodities to be expected (if well followed) many, for our people, the worst being already past, these former having endured the heat of the day, whereby those that shall succeed , may at ease labour for their profit, in the most sweet , cool, and temperate shade: the action most honorable, and the end to the high glory of God, to the erecting of true religion among Infidels , to the overthrow of superstition and idolatry , to the winning of many thousands of wandering sheepe, unto Christ's fold, who now, and till now, have strayed in the unknown paths of Paganism , Idolatry , and superstition: yea, I say the Action being well followed, as by the grave Senators, and worthy adventurers , it hath beene worthily begun : will tend to the everlasting reknown of our Nation, and to the exceeding good and benefit of our whole public in general; whose Counsels , labours, godly and industrious endeavors , I beseech the mighty Jehovah to bless , prosper, and further, with his heavenly aide , and holy assistance.
Farewell, I.H.
A TRUE RELATION OF SUCH OCCURRENCES AND ACCIDENTS OF NOTE, AS HAS HAPPENED IN VIRGINIA, SINCE THE FIRST PLANTING OF THAT COLONY , WHICH IS NOW RESIDENT IN THE SOUTH PART THEREOF, TILL THE LAST RETURN .
Kind Sir, commendations remembered &c. You shall understand that after many crosses in the downs by tempests, we arrived safely upon the Southwest part of the great Canaries: within four or five days after we set sail for Dominica, the 26. Of April : the first land we made, we fell with Cape Henry, the very mouth of the Bay of Chesapeake , which at that present we little expected, having by a cruel storm been put to the Northward:
Anchoring in this Bay, twenty or thirty went a shore with the Captain, and in coming aboard, they were assaulted with certain Indians, which charged them within Pistol shot: in which conflict, Captain Archer and Mathew Morton were shot: whereupon, Captain Newport seconding them, made a shot at them, which the Indians little respected, but having spent their arrows retired without harm , and in that place was the Box opened, wherein the Counsel for Virginia was nominated: and arriving at the place where wee are now seated, the Counsel was sworn , the President elected, which for that year was Master Edward Maria Wingfield , where was made choice for our situation a very fit place for the erecting of a great city , about which some contention passed betwixt Captain Wingfield and Captain Gosnold , notwithstanding all our provision was brought a shore, and with as much speed as might be we went about our fortification.
…
About the tenth of September there was about 46. of our men dead, at which time Captain Wingefield having ordered the affairs in such sort that he was generally hated of all, in which respect with one consent he was deposed from his presidency , and Captain Ratcliffe according to his course was elected.
Our provision now being within twenty days spent, the Indians brought us great store both of Corn and bread ready made: and also there came such abundance of Fowls into the Rivers, as greatly refreshed our weak estates, where upon many of our weak men were presently able to go abroad.
As yet we had no houses to cover us, our tents were rotten and our Cabins worse than naught : our best commodities was Iron which we made into little chisels .
The president, and Captain Martins sickness , me to be Cape Marchant, and yet to spare no paines in making houses for the company, who notwithstanding our misery, little ceased their malice, grudging and muttering.
As at this time were most of our chiefest men either sick or discontented, the rest being in such despair , as they would rather starve and rot with idleness, then be persuaded to do any thing for their own relief without constraint: our victuals being now within eighteen days spent, and the Indians trade decreasing, I was sent to the mouth of the river to Kegquohtan an Indian Towne, to trade for Corn , and try the river for Fish, but our fishing we could not effect by reason of the stormy weather. The Indians thinking us near famished, with careless kindness, offered us little pieces of bread and small handfulls of beans or wheat, for a hatchet or a piece of copper: In like manner I entertained their kindness , and in like scorne offered them like commodities, but the Children, or any that show extraordinary kindness , I liberally confronted with free gifts such trifles as well contented them. …
Selection II
[Smith continued short expeditions for trade and exploration throughout the fall of 1607.]
