His child Bermuda had died in infancy, and his wife soon after
their coming to Jamestown. Rolfe remained, a young man, a good citizen, and
a Christian. And he loved tobacco. On that trivial fact hinges an important
chapter in the economic history of America. In 1612 Rolfe planted tobacco
in his own garden, experimented with its culture, and prophesied that the
Virginian weed would rank with the best Spanish. It was now a shorter
plant, smaller-leafed and smaller-flowered, but time and skilful gardening
would improve it.
England had known tobacco for thirty years, owing its introduction to
Raleigh. At first merely amused by the New World rarity, England was now by
general use turning a luxury into a necessity. More and more she received
through Dutch and Spanish ships tobacco from the Indies. Among the English
adventurers to Virginia some already knew the uses of the weed; others soon
learned from the Indians. Tobacco was perhaps not indigenous to Virginia,
but had probably come through southern tribes who in turn had gained it
from those who knew it in its tropic habitat. Now, however, tobacco was
grown by all Virginia Indians, and was regarded as the Great Spirit's best
gift. In the final happy hunting-ground, kings, werowances, and priests
enjoyed it forever. When, in the time after the first landing, the Indians
brought gifts to the adventurers as to beings from a superior sphere, they
offered tobacco as well as comestibles like deer-meat and mulberries.
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