Young though it was, the new plantation "prospereth better than
that of Virginia, and giveth greater incouragement to prosecute yt." In
England there arose, from some concerned, the cry to Give up Virginia that
has proved a project awry! As Gates was once about to remove thence every
living man, so truly they might "now removed to these more hopeful
islands!" The Spanish Ambassador is found writing to the Spanish King:
"Thus they are here discouraged . . . on account of the heavy expenses they
have incurred, and the disappointment, that there is no passage from there
to the South Sea . . . nor mines of gold or silver." This, be it noted, was
before tobacco was discovered to be an economic treasure.
The Elizabeth from London reached Virginia in May, 1613. It brought to the
colony news of Bermuda, and incidentally of that new notion brewing in the
mind of some of the Company. When the Elizabeth, after a month in Virginia,
turned homeward, she carried a vigorous letter from Dale, the High Marshal,
to Sir Thomas Smith, Treasurer of the Company.
"Let me tell you all at home [writes Dale] this one thing, and I pray
remember it; if you give over this country and loose it, you, with your
wisdoms, will leap such a gudgeon as our state hath not done the like since
they lost the Kingdom of France; be not gulled with the clamorous report of
base people; believe Caleb and Joshua; if the glory of God have no power
with them and the conversion of these poor infidels, yet let the rich
mammons' desire egge them on to inhabit these countries.
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