The Writings of John Smith

Captain Smith

know not: but of this I am sure; when her father with the utmost of his policie and power, sought to surprize mee,1 having but eighteene with mee, the darke night could not affright her from comming through the irkesome woods, and with watered eyes gave me intelligence, with her best advice to escape his furie; which had hee knowne, hee had surely slaine her. Jamestowne with her wild traine she as freely frequented, as her fathers habitation; and during the time of two or three yeares, she next under God, was still the instrument to preserve this Colonie from death, famine and utter confusion; _which if in those times, had once beene dissolved, Virginia might haveit was at our first arrivall to this day. Since then, this businesse having beene turned and varied by many accidents from that I left it at: it is most certaine, after a long and troublesome warre after my departure, betwixt her father and our Colonie; all which time shee was not heard of. About two yeeres after 3 shee her selfe was taken prisoner, being so detained neere two yeeres longer, the Colonie by that meanes was relieved, peace concluded; and at last rejecting her barbarous condition, was maried to an English Gentleman, with whom at this present she is in England; the first Christian ever of that Nation, the first Virginian ever spake English, or had a childe in mariage by an Englishman: a matter surely, if my meaning bee truly considered and well understood, worthy a Princes understanding.

Thus, most gracious Lady, I have related to your Majestie, what at your best leasure our approved Histories will account you at large, and done in the time of your Majesties life; and however this might bee presented you from a more worthy pen, it cannot from a more honest heart, as yet I never begged any thing of the state, or any: and it is my want of abilitie and her exceeding desert; your birth, meanes and authoritie: hir birth, vertue, want and simplicitie, doth make mee thm bold, humbly to beseech your Majestie to take this knowledg{ of her, though it be from one so unworthy to be the reporter
January 15, 1609.