Captain John Smiths True Relations

True Relations – Weramocomoco their Emperor

Arriving at Weramocomoco their emperor, proudly lying upon a bedstead a foot high upon ten or twelve mats, richly hung with many chains of great pearls about his neck, and covered with a great covering of Rahaughcums . At these sat a women and at his feet sat another, on each side of him sitting upon a mat upon the ground were his chief men on each side of the fire, ten in a rank and behind them as many young women, each wearing a great chain of white beads over there shoulders. There beads painted in red and with … Read more

True Relations – Warrior of the Powhatan

This so contented him, he as immediacy with attentive influence with a loud ovation he proclaimed me a Warrior of the Powhatan, and that all his subjects should esteem us and no man account us as strangers nor Paspaheghans, but Powhatans, and that the corn, women and the country should be to us as it is to their own people. This offered kindness for many reasons we commend not, but with the best Languages and signs of thanks that I could express. I took my leave. The King rising from his seat, conducted me forth and then caused each of … Read more

True Relations – Twelve Great Coppers

Captain Newport would not with less then twelve great coppers try his kindness, which he liberally requited with as much corn as a Chickhamania, I had for one of less proportions. And our hatches he would also have at his own rate and for which kindness he mush seemed to effect Captain Newport, some few bunches of blue beads I had, which he so desired and seeing a few he offered me a basket of two pecks, and that which I Drew to be three pecks at least and yet he seemed contented and desired more. I agreed with him … Read more

True Relations – Supplies Run Short

Captain Newport having set things in order, set sail for England the 22nd of June , leaving provisions for thirteen or fourteen weeks. The day before the ships departure the king of Pamaunkey sent the Indian that had met us before in our arrival, to assure us peace, our fort being then laid out round, and all our men in good health and comfort, all but that through some discontented humors, it did not so long continue, for the president and Captain Gosnold, with the rest of the Counsel being for the most part discontented with one another, in so … Read more

True Relations – Pamunkey Religion and Ceremonies

The river of Pamaunke is not pass twelve miles from that we dwell on, his course northwest, and westerly, as the other Weraocomoco is upon salt water, in breath two miles, and to keep this course without caring some twenty miles where the parting of fresh water and salt water. It divides itself in two parts, the one part to Goughland is as broad as Thames, and navigable with a boat threescore or fourscore and with a ship fifty, exceedingly crooked and manly low ground and marshes, But is inhabited with Abundance of tall warlike people. The country of Youghtomam … Read more

True Relations – Paister Nelson in the Phoenix

This happy arrival of Paister Nelson in the Phoenix and having been then about three months missing since Captain Newport’s arrival, being to all our predictions lost. And now at last having been long delayed by the tempest weather and contrary winds he so unexpected coming, did so bring us with him exceeding joy, that now we thought ourselves well fitted, as our hearts could wish, and now with a competent number of men., and also with all needed provisions, until a further supply should come to us. Where upon the first thing that was concluded was that myself and … Read more

True Relations – Need for Supplies

Time thus passing away and having not above fourteen days of vitals left, some notions were made about our president and Captain Archer going for England to procure supplies, which in the mean time we had reasonably fitted us with houses, and our president and Captain Martin being able to walk abroad, with much thought it was concluded that the Pinnis and the barge should go towards Powhatan , to trade for corn. Ballets were cast who should go in her, the chance was mine, and while she was arigging. I took a voyage to Topohanack, an here arriving, there … Read more

True Relations – Indians and Ambassadors

The next day came first an Indian, then another as ambassadors for their men, they desired to speak with me, or discuss what spades, shovels, swords or tools they had stolen, to bring home ( if not the next day they should hang ) the next news was they had taken two of our men, ranging in the woods, in which mischief the punishment will present hanging, and these they would and should redeem their own, sixteen or eighteen braving us to our doors, we advised the President and Captain Martin, that in the afternoon to fall upon them, but … Read more

True Relations – Councilor of Paspanegh

The concession of Macanoe, who was the Councilor of Paspanegh. First I , then Paister Scrivener, upon our several examinations, found out all of them were convinced that the Paspahegh and the Chickahamania did hate us, and intended some mischief, and they were who took me, the names of them that stole our tools and swords, and that Powhatan had received them, they all agreed. Certain volleys of shot we caused to be discharged, which caused each other to think their fellows had been slain. Powhatan understanding we detained certain Savages, sent his daughter, a child of ten years old, … Read more

True Relations – Approaching Their Town

Approaching their town, which was in six miles where I was taken and only made as frames and covered with mats, which they remove as the occasion requires. All the women and children being advertised of this accident, came fourth to meet them, the king well guarded with twenty bowmen five flank and rear, and each flank before him with a sword and a piece, and after him the like bowmen. Then I on each hand a bowmen, the rest in a file to rear, which care led fourth amongst the trees in a fashion, each with his bow and … Read more

True Relations – Adventure of the Country

Here the river became narrower at eight, nine or ten feet at a high water, and six or seven at a low. The stream exceeding swift and the bottom hard channel. The ground on the most part was a low plain with sandy soil, this occasioned me to think it might come from some lake or some broad ford, for it could be far to the head. But rather then endanger the barge, yet to have been able to resolve this doubt and to discharge of the imputation of malicious tongues, that I half suspected I was not in so … Read more

The Pinnis Arrives at Chesapeake Bay

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 there of, until he has returned. Indeed Sir , commendations remembered. You shall understand that after many crosses in the downs by tempests, we arrived safely upon the southwest part of the Great Canaries, within course of 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 Chiffiapiacke , which at … Read more