It was in this same year that he revisited the Netherlands to confer with the States-General on the propositions of Sir Noel Caron, as previously mentioned. He probably, at this time, obtained an extension of his leave of absence. (III. Winwood, p. 239.)

In the following March, 1611, Sir Thomas Dale was despatched from England with a year's supply, in three ships, for the colony. About three months later, Sir Thomas Gates followed him, with six ships, carrying three hundred men, and ample supplies of cattle, swine, provisions, and other necessaries. (IV. Purch. 1758, 1767; Hamor, p. 50.)

Sir Thomas Gates was accompanied by his lady and their two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth, and he was looking forward to the enjoyment of their society in the new colony, when, in passing through the West Indies, his dream of domestic happiness was brought to an end by the death of Lady Gates. Being, in consequence, under the necessity of sending his daughters back to England, he proceeded, thus doubly bereaved, on his way to the seat of his government. (I. Birch, James, p. 154; Eng. Dom. St. Pap. vol. ccclxviii., a.d.

1637.)

Soon after his arrival, his spiritual teacher and the companion of his voyage, the Rev. Mr. Glover, died at Jamestown, in consequence of the unhealthiness of the season and place. Mr. Glover was a graduate of Cambridge, and an approved preacher. He was somewhat advanced in years, and independent in his circumstances. His death deprived Sir Thomas Gates of a friend, and of the consolations of a friend, when most needed. (Campbell, Va. p. 105.)

Doctor Belknap, in his life of Lord De la Warre, adverting to the treaty with the Chickahominies, says, "Though this transaction passed while Sir Thomas Gates was at the head of the government, and residing in the colony, yet nothing is said of his assenting to it, or giving any orders about it;" and he then takes occasion to remark that "Dale appears to have been the most active and enterprising man." The whole passage would give the impression that Gates was not only the least active and enterprising of the two, but was, also, supine, and neglectful of his official duties. Neither of these conclusions, however true they may be, will find any real support in the doctor's premised statement, in which his wonted accuracy appears to have failed him. Sir Thomas Gates was not, as the doctor supposes, in the colony when the treaty was made with the Chickahominies. That treaty was posterior to the league with Powhatan; and we have Sir Thomas Dale's own word for it, that he did not set out for Pamunky, Powhatan's residence, till after Sir Thomas Gates had embarked for England. (IV. Purch. p. 1769; II. Hubbard's Belknap, p. 142.)

Sir Thomas Gates was, by no means, inattentive to the proper duties of his station. Argall, in his letter to Hawes, describes his government as discreet and provident, and incidentally refers to various occasions on which he was evidently the acting, and not a merely nominal, chief magistrate. The execution of measures ordered by him, being naturally very often intrusted to his old and valued comrade, Sir Thomas Dale, brought the latter so much more frequently and more conspicuously into public observation, that contemporary as well as later writers style him Governor, while he was only Marshal of the colony. If, however, as was very possible in the beginning of his administration, Sir Thomas Gates felt disposed to throw off, upon others, the burden of his official care and labors, it was, doubtless, owing to his recent family afflictions. At a later period, he might also have found it awkward to withdraw his delegated authority from an old friend of so ardent and impetuous a temperament as Sir Thomas Dale. But the duties of his official position were not so unwelcome as to be shunned by him; for, early in 1618, soon after an attack of gout, he declared his intention to follow his chief, Lord De la Warre, and to resume his post in Virginia in the following summer. But after his lordship's departure, no ship, in which Sir Thomas could take passage, was sent out before news came to London of his lordship's death; and, twenty days later, the Treasurer and Council decided to appoint Captain Yeardley as Captain-General and Governor. (Eng. Dom. St. Pap. vol. xciv., A.D. 1617; IV. Birch, James, p. 63.)

Some time after Sir Thomas's return, in 1614, to England, he repaired to the Netherlands, mainly for the purpose of obtaining the arrears of his pay; and was favored by the StatesGeneral with immediate payment of the whole amount accrued during his absence. As the United Provinces had little occasion for foreign troops during their twelve years' truce with Spain, it is to be presumed that, at this period, he resigned his commission in their service.

