Chief Powhatan’s Address to Captain Smith
 Text: This document is a speech delivered by Chief Powhatan and translated by
John Smith. Powhatan gives this speech in 1609 to Captain John Smith expressing
his concern about the strained relationship between the English colonists and
Native Americans. He expresses that it is beneficial for the English and the tribes to
work together rather than to fight and live separately. Powhatan notes that his tribe
has welcomed the English and had been assisting them with food, while the English
have been fighting them.
 Context: John Smith and the English settlers arrived in 1607 in Virginia. There had
been struggles between the Natives and the colonists from the beginning of the
settlement with attacks from both sides. When Powhatan gave his speech to Smith
he was around the age of 60 and died in 1618. Within the fall of 1609 John Smith
was badly injured due to a gunpowder explosion and returned to England. We are
not sure about the time in which Powhatan’s speech was given in relation to Smith’s
leaving.
 Subtext: Throughout the speech, translated by John Smith, Powhatan explains that
he wishes there was peace between the two groups. Powhatan was the chief of a
large Confederacy consisting of around 32 tribes living in the Virginia area. He was
viewed as a strong and powerful leader who wants best for his people. He explains
that the reason for his speech is that he is near the end of his life and is concerned
about their relationship when his successor takes his place. When Powhatan died,
his brother Opechancanough took his place. Since this was a speech given by
Powhatan and an actual written recording from the chief is not provided, we are
only left with Smith’s translation of the speech. This leads us to question the
reliability of Powhatan’s words in 1609.

Guiding Questions:
Why do you think that the English settlers come with “swords and guns, as to invade
an enemy”?
The English were lead to America by military men who were trained to fight.
Their initial reaction would be to fight rather than make peace with the native people.
The English also viewed the Native Americans as “savages” and people they did not
want to make friends with. They were not treated as equals.
What do you think is a possible cause of the English’s “jealousy” that Chief Powhatan
is referring to?
As possible reason for jealousy would be that the Native Americans are able to
grow crops, hunt, and live off the land using resources provided in nature. Much of the
success of Jamestown can be attributed to the help of the Native Americans, especially
when recovering from the first few months when more than half of the colonists died.
What is Powhatan implying will happen to Captain Smith if he continues his
aggressive treatments towards the Native Americans? How do you know this?
Powhatan explains in the 2nd paragraph that he is able to take his “provisions”
(food) away and” fly into the woods” (disappear) and this will cause the settlers to face
“famish” (starve) by the “wrongdoings” of the tribe. This implies if the English don’t
act peacefully the Native Americans won’t help them any longer and therefore won’t
be able to survive.
Powhatan also expresses to Smith at the end of the speech that he is near the
end of his life, and Smith and his people might be too if they act with “rashness and
unadvisedness” (don’t work peacefully along side of the Native Americans).

Questions for Discussion:
o What might John Smith say in reply to this speech?

Primary Source: “Chief Powhatan’s Address to John Smith” (1609)