Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Captain Argall sets sail for Virginia


Captain Samuel Argall (1580-1626) was an English merchant adventurer, naval officer, and agent of the Virginia Company. He was a cousin to Sir Thomas Smith, the scholar, and, at that time, Governor of the Virginia Company. In 1608-1609 word had arrived from the Jamestown Colony that things were not going so well. They needed supplies and more colonists. The entire financial future of the Virginia enterprise hinged on a successful plantation at Jamestown. The failure of Raleigh's Roanoke colony was still a potent memory and warning. Thus, the principal investors in the Virginia Company launched a public relations campaign in the spring of 1609 (as has been documented on this blog) to develop greater interest in investment, and to sign up English men and women to go to Virginia. Several voyages and resupply missions were planned for 1609. Argall's was the first. Captain Samuel Argall and crew set sail from Portsmouth on May 5, 1609. His orders were to sail to Jamestown by way of Barbuda and to deliver sturgeon to the colonists. In an interesting twist that has had vast repercussions in history, Argall disobeyed orders. He decided to take a chance on a different route to the New World. Instead of heading for the tropics and following the trade winds, Argall & Co. tried a new route: first to the Azores, from thence to Bermuda, and then to Virginia. This route sliced off many days of travel and kept English vessels out of the Spanish highway across the Atlantic.

Argall decided not to go fishing for sturgeon before docking at Jamestown. Instead, always the benevolent humanitarian, and finding the Jamestown colonists starving and near death, he sold them the ship's extra biscuits and wine. Then he hurried off to the Carolina Banks and caught a heap of sturgeon. Argall, smartly salvaging his reputation, gave the colonists some of the fish but kept all the caviar for private sale back in London. It's always about the money with these Merchant Adventurers! Argall wasted no time, departing back for England on August 31, 1609.


A few years later, Argall displayed his heroism and forthright dealings when he deviously arranged for the abduction of Pocahontas (1613). Inviting her to tour his vessel, Argall and his men showed their bravery by capturing the unarmed, teenage Indian girl. Pocahontas was later brought back to London where she met King James and Ben Jonson and died of fever and heartbreak just as she was about to leave to return to Virginia (1617).

Detail from The Abduction of Pocahontas by Jean Ferris, c. 1910.
Captain Samuel Argall (left) at Jamestown with Pocahontas as his captive.

By RSB copyright 2009

36 comments:

  1. For excellent acounts of the settling of Jamestown, Samual Argall, Pocahontas, and the entire experience read; "Savage Kingdom" by Wooley and "Land as God Made It," by James Horne. Also "Jamestown Narratives" written by the settlers themselves. These are the best researched and most truthful accounts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "A True Discourse of The Present State of Virginia" by Ralph Hamor 1615. One of the more honest descriptions. Various pages relate to Captain Argall. Page 35 mentions his voyages.
    "Good News From Virginia" by Alexander Whitaker 1613 also honest descriptions. Bird images on the slate are mentioned in both books. First wildlife and bird reports in Virginia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't really say what is beautiful about a place, but the image of the place will remain vividly with you.

      Delete
    2. The love of beauty in its multiple forms is the noblest gift of the human cerebrum.

      Delete
    3. You can only perceive real beauty in a person as they get older.

      Delete
    4. We are learning, too, that the love of beauty is one of Nature's greatest healers.

      Delete
    5. I think I am quite anxious about this technical meeting and I want to know the feedback of this meeting.I am sure it will be an extremely informative one and all those will attend it will be quite beneficial.

      Delete
    6. I think I am quite anxious about this technical meeting and I want to know the feedback of this meeting.I am sure it will be an extremely informative one and all those will attend it will be quite beneficial.

      Delete
    7. Hi, just wanted to say I attended this conference last year, and found it by far the best of about 8 conferences that I attended in the field. Full of professional insight based on testing by experts that knew what they were talking about. I would certain

      Delete
    8. You must know by now, your article goes to the nitty-gritty of the subject. Your clarity leaves me wanting to know more. Just so you know, i will immediately grab your feed to keep up to date with your online blog. Sounding Out thanks is simply my little

      Delete
    9. I think I am quite anxious about this technical meeting and I want to know the feedback of this meeting.I am sure it will be an extremely informative one and all those will attend it will be quite beneficial.

      Delete
    10. modern mehndi designs
      Great place, great time. Getting strange experienced with orphanages. I learned how to hold an excelent progam for kids, hope more activities. I became a kid on that day in my thought.

      Delete
  3. I enjoyed your site. It is good to keep in mind that Pocahontas had long been a friend of the English and was treated with honor during her diplomatic captivity. Argall's successful diplomacy regarding Pocahontas resulted in the redemption of several English prisoners and some weapons and farm implements that had been stolen by the Indians.

