great many savage ceremonies, he was sent back to Jamestown. On his arrival thither, having been absent seven weeks, he found the colony reduced to 38 persons, most of whom seemed determined to abandon the country which appeared to them so unfavourable to human life. He was just in time to prevent the execution of this design. Alternately employing persuasions, threats, and even violence, he at length, with much hazard to himself, induced the majority to relinquish the intentions they had formed, and then turning the guns of the fort on the bark, on board which were the most determined, compelled her to remain, or sink in the river. By judicious regulation of their intercourse with the Indians, among whom Smith was now in high repute, he preserved plenty in the colony, until the arrival of two vessels, which had been despatched from England under the command of Captain Newport, with a supply of provisions, instruments of husbandry, and with a reinforcement of 120 persons; consisting of many gentlemen, a few labourers, and several refiners, goldsmiths, and jewellers. The joy of the colony on receiving this accession of force, and supply of provisions, was extreme. But the influence of Smith disappeared with the danger which had produced it, and an improvident relaxation of discipline, productive of the most pernicious consequences, succeeded to it. Among the unwise practices which they tolerated, an indiscriminate traffic with the natives was permitted. in the course of which, some obtained for their commodities much better bargains than others, which inspired those who had been most hardly dealt by, and who thought themselves cheated, with resentment against the English generally, and a consequent thirst for revenge.

ΑΠ

About this time was found, washed down by a small stream of water, back of Jamestown, a glittering earth, which by the colonists was mistaken for gold dust. that raging thirst for gold which accompanied the first Europeans who visited the American continent, seemed reexcited by this incident. Mr. Stith, in his history, says, there was nothing thought of but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. And notwithstanding Captain Smith's warm and judicious representations, how ab

surd it was to neglect all other things of immediate usc and necessity, to load such a drunken ship with gilded dust, yet was he overruled, and her returns were made with a parcel of glittering dirt, which is to be found in various parts of the country, and which they very sanguinely concluded to be gold dust.

One vessel returned in the Spring of 1608, the other the 2d of June, laden, one with dust, the other with cedar. This is the first remittance ever made from America by an English colony. The effects of this fatal delu

sion were such as might have been foreseen, and were soon felt. The colony began to suffer the same distress from scarcity of food, which had before brought it to the brink of ruin. The researches of the English settlers had not yet exten ed beyond the countries adjacent to James river. Smith had formed the bold design of exploring the great bay of Chesapeake, examining the mighty rivers which empty into it, opening an entrance with the nations inhabiting them, and acquiring a knowledge of the state of their cultivation and population. This hardy enterprise he undertook, accompanied by Doctor Russell, in an open boat of about three tons burthen, and with a crew of 13 men. On the 2d of June, he fell down the river in company with the last of Newport's two vessels, and parted with her at the capes. Beginning his survey at cape Charles, he examined with immense fatigue and danger, every river, inlet, and bay, on both sides the Chesapeake, as far as the mouth of the Rappahannoc, from whence, their provisions being exhausted, he returned to Jamestown. He reached the place on the 21st of July, and found the colony in the utmost confusion and disorder. Those who had arrived last with Newport, were all sick, and general scarcity prevailed; an universal discontent with the president, whom they charged with riotously consuming the stores, and unnecessarily fatiguing the people, with building a house of pleasure for himself in the woods. The seasonable arrival of Smith, prevented their fury from breaking out in acts of personal violence. Their views were extended and their spirits revived, by the accounts he gave of his discovery. They contented

themselves with deposing their president, and Smith was urged, but refused to succeed him.

Having made in three days, arrangements for obtaining regular supplies, and for the government of the colony, his firm friend, Mr. Scrivner, was appointed vice president, and on the 14th of July, he again set out, with 12 men, to complete his discoveries.

From this voyage he returned on the 7th of September. Ile had adventured as far as the river Susquehanna, and visited all the countries on both sides of the; he entered most of the large creeks, and sailed up many of the great rivers to their falls.

