Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-15

Smith which should be conclusive. The
Rev. Samuel Purchas. in bis chapter on
Virginia, in "Purches His Pilgrims" pub
listed in 1G25, refers TO the same authori-
ties quoted IN the Oxford tract. adding
the names of Richard Potts. Thomas Alb
bay. aud Thomas Hope. de also, states
II have many written treatlses lying py
me written by Captain Smith and others.
some there, some here. after their retGrn
bat because these have already scene the
light aud containe a full relation OF VIZ
gilman aHalres, was 10th 20 wearle the
reader with others Of this time" with
all this opportunity to consult originai
authorities. and with an acquaintance Win
Smith and other colonists. PurcDas., o
member Of the London Company, ana
very distinguished and learned man, iOi;
lows the view of the Oxford tract and
makes Smith the hero OF the early colony.
If. under all this accumulation OF evidence
of the truth of the view taken by the
Oxford tract, the company stood mute ~
the bar of public opinion. as Mr.. Brown
admits, no wonder that Smiths hEtory,
based upon it. should be taken as correct
from the date of its publication till the
rise Of the school OF so-called higher critl-
cism, when men fancy that they can over.
turn established authorities by fanclful
theories.
INJUSTICE TO SMITH.
Mr.. Brown has persistently attempted to
discredit everything written TO the ad-
vantage Of Smith by himself or his CO.
temporaries. / would put over against us
estimate of him, that Of a distinguished
English scholar-Mr. Edward Arber, fellow
OF Kings College. London. +. :. a. pro-
fessor Of English language and literature IN
SIR Josiah Mason's College, Birmingham.
He published IN 1884 an annotated col
n O.. with
a number of other papers throwing lIght
on the history of the Virginia colony,
among them the narrative Of Edward
Maria Wingfield. tho first president whom
Smith aided IN deposing. Mr. Arber saws
at page "a Of bis Introduction: For our
own part. beginning VITA douDuulness
aud wariness. We have gradually come 10
the Undertaking convection, not only Oh
Smiths truthfuIness. but also that ID re-
card 10 ali personal matters he svstemati-
cally understates rather than exlggerates
anything he did" And IN his preface he
saws, 4" II is not too much 20 say that mad
not CAPTAIN Smith, of Wllloughby, stroye,
fought, and endured a. he did. the pres
ent United States of America might never
have come into existence. 10
what one SINGLE cause, under God. can DC
assigned the preservation OF the James
river settlement after the death OF Cap
1907, but to the fortunate presence OF tins
English captain, so seif-denylng. so eIer-
getIc. so full of resources, aud so
trained by his conflicts and captivity
in Eastern Europe, IN dealing with
the SAVAGE racesY II TINS
James-rlver colony had failed before Au-
gust, 1909, when the third supply arrived,
the colony at Bermuda would never have
been attempted; and the Pilgrim Fathers
would not have gone 70 New England,
but, il anywhere, to Guiana, TO perish
among its forests and swGmps. so that
for about couple of wears oil the glorl-
Gus possibilities that are still wrapped up
in the words Uniie1 S'dteSO o. Amertcd hung,
as upon slight thread. upon toe hard
ened strength and powers Of endurance,
the self-forgetfulness and public spirit OF
this enthusiastic young English captain
Nr. Arber when he wrote these words.
had -ead the American attacks upon
Smith commencing with Mr.. Deane, OF
Boston. 1t il true Mr. Browns attack IN
The Genesis of the United States" had
not then appeared. but don't think any
thing written by Mr.. Brown in that book
or since its appearance could have shaken
MIR. Arber's conclusion. | may also NEIL
ton that IN a conversation with DI. I'd
ward Eggleston since MIR. Browns publ
cation / found that he disagreed with
him IN his estimate OF Smith. l need
hardly say that DIR. Eggleston is one OF our
most learned scholars, and particularly
full on Virginia history.
PERSONALITIES.
find Mr.. Brown complains of what he
calls personalities IN my article. IL trans
crossed the proper bounds Of criticism
beg pardon. But sir. Brown must realize
that when he offers himself as historian
and attacks q heretofore honored charac-
ter in Virginia history, his methods and
capacity for writing history become fair
subjects of investigation and criticism.
He should also remember that he has
manner in referring to his
opponents. He calls them believers IN
the Smith myth" lie sneers at the pro-
posed monument to Smith and suggests
an absurd legend for it, ETC.. etc.
In regarding Smith as heroic character
IN the early history Of Virginia, | accord
all honor TO others who, with him, sue
ceeded in making successful the planta-
ton of the English colony at Jamestown.
/ have always considered this colony as
the genesis of the United States, and Its
plantation the great event of the seven
teenth century. | am firmly convinced
that Captain John Smith preserved 1t
from destruction or abandonment during
his stay with it and had demonstrated the
DThcLlcdUIllS VI lhO thAti PiiSO VIZ ~ AAN
left il in September, 1909, to have despe-
rate wound treated in England.
That some mistakes should have been
made IN the management of such an un-
dertaking was to have been expected.
But the grand result entities the project
ors and maintainers OF the enterprise TO
great honor. OF the fact that Captain
Smith was the real hero of the infant
colony during his stay with it find album
dant evidence outside of what may be
considered as partisan testimony in the
admissions OF his enemies and in the facts
by cotemporaneous and sub
seouent writers, and only denied by Mr..
Brown. WILLIAM WRIT HENRY.