The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-27


w.--s-s. history yehn ssmith and
Others.
fror the Dispasch.I
,,v,x m TIE ARTICLE STONED "E." IN THE
mnrspATcu" OF MARCH %. 1882.
In INV article dispatch, March 9, 1881
Intended no attack, criticism, OF any
thing of the Kind on any paper by Hon.
W. W. Henry.
mE.v coptradicted nearly every state
ment made by me In nv article, II Is due to
mvsen thai i should at least make an effort
N show that, as far as my present know
ledge goes, / had some grounds for making
the statements.
certainly have not exhausted the sub
iect OF the early history Of Virginia, and as
+. seems TO think Mr.. Henry has, l "wili
no doubt derive much Information irom
the numerous authorities cited by BIN"
In the mean time, think Smiths account
OF his rescue by Pocahontas, according 10
the records, one Of his laiter-day stale
ments--and do not think his ietter " 10
the Queen Q6i6) States that his rescue
Ind already been mentioned In approved
histories y: ne has Just alluded very briefly
IN fhe marriage OF Pocahontas and other
things that had been published, and must
have referred the Queen TO these publica-
lions for fuller accounts. il the letter Is
genuine. a.
Edward Maria Wingfeld appeared to
The King OF England Of sufficient standing
10 be named in the first charter; he APP
reared 10 the Council for. Virginia OF suti-
Gent standing TO be appointed one OF the
Council in Virginia; he appeared 70 Inc
ConnciI In Virginia OF sufficient standing to
ne their first President, and IL seems reason
able that he should "appear to Mr.. Brown
TO be a man OF standing" The planting
of a colony i'm Virginia was still an expert
meat. There was much to learn, ana one
of the greatest mistakes Judging by re-
sults) made under the first charter was the
plan of government, which seems 10 nave
been an invitation TO faction and conten-
ton. (See Hening, vol. l., p. GS.) The
government In the colony was vested IN q
council and u president OF the council, Dut
the majority OF the council had the ruling
power. II do not think our historians
have given these facts the prominence due
them. Smith does not mention them until
"tbe shoe pincbes him." Referring to the
first months OF his presidency (yol. l., p.
1897 he SAYS: "Altough Smith was Presi-
dent, vet the Major part OF the Coun-
cell had the authoritie, and ruled it as
they listed" Under this law there was
continual faction and contention in the
Council, and Smith was the only President
who served full term, and he was only
saved from the fate OF the others by the
hand of Providence. The majority was
already against him, but Scriyener and
Waldo were drowned i'm january, 16OS-'9,
and WINNIE died soon after, thus leaving
smith the sole member OF the Council in
Virpinia.l The President, unsupported by
majority OF the Council, was only prom
inent object TO lay blame on when "things
did not work smoothe," and the presiden.
CIV was always an object in sight for the
ambitious spirits in the Council. "Things
did not work smOOthe," and Smith, one OF
the majority, attempts to saddle the re-
sponsibility on Wingfeld; but if there was
any acknowledgement, the majority must
he held chiefly responsible. They
- had the power not only to rule
Gas they listeth," but whenever. they
wished to do so they had the power to re-
move the President from the presidency.
and from the Council also, and TO elect one
of their own number as President; and
this they did on the 10th or nth OF Sep
TENDER. 1907. On the 17th of September
Wingfield was sued for SANDER and SEN
fenced 10 pay fines TO John Smith and John
prisoner in the hands of the majority, and
il seems they mulcted him at will. I'm
fortunately majorities are not always lust
and honorable, and the minority sis en-
titled TO a hearing and to the most respect
full consideration"
NAV not agree with Mr.. Neil in all OF
his conclusions, but his comments and
notes make his book vastly more valuable
and interesting than IL she had been con-
tent with simply copying the manuscripts
They show the conclusions Of the author
and attract attention to debatable state
ments and il they are finally proven either
accurate or inaccurate history gains point
by having the matter settled, and II loses
nothing by having the matters discussed.
Stitb's History was compiled chiefly from
Smiths History and from the Company's
Records, beginning in 1919, but sometimes
referring back to prior dates. When
Smiths statements meet the Records, Stitll
has TO make an apology for Smiths lack OF
reliability as a historian--(see preface, PIP,
w., w Stith says Smiths History Is
"vastly confused and perplexed," and
"the latter part of il, especially from Cap
tain Argalps Government Q6lO, Is liable
TO some Just suspicion" &c. Stith does moi
question Smiths veracity us man in his
preface, but think he does as historian
And the question arises, III a man writes
history "bias " in the interest OF his friends
can he be relied on where he himself is per
sonally interestcdY
"Captain Smith tells u.s." says Stith
pages l41-'2, "that Mr.. Yeardley had some
Indians) trained to their pieces; but tn,
Captains authority is rendered very sus
piclous in this by the records Of our Gene
raj Court, for long after the Governor ant
Council received some queries from Eng
land, the fourth whereof was What wa'
the cause OF the massacre, and who hrs
taught the Indians the use OF fire-armsy
Whereupon in court held the LIST OF No
yember, 1924, Robert Poole and Edward
Grindon, gentlemen, ancient planters ant
inhabitants Of the country, appear ana de
clare upon oath their knowledge OF TN
matter. Their dispositions throw the Who'll
blame upon Captain Smith himself, 81
Thomas Dale, and some Others" Stth,
think, evidently questions Smiths Owl
veracity here.
think Smiths writing a letter to tn
Queen in 1916 doubtful; but did not "a.
the letter ''was superfiuous" simply be
cause " Pocahon.as was in better condi
ton To aid Smith than he TO aid her, and h
needed help the most" although i beliey
tnlS IL III tfut. Ssuu tuc tttttt WIS super
fiuous because PocahOntas received al
necessary introductions, &C., from NOR
influential men. Pocahontas arrived il
England about the Sd OF June, 1915. Sh
was buried there the 2ist Of March, 1916.
According TO "Smith's New Englan,
Trials" he does not seem to be expectin,
10 leave England for New England in 1916
Under the head OF 1917. he does; but tn
wind was against him, he did not go. Tn