My Final Entree…
June 17, 2007
Up until now I have written about many great and incredible things over a relatively short time period. The discovery of the Algonquian natives for one thing, was an immense find and a great thing as well for we as settlers learned a great many things for how to survive in the New World.
The upbringings of the settlement know as Jamestown, the discovery of tobacco (courtesy of the Algonquians) and the sharing of knowledge between two great peoples were all very important happenings and turned out to be mutually beneficial to both the natives and the small group of settlers inhabiting Jamestown.
But there was also the failure of this meeting of cultures (which saddened me to the very center of my being) that occurred shortly after, due to some petty misunderstandings and acts of selfishness. If I could go back to right my wrongs, you could safely bet all the money in your purse that I would, just so that I could have gotten the chance to learn more from the Algonquians and to maybe start a strong, withstanding union that would help the world in ways that are never even though of unless found through deep, deep thought. For the final and last time, farewell…
John Smith
The Separation of Two Great Nations
June 17, 2007
We have not seen any trace of the Algonquians in a little over a month and I don’t think that we will ever see them again. And if we do, it will be as enemies on the field of battle. But who knows? There may be again a time when we Europeans and Natives like Powhatan will work and live side by side as friends. But that is a ways off still and it may not even be the case in the future, even though i wish it will be.
As for me I am due to return to England, after a gun powder explosion on a hunting trip when a youth loaded to much gunpowder into his musket and it had backfired right back into me. I would have much preferred to stay and live here but it is not to be so…
I will write one last time when I get back to England, and then I think that will be the last time you will hear from me in this journal. Until the next time I am permitted to write,
John Smith
A Bloody Massacre for Both Sides
June 14, 2007
…Yesterday was a great loss of life and happiness for my encampment of men and Powhatan’s Tribe. What had happened to my knowledge was simply this. Right after I had sent my men out to subdue the natives before tragedy occurred, Powhatan sent out his force for revenge.
The two groups pasted within 20 to 30 feet of each other unknowingly and siege the opposite base, only to return to ruin. Our men had managed to capture a few more natives to aid in the building of the fence and gathered some more supplies without getting so much as a few minor bruises and scrapes though, which I am glad for.
But what I was upset at hearing though was that the men had set fire to many of the buildings and crops that belonged to the natives. My only hope this day is that something good will come out of all this madness and suffering. Pocahontas is doing fine and will probably stay with us for the next long while at least. I wish that there was some way that I could let Powhatan know that his daughter is safe and is in good hands…
John Smith
The Beginings of a Long and Bloody Relationship…
June 14, 2007
Yesterday, Powhatan again visited Jamestown and today sent his daughter, Pocahontas to see it for herself. I had never seen such a beautiful girl before in my life. So tonight I plan on going down to their village and taking Pocahontas along with some more supplies back here with me, for the natives have been getting very hard to deal with as of late and this would make our two groups even. I will write later on tonight again after I get back.
Ok, I have just returned from the Algonquian camp down in the valley about 2 1/2 Kilometers South East of here. I think it is a fare assumption that we can expect an attack late tomorrow night sometime, for we left two of their guards dead in the bush. My greatest worry though is that one section of wall that is still not complete. It would be easy prey to a group of angry natives looking for a fight. I think what I will do is send a group of men to go and attack their camp before they can attack mine.
With any luck, we will be able to force them into an unconditional surrender and without too much bloodshed.
John Smith
Another Visit From The Algonquians
June 13, 2007
Today we received another unexpected visit from the Algonquians. The construction on the fort has been going on now for about two weeks, and with the Algonquians there to see it through. I think they are very anxious to see what the finished product will look like. I am hoping that in the future, I will be able to offer some of the natives jobs and have a working, functioning town with both races putting in an effort to make life easier for each other.
That is my main goal here in the New World, as long as the natives are willing to cooperate…
John Smith
Town Life and Our First Meet with the Algonquians
June 12, 2007
The past few weeks have been good, hard working ones. We have found the perfect place to build our new colony, Jamestown, after our king James 1. The construction has been started and it is sheltered from the view of any possible Spanish invaders. And being close to the ocean, it will allow us to sail back if the need arises. The living areas inside the fort are to be the first to be put up and worked on, being made more comfortable even as we speak.
But the biggest problem for those of us here at Jamestown is the so called “Gentlemen” who just sit around all day doing absolutely nothing what-so-ever and complaining about their houses being done. The lazy, god-forsaken whiners are really good for nothing and if they want to go back to England, I say let them. But enough on how this group of mine is going, for the thing that I really want to talk about is the Algonquian natives.
Lately we have not seen much of our friends the Algonquians. They tend to keep to themselves mostly, but are also curious and since we don’t wander to far from the town, they have no choice but to come to us. It has been hard to communicate with them, as they use a language yet to be heard by other Europeans, but we are determined to start up a trading system of some sort. I can’t help but feel that I am part of something bigger and am only making way for the rest of Europe.
John Smith
The Voyage is over, the Adventure Begins
June 6, 2007
Hello again,We landed on the alien shores of the New World around a week ago. Now me and all the others are making our way towards the site where we plan on building the first British Colony here on the New World.
We have been ordered to name it Jamestown after King James 1.It might even be possible to start up a trade with the natives that we encounter there.
But highly doubt this because. Well that is all for now until the heavens grant me another few moments of time to write. Until a later date,
John Smith
Shore Line at Last…
June 5, 2007
Land! The glorious sight is in view at last! This morning I awoke from my dreamless sleep only to hear the lookout exclaim “Land Ho!” I was afraid that I might bust out with childish cries of joy and excitement and embarrass myself in front of the crew. But I contained myself enough so that my jovial acts were hidden under the other noises of the ship hands.
Sailors were running to and fro, back and forth, and up and down along the deck making the preparations to land. The supplies closest to the top were brought up and readied to be carried ashore. I had never experienced so much commotion and energy other than on the field of battle itself. I can not wait to arrive and walk once again with solid earth under my feet. I will write again as soon as I get there so until then,
John Smith
At Sea…
June 1, 2007
We have been on ship now for about 3 months and all I can say is that it has been a slow and boring process for me. I have learned my way around this wretched tub, but I crave to be walking around with solid earth under my weary feet. My salvation is only the fact that it looks very likely that I will make it to this “New World” and start up a new colonie.
The ships captain insists that we are travelling with all possible haste, but I doubt his word. From my eye’s view, he is just a softhearted man who is afraid of overworking his merry little band of sea dogs, and like any captain, fears mutiny as well. Well, I do hope that this dreadful trip is over before long so that I may write more interesting things, but I can’t speed anything up any more than i already have so until next time…
John Smith
Leaving Home Behind
May 30, 2007
Today is the day that I depart on my 4 1/2 month voyage to The New World. I have two main emotions inside me this day. Pure excitement and wonder of what I will encounter along with grief at leaving my home behind after just returning to it. I am hoping that the voyage will past by quickly and without incident.
But I know deep down inside that that will not be the case. This trip will be long and boring for a adventurous heart like mine, and the path is as long as the sea is wide so we are bound to run into some sort of trouble along the way. I will try and write as often as I can so until next time,
John Smith.