    Samuel was step-son of Lawrence Washington, the ancestor of President George Washington.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You produce a great point in your own final paragraph. We couldn’t agree more together with your points. In today’s modern world, your approach to this issue is lacking in today’s kids. We need to ensure that our kids find out more on this topic so we nev

      Delete
    2. You produce a great point in your own final paragraph. We couldn’t agree more together with your points. In today’s modern world, your approach to this issue is lacking in today’s kids. We need to ensure that our kids find out more on this topic so we nev

      Delete
  4. Well the story have to many mysteries and i can say it's not so nice as you tell us here hehe, on that times the discover of the new world and bla bla, was full rapes, destrution, dead, slave and well, everyone knows on these times, than the people from spain are very racist.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The real sin against life is to abuse and destroy beauty, even one's own even more, one's own, for that has been put in our care and we are responsible for its well-being.

      Delete
  5. that was good imformation but i wanted to know about when he built the 3rd church.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The real sin against life is to abuse and destroy beauty, even one's own even more, one's own, for that has been put in our care and we are responsible for its well-being.

      Delete
    2. The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.

      Delete
    3. You have really helped several of individuals like me, who have been searching internet from past quite a long time to find detailed information on this particular topic. Thanks a ton.

      Delete
    4. Regalos Originales
      It is a very profitable post for me. I've enjoyed reading the post. It is very informative and useful post. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content.

      Delete
    5. Excellent read, Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work.
      zopiclone online

      Delete
    6. This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives indepth information. Thanks for this nice article.
      Buy Facebook Likes

      Delete
    7. Oh, this is a magical post. It’s life the most majestic post there is on this planet right now. This is really good work from your side. I strongly recommend you keep doing this kind of work.
      stilnoct where to buy

      Delete
  6. Love your blog. It was such a pleasure reading it. Thanks for sharing this article.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a good post. This post give truly quality information.I’m definitely going to look into it.Really vesalt lake city consignment shops
      ry useful tips are provided here.thank you so much.Keep up the good works

      Delete
    2. Florence is the most beautiful city with Italy... skill, architecture, cooking, beautiful countryside and good shopping destinations. So, you should definitely wear ones... and hit the street.
      nursing pinning ceremony

      Delete
  7. Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
    Injury Lawyers Calgary

    ReplyDelete
  8. Basketball does not must be strictly rule regulated play on an indoor wooden court. You can use many different variations on the game that bring basketball to a whole new level. Variety is one of the things that makes basketball such a popular sport.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Basketball does not must be strictly rule regulated play on an indoor wooden court. You can use many different variations on the game that bring basketball to a whole new level. Variety is one of the things that makes basketball such a popular sport.
    buy stilnox

    ReplyDelete
  10. When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintains the image of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it. So thats why this paragraph is great. Thanks!
    salt lake city ski shops

    ReplyDelete
  11. HELLO, I am Rebecca Michaelson by name living in Europe. Here is a good news for those interested. There is away you can earn money without stress contact (THOMAS FREDDIE) for a blank [ATM CARD] today and be among the lucky once who are benefiting from this cards. This PROGRAMMED blank ATM card is capable of hacking into any ATM machine anywhere in the world. I got my master card from a good Hacker on the internet, with this ATM Card I am able to collect $5000 dollars every day via contacts:
    +1 (985) 465-8370 {thomasunlimitedhackers@gmail.com}
    I was very poor but this card have made me rich and happy, If you want to get this opportunity to become rich and establish your business then apply for this Master card, I am so happy about this because i got mine last week and I have used it to get $240,000.00 dollars from THOMAS FREDDIE UNLIMITED Hackers is giving out the card just to help the poor and needy and they ALSO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. get yours from THOMAS FREDDIE UNLIMITED HACKERS today. Kindly contact them by Email thomasunlimitedhackers@gmail.com

    Thank You and God bless

    ReplyDelete
  12. GET RICH WITH THE USE OF BLANK ATM CARD FROM
    (besthackersworld58@gmail.com)
    Has anyone here heard about blank ATM card? An ATM card that allows you to withdraw cash from any Atm machine in the world. No name required, no address required and no bank account required. The Atm card is already programmed to dispense cash from any Atm machine worldwide. I heard about this Atm card online but at first i didn't pay attention to it because everything seems too good to be true, but i was convinced & shocked when my friend at my place of work got the card from guarantee Atm card vendor. We both went to the ATM machine center and confirmed it really works, without delay i gave it a go. Ever since then I’ve been withdrawing $1,500 to $5000 daily from the blank ATM card & this card has really changed my life financially. I just bought an expensive car and am planning to get a house. For those interested in making quick money should contact them on: Email address : besthackersworld58@gmail.com or WhatsApp him on +1(323)-723-2568

    ReplyDelete