persuaded to relinquish the design, except by remonstrance and violent. interference. Pocahontas had sent provisions, which relieved their present wants, and Smith's account of plenty among the savages revived their hopes. By his successful efforts in effecting a union of interests among the two races of people, he preserved plenty among the English, and extended his influence with the Indians. He employed his best endeavours to divert the savages from their idolatrous superstitions, but succeeded no farther than Heriot had formerly done. They acknowledged that God, whom they termed "the God of Captain Smith," excelled their deities as artillery excels bows and arrows.

86

SUPPOSED DISCOVERY OF GOLD.

While the colony was thus prospering under Captain Smith, two vessels arrived from England, bringing one hundred and twenty men, a supply of provisions, seed, and agricultural instruments. In this time of prosperity, jealousies again appeared. Captain Smith's influence among the Indians excited the envy of those whom he had often saved; and his authority in the colony began visibly to decline, and soon ceased. The discipline which he had introduced was now relaxed, and a free traffic was permitted with the natives, who soon complained of fraudulent dealing, and resumed their former animosity. In recruiting the population of the colony, too little consideration was shown for those habits and pursuits which everywhere form the basis of national prosperity. Many of those who had lately arrived were gentlemen, a few were labourers, and some were jewellers and refiners of gold. The latter soon found an opportunity to exercise their profession. A small stream of water, near Jamestown, was found to deposit in its channel a glittering sediment resembling gold This dust, being examined by the refiners, was pronounced to be ore of a very rich quality; and from that moment the thirst for gold was inflamed into a rage that produced all the extravagant excesses, without the profligate enormities, which had distinguished the followers of Cortez and Pizarro. Notwithstanding Smith's strenuous exertions, all productive industry was suspended; gold mines were supposed to exist in the neighbourhood, and mining operations engrossed the whole attention and labour of the colonists. In June, 1608, the two vessels that had brought out the late supplies, returned to England; the one laden with this worthless dross, and the other with cedar-wood.

ore.

Smith foresaw the fatal effects of this delusion of the colonists, and, in hopes of diminishing their extent, resolved to explore the Chesapeake Bay, to ascertain the qualities and resources of its territories, and promote an intercourse with the more remote tribes. In this arduous undertaking, which equals the most celebrated exploits of the Spanish discoverers, he was successful. Accompanied by Dr. Russell and a few

followers, he performed in an open boat, two voyages of discovery, occupying more than four months, and embracing above three thousand miles of exploration. He visited every inlet and bay on both sides of the Chesapeake, from Cape Charles to the river Susquehannah, and diligently examined the territories into which he penetrated. He brought back an ample and accurate account of his researches, and his map has been made the groundwork of all posterior ones. By his liberality, wisdom, and courage, Smith inspired the Indians with the most exalted opinion of himself and his nation.

While this expedition was in progress, the golden dreams of the colonists were dispelled, and they awoke to all the miseries of sickness, want, and disappointment; but when Smith returned, he revived their spirits and relieved their wants by the resources he had created. Immediately after his return, on the 10th of September, he was chosen president by the council, and, accepting the office, he soon restored good order and prosperity in the colony. But Smith's administration was not acceptable to the company in England. The patentees looked for sudden wealth by the discovery of a shorter passage to the South Sea, or the acquisition of territory replete with gold and silver mines; and, as they had hitherto been disappointed, they thought it necessary to take all authority into their own hands, and abolish any originating in

88

ARRIVAL OF NEW COLONISTS.

America. For this purpose they applied for and obtained a new charter on the 23d of May, 1609. This charter incorporated the company in London and the colonists, by the title of "The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers of the City of London for the first colony in Virginia." The boundaries of the colony and the power of the corporation were enlarged; the offices of president and council in Virginia were abolished, and a new council established in England. This council was empowered to remodel the magistracy of the colony, enact all its future laws, and appoint all its officers. The charter contained a clause intended to prevent the introduction of the doctrines of the Church of Rome into the colony.

Lord Delaware was appointed, by the new council, governor and captain-general of the colony; and the eminent character of this nobleman contributed to strengthen the company by an addition to its numbers and its funds. Such was the favourable disposition evinced by the public, that the adventurers were soon enabled to equip a squadron of nine ships, carrying five hundred emigrants, under the command of Captain Newport, who, together with Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers, was to supersede the existing administration, and govern the colony until the arrival of Lord Delaware.

The three temporary governors embarked in the same vessel; but, a storm arising, the ship was separated from the fleet, and driven on the coast of the Bermudas. The remainder of the squadron arrived safely at Jamestown; but so little were they expected, that, when first seen at sea, they were mistaken for enemies. A great part of the new emigrants were profligate and licentious youths, sent over by their friends to screen them from justice in their own country; the residue consisted principally of indigent gentlemen, too proud to beg and too lazy to work, of broken tradesmen, idle retainers, of whom the great had been eager to rid themselves; and others like these, more fitted to ruin a commonwealth than to found and maintain one. Under the command of seditious leaders, this pernicious crew, without the least authority, proclaimed the changes which the constitution had undergone,

SMITH RETURNS TO ENGLAND.

89

and proceeded to overthrow the colonial presidency and council. Investing themselves with the powers, they were unable to devise any frame of government; sometimes they resorted to the old commission, and sometimes a new model was attempted, and the chief direction of affairs passed from one to another, without any improvement. By this revolution in its government the colony was involved in distress and disorder, and the Indians were exasperated by the insolence and injustice of the new settlers. In this emergency, Smith declared his intention of retaining his authority and enforcing the old commission, until his legal successors should arrive. He imprisoned the chief promoters of the tumult, and, to prevent a return of the former disturbances, he sent a portion of the new colonists to form a settlement at some distance from Jamestown. These detachments soon converted the neighbouring Indians into enemies, and were compelled to apply to Smith for assistance. Whilst exerting himself to redress the grievances of both the settlers and the savages, he received such a dangerous wound from the explosion of some gunpowder, that he was obliged to proceed to England for surgical aid; and, although he abandoned with regret the society he had so often preserved, he rever again returned to Virginia.