America and West Indies: July 1610 | British History Online

Page 10

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

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Citation:

July 1610



July?	22. Thos. Lord De la Warr to Salisbury. Has met with very much comfort yet mingled with as many lamentable accidents since his departure. Leaves the relation of them to the bearer, Sir Thos. Gates, who was "the first that found our men in misery." On 1st April three good ships and 150 persons left Cowes to land as planters in Virginia. Account of their voyage, beset with hard weather and contrary winds, two of the ships lost their anchors. Arrived at Cape Henry on 5th June, in company with the Blessing, wherein was Sir Ferdinando Wenman. Met the next day with his own consort, which had been missing eight weeks, and came to an anchor under Cape Comfort, "where I met with much cold comfort," as if it had not been accompanied with the most happy news of Sir Thos. Gates' arrival would have been sufficient to break his heart. Sir Thos. Gates, despairing of any supplies, had shipped the whole company and colony in two small pinnaces, for England, having but 30 days victuals left for his hungry company. Sent to give Gates notice of his arrival, and on 10 June landed at James Town, a very noisome and unwholesome place, occasioned much by the mortality of the people. Had the town cleansed, and fishermen sent out to provide food. Dispatched Sir Geo. Somers back to Bermuda, for store of hogs, flesh, and fish, to serve the whole colony for the winter, "the good old gentleman out of his love and zeal not motioning but most cheerfully and resolutely undertaking to perform so dangerous a voyage." Will use his best endeavours in settling and managing these affairs of the Company, though they were never so far out of order as he found them. Hopes very shortly to return something valuable to the adventurers who have so constantly seconded these as yet unfortunate proceedings. Endorsed, "Rec. in Sep. 1610."