READ AND ANNOTATE BEFORE CLASS!! Look up unknown words…. What does
each document say…Why are the accounts different…
Accounts from John Smith
Document A
In his volume A True Relation of Such Occurrences of Noate as Hath Happened in
Virginia, written in Virginia and published in England in 1608, he recounted his early
exploits and adventures. He told how, making an excursion to the Chickahominy (River),
he was surrounded by two hundred hostile Indians, and after bemiring himself in a
swamp, was captured. They carried him before an Indian king. Smith showed this
monarch his compass, and so won his favor. Thence taken before the ‘emperor’
Powhatan, he was in danger of being killed by certain Indian relatives he had slain, but
was saved by his guards. After he had treated Powhatan to a long discourse on the
greatness of the English King, the mightiness of his navy, and ‘the noyes of Trumpets
and terrible manner of fighting’ in Europe, he was sent back to Jamestown ‘with good
wordes and great Platters of sundrie Victuals, assuring me his friendship and my
libertie….’ Smith specifically notes that when he was sent back to Jamestown it was with
an escort of four Indians. In this book he barely mentions Pocahontas, then a maiden of
perhaps twelve (years of age).
Document B
In 1616 John Smith wrote a letter of introduction for Pocahontas (who recently
arrived in London) to England’s Queen Anne, wife of James I. He wrote of his 1608
capture by the Indians:
“After some six weeks fatting amongst those Savage Courtiers, at the minute of
my execution she (Pocahontas) hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save mine,
and not only that, but so prevailed with her father, that I was safely conducted to
Jamestown, where I found about eight and thirty miserable, poor and sick creatures, to
keep possession of all those territories of Virginia. Such was the weakness of this poor
Commonwealth (the colony), as had the Savages not fed us, we directly had starved. And
this relief, most gracious Queen, was commonly brought us by this Lady Pocahontas.”
Document C
In 1624 John Smith published in London The General History of Virginia, New
England and Summer Isle and again told the story of his 1608 encounter with the Indians.
He says he was captured by three hundred Indians and taken before Powhatan.
“A long consultation was held, but the conclusion was two great stones were
brought before Powhatan, then as many as could layd hands on him (Smith), dragging
him to them, and thereon layd his head, and being ready with their clubs, prepared to
beate out his braines. Pocahontas, the King’s dearest daughter, when no entreaty could
prevail, got his head in her armes, and layd her own upon his to save him from death,
whereas the Emperor was contented he should live.”
Smith then tells how Powhatan decided to send Smith back to Jamestown to exchange
him for supplies for the Indians. Twelve Indian guides went along with Smith to bring
back the trade articles.