Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-22
MsalNlAs eAeYHooo.
An Interesttng Letter from One OF 'ne
ArisfocratIc settlers.
TO De Editor ofas Dispatch:

To De Editor Of ne Dispatch:
A letter from Governor George Percy q
biz brother, the f ri Of Northumberland
has shown how he maintained at tue "a
peuse Of eaid Earl his state as the heau
officer OF Jamestown, and kept up uallI
table for qenienfn 0f fashion. TINS was
August In 1911, but rs early as February .,
1910. the Earl had already paid tor nun lul
1882 Il. Cd, which was a much larger sum
OF that day than Il would be nov:
In his "Gene8is,n page l73, Mr. Drown
furnishes another very curious letter ol
an earlier date. from which some extracts
NAV be interesting to your readers. IL IS
from Francis Perquin, or Perkins, VINO nae,
left his aristocratlc associations In England
to recuperste his fortunes IN Virginia anu
was probably addressed TO some member
OF the CORVALLIS household. ~ W.
deemed worthy 70 be enclosed by the
Spanish Ambassador, Zuniga, to MS hing'
Philip Ill. page l72.
The writer first apologies for having
taken French leave of his friend for rear
Of some impeachment IN this, his long-de-
sired Journey" a1d very soon comes 10
this point: "Irusting entirely your ususl
kindness | pray you viii have the good
ness to negotiate with Nessrs. William
Wade, Tomas Smith, Walter Cope, Tnoma az
Chancellor (Chsloner), George More: ana
the others. that be appointed one OF the
Council in Virginia, as much Tor my nonOI
as I NAV be better abe 10 pan ma dos. IheIe
are some OF the members OF the CouuGli
here who understand State affairs ss llttiS
as do and who are no better than l.
This was unfortunately too true.
lie then gives an account OF MS voyage;
which commenced October 8. lG0i, and Oh
the country. which, though it was q severe
winter and he and others got froSt-bitten,
had the prettiest parrots that can be seen;
The land IS very fertile ana
good, quite sufficient TO support q million
of inhabitants in that part which we now
occupy: but IL IS more IN clearing out tHe
wood than in the multiplying of the gram
that difficulty arises" He sends home
some tortoIses. an ear Of Indian corn, ana
some of the fora" He arrived on jan
uary 4, 1908 and three days after there
broke out a Gre which consumed the
buildings of the fort and the store-house
OF ammunition aud provision. an | all tnat
no and his son possessed, except q mat
tress, which had not been landed. his
loss led to the following appeal
Considering that this misfortune mas
caused among ne a general want OF almost
all things, especially Gs far as ! am con-
cerned, having suffered much during these
past two years-sO much, IN TACT, tnat
have not even paper ana INK TO write 70
our friends / Deseech you to see 70 IL
that Madame Catalina be not angry WIN
me. but that, Welding 70 the natural
nobility of her heart aud 10 the affection
she has been pleased to show me IN the
past, she will endeavor, jointly WITH you
and Mr. William CORVALLIS, most earnest
ly TO recommend my clam to oe admitted,
especially with Biz. william CIhonasJ
Smith. since he can do more in matters
concerning this State than any one else;
| beg also Madame Catalina Will
have the kindness 10 get Dir WI
liam CORVALLIS 10 send me for the value
of ten pounds such clothes as ne may nave
that are worn out. whether It be large or
small garments, doublets, trousers, stock
ings. capes, or whatever may appear nj,
ting TO them, since the fire having burned
all that We possessed everything IS needed,
and whatever may be sent will be useful.
| also beg you will ask Madame Catalina 10
negotiate, in conformity with the same az
rangement. with Mr.. William Sans, since
promise will return 10 them the value OF
Whatever they will send me, whilst ao-
knowledge that by her kindness and that
of these gentlemen l and my people are
still alive. and even If this should fall
short of supplying the wants OF 80 many
will Madame and those gentlemen do me
liborality to send Us such things as are
of little use 10 them and most valuable
to myself. l beg you, sir. not TO be
offended by this my candor aud daring bold
ness. but In your great kindness TO remem.
Der me, who am 50 far away and cut on
from my friends, doing me at the same
time the favor in all reasonable things to
be kind to my wife if in any emergency
she should have recourse to you. pray
you will communicate the contents OF TINS
letter 10 Madame Catalina and let her read
IL all if it so please her. And herewith
commit myself most humbly to your pro-
lection aud that of those gentlemen III
whose kindness and favor 1 pat my entire
confidence. pray God may. protect you
and all. Your servant for life.
FRANCIS PERoUN,
"of Villa james. in Virginia.
March %, 1905"
Madame Catalina was probably the WIFE
(Catharine) Of Sir William CORVALLIS.
such as appears above were some OF oul
early colonists and such the risks and pr
yations of colonization. / do hope tina
the poor fellow received an ample supply
of goodly clothing, not much worn, anc
felt as glad as the self-sscTihclng mission
ary does when in foreign land he receives
his Easter or Christmas box. M.