Within three or four miles , we hired a Canoe , and 2 Indians to row us the next day a fowling. Having made such provision for the barge as was needfull, I left her there to ride, with express charge not any to go ashore til my return .
Though some wise men may condemn this too bold attempt of too much indiscretion, yet if they well consider the friendship of the Indians in conducting me, the desolateness of the country, the probability of some lake , and the malicious judges of my actions at home, as also to have some matters of worth to encourage our adventurers in england, might well have caused any honest mind to have done the like, as well for his own discharge as for the public good:
Having 2 Indians for my guide and 2 of our own company, I set forward, leaving 7 in the barge:
Having discovered 20 miles further in the desert , the river still kept his depth and breadth , but much more combred with trees:
Here we went ashore (being some 12 miles higher then the barge had been ) to refresh our selves, during the boiling of our victuals : One of the Indians I took with me, to see the nature of the soil , and to cross the boughts of the river: the other Indian I left with Master Robbinson and Thomas Emry , with their matches lighted . And order to discharge a piece , for my retreat, at the first sight of any Indian.
But within a quarter of an hour I heard a loud cry, and a hollowing of Indians, but no warning piece . Supposing them surprised, and that the Indians had betrayed us, presently I seized him and bound his arm fast to my hand in a garter, with my pistol ready bent to be revenged on him: he advised me to fly, and seemed ignorant of what was done.
But as we went discoursing, I was struck with an arrow on the right thigh, but without harm : upon this occasion I spied 2 Indians drawing their bows , which I prevented in discharging a french pistol :
By that I had charged again , 3 or 4 more did the like: for the first fell down and fled: At my discharge, they did the like. My hinde I made my barricado, who offered not to strive. 20 or 30 arrows were shot at me but short. 3 or 4 times I had discharged my pistol ere the king of Pamaunck called Opekenkenough with 200 men invironed me, each drawing their bow : which done they laid them upon the ground, yet without shot:
My hinde teated betwixt them and me of conditions of peace; he discovered me to be the Captain : my request was to retire to the boat : they demanded my arms , the rest they said were slain , only me they would reserve:
The Indian importuned me not to shoot. In retiring being in the midst of a low quagmire, and minding them more then my steps, I stepped fast into the quagmire, and also the Indian in drawing me forth:
Thus surprised, I resolved to try their mercies: my arms I cast from me, till which none durst approach me.
Being seized on me, they drew me out and led me to the King. I presented him with a compass diall, describing by my best means the use thereof : whereat he so amazedly admired, as he suffered me to proceed in a discourse of the roundness of the earth, the course of the sun , moon , stars and planets .
With kind speeches and bread he requited me, conducting me where the Canoe lay and John Robbinson slain , with 20 or 30 arrows in him. Emry I saw not.
I perceived by the abundance of fires all over the woods. At each place I expected when they would execute me, yet they used me with what kindness they could:
Approaching their Town , which was within 6 miles where I was taken, only made as arbors and covered with mats, which they remove as occasion requires: all the women and children, being advertised of this accident, came forth to meet them, the King well guarded with 20 bowmen 5 flank and rear, and each flank before him a sword and a piece , and after him the like, then a bowman, then I on each hand a bowman , the rest in file in the rear , which rear led forth amongst the trees in a bishion, each his bow and a handfull of arrowes, a quiver at his back grimly painted: on each flank a sergeant , the one running always towards the front, the other towards the rear , each a true pace and in exceeding good order.
This being a good time continued they cast themselves in a ring with a dance, and so each man departed to his lodging.
The Captain conducting me to his lodging, a quarter of Venison and some ten pound of bread I had for supper: what I left was reserved for me, and sent with me to my lodging:
Each morning 3 women presented me three great platters of fine bread, more venison then ten men could devour I had: my gown , points and garters, my compass and my tablet they gave me again. Though 8 ordinarily guarded me, I wanted not what they could devise to content me: and still our longer acquaintance increased our better affection.
