The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-15
FIRST TOBACCO GROWER.
John Rolfe Started the First Plsnt
In Virginia In 1912.

In another way chan as the husband OF
Pccahcntasj 5ohn Rolfe Is connected with
the early history OF Virginia. In the spring
OF lsi2 thu nth year Of the colony. he per-
formed an action which II we were to Judge
IL by It's consequence only. we might pro-
nounce the most important decd ever done
In colonial Virginia. Being an old smoker.
he had the curiosity TO know whether white
men could raise good tobacco in Virginia,
and accordingly he planted some tobacco
seed a. jamestown. Ii grew well during
the summer. ana when tho leaves were
ripe ha cured them as besf he could. for
not q perso In the colony was acquainted
with the proper process. When the leaves
wsr. dry he tried them In his pipe and
pronounced the tobacco excellent. His
friend. Ralph Hansor. secretary OF tho col.
ony. tried IT, and. finding II very much 10
his taste. planted some seed In his garden
In the following spring. Mr.. Hamor. in his
tract up0n Virginia. published In isis. gave
Virginia tobacco q strong Endorsement.
Il dare AFFIRM" he wrote that no coun-
try under the sun can or doth afford more
pleasant. sweet and strong tobacco than I
have tasted here, even Of my own plant
ing. which. howsoever. being then the irse
year OF trial thereof. we had not tho
knowledge 10 cure and make up; yet are
thare some men resident there. out OF the
last years weli-obssrvea experience which
both know, and. I doubt not. will make
an6 return such tobacco this year Gsl3)
that even England shall acknowledge the
goodness thereof"
He further says. when urging emiSrants
70 80 10 Virginia. that any man In the col-
ony could earn his clothes by raising to
baeco--ciothes having 20 be bought In Eng
land with money.
The secretary's prediction proved correct.
English smokers so We'll appreciated tho
'&accco OF Virginia that the price u shs
Article ranged from TO shilling ~ pound.
ceiontst needed 10 se1a only a very few
pounds Of totscco home 20 get an excellent
suit ot clothes. Naturally enough. every
one was eager TO plant tobacco: and We
read Of tobacco growing !uxuriansiy in the
very streets ard pubic places OF James.
tswn. Nothing could draw the p~opis
or" says an Old historian. Prom their
greedy and irnrnoderats pursuit o. tcoso.
CO." although Q hundred and fifty people
were SAINT out from England to Set Up
three iron works. and an attempt was made
10 introduce the culture OF hemp. FAX anA
SILK Tobacco became and for .wo CEN
surfes remained. the great staple product
~ Virginia For century and more IL
served IN part as the currency OF the col
ony. We read % men heauesthing hun-
tre6x Of pounds az .eoscco for enaew.nx =
college or converting the keAthsn. Gerry.
men were paid salaries Of % many then
sand pounds 81 teAacce per arngm 'TsxeA
debts and rerts were Paid fs s-hsccc.
No eo3ony can flourish. Il. indeed. &, can
exiss. unless IL pre8sEs. Something whscA
car he seis Cor r1o-ey Ia other and elder
countries: since II cannot, for many years.
manufacture he inpl--sente utensils fab
re. ard apparel withsux which {. snux4
either perish ~ LAPSE irto hs~t@rfsm vTr-
gfnsa row bad such a commodity, ard ersa
thss tine forward X could make q return
20 the company az bone. ard hssv with ID
awn produce Indispensable articles rsassg.
faeture6 In England. Such we're TIE cor
sequences ~ Josr Rnise's planting ~ 70
heccc seed In the sprinx % fss.-Janes
Parton's '~T'vtsirnpss ef Enterprise"