Stith, in rehearsing a speech of Captain John Smith in 1621, says (p. 191), that he went afterwards to the East Indies, and died there; but assigns no authority for the statement. From a list of shareholders in the English State Paper Office, it appears that, in 1623, fifty great shares, or five thousand acres of land in the colony, stood in his name as

owner.

Captain Gates, the son of Sir Thomas, served in the expedition of 1626 to Cadiz, and the next year, at the Isle of Rhé and Rochelle. At the latter place he lost his life by a cannon-shot. Ten years after, his sisters petitioned the Privy Council to order payment to them of the arrears due on his account; and the Lord Treasurer was instructed, by order of Council, to sign an order to that effect. They alleged that they were "destitute of means to relieve their wants, or to convey themselves to Virginia, where their father, Sir Thomas Gates, Governor of that Isle, died, and left his estate in the hands of persons who had ever since detained the same." It is highly improbable that Sir Thomas died in Virginia, and the place of his death is only to be ascertained by future research. (I. Brodhead, New York Docum. p. 16; Eng. Dom. St. Pap., A.D. 1637, vol. ccclxviii.)

Of the early history of Sir Thomas Dale, as little is known as of that of Sir Thomas Gates. The first step in his eventful life of which we have any account, is that, following the example of many of his gallant young countrymen, early in 1588, he enlisted as a private soldier in the service of the United Provinces. In 1617 he reminded the States-General that, "first as soldier, and last as captain," he then had served their Commonwealth thirty years. (I. New York Docum. ut supra, p. 18.)

At this period, Doctor Valentine Dale, previously ambassador at Vienna, and subsequently, with Sir Julius Cæsar, Judge ad interim of the High Court of Admiralty, was appointed by Elizabeth one of the commissioners for treating with the Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, for effecting a peace between the United Provinces and Spain. Both having the same surname, and visiting the Netherlands at the same time, it may reasonably be surmised that the Admiralty Doctor and Thomas Dale were connected by family ties, and that the visit of the latter was a matter of family concert. The education of Thomas Dale, as appears from his letters, and various circumstances and incidents in his career, as well as from the character and standing of his circle of friends and acquaintances, were such as would be quite suitable to the condition of a son of the Doctor. (II. Motley, chap. xviii. p. 359.)

After seven years of service as a private, Dale was sent to Scotland, probably in the suite of the Dutch ambassadors, who were to attend the baptism of Prince Henry. He was well qualified to render these foreign worthies very useful and acceptable services, as interpreter, and in various other capacities.

The anxiety of the States to conciliate the favor of the sovereign expectant of England and Ireland, and to forestall that of his infant son and heir, was evinced in the nature and extraordinary value of the presents they made on this occasion. A box of solid gold, containing an obligation, written on parchment, in letters of gold, for the annual payment to Prince Henry of five thousand florins, was accompanied with several large golden cups; of which two were so heavy, that James Melville, at the end of his Memoirs, says, it was with difficulty that he lifted and placed them on the table. He adds, that these rare articles, which ought to have been preserved for posterity, were soon melted down, and devoted to other purposes; probably, to meet the king's expenses, and the arrears of his servants' pay, as well as to gratify the cupidity, of those who persuaded the king to destroy these works of art, that they might get a share of their reduced value. (I. New York Docum. p. 18; J. Melville, Mem. p. 622.)

