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JAMES TOWNE In the Words of Contemporaries |
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4. POLITICAL WRANGLINGS
WHILE the natives were at first generally friendly, the colonists encountered many hardships in their new environment. To the disadvantages of an unhealthy location were added the rigors of a new climate and deficient food supply. Conditions would have been difficult even if complete harmony had existed in the little settlement. Such unfortunately was not the case, as can be seen in the ousting of President Wingfield of the Council as told by himself.
By this tyme, the Councell had fully plotted to depose Wingfeild, the then President; and had drawne certeyne Artycles in wrighting amongst themselues, and toke their oathes upon the Evangelistes to observe them: the effect whereof was, first/
To depose the then President
To make Master Ratcliff the next President
Not to depose the one the other
Not to take the deposed President into Councell againe
Not to take Master Archer into the Councell, or any other, without the Consent of every one of them. To theis they had subscribed, as out of their owne mouthes, at severall tymes, it was easily gathered/ . . .
Septem.—The 10 of September, Master Ratcliff, Master Smyth, and Master Martynn, came to the Presidentes Tennt with a warrant, subscribed under their handes, to depose the President; sayeing they thought him very unworthy to be eyther President or of the Councell, and therefore discharged him of bothe. . . . I was comytted to a Serieant [Sergeant], and sent to the Pynnasse; but I was answered with, "If they did me wronge, they must answere it/"
A Discourse of virginia (1608) BY EDWARD MARIA WINGFIELD.
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