Much they threatened to assault our forte, as they were solicited by the King of Paspahegh who showed at our fort great signs of sorrow for this mischance. The King took great delight in understanding the manner of our ships, sailing the seas, the earth and skies, and of our God: what he knew of the dominions he spared not to acquaint me with, as of certain men clothed at a place called Ocanahonan, clothed like me: the course of our river, and that within 4 or 5 days journey of the falls , was a great turning of salt water:
I desired he would send a messenger to Paspahegh [the district in which James Town was situated], with a letter I would write, by which they should understand how kindly they used me, and that I was well, lest they should revenge my death. This he granted and sent three men, in such weather as in reason were impossible by any naked to be endured. Their cruel mindes towards the fort I had deserted, in describing the ordinance and the mines in the fields, as also the revenge Captain Newport and would take of them at his return . Their intent, I incerted the fort, the people of Ocanahonum and the back sea: this report they after found diverse Indians that confirmed:
The next day after my letter, came a savage to my lodging. With his sword, to have slain me: but being by my guard intercepted, with a bow and arrow he offered to have effected his purpose: the cause I knew not, till the King understanding thereof came and told me of a man a dying, wounded with my pistol : he told me also of another I had slain , yet the most concealed they had any hurt : This was the father of him I had slain , whose fury to prevent, the King presently conducted me to another Kingdom , upon the top of the next northerly river called Youghtanan.
Having feasted me, he further led me to another branch of the river, called Mattapament; to two other hunting towns they led me: and to each of these Countries, a house of the great Emperor of Pewhakan, whom as yet I supposed to be at the Falls ; to him I told him I must go , and so return to Paspahegh.
After this four of five days march , we returned to Rasawrack, the first town they brought me too: where binding the Mats in bundles , they marched two dayes journey, and crossed the River of Youghtanan, where it was as broad as Thames: so conducting me to a place called Menapacuts in Pamaunke, where the King inhabited.
The next day another King of that nation called Kekataugh, having received some kindness of me at the Fort, kindly invited me to a feast at his house, the people from all places flocked to see me, each showing to content me.
By this, the great King hath foure or five houses, each containing fourscore or an hundred feet in length, pleasantly seated upon an high sandy hill, from whence you may see westerly a goodly low Country, the river before the which his crooked course caused many great Marshes of exceeding good ground. An hundred houses, and many large plains are here together inhabited. More abundance of fish and fowl , and a pleasanter seat cannot be imagined. The King with forty Bowmen to guard me, intreated me to discharge my Pistol , which they there presented me, with a mark at six score to strike therewith : but to spoil the practice , I broke the cock , whereat they were much discontented, though a chance supposed.
From hence, this kind king conducted me to a place called Topahanocke, a kingdom upon another River northward: The cause of this was, that the year before, a ship had been in the River of Pamaunke, who having been kindly entertained by Powhatan their Emperor , they returned thence, and discovered the River of Topahanocke: where being received with like kindness , yet he slew the King, and took of his people, and they supposed I were he . But the people reported him a great man that was Captain , and using me kindly, the next day we departed.
This River of Topahanock seemed in breadth no much less than that we dwell upon. At the mouth of the River is a Country called Cuttata women: upwards is Marraugh tacum, Tapohanock, Appamatuck, and Nantaugs tacum: at Topmanahocks, the head issuing from many Mountains.
The next night I lodged at a hunting town of Powhatams, and the next day arrived at Waranacomoco upon the river of Pamauncke, where the great king is resident. By the way we passed by the top of another little river, which is betwixt the two, called Payankatank. The most of this Country though Desert, yet exceeding fertile ; good timber, most hills and dales, in each valley a crystal spring.
Arriving at Weramocomoco [? On or about 5 January 1608], their Emperor proudly lying upon a Bedstead a foot high, upon ten or twelves Mats , richly hung with many chains of great pearls about his neck , and covered with a great Covering of Rahaughcums. At head sat a woman, at his feet another; on each side sitting upon a mat uppon the ground, were ranged his chief men on each side of the fire, ten in a rank , and behind them as many young women, each a great Chain of white Beads over their shoulders, their heads painted in red : and with such a grave and Magestic countenance, as draw me into admiration to see such state in a naked Savage.