With the Dutch ambassadors, it would be a matter of course that they should have in their train, persons of known courage and fidelity, for the better security of the articles of great value intrusted to their care; and, likewise, such as were familiar with the language and customs of the country. These qualifications were all concentrated in Dale, and would naturally make him originally the choice of the ambassadors, and, afterwards of King James, when apprehensive of plots to take from him the keeping and control of his son and heir. The young prince was baptized at Stirling, and remained in Stirling Castle, in the custody of the Earl of Mar, for the first nine years of his life. The queen was deeply afflicted at

this separation from her son, and as deeply offended, when she found that neither entreaties nor stratagems for restoring him to her arms, were of any avail. James believed that his own safety depended on his retention of the prince; and if the latter were taken out of the hands of the Earl of Mar, that his own life would depend on the will of his enemies. We do not know the particular duties attached to the station in which Dale was placed. We may be sure that they were not menial, nor incompatible with the feelings and habits of a gentleman; but from what has been said above, and from King James's constantly dwelling on the courage and valor of Dale, whenever he mentioned him, we may presume that he was held responsible, to some extent, for the security of the prince against any attempt for his abduction. To accustom the heir presumptive of the English throne to the English accent and language from his infancy, might, also, be one of the incidental advantages counted on in employing Dale. He was, besides, well qualified to train up the prince in all the sports and modes of exercise that were conducive to his health or amusement. His conduct in his place gained him the public approbation of the king, and many proofs of deep and indelible attachment from the prince. (I. Sidney, Mem. of State, p. 352; Birch's Prince Henry, pp. 2, 31; Scotch St. Papers, 1594, vol. liii., July 19-23.)

In 1603, on the accession of James to the throne of England, the court was removed to London; and it became necessary to make an entire change in each of the establishments of the royal family. Dale's services were no longer needed; and, without pretensions to any rank above that of a gentleman, serving as a private soldier, he had no claim to any eligible station in the prince's retinue; and, if unaided, would be constrained to return to his humble routine of military duty in the Netherlands. After his service near the prince, this would be felt as a degradation. It was almost inevitable that he should desire promotion, and that the prince, who was "a sure anchor to his friends," should earnestly second his wishes. But there were obstacles in the way of accomplishing this by direct means. King James was unfriendly to the cause of the United Provinces. He had just treated their envoys with cold reserve; had called the Dutch rebels; and was bent on making a separate treaty with their enemy, Philip the Third. Hence, he was unwilling to ask favors of the States-General. But their great friend, Henry the Fourth, had no such scruples; but, on the other hand, being extremely anxious to persuade King James to join with him in a treaty for aiding the Dutch, by supplies of troops and money, in their war with Spain, he would eagerly embrace the opportunity of forwarding his own purpose, by such an act of courtesy as recommending a meritorious and favorite servant of King James's son and heir for promotion. On his recommendation, the States-General, on the 1st of August, 1603, commissioned Dale, provisionally, as captain of the infantry company of Captain Condegrave (? Comte de Grave). Soon after this, he received a permanent commission in the English forces, under the command in chief of Sir Francis Vere. At this period, in consequence of the cold and ambiguous policy of King James, and the consequent inactivity of Henry the Fourth, and of the refusal of both to make open war with them against Spain, the Dutch had become distrustful of both sovereigns. Sir Francis Vere, the English general, felt that he was no longer treated with the same respect and confidence as previously. His power and authority being confined within new and narrower limits, his position became so irksome as to induce him to repair to London for the purpose of obtaining the absolute command of the English and Scotch auxiliary troops. His visit created apprehensions that the English officers and soldiers, who naturally shared in the discontent of their chief, would experience hard treatment from the States-General. (Monmouth Mem. p. 177; Eng. Dom. St. Pap., 1604, vol. vi. § 21; Sully Mem. chap. 15, 16; II. Winwood, pp. 10, 175, 176; Motley, IV. pp. 199, 200; I. New York Docum. p. 1; Ellis's Original Histor. Letters, 2d Series, vol. iii. p. 206.)

At this moment, Prince Henry, in the steadfastness of his friendship, prevailed upon his father to interpose his good offices for the protection of Dale. Accordingly, at the King's instance, a letter was written on the 29th of March, 1604, by Lord Cecil to Winwood, English ambassador at the Hague, to inform him of the king's "gracious opinion of the merit of Captain Dale, both for having been a valiant and long servitor" (of Prince Henry), “and for having, for the most part, resided at his own charge." Lord Cecil adds, “His Majesty commanded me to acquaint you so much, to the intent, that in the alterations and removes

of places among the companies, where he is one, he may be respected, both for his own merit and his master's [Prince Henry's] recommendation, who is persuaded of his honesty and sufficiency. (II. Winwood, p. 18.)

