Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-09
Fragments Of Early Virginia History
NO 8.
CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH THE ADVENTURES
SOLDIER AND EXPLORER.

Previous to the year 1908 no human
eye had ever rested on the broad tide
and fair landscapes of the upper Po
tomac, save that of the wild and rowing
red man. Iu the spring of that year,
the adventurous and intrepid discover
er, Captain John Smith, in an open
b .rge of less than three tons, accom-
panied by fourteen chosen men, left the
newly planted colony OF jamestown on
voyage along the shores of Chesa-
p axe bay. Ga the 16.h of June they
discovered the Potomac river. Pro
ceeding up the stream about thirty
miles they landed on the Virginia
shore, but the hostile reception they
net from the natives at that point
forced them back to their boat. Not
dismayed, however, by this treatment
the explorers continued on in their
course, touching at various points for
observation and supplies until they had
reached the Great Falls. few miles be-
y)nd the site of Washington city.
Captain Smith and his men were de-
lighted by the deep, broad, flowing
liver, its Dor lering forests of every
lind of useful timber, its numerous ous
flowing creeks and the abundance Of
sweet springs everywhere pouring
down from the shores. The fish were
so plenty as TO be readily taken with
basket ami spear all about the barge
Iudian canoes came along side laden
with meat of bear and deer and wild
fowl, aud wild fruits were found in pro
fusion. The natives from their various
s.ttlements came down to meet the
uale faced strangers and exchange
friendly greetings, and to furnish them
with corn and other supplies Every
thing around them proclaimed that the
new region must be most desirable
one for the planting of English colo
nists. 1t was without doubt land Of
plenty they thought, for little toiing.
I soil, deep and rich, would produce
hundred foli; its climate was genial
,ud fragments of shining metal which
they found in the rivers sands and cliffs
created in their minds the belief that
they had found the veritable Psctolus
which was to yield carg' es of gold
And no doubt they returned to James
own with flush Of satisfaction and ap
cipation.
To one of Smiths romantic iuclina
tions aud indomitable energies the pos
$ bilities which he had conem
plated must have filled his
being with high resolves and
aopes for his future career. No one OF
ahe early American explorers and pio-.
ueers had more correct conceptions
he conditions needed for SUGGEST l
colonization, or broader comprehei
sion of the unrivaled facilities afforded
for civilized empire by the new world;
and there may have heen some Rlim.
meripgs of the wondrous future float
lng in his vision. But as he surveyed
from his little bark the interminable
forests of the uplands, and the expanse
of waters cleft only by the frail canoe
of the strange and savage people be
hardly dreamed tha6 two and half
centuries hence, by the tide of that same
lonely, wilderness river, the capital OF
times greatest empire" was to be so
superbly enthroned.
Captain Smith had carefully noted in
his journals all the important circum
stances of his voyage and had accurate
ly mapped the course OF the stream
with its creeks and inlets, and both
his Journal and map remain to tell US
of bis accuracy as narrator and de
lineator.
CAPTAIN John Smith was afterwards
t,e most prominent man and the lead
lag spirit 10 the first company of Eng.
lish colo lists, numbering one hundred
and FIVE persons, who in 1907 made the
settlement of James own. His early
tlife had been given to the cause OF Tree
dom in the Glow countries" where ne
had fought for the independence OF the
Bstavian republic. AS a traveller ne
had roamed over France; had visited
the shores of Egypt; had returned to
Italy; aud painting for glory had sought
the uorders of Hungary where there
had long existed an hereditary warfare
with the followers of Mahomet. 1t was
there that the young Euglish cavalier
distinguished himself by the bravest
feats of arms in sight of Christians and
intidels, engaging fearlessly and always
successfully in single combat with the
Turk which from the days of the cru,
sades had been warranted by the rules
ofetd Of chivalry. His signal proves gained
for him the favor of Sigismundl
Bathori, the unfortunate prince OF
Transylvapis. At length he with
many Others was overpowesed IN
q sudden skirmish in the glens OF Wal,
lachia and was left severely wounded
on the field of battle. A prisoner OF
war he was now according to; the east. east.
ern custom offered for sale like beast
in the market place, and was sent 70
Constantinople as slave. a Iurklsn
lady had compassion on his misfortunes
and his youth; and designing to restore ore
him to freedom, removed bin to q ior-
tress tres in the Crimea. Contrsry to her
c,mmsnds ne was there subjected to
the bsrshest usages among halt savage
serfs Within an hour after his arrival
the overseer of the estate; pua5ssu;aIh, s;a hsaS y.
his his masters direction, ordered MS neao