Page images
PDF
EPUB

they enjoy in Virginia, were men sensible of theis things, where they may have ground for nothing, more than they can manure; reape more fruits and profitts with half the labor, void of many cares and vexacions, and for their rent a matter of small or no moment, I leave to your singular judgment and consideracoun, nothing doubting, but He (who, by his infinite goodnes, with so small means, hath settled these poore and weake beginnings so happily,) will animate; stirr up and encourage manie others. cheerefully to undertake this worke, and will assuredly add a daily strength to uphold and maintayne what he hath already begun.

Seeing then this languishing action is now brought to this forwardness and strength, no person but is provided for, either by their owne or others labors, to subsist themselves for food, and to be able to rayse commodities for clothing and other necessaries, envy it selfe, poysoned with the venom of aspes, cannot wound it.

Now, to drawe to a conclusion of this my poore oblacon, I would crave your Highnes' patience a little longer-and that you would turne your heart to a more heavenly meditacoun, wherein much joy and comfort is to be reaped and found, of all such as shall truly, sincerely and unfeynedly secke to advance the honor of God, and to propagate his gospell.. There is not small hope by pietie, clemencie, curtesie and civill demeanor, (by which meanes some are wonne to us alreadie,) to convert and bring to the knowledge and true worship of Jesus Christ thousands of poore, wretched and misbelieving people on whose faces a good christian cannot looke without sorrow, pittie and compassion, seing they beare the image of our Heavenlie Creator, and we and they come from one and the same mould, especiallie we knowing that they, merely through ignorance of God and Christ, doe run headlong, yea, with joy, into destruction and perpetuall damnation,-for which knowledge we are the more bound and indebted to Almightie God, (for what were we before the gospell of Christ shined amongst us?) and cannot better express our duties and thankfulness for so great mercies,

then by using such meanes to them, as it pleased him to lend unto others to bring our forefathers and us into the waies of trueth, it is much to be mourned and lamented how lightlie the workes of God are now a days generallie regarded, and less sought after; but the worke of the world, as though they were eternall, hungered for, and thirsted after with insatiable greedines. But should we well consider, examine and search into ourselves, what we were, and now are, there can be no heart, (if not hardened as the nether mill stone,) but would even break itself to pieces, and distribute to manie poore soules some parte thereof, to purge them from their lees of synne, and to sette them in the right pathes of holines and righteousnes, to serve the King of Heaven; by which meanes and God's holy assistance, no doubt they will soone be brought to abandon their old superstitions and idolatries, wherein they have been nursed and trayned. from their infancies, and our greatest adversaries shall not taunt us with this reproach, "Whom of you have you wonne to christianitie?" What a crowne of glorie shalbe sett upon their heads who shall faithfullie labor herein, I leave to the enjoying of them, who shall endeavour unfeynedly to meritt the same. Finallie, as Caleb and Joshua in the verie heate of grudgings, murmurings, and assemblies of the children of Israell, stood stoutlie for the Lord's cause, commending the goodnes of the land they discovered, to the faces of their oppressors, and the easines to obtain it even to the perill of their lives, so many right ho'ble and worthie personages, both here and in Virginia, (whom generallie the most parte withdrew themselves, that the action was almost sunck downe in forgetfulnes,) have mightilie upheld this christian cause-for God, even our owne God, did helpe them. For neither evill reports, nor slanders, nor murmurings, nor backbitings of others, nor any disaster, did once dismay or hinder them from upholding thereof with their good reports, incouragements, and meanes yearelie sent to the planters, to nourish life and being in this zealous worke. I beseech God to raise up many more such, so zealous for God's glory, to forward the same-we have tasted of some fruits thereof. There are no great nor strong castles,

nor men like the sons of Anack, to hinder our quiet possession of that land. God's hand hath been mightie in the preservacoun thereof hitherto; what need we then to feare, but to goe up at once as a peculiar people, marked and chosen by the finger of God, to possess it, for undoubtedly he is with us. And as for murmurers, slanderers and backsliders, a due porcoun shalbe given them for their reward. So the blessings of Caleb and Joshua shall fall upon all those that constantly persevere to the end. Thus, craving your gracious pardon for my rude boldnes, beseaching God to send you the fulnes of his blessings in this world and in the world to come, I rest,

Your highnes' most faithful and loyall subject,

JOHN ROLF.

