The Republican journal., 1921-10-27
An Interesting Letter


Old records which we presume are au-
thentic tell US that on tbs. Sist day of
May, 1907, two ships carrying one hun
dred men set sail from Plymouth, Eng
land. One of the ships was commanded
by George Popham, the other by Raleigh
Gilbert, nephew of Sir Walter RALEIGH.
After voyage of rs days a landing was
made at the mouth of the Keunebec river,
After listening to sermon, and the read
ing of the patent laws which gave them
title to the territory occupied and several
square miles more, they proceeded to
build storehouse and fort (7) which
they called Fort George. This is said to
have been the first settlement in what is
now known as New England. 1t was Is
years later when the Pilgrims came to
Plymouth. Mass, and established the
first permanent settlement. The settle
ment at the mouth of the Kennebec was
OF short duration. The ships which
brought them there remained about three
months and a half and then sailed for
England, leaving only IS men in the coll
ony, of whom George Popham, president
OF the colony, was one, and just two
months after the ships sailed for home
Popham died, and in the summer follow
ing those of the colony who had survived
the winter, returned to England. A few
weeks before his death Popham wrote a
letter to the King of England and, strange
as it may appear, this letter was found in
Bath, Maine, attic and was printed in
the Lewiston Journal and reads as fol-
lows:
George Popham to King James L.,
13 December, 1907
At the feet of his Most Serene King,
! humblY prostrates himself George Pop
ham, President of the Second Colony of
Virginia. If it may please the patience
of your devine Majesty to receive a few
things from your most observant and de-
voted though unworthy servant, l trust
it will derogate nothing from the lustre
of your Highness. since they seem to re-
dound to the Glory of God, the greatness
of your Majesty and the utility of Great
Britain.
have thought it, therefore, very just,
that it should be made known to your
Majesty, that among the Virginians and
Moassons, there is none in the world
more admired than King James, Sover-
eign Lord of Great Britain, on account of
bis admirable justice and incredible con-
stancy, which gives no small pleasure to
he e
moreover, that James, under whose rule
and reign they would gladly fight Ia
hanida, one of the natives who was in
Great Britain, here proclaimed to them
your praises and virtues What and how
much l may avail in transactipg these
affairs and in confirming their minds, let
those Judge who are we'll versed in these
matters at home, which | Willingly avow
that all my endeavors are as nothing,
when considered in comparison with my
duty towards my Prince.
| My well considered opinion is that in
these regions the glory of God may be
easily evidenced, the empire of your
| Majesty enlarged, and the welfare of
Great Britain speedily augmented. So
/ far as relates to commerce, there are in
these parts shagbarks, nutmeg and Gin
namon, besides pine wood and Brazilian
cochineal and Ambergris, with many
other products of great value, and these
in the greatest abundance.
Besides, they positively assure me that
there is a sea in the opposite or western
part of the Province, distant not more
than seven days journey from our fort
of St George in Sagadahock; sea large.
wide and deep, the boundaries of which
they are wholly ignorant of. This cam
not be any other than the Southern
! Ocean, reaching to the regions of China,
which unquestionably Cannot be far from
these regions.
If, therefore, it may please you to keep
| open your devine eyes on this matter of
my report, doubt not but your Majesty
will perform a work most pleasing to
God, most honorable to your greatness,
and most conducive to the wealth Of your
| kingdom, which with ardent prayers |
most vehemently desire. And may God
Almighty grant that the Majesty of my
| Sovereign Lord, King James, may remain
glorious for ages to come.
At the Fort of St. George, in Sagada-
hook of Virginia, l3 December, 1907
In all things your Maiesty's devoted
servant
CFnRCE pOpI5AM