19 Tale of Pocahontas (1614)
Excerpt from an early (1615) history of the Virginia colony by Captain Raphe Hamor (1589-1626), an early colonist, member of the governor’s council, and secretary of the colony, describing the political context of the Pocahontas story.
It chanced Powhatan’s delight and darling, his daughter Pocahontas, (whose fame has even been spread in England by the title of Nonparella [unequalled, princess] of Virginia) took some pleasure to be among her friends at Pataomecke employed there as shopkeepers, to exchange some of her father’s commodities for theirs. Where residing some three months or longer, it fortuned Captain Argall to arrive there. No sooner had Captain Argall intelligence but he dealt with an old friend and adopted brother of his, Iapazeus, how and by what means he might procure her captive. Assuring him that in ransom of her he might redeem some of our English men and arms, now in the possession of her Father. Promising to use her withal fair and gentle entreaty. Iapazeus well assured that his brother as he promised would use her courteously, promised his best endeavors and secrecy to accomplish his desire.
He agreed that himself, his wife, and Pocahontas would accompany his brother to the water side, whither come, his wife should fain a great and longing desire to go aboard and see the ship. He seemed angry with her, making as he pretended so unnecessary a request, especially being without the company of women. Which denial she taking unkindly, must fain to weep (as who knows not that women can command tears). Whereupon her husband seeming to pity those counterfeit tears, gave her leave to go aboard, [if] it would please Pochahontas to accompany her.
So forthwith aboard they went, the best cheer that could be made was seasonably provided, to supper they went. Merry on all hands, especially Iapazeus and his wife. Supper ended, Pochahontas was lodged in the Gunner’s room. After which discourse to sleep they went, Pochahontas nothing mistrusting this policy. Captain Argall having secretly well rewarded him with a small Copper kettle and some other less valuable toys so highly by him esteemed that doubtless he would have betrayed his own father for them, permitted both him and his wife to return. But told him that [Powhatan] had then eight of our English men, many swords, pieces [guns], and other tools which he had at several times by treacherous murdering our men, taken from them. [Thus] he would reserve Pocahontas. Whereat she began to be exceeding pensive and discontented. Yet ignorant of the dealing of Iapazeus, who in outward appearance was no less discontented that he should be the means of her captivity. Much ado there was to persuade her to be patient, which with extraordinary courteous usage, by little and little was wrought in her. And so to Jamestown she was brought, a messenger to her father forthwith dispatched to advertise him, that his only daughter was in the hands and possession of the English. There to be kept ‘til such time as he would ransom her with our men, swords, pieces, and other tools treacherously taken from us. The news was unwelcome and troublesome unto him, partly for the love he bore to his daughter, and partly for the love he bore to our men his prisoners.
He could not without long advice and deliberation with his Council resolve upon anything, and it is true, we heard nothing of him till three months after. By persuasions of others he returned us seven of our men, with each of them a Musket. And by them sent us word that whensoever we pleased to deliver his daughter, he would give us in satisfaction of his injuries done to us and for the rest of our pieces broken and stolen from him, 500 Bushels of Corn and be for ever friends with us. The men and Pieces in part of payment we received and returned him answer that his daughter was very well and kindly treated, and so should be howsoever he dealt with us. But we could not believe that the rest of our Arms were either lost or stolen from him and therefore till he returned them all, we would not by any means deliver his daughter. And then it should be at his choice, whether he would establish peace or continue enemies with us.
This answer pleased him not very well, for we heard no more from him till in March last, when with Captain Argall’s Ship and some other Vessels belonging to the Colony, Sir Thomas Dale with a hundred and fifty men well appointed went up into his own River where his chief habitations were. And carried with us his daughter, either to move them to fight for her, if such were their courage and boldness as has been reported, or to restore the residue of our demands, which were our pieces, swords, tools. We proceeded and had no sooner entered the narrow of the river, the channel there lying within shot of the shore, but they let their arrows fly amongst us in the ship, themselves unseen to us. And in the forehead hurt one of our men, which might have hazarded his life without the present help of a skillful Chirurgion [surgeon].
Being thus justly provoked, we presently manned our boats, went ashore and burned in that very place some forty houses, and of the things we found therein made freeboot and pillage. And as themselves afterward confessed unto us, hurt and killed five or six of their men, with this revenge satisfying ourselves for their presumption in shooting at us. And so the next day proceeded higher up the River. The time now come, we inquired what Powhatan would do. Higher up the river we went and anchored near the chiefest residence Powhatan had, at a town called Matchcot where were assembled (which we saw) about 400 men well appointed with their bows and arrows to welcome us. Here they dared us to come ashore, so ashore we went.
Two of Powhatan’s sons being very desirous to see their sister who was there present ashore with us, came unto us. At the sight of whom and her welfare, whom they suspected to be worse treated though they had often heard the contrary, they much rejoiced. And promised that they would undoubtedly persuade their father to redeem her and to conclude a firm peace forever with us. And upon this resolution the two brothers with us retired aboard, we having first dispatched two Englishmen, Mister John Rolfe and Mister Sparkes to acquaint their father with the business in hand. The next day being kindly entreated, they returned. Not at all admitted [to] Powhatan’s presence but spoke with his brother Apachamo [Opechancanough], his successor, one who had already the command of all the people. Who likewise promised us his best endeavors to further our just requests. And we because the time of the year being then April called us to our business at home to prepare ground and set corn for our winter’s provision, upon these terms departed. Giving them respite till harvest to resolve what was best for them to do, with this Proviso, that if final agreement were not made betwixt us before that time, we would thither return again and destroy and take away all their corn, burn all the houses upon that river, leave not a fishing Weir standing nor a Canoe in any creek thereabout, and destroy and kill as many of them as we could.
Long before this time a gentleman of approved behavior and honest carriage, Mister John Rolfe, had been in love with Pocahontas and she with him. Which thing at the instant that we were in parley with them, myself made known to Sir Thomas Dale by a letter from him. Whereby he entreated his advice and furtherance in his love, if so it seemed fit to him for the good of the Plantation. And Pocahontas herself acquainted her brethren therewith. Which resolution Sir Thomas Dale well approving was the only cause why he was so mild amongst them, who otherwise would not have departed their river without other conditions.
The bruite [rumor] of this pretended [proposed] marriage came soon to Powhatan’s knowledge. A thing acceptable to him, as appeared by his sudden consent thereunto, who some ten days after sent an old uncle of hers named Opachisco to give her as his deputy in the Church. And two of his sons to see the marriage solemnized, which was accordingly done about the fifth of April. And ever since we have had friendly commerce and trade, not only with Powhatan himself but also with his subjects round about us. So as now I see no reason why the Colony should not thrive apace.
“The Tale of Pocahontas” (1613-1614), in Raphe Hamor, A True Discourse of the Present Estate of Virginia etc. (reprinted, Albany, 1860), 4-11. https://archive.org/details/truediscourseofp1957hamo/page/4/mode/2up
