The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-31
ISLES OF SHOALS.
THE HISTORIC JOHN SMITH.

THE HISTORIC JOHN SMITH.
The Shoals have a strange and interest
ing, though somewhat contradictory his
tory. There is no doubt, however, that
they were discovered by John Smith in
1914. Prosaic as the name now seems in
consequence of its extreme commences,
John, of Virginia fame, had a most roman
tic career. He is chiefly known as the
Englishman whose life was saved by Poca-
hontas. The story is none the less pretty
because it is untrue. Indeed it is rather the
prettier therefor. | have always noticed
that the prettier story is, the more likely
it is to be quashed by some impertinent
fact. Fortunately, John does not need the
PocahontaS bit of fiction to insure his illus
triousness. Born in Willoughby in 1919 of
eminently respectable parents, he grew
weary of school at thirteen, and sold his
slender effects with view of running off
to sea. His father kindly dying at this
time, and leaving the boy what was called
considerable property, he altered his pur-
pose. He went into counting house at
Lynn; but having no taste for trade, he
accompanied son of Lord Willoughby to
shillngs, lent him by his friends, he says,
in order to get rid of him. His services
having been dispensed with at Orleans, he
engaged as soldier in the wars of the Low
Countries; returning to his native town at
the end of four years. Then he tried the
life of recuse, dwelling in neighboring
forest and studying military history and
tactics, until his restless spirit drove him
again into the world of events. He re-
solved to fight against the Turks, and
while on his way to Marseilles he was
robbed (of what, it would be hard to con-
ceive) and must have starved to death but
for the succor of strangers. At Marseilles
he embarked for Italy. On the vessel were
a large number of Roman Catholic Pill
grims who when a fearful storm arose,
superstitiously believed that it was sign
of Heavens wrath at the presence of
hereto in their holy company. So they
piously threw Smith overheard; but Smith
sinfully refused to drown. He swan to
the Isle of St. Mary, mile distant, and
having been taken on board of a French
ship, he sailed to the Levant. On the voy-
age they encountered a rich Venetian carac
and captured her, the Englishman distin-
guished himself by his intrepidity, and
received large share of the prize.
MIR. SMITH AS A BRoTHER-IN- LAW.
Later he travelled through Italy, then
Joined the army of Baron kissell in Syria,
which was struggling to relieve Transyl-
vanian town besicged by the Turks. BY
his ingenuity communication was opened
with the town, and combined assault
made that compelled the enemy to raise
the siege. During the war he was seri-
ously wounded, slew three noted Turks in
single combat, performed sundry daring
exploits, was finally made prisoner and
sent to Constantinople as a slave. Falling
into the hands of a young and beautiful
woman, he won her affections SO completely
a. ,l,. l.. r
her brother, Pasha in distant province,
frankly confessing her passion. The broth
er, incensed at what he considered his sis
ter's unworthy attachment, set Smith to
threshing corn on his estate, and one day
insuted him so grossly that, regarding the
victory in the light of brother in-law
and therefore natural enemy, John Drained
him with a fail. Putting ON the dead
mans clothes, he mounted horse and
rode off without knowing where he was
going, or where he wanted to go. fort
nights weary wandering brought him to a
Russian garrison on the Don. Kindly
treated there he journeyed to Transylva-
mia, and was warmly welcomed by his old
companions-in-arms, who gave him money
to carry him to England. AS usual he
travelled in round about way, and even
went to Morocco to take part in civil strife
that had sprung up there, but refrained,
from disgust with both sides. When he
his native land, then much agitated by the
discoveries in the New world. Easily per-
suaded to engage in the foundling of a col
ony, he set sail for Virginia. After count
less Universities, which he steadily over
came, after untold romantic adventures
and narrow escapes, he was chosen Presi-
dent of the colony, and finally deposed by
the Council and Company in England, who
had been disappointed in not realizing
their golden expectations. Disorder and
disaster following his supersedure, he was
induced by the better part of the colonists
to resume his functions, and he once more
administered affairs with wisdom. Tired
to degree of the Vaccinations and ma
Lightly of his personal foes, he returned to
Europe 0609), and five years subsequent,
he led an expedition to New England for
the purpose of trade and exploration, at
which time he discovered the Shoals. He
returned home the year following, and in
nine or ten months re-embarked with the
intention of etfecting permanent settle
ment on the American coast. His old luck
followed him. He met with disaster upon
disaster; was chased again and again by
pirates, and at last taken by French man
of-war, really pirate, and carried a pris
oner to Rochelle. He escaped to England;
and the Plymouth Company, in considera-
ton of his services made him Admiral of
New England. Smith spent the rest of his
life, uneventfuly, in his native country,
dying in London in his Send year. He
was the first to recommend the settlement
of New England, and did so much to that
end that it is entirely fitting rude monu-
ment to his honor and memory should have
been erected on Star Island. The monu-
ment is frequently visited by Summerers
here, who have but a vague idea what Cap
tain John Smith did. For their benefit
the sketch of his remarkable career has
been piyen.