America and West Indies: June 1616 | British History Online

Pages 17-18

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying and sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Public Domain.

Citation:

June 1616



June 3.	34. Sir Thos. Dale to Sec. Sir Ralph Winwood. Has safely returned from the hardest task he ever undertook. Left the colony [of Virginia] in great prosperity and peace, contrary to many men's expectations. Particulars of the ship's cargo, commodities from thence. Will present himself with the greatest speed, and give an account of that admirable country, one of the goodliest and richest kingdoms of the world, which being inhabited by the King's subjects "will put such a bit into our ancient enemies mouth, as will curb his haughtiness of monarchy." [On 22 June Chamberlain writes to Carleton, that Sir Thos. Dale has brought from Virginia some ten or twelve of that country, among whom the most remarkable person is Pocahuntas, daughter to Powhatan, a King or Cacique there, married to one Rolfe, an Englishman. Hears of no other riches from thence, but sassafras, tobacco, pitch, and clap-board. The country good to live in if well stored with people, and might in time be commodious, but no present profit to be expected. Extract from DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. LXXXVII., p. 67, Cal. p. 375.]
June	Geo. Lord Carew. Extracts from letter to Sir Thos. Roe, in the form of a journal. Sir Thos. Dale returned from Virginia and brought divers men and women of that country to be educated in England. One Rolfe also brought his wife, Pocahuntas, the daughter of Powhatan, "the Barbarous Prince." The worst of that plantation is passed, and our men well victualled by their own industry, but yet no profit returned. Little good to be expected from the Bermudas. Knows only of tobacco being made there. Rats have so multiplied that they destroy whatever is planted.