Dale retained his post in the army of the Netherlands; but where he was employed in the succeeding two and a half years, does not appear. In November, 1606, he was, as already mentioned, with Captain Sir Thomas Gates in garrison at Oudewater, nearly a hundred miles from the actual seat of war. (I. New York Docum. p. 2.)

When Sir Thomas revisited Holland in 1610, he probably inspired his old comrade Dale with an irrepressible desire to try his fortune in the New World, by giving him as favorable a representation of the condition and prospects of the colony in Virginia, as had a few weeks before induced the Treasurer and Council to continue and support it. For, early in January, 1811, the English Ambassador, Winwood, on the recommendation of Dale's constant friend, Prince Henry, asked the States-General to grant Dale leave of absence for three years, as the king of Great Britain required his services in Virginia. The States, on the 20th, gave their consent; and ordered that his company should, meanwhile, remain vacant, to be resumed by him, if he thought proper; but that his pay, during his absence, should cease. Five days after, Winwood urged the States to revoke their stoppage of the pay; but they refused. A similar effort, in which he was joined with the English General, Sir Francis Vere, Governor of the Brille, and Conway, his lieutenant, met, on the 9th of February, with the same ill success. Holland had made a long truce with Spain; and, having little occasion, had less desire, for military expenditure. (IV. Purchas, p. 1758; I. New York Docum. pp. 1-3.)

Five weeks later, Dale was on the seas, bound to Virginia, bearing with him a commission for life as High Marshal of the colony, and in actual command of three ships, laden with supplies, and three hundred emigrants. The men and provisions sent out were of the vilest description. Dale complained bitterly of both in a letter which he addressed to Lord Salisbury on the 11th of the following August. Immediately after his arrival, on the 12th of May, to provide as far as possible against the consequences of the settlers' neglect to plant corn in season, he employed all hands at Kicquotan, in planting; and, although the season was nearly past, secured a moderate crop of good corn. He lost no time in repairing next to Jamestown. Finding it a nest of idlers and players at bowls, he set them all to work in felling trees, repairing their ruinous houses, and preparing materials for the stockade of his intended new town. His next step was to discover a proper site for the town. He first examined the banks of the Nansemond, in spite of the bands of hostile Indians that infested his path; and then, turning up the James as far as the Falls, he finally selected an elevated and defensible place in Varina Neck (Dutch Gap), on Farrar's Island. (Hamor, pp. 26–33; IV. Purchas, p. 1767.)

While taking these preliminary measures for carrying out his favorite project, he did not lose sight of general interests of the colony, or of the imperative necessity of providing for both its extension and security, by curbing the hostile power of Powhatan. He made a careful examination of the country between the river and the possessions of the savage chief, and framed, in his own mind, the plan mentioned previously (page 5), which, on the 11th of August, after the arrival of Sir Thomas Gates to take the reins of government, he communicated to Lord Salisbury. Had his lordship's life been spared, the plan would probably have been carried, at least partially, into effect. But for two years after his death, the king kept the administration, especially of the expenditures, chiefly in his own hands, and seldom found more revenue than he wished, or was obliged, to expend at home. The colony, meanwhile, continued to suffer by a sacrifice of lives, and by a constant obstruction to its labor and prosperity, until, by Argall's capture of Pocahontas, Powhatan was brought to terms and a lasting peace. (Hamor and Purchas, ut supra; Birch Neg. p. 346.)