The nomber of neate cattle, horses and goates, which were alive in Virginia at Sir Thomas Dale's departure thence:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Memorand: 20 of the cowes were great with calfe at his de

parture.

Horses, 3 in all 6.

Mares, 3 S

Goates

and male and female, in all 216.

Kidds,

}

Hoggs, wild and tame, not to be nombred.
Poultry, great plenty.

Note.-The work of Mr. Ralph Hamor, referred to in the article above, was published in Lo do in 1615, and is entitled, "A True Discourse of the present Estate of Virginia, and the success of the affairs there till the 18th June, 1614; together with a relation of the several English towns and forts, the assured hopes of that country, and the peace concluded with the Indians; the christening of Powhatan's daughter, and her marriage with an Englishman. Written by Ralph Hamor, the younger, late Secretary in that Colony."

CAPT. BYRD'S LETTERS CONTINUED.

TO JACOB ROBERT, per Wynne.

Virginia, May 20th, 1684.

Sir,-Yours of the 9th of Jan'y and the 28th of Sept'r both came safe to my Hands, with your acceptable present of roots and seeds. The Iris, Crocus, Tulips, and anemones flowered this year. The Seeds (I fear) were heated in the Hould of the Ship, but very few of them coming up.

If you send any thing for Mr. Banister, you had best send it up to Messrs. Perry & Lane, merchants in London to bee sent to mee, who will send any thing from the middle of July to the last of Oct'b'r when there is allways a ready passage. If you send Roots and Seeds you had best write on the box not to bee put in the Hould.

I wish it lay in my power to doe you or Mr. Banister any acceptable service. I'll assure you none should bee more ready than your obliged friend and servant,

W. B.

To Mr. THO. Gower.

Virginia, May 20th, 1684.

Sir, Yours of the 8th of Feb'y came safe to my Hands, by which you give me the reason of your not writeing per-Wynne. Your kind token, wee were very merry with, and remembered all our friends as Jack Wynne can testify.

hee cannot carry it.

I designed you a Parcell of Snake-root,—but Wynne hurrying his boat away, it is left behind; hee pretends his ship is so full Our friends here are all in health. My respects and service to all our friends, especially to yourselfe and all at your House from your obliged friend and serv't,

W. B..

To THOMAS GRENDON, Esq.

Virginia, May the 20, 1684.

Dear Sir,-I wrote to you about three weeks since from Towne, where the Assembly is yet Sitting, but about 10 days since, there being a rumour of the Indians being on the frontiers, I obtained leave to come home, and therefore can not give you any account of their proceedings, but must leave it to Capt. Randolph, a worthy member thereof, and to tell you the truth, I can give you as little account of your affairs at home, I haveing not been three days at my owne house these 5 weeks. I suppose you will have that fully from Capt. Randolph or Henry Harman, with the damage you have Sustained there by breaking open the Store. I designe as soon as Will Randolph comes up to goe to your house and inquire fully into the matter. I hear the old Gentlewoman is very well, but I believe sufficiently perplexed about that affair. My Lord Baltimore is going for England, and is now at James Towne to visit our Governor. Major Beverly was tryed this Court for Severall high crimes and misdemeanours and found guilty by the jury, but submitting himselfe on his knees at the Barre was promised pardon on his future good behaviour.

Here hath been a Season these three weeks and therefore likely to bee forward crops.

meet.

Our friends are all well. Wee often remember you when wee Remember mee to all our friends where you are and accept my best respects and service from, Dear Sir,

Your reall friend and servant,

W. B.

Virginia, May the 20th, 1684.

To Mr. CoE, per Wynne,

Yours by Col. Ludwell came safe to hand with your acc't of disbursements, and cannot but always acknowledge your great

« PreviousContinue »