Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-03-02
ASHES OF POCAHONTAs
Indian Princess Remains to Be
Brought from England

Indian Princess Remains to Be
Brought from England
The Norfolk virginian-Pilot
says: The descendants Of John
Rolfe and Pocahontas are a mighty
army. Not only has Virginia
goodly quota Of these folk, who
trace their ancestry directly to the
union of the well-born Englishman
and the daughter of the emperor
of Virginia." but many OF the
neighbor;ng States can contribute
largely to the array. The story
of the saving of Smith by the
dusky princess is a very likely
one. The historians who have
studied that period and the author
tiles on the subject of Indian man
ners and customs agree that there
is nothing in the legend which is
contrary to probabilities. If We
accept the story as it is told, and
there is no reason TO refuse cred
ence to it, our country indeed owes
much, if not all, to Powhatan's
daughter. No history of early
Virginia fails to leave the impress
sion that without the celebrated
captain the colony would have
been failure. Smiths capacity
was of the high est order. Inhexible
in his rule, harsh IN his measures,
stern in his judgments, he had to
marvellous degree a sense OF fair
ness. Virginia was founded as a
commune; and, if its guiding
spirit had been of that order which
demands more than it gives, rebel
lion would have crowded fast up
on the settlement.
John Smith was the ideal man
for the duties of a leader in such
enterprise. He was a necessary
factor. He was saved by Pocahon
tas. These are facts. 1t NIGH
have amused Smith and Capital!
Christopher Newport, as Fish
recites in "Old Virginia and He
Neighbors," to 90 through
coronation with Powhatan as thu
recipient, but the chief was
ruler, not only of his own tribe
but of all Others in the territory
And Pocahontas was his daughter
She is therefore a dually interest
ing character. There is always
fla scination in "blood royal" ant
there is distinct thrill in tn
thought of a woman preserving tn
moulder of nation.
y The approaching Jamestow
: ter-centennial affords an oppor
tunity for Qualification of Poco
hontas, England's church-yard
and vaults contain the bodies o
!, kings, queens, princes, princesses
! mobiles, church dignitaries, poets
statesmen, philosophers, warriors
: innumerable great ones. The ashe
of Pocahontas would not be mis-
: sed from the many: Besides sh
is a part of our history, nc
= Britian's. Our ambassador at tn
Court of st. James, Hon Joseph /
: Choate, will be requested to pet
ton the English government
,, allow all that is mortal of the l;
. dian princess to be disinterred an
! brought to this country, where
noble mausoleum will be erecte
4 for the reception of her casket.
To attend a reinterment
, Pocahon.as at jamestown not on
" " her progeny, but large number
:, Others would come. This eve
- would be as historic as the tran
4 terrence of the body of Columb'
- to Spain, and would be far mo
"a proper and have a deeper signi
canoe.
n 1t is really wonderful the av
y, n nues of history which the Jane
. town celebration opens. +
= Pocahontas ceremonies, thou,
y important, are by no means fir
4 !. in the list of possibilities. 1t
70 not a matter of searching for fe
;. lures, but a process of eliminate
.. However, some of the hest ide
may have been overlooked, and
ps any reader has suggestion
"a offer relative to some spec
historic feature he should not allt
i. modesty to prevent good Id
W from being overlooked.