Dale's project of founding a new city met with the warm approval of Sir Thomas Gates, who furnished him with three hundred and fifty men to put it immediately in execution. This was shortly effected, so as to afford the little community comfort, security, and more public and private advantages of a civilized municipality, than had ever before been enjoyed in the new country. Dale, in honor of his royal friend and patron, Prince Henry, gave his new city the name of Henrico. This compliment from the old servant of his early years must

have been gratifying to the prince, who appears, from all accounts, to have been not only steadfast in his attachments, but also an early, active, and ardent friend of the colony. In the outset of the enterprise, in 1606, his gunner, Robert Tindal, went to Virginia in Newport's little squadron. He went up the James River to Powhatan's town and the Falls, probably with Kendal, Newport, and Smith, soon after landing; and, in the summer of 1607, sent to the prince his journal and a drawing — probably the earliest ever made of James River. (Birch's Life of Prince Henry, p. 90.)

Tindal, after returning to England, came out to the colony early in July, 1609, master of "Cornelius's small barke" (note, pp. 4, 5); and the next year, in the same capacity on board the "De la Warre," in which vessel Lord De la Warre made his outward and homeward passage. In each of these vessels, he served under the command of Argall. We have no account of him after this period. The prince's death, which took place on the 6th of November, 1612, to the universal grief of the nation, must have changed his prospects, as well as those of Dale and the colony. Dale, in his letter of June 18, 1614, in Purchas (IV. p. 1768), says, "My glorious master is gone, that would have enamelled with his favors the labors I undertake for God's cause, and his immortal honor. He was the great captain of our Israel; the hope to have builded up this heavenly new Jerusalem - he interred, — I think the whole frame of this business fell into his grave: for most men's forward (at least, seeming so) desires are quenched; and Virginia stands in desperate hazard.”

Farther on in the same letter, he intimates that the same despondency was felt by the best men in the colony, who were generally anxious to return home; and by their friends in England, who incessantly entreated them to come away. His own stay in the colony was prolonged, because, as he says, "here is no one that the people would have govern them but myself;" and "I knew not on whom to confer the care of this business in my absence. Whom I thought fit was generally distasted." He reluctantly decided to remain, although his promised term had expired, and his sovereign had warranted his return, lest "through the factions, humors, mutinies, or indiscretions of the chiefs left behind, all should fall to ruin."

At this period the Company obtained temporary relief to the amount of twenty-nine thousand pounds, from a lottery. This was soon exhausted; and the Company's means ultimately became so insufficient, that, during nearly the whole of Argall's administration, the colony remained almost destitute of such ordinary and indispensable supplies as would protect them from the inclemency of the weather, and the hostility of the Indians. (Smith's Va. p. 119; Chalmers's Annals, pp. 32, 33; Campbell, p. 116.)

Early in 1612 the colonial joint-stock came to an end. It was created and limited to a term of five years, by the royal instructions of November, 1606, which directed that all the fruits of labor in the colony, and all goods and commodities from England, or elsewhere, should be brought to the public magazine or storehouse, and subsequently be issued out to the inhabitants. (Stith, p. 39.)

The system of working for the benefit of the whole community, wanting the stimulus of private gain, had led to improvidence, idleness, and every practicable evasion of labor. Consequently, the corn produced was never sufficient to meet the necessities of the colonists. When the supplies from England were lost at sea, in 1609, a frightful mortality, caused by starvation, swept away nine-tenths of the population. At the time the joint-stock ceased, in 1612, the provisions brought out by the respective squadrons of Dale and Gates had been condemned as unfit for food; little or no corn could be obtained from the Indians, nor any relief from the harvest before September. In the interval, the universal suffering for want of food was intense; and, in some cases, was aggravated by an unsparing exaction of labor in the public works then in progress. To escape from so intolerable a condition, some, and among them worthy men, attempted to flee to the Spaniards, to the Indians, or over sea, in boats, to England; others were driven to the commission of crimes and misdeeds, which could not be checked or repressed, except by such severe and cruel punishments as can be vindicated only by the absolute necessity of the case, and as in accordance with the spirit of an age in which torture, and equally cruel punishments were ordinarily inflicted in England and throughout Europe. (Stith, pp. 122, 123; Smith's Va. p. 111; Chalmers's Revolt, pp. 9, 10; Hamor, p. 27.)