He kindly welcomed me with such good words , and great Platters of sundry Victuals, assuring me his friendship, and my liberty within four days. He much delighted in Opechan Comoughs relation of what I had described to him, and oft examined me upon the same.
He asked me the cause of our coming.
I told him being in fight with Spaniards our enemy , being overpowered , near put to retreat, and by extreme weather put to this shore: where landing at Chesipiack, the people shot us, but Kequoughtan they kindly used us: we by signes demanded fresh water, they described us up the River was all fresh water: at Paspahegh also they kindly used us: our Pinnsse being leaky , we were forced to stay to mend her, till Captain Newport my father came to conduct us away.
He demanded why we went further with our Boat . I told him, in that I would have occasion to talk of the back Sea, that on the other side the maine, where was salt water. My father had a child slain , which we supposed Monocan his enemy : whose death we intended to revenge.
After good deliberation, he began to describe me the Countries beyond the Falls , with many of the rest; confirming what not only Opechancanoyes, and an Indian which had beene prisoner to Pewhatan had before told me : but some called it five days , some six , some eight, where the said water dashed amongst many stones and rocks , each storm; which caused often times the head of the River to be brackish:
Anchanachuck he described to be the people that had slain my brother: whose death he would revenge. He described also upon the same Sea, a mighty Nation called Pocoughtronack, a fierce Nation that did eat men, and warred with the people of Moyaoncer and Pataromerke, Nations upon the top of the head of the Bay, under his territories: where the year before they had slain an hundred. He signified their crowns were shaven, long hair in the neck , tied on a knot, Swords like Pollaxes.
Beyond them, he described people with short Coats , and Sleeves to the Elbows , that passed that way in Ships like ours. Many Kingdoms he described me , to the head of the Bay, which seemed to be a mighty River issuing from mighty Mountains betwixt the two Seas: The people clothed at Ocamahowan, he also confirmed; and the Southern Countries also, as the rest that reported us to be within a day and a half of Mangoge, two days of Chawwonock, 6 from Roonock, to the south part of the back sea: He described a country called Anone, where they have abundance of Brasse, and houses walled as ours.
I requited his discourse (seeing what pride he had in his great and spacious Dominions, seeing that all he knew were under his Territories) in describing to him, the territories of Europe, which was subject to our great King whose subject I was, the innumerable multitude of his ships, I gave him to understand the noise of Trumpets, and terrible manner of fighting were under captain Newport my father: whom I titled the Meworames, which they call the King of all the waters. At his greatness , he admired: and not a little feared. He desired me to forsake Paspahegh, and to live with him upon his River, a Country called Capa Howasicke. He promised to give me Corn , Venison, or what I wanted to feed us: Hatchets and Copper we should make him, and none should disturb us.
This request I promised to perform : and thus, having with all the kindness he could devise, sought to content me, he sent me home, with 4 men: one that usually carried my Gown and Knapsack after me, two other loaded with bread, and one to accompany me.
This River of Pamaunke is not past twelve mile from that we dwell on, his course northwest and westerly as the other. Weraocomoco is upon salt water in bredth two miles , and so keepeth his course without any tarrying some twenty miles; where at the parting of the fresh water and the salt, it divideth it self into two parts , the one part to Goughland, as broad as Thames, and navigable with a Boat Boate threescore or fourscore miles, and with a Ship fifty : exceeding crooked, and many low grounds and marshes , but inhabited with abundance of warlike and tall people. The Country of Youghtoman, of no less worth, only it is lower; but all the soil , a fat , fertile , sandy ground. Above Manapacumter, many high sandy mountains . By the River is many Rocks , seeming, if not, of several Mines.