When we consider that he sailed above 300 miles in an open boat, when we contemplate the dangers and the hardships he encountered, and the fortitude, courage, and patience with which he met them; when we reflect on the useful and important additions which he made to the stock of knowledge respecting America, then possessed by his countrymen, we shall not hesitate to say that few voyages of discovery, undertaken at any time, reflect more honour on those engaged in them, than this does on Captain Smith. It may not be entirely unworthy of remark, that about the bottom of the bay, Smith went with a party of Indians from St. Lawrence, coming to war with those of that neighbourhood; and that he found among Indians on the Susquehanna, hatchets obtained originally from the French in Canada.

On the 10th of September, immediately after his return from his expedition, he was chosen president by the council, and accepted the office.

Soon after Newport arrived with an additional supply of inhabitants; among whom were the two first females who had ventured into the country; but he came without provisions. The distinguished, judicious, and vigorous administration of the president, however, supplied their wants, and restrained the turbulent. Encouraged by his example, coerced by his authority, a spirit of industry and subordination appeared to be created in the colony, which was the parent of plenty and peace. In the mean time, the company in England became excessively dissatisued with their property in America. They had calculated on

discovering a passage to the south sea, and mines of the precious metals; which might afford to individuals the same sudden accumulation of wealth which had been acquired by the Spaniards in the south. In all their hopes they had been grievously disappointed, and had as yet. received scarcely any advantage for the heavy expenses they had incurred; yet hope did not altogether forsake them, and they still indulged in golden dreams of future wealth.

On the 23d of May, 1609, a new charter was granted them, some of the first nobility and gentry of the country, and most of the companies of London, with a numerous body of merchants and tradesmen, were now added to the former adventurers, and they were all incorporated, by the name of the Treasurer and Company of Adventurers · of the city of London, for the first colony in Virginia.To them was granted, as their property, the lands extending from cape or point Comfort along the sea coast, 200 miles northward, and from the same point along the sea coast 200 miles southward.

The corporation was authorized to own under its common seal particular portions of these lands to subjects or denizens, on such conditions as might promote the inten tions of the grant. The powers of the president and Council in Virginia were abrogated, and a new council in England was established and ordained in the charter, with power to the company to fill all vacancies therein by election.

This council was empowered to appoint and renew all officers for the colony, and to make all ordinances for its government, provided they be not contrary to the laws of England. License was given to transport all persons that were willing, and to export merchandize free from custom to Virginia, for seven years. There was also granted for twenty-one years, freedom from all subsidies in Virginia, and from all impositions on importations and exportations, from or to any of the king's dominions, except only the five pounds in the hundred due for custom. The company being now enlarged, was enabled to take more efficient measures than heretofore for the settlement of the country; they soon fitted out nine ships with 500 emigrants, and such supplies as were deemed

necessary for them. Lord Delawar was constituted governor and captain general for life, and several other high sounding and useless offices were created. The direction of the expedition was again given to Captain Newport, George Somers, and Thomas Gates. Power was severally granted to govern the colony until the arrival of Lord Delawar.

With singular indiscretion, the council omitted to establish precedence among these gentlemen, and being totally unable to settle this point between themselves, they agreed to embark on board of the same vessel, and to be companions during the voyage. They were parted from the rest of the fleet in a storm, and driven on Bermudas, having on board 150 men, a considerable portion of the provisions, and the new commission and instructions of the council. The residue of the squadron arrived safe in Virginia. The great part of the new company consisted of unruly sparks packed off by their friends to escape worse destinies at home; and the rest chiefly made up of poor gentlemen, broken tradesmen, rakes and libertines, footmen, and such others as were more ruinous to the commonwealth, than to help to raise or maintain it. They assumed to themselves the power of disposing of the government, and conferred it sometimes on one, and sometimes on another. To-day the old commission must rule, to morrow the new, and next day neither. So all was anarchy and distraction. The judgment of Smith was suspended but for a short time. He soon determined that his own authority was not legally revoked until the arrival of the new commission, and therefore resolved to continue its exercise He boldly imprisoned the chief promoter of the sedition, and thereby restored for a time regularity and obedience. Having effected this, he detached 100 persons to the falls of James river, under the command of West, and the same number to Nansemond, under the command of Martin. These settlements were conducted with so little judgment, that they soon converted all the neighbouring Indians into enemies, had several parties cut off, and found themselves in need of the support and direction of Smith. These were always af

ed until a melancholy accident deprived the colony of