We copy the following article from the Southern Literary Messenger for June 1839, (vol. 5th, p. 401,) where it is introduced with a short preface in these words: "We derive the subjoined interesting historical paper from so high a source, that we do not hesitate to vouch its authenticity. It appears that it was carefully transcribed from the Royal MSS. in the British Museum, and is entitled in Casley's Catalogue of those MSS., 'John Rolf's Relation of the State of Virginia, 17th Century.' The remark in the tract itself, the estate of this colony, as it remained in May last, when Sir Thomas Dale left the same,' proves that it must have been written a year after May, 1616-as the governor left the colony, and returned to England at that time; and the expression, 'both here and in Virginia,' establishes the fact that the paper was written in England. Rolf, the narrator, had been married to the celebrated Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan, a few years before. She and her husband accompanied Sir Thomas Dale on his return to England, and arrived in Plymouth on the 12th June, 1616. The narrative itself, independent of the fact that it sustains and corroborates most of the accounts which have been preserved of the early state of the colony, will be read with interest, as the production of Mr. Rolf, the chosen partner of her who has been emphatically styled the guardian angel of the colony, and the ancestor of some of the most respectable and distinguished families of Virginia. We give the text verbalim et lileralim."

TO THE KING'S MOST SACRED MATIE.

May it please your Highness:

There have been of late divulged many impressions, judicially and truly penned; partlie to take away the ignominie, scandalls and maledictions wherewith this action hath ben branded, and partlie to satisfie all, (especially the best) with the manner of the late proceedings and the prosperitie likely to ensue. How happily and plenteously the good blessings of God have fallen upon the people and colony since the las impression, faithfully written by a gent. of good merit, Mr. Ralph Hamor, (some tyme an actuall member in the Plantation, even then departing when the foundacoun and ground worke was new laid of their now thrift and happines,) of the earthie and worldly man is scarcely believed, but of heavenlier minds they are most easilie discerned, for they daily attend and marke how those blessings, (though sometimes restrayned for a tyme,) in the end, are poured upon the servants of the Lord. Shall your Ma'tie, with pietie and pittie-with pietie, being zealous for God's glory, and with pittie, (mourning the defects,) vouchsafe to reade thus much of the estate of this colony, as it remained in May last, when Sir Thomas Dale left the same, I shall deeme my selfe most happie in your gracious acceptance, and most readilie offer to your approved judgment, whether this cause, so much despised and disgra ced, doe not wrongfully suffer many imputacions.

First, to meete with an objection commonly used amongst many men, who search truthes no farther then by common reports, namely, how is it possible Virginia can now be so good, so fertile a countrey, so plentifullie stored with food and other commodities? Is it not the same still it was when men pined with famine? Can the earth now bring forth such a plentifull increase? Were there not governors, men and meanes to have wrought this heretofore? And can it now, on the suddaine, be so fruitfull? Surely, say they, these are rather bates to catch and

intrapp more men into woe and miserie, then otherwise can be imagined. These, with many as frivolous, I have heard instigated, and even reproachfullie spoken against Virginia. To answeare whom, (the most parte of them incredulous worldlingssuch as believe not, unless they feele the goodness of the Lord sensiblie to touch them,) though it be not much materiall, yet let them know, 'tis true, Virginia is the same it was, I meane for the goodnes of the seate, and fertileness of the land, and will no doubt so contynue to the world's end,—a countrey as worthy good report, as can be declared by the pen of the best writer. A countrey spacious and wide, capable of many hundred thousands of inhabitants. For the soil most fertile to plant in, for ayre fresh and temperate, somewhat hotter in summer, and not altogether so cold in winter as in England, yet so agreeable it is to our constitutions, that now 'tis more rare to heare of a man's death then in England amongst so many people as are there resident. For water, most wholesome and verie plentifull, and for fayre navigable rivers and good harbours, no countrey in christendom, in so small a circuite, is so well stored. For matter fit for buildings and fortifications, and for building of shipping, with everie thing thereto apperteyning, I may boldly avouch scarce anie or no countrey knowne to man is of itself more abundantly furnished. Theis things (may some say,) are of great consequence toward the settling of a plantation, but where are the beasts and cattle to feede and cloth the people? I confesse this is a mayne want; yet some there are already, as neate cattle, horses, mares and gotes, which are carefullie preserved for increase. The nomber whereof, hereafter shalbe sett downe in a particular note by themselves. There are also great store of hoggs, both wild and tame, and poultrie great plentie, which every man, if they will, themselves may keepe. But the greatest want of all is least thought on, and that is good and sufficient men, as well of birth and qualitie, to command soldiers, to march, discover and defend the countrey from invasions, as also artificers, laborers, and husbandmen, with whom, were the colony

