. . but honest and industrious men,
as Carpenters, Smiths, Coopers, Fishermen, Tanners, Shoemakers,
Shipwrights, Brickmen, Gardeners, Husbandmen, and laboring men of all sorts
that . . . shall be entertained for the Voyage upon such termes as their
qualitie and fitnesse shall deserve." Yet, in spite of precautions, some of
the other sort continued to creep in with the sober and industrious. Master
William Crashaw, in a sermon upon the Virginia venture, remarks that "they
who goe . . . be like for aught I see to those who are left behind, even
of all sorts better and worse!" This probably hits the mark.
The Virginia Company meant at last to have order in Virginia. To this
effect, a new office was created and a strong man was found to fill it.
Gates remained De La Warr's deputy governor, but Sir Thomas Dale went as
Marshal of Virginia. The latter sailed in March, 1611, with "three ships,
three hundred people, twelve kine, twenty goats, and all things needful for
the colony." Gates followed in May with other ships, three hundred
colonists, and much cattle.
For the next few years Dale becomes, in effect, ruler of Virginia. He did
much for the colony, and therefore, in that far past that is not so distant
either, much for the United States - a man of note, and worth considering.
Dale had seen many years of service in the Low Countries. He was still in
Holland when the summons came to cross the ocean in the service of the
Virginia Company. On the recommendation of Henry, Prince of Wales, the
States-General of the United Netherlands consented "that Captain Thomas
Dale (destined by the King of Great Britain to be employed in Virginia in
his Majesty's service) may absent himself from his company for the space of
three years, and that his said company shall remain meanwhile vacant, to be
resumed by him if he think proper.
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