Accounts from John Smith
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READ AND ANNOTATE BEFORE CLASS!! Look up unknown words…. What does each document say…Why are the accounts different…
Accounts from John Smith Document A In his volume A True Relation of Such Occurrences of Noate as Hath Happened in Virginia, written in Virginia and published in England in 1608, he recounted his early exploits and adventures. He told how, making an excursion to the Chickahominy (River), he was surrounded by two hundred hostile Indians, and after bemiring himself in a swamp, was captured. They carried him before an Indian king. Smith showed this monarch his compass, and so won his favor. Thence taken before the ‘emperor’ Powhatan, he was in danger of being killed by certain Indian relatives he had slain, but was saved by his guards. After he had treated Powhatan to a long discourse on the greatness of the English King, the mightiness of his navy, and ‘the noyes of Trumpets and terrible manner of fighting’ in Europe, he was sent back to Jamestown ‘with good wordes and great Platters of sundrie Victuals, assuring me his friendship and my libertie….’ Smith specifically notes that when he was sent back to Jamestown it was with an escort of four Indians. In this book he barely mentions Pocahontas, then a maiden of perhaps twelve (years of age).
Document B In 1616 John Smith wrote a letter of introduction for Pocahontas (who recently arrived in London) to England’s Queen Anne, wife of James I. He wrote of his 1608 capture by the Indians: “After some six weeks fatting amongst those Savage Courtiers, at the minute of my execution she (Pocahontas) hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save mine, and not only that, but so prevailed with her father, that I was safely conducted to Jamestown, where I found about eight and thirty miserable, poor and sick creatures, to keep possession of all those territories of Virginia. Such was the weakness of this poor Commonwealth (the colony), as had the Savages not fed us, we directly had starved. And this relief, most gracious Queen, was commonly brought us by this Lady Pocahontas.”
Document C In 1624 John Smith published in London The General History of Virginia, New England and Summer Isle and again told the story of his 1608 encounter with the Indians. He says he was captured by three hundred Indians and taken before Powhatan. “A long consultation was held, but the conclusion was two great stones were brought before Powhatan, then as many as could layd hands on him (Smith), dragging him to them, and thereon layd his head, and being ready with their clubs, prepared to beate out his braines. Pocahontas, the King’s dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her armes, and layd her own upon his to save him from death, whereas the Emperor was contented he should live.”
Smith then tells how Powhatan decided to send Smith back to Jamestown to exchange him for supplies for the Indians. Twelve Indian guides went along with Smith to bring back the trade articles.