Quotes from Smith’s Writings

Virginia

In the year 1607 was an extraordinary frost in most of Europe, and this frost was found as extreme in Virginia. But the next year for eight or ten days of ill weather other fourteen days would be as summer. (The Generall Historie, 2, p. 21, Map of Virginia, p. 1)

Idleness and carelessness brought all I did in three years in six months to nothing. (The Generall Historie, 4, p. 165) 

Now make a man’s labor in corn worth threescore pound and in tobacco but ten pound a man, then shall they have corn sufficient. (The Generall Historie, 4, p. 165)

To think that gold and silver mines are in a country otherwise most rich and fruitful or the greatest wealth in a plantation is but a popular error. (The Generall Historie, 4, p. 148)

Photos of Virginia: Connie Lapallo

 Heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation were it fully manured and inhabited by industrious people. (The Generall Historie, 2, p. 2-22)

Whatsoever is said against the Virginia corn, they find it doth better nourish than any provision is sent thither. (The Generall Historie, 4, p. 140) 

A man may gallop a horse amongst these woods any way but where the creeks or rivers shall hinder. (The Generall Historie, 2, p. 31)

This the captain saith, that he hath been in many places of Asia and Europe, in some of Africa and America, but of all holds Virginia by the natural endowments the fittest place for an earthly paradise. (Proceedings, 2, 635) 

In Virginia […] where all the woods for many an hundred mile for the most part grow straight like unto the high grove or tuft of trees upon the high hill by the house of that worthy knight Sir Humphrey Mildmay, so remarkable in Essex in the Parish of Danbury […] but much taller and greater, neither grow they so thick together by the half, and much good ground between them without shrubs, and the best is ever known by the greatness of the trees. Now in New England the trees are commonly lower, but much thicker and firmer wood, and more proper for shipping. (Advertisements, p. 25)

Out of the relics of our miseries, time and experience had brought that country to a great happiness had they not so much doted on their tobacco, on whose furnish foundation there is small stability. (Advertisements, p. 33)