well provided, then might tryall be made what lyeth hidden in the wombe of the ground. The land might yearlie abound with corne and other provisions for man's sustentation-buildings, fortifications and shipping might be reared, wrought and framed-commodities of divers kinds might be yearly reaped and sought after, and many things (God's blessinge contynuing,) might come with ease to establish a firme and perfect common weale.

But to come again to the matter, from which I have a little straied, and to give a more full answeare to the objectors, may you please to take notice, that the beginning of this plantation was governed by a president and councell, aristocratically. The president yearlie chosen out of the councell, which consisted of twelve persons. This government lasted about two years, in which tyme such envie, dissentions and jarres were daily sowne amongst them, that they choaked the seed and blasted the fruits of all men's labors. If one were well disposed and gave good advisement to proceed in the business-others, out of the malice of their hearts, would contradict, interdict, withstand and dash all. Some rung out and sent home too loud praises of the riches and fertilness of the country, before they assayed to plant, to reape or search the same; others said nothing, nor did any thing thereunto; all would be keisars, none inferior to other. Some drew forward, more backward-the vulgar sort looked for supplie out of England-neglected husbandry-some wrote-some said there was want of food, yet sought for none-others that would have sought could not be suffered; in which confusion much confusion yearlie befell them, and in this government happened all the miserie. Afterward a more absolute government was ✓ graunted, monarchially, wherein it still contynueth, and although for some few years it stood at a stay, especially in the manuring and tilling of ground, yet men spent not their tyme idely nor improfitably, for they were daily employed in palazadoing and building of townes, impaling grounds and other needful businesses, which is now both beneficial to keepe the cattle from

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ranging, and preserveth the corne safe from their spoile. Being thus fitted and prepared to sow corne, and to plant other seeds and fruits in all the places of our habitations,-one thing, notwithstanding, much troubled our governor, namely, enmitie with the Indians; for, however well we could defend ourselves, townes and seates from any assaulte of the natives, yet our cattle and corne lay too open to their courtesies, and too subject to their mercies whereupon a peace was concluded, which still continueth so firme, that our people yearely plant and reape quietly, and travell in the woods a fowling and a hunting as freely and securely from feare of danger or treacherie as in England. The great blessings of God have followed this peace, and it, next under him, hath bredd our plentie-everie man sitting under his fig tree in safety, gathering and reaping the fruits of their labors with much joy and comfort. But a question may be demanded what these fruits are for such as the countrey affordeth naturally (for varietie and goodnes) are comparable to the best in christendom, (growing wild as they doe,)-I pass them over, other discourses having largely manifested them to the view of the world. But for the people's present labors they have Indian wheate, called mays in the West Indies, pease and beanes, English wheate, peas, barley, turnips, cabbages, pumpions, West Indian and others, carretts, parsnips, and such like, besides hearbs and flowers, all of our English seede, both for pleasure and for the kitchen, so good, so fruitful, so pleasant and profitable, as the best made ground in England can yield. And that your Ma'tie may know what two men's labor, with spade and shalve only, can manure in one year, fistie pounds in money was offered for their cropp, which they refused to take; for hempe and flax, none better in England or Holland-silkewormes, some of their labors, and tasts of other good and vendible commodities were now brought home. Likewise tobacco, (though an esteemed weed,) very commodious, which there thriveth so well, that no doubt but after a little more trial and expense in the curing thereof, it will compare with the best in the West Indies. For