The other branch a little less in breadth, yet extends not near so far , nor so well inhabited, somewhat lower, and a white sandy , and a white clay soil : here is their best Terra Sigillata. The mouth of the River, as I see in the discovery thereof with captain Newport , is half a mile broad, and within four miles not above a Musket shot: the channel exceeding good and deep , the River straight to the divisions . Kiskirk the nearest Nation to the entrances.
Their religion and ceremony I observed was thus: Three or four days after my taking, seven of them in the house where I lay, each with a rattle, began at ten a clock in the morning to sing about the fire, which they invironed with a Circle of meale, and after a foot or two from that, at the end of each song, laid downe two or three more Circles in like manner, a hand breadth from other. That done, at each song, they put betwixt every three, two, or five grains , a little stick ; so counting as an old woman her Pater noster.
One disguised with a great Skin , his head hung round with little Skins of Weasels and other vermin , with a Crownet of feathers on his head, painted as ugly as the devil , at the end of each song will make many signs and demonstrations with strange and vehement actions. Great cakes of Deer suet, Deer , and Tobacco he cast in the fire: till six a clock in the Evening, their howling would continue ere they would depart.
Each morning in the coldest frost, the principle , to the number of twenty or thirty , assembled themselves in a round circle, a good distance from the town : where they told me they there consulted where to hunt the next day:
So fat they fed me , that I much doubted they intended to have sacrificed me to the Quiyoughquosicke, which is a superiour power they worship: a more uglier thing cannot be described. One they have for chief sacrifices, … which also they call Quiyoughquiosick. To cure the sick, a man, with a Rattle, and extreme howling, shouting , singing, and such violent gestures and Anticke actions over the patient, will suck out blood and phlegme from the patient, out of their unable stomach , or any diseased place, as no labor will more tire them.
Tobacco, they offer the water in passing in foul weather. The death of any they lament with great sorrow and weeping. Their Kings they bury betwixt two mats within their houses, with all his beads, jewels, hatchets, and copper: the other in graves like ours. They acknowledge no resurrection.
Powhatan hath three brethren, and two sisters, each of his brethren succeeded other. For the Crown , their heirs inherit not, but the first heirs of the Sisters, and so successively the women's heirs . For the Kings have as many women as they will, his Subjects two, and most but one.
From Weramocomoco is but 12 miles, yet the Indians trifled away that day, and would not go to our Fort by any persuasions: but in certain old hunting houses of Paspahegh we lodged all night.
The next morning ere Sun rise, we set forward to our Fort, where we arrived within an hour : where each man with the truest signs of joy they could express welcomed me, except Maister Archer , and some 2 or 3 of his, who was then in my absence sworn Counselor , though not with the consent of Captain Martin :
Great blame and imputation was laid upon me by them, for the loss of our two men which the Indians slew: insomuch that they purposed to depose me. But in the midst of my miseries, it pleased God to send Captain Nuport : who arriving there the same night, so tripled our joy as for a while these plots against me were deferred; though with much malice against me, which captain Newport in short time did plainly see. Now was master Scrivener , captain Martin , and my self , called Counselors .
Within five or six days after the arrival of the Ship, by a mischance our Fort was burned, and the most of our apparel , lodging and private provision. Many of our old men diseased, and of our new for want of lodging perished.
The Emperor Powhatan, each week once or twice, sent me many presents of deer , bread Raugroughcuns; half always for my father whom he much desired to see, and half for me: and so continually importuned by messengers and presents, that I would come to fetch the corn , and take the Country their King had given me, as at last Captain Newport resolved to go see him.
Such acquaintance I had amongst the Indians, and such confidence they had in me, as near the Fort they would not come till I came to them; every of them calling me by my name, would not sell any thing till I had first received their presents, and what they had that I liked, they deferred to my discretion: but after acquaintance, they usually came into the Fort at their pleasure: The President and the rest of the Council , they knew not; But Captain Newports greatness I had so described, as they conceived him the chief, the rest his children, Officers, and servants.