navigator, and Captain John Smith, distinguished as a daring warrior. The fleet sailed by the circuitous route of the West Indies, on account of the lateness of the season. After a voyage of four months, the adventurers were driven into the Chesapeake Bay by a tempest. Cape Henry was discovered and named in honor of the Prince of Wales. After coasting about for some time, the vessels entered a river called Powhatan by the natives; and seeing that the region to which they had been driven possessed many advantages not to be found at Roanoke, the English resolved to make this the place of their abode. Both the settlement and the river received the name of the king, and Jamestown is therefore the oldest English location in America.

UT the arrangements had been injudicious. King James, with a ridiculous caprice, had caused the names and instructions of the council to be enclosed in a box, not to be opened until after the arrival in Virginia; and thus the crew in going out knew not whom to obey. The energy of Smith, with his frank and manly bearing, soon led them to recognise him as their commander. This excited the envy and malice of others higher in rank, who charged him with having a design to usurp the government and become king. On these baseless charges, Smith was arrested and confined during the remainder of the voyage, and for some time longer, so that his services were lost to the colony when most wanted.

Having landed, the packet was opened and the names of the council proclaimed. Smith was among the number. The council elected a president, and then excluded him whose superior abilities excited envy. Smith demanded a trial, was honorably acquitted, and took his seat in the council. He afterwards accompanied Newport up the river as high as the great falls, where they visited Powhatan, a sort of emperor over all the surrounding tribes. He received the strangers well, and reproved his people for murmuring at it.

In June, Newport sailed for England. The brilliant hopes which the colonists had conceived now quickly vanished. The supplies of provisions began to fail, and the tilling of the soil was a laborious resort which they had not expected. Unwholesome food and a new climate soon caused disease to show itself, and before September, nearly half their number were carried off by it. Among these was Bartholomew Gosnold, the projector of the settlement. The distress of the colonists was increased by dissensions. Charges of embezzling the public stores were preferred

against President Wingfield, and he was detected in attempting to escape from the colony in a pinnace. He was deposed and his place filled by Ratcliffe, who, fortunately, left everything to the control of Smith, which was what the colonists desired.

S food was the most important want, Smith, with a party, proceeded down the river in search of it. The natives treated them with derision; and unable to succeed by fair means, the English fired a volley, which caused them to seek the shelter of the woods. Landing at a village, he found food in abundance, but prevented his people from encumbering themselves, foreseeing the return of the Indians. The red men returned in considerable force; but another volley from the English brought them to sue for peace. Smith then obtained a sufficient quantity of provisions, and returned to Jamestown. The drooping spirits of the colonists were revived, and gratitude to their preserver took the place of jealousy.

Captain Smith's name will be for ever associated with the foundation of civilization in America. He was descended from a respectable family in Lincolnshire, and was born to a competent fortune. Of a naturally restless spirit, he yielded to his love of adventure and passed through a variety of military service, gaining much fame for skill and daring. Amid the general sickness in the colony, his health was perfect and his temper buoyant. Having, in his rambles, discovered the great river Chickamine, he determined to explore it to its source. He ascended first. in his barge, then in a canoe, and twenty miles on foot, attended only by his Indian guides. But three hundred natives who had traced his steps. surprised and dispersed his party, and then came suddenly upon himself. He made most valiant efforts for safety; and fastening with his garters a native ally to his person, presented him to the enemy as a buckler. Then he ran to the canoe, which he would have reached, if he had not suddenly sunk in a morass, where he was forced to surrender or perish with cold.

Although Smith had reason to think his last hour had come, his selfcontrol did not desert him. He asked for the chief, showed his compassdial, and strove to explain the use of it. The Indians were awed, as if in 'the presence of a superior being, and on a signal from their chief, they laid down their weapons and led Smith, under strict guard, to their capital. There they threatened him with torture and death, if he did not consent to betray the colony into their hands. But it was vain. At

served for further services and adventures. Soon afterwards, he was sent back to Jamestown, with the promise of peace, and arrived just as the remaining thirty-eight settlers were preparing to leave the country.

By the most determined action, Smith succeeded in inducing them to stay. Pocahontas had sent provisions, which relieved their present wants, and the accounts of plenty among the Indians revived their hopes. Peace and friendship were restored between the two races, and everything looked promising under the rule of the man, whose merit was his only title to office.

In this state of things, Newport arrived, with two vessels, one hundred and twenty men and a supply of provisions, seed and agricultural implements. The Company, however, now impatiently endured their expenses, and began to look for some return. Gold was viewed as the main source of wealth, and many of the new-comers had been selected on account of their skill in its discovery. Naturally desirous to satisfy their employers, they thought they perceived in a certain glittering yellow earth, the precious ore. Henceforth all sober industry was thrown aside. Gold was the only object, and digging, refining and washing it, the only toil. Smith's remonstrances were of no avail, until long after the skilful examination. of gold-refiners had proved the glittering ore to be worthless. In June, 1608, Newport's vessels returned to England; one, laden with this worthless dross, and the other, with cedar-wood.

Prompted by his adventurous spirit, Smith now resolved to explore the Chesapeake Bay, to ascertain the qualities and resources of its territories, and promote an intercourse with the more remote tribes. This was an arduous and dangerous expedition. Accompanied by Dr. Russell and a few followers, he performed, in an open boat, two voyages of discovery, occupying more than four months, and embracing above three thousand miles of exploration. He visited every inlet and bay on both sides of the Chesapeake, from Cape Charles to the Susquehanna River, and carefully examined the territories into which he penetrated. He brought back an ample and accurate account of his researches, and his map has been made

the groundwork of all succeeding ones. By his wisdom and courage, Smith inspired the Indians with an exalted opinion of himself and nation.

HE return of Smith revived the spirits of the colonists, whose golden dreams had been dispelled during his absence. He was immediately elected president of the council, and began, with his usual activity, to improve the buildings, strengthen the forts, and train the men to military exercises, but he was interrupted by the arrival of Newport, with a fresh colony of about seventy persons, including two females. The Company, having spent at least £2000 in the equipment, expressed an earnest desire and expectation of being somewhat reimbursed. They recommended two objects to be attained by the colonists-the discovery of the South Sea, and mining of gold. In order to gain the favor of Powhatan, they sent him presents, and materials for his coronation. The Indian king submitted with reluctance to the coronation; but assured the English that their ideas of a salt water beyond the mountains were erroneous. The South Sea chimera was not relinquished, however, until Newport and a small party had ascended the river, and had a taste of the toils and dangers of the expedition. They returned to Jamestown, oppressed "with famine, toil and discontent."

MITH'S administration was not acceptable to the patentees.

in England. The disappointment of their high expectations made them ready to throw the blame upon any one but themselves. On the 23d of May, 1609, a new charter was granted to the Company, which gave them more extensive powers. James was induced to waive those high claims of sovereignty, before so strictly reserved. He allowed the council in England to be chosen by the proprietors, with power to nominate a governor. The episcopal church was exclusively established, and all emigrants required to take the oath of supremacy.

The exertions of the patentees and the general enthusiasm kindled throughout the nation, enabled the Company to equip nine vessels, which were to take out five hundred emigrants. Lord Delaware, a true nobleman, was appointed governor for life; and as he could not depart immediately, Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers were to rule till his arrival in the colony. The fleet sailed on the 15th of May, 1609, and