latelie had severall Consultations about our
Plantation in Virginia. The resolution is--That it must be removed, but
they thinke it fitt to suspend the execution of it,... for that they are
in hope that it will fall of itselfe."

The Spanish hope seemed, at this time, not at all without foundation.
Members of the Virginia Company had formed the Somers Islands Company
named for Somers the Admiral--and had planted a small colony in Bermuda
where the Sea Adventure had been wrecked. Here were fair, fertile
islands without Indians, and without the diseases that seemed to rise,
no man knew how, from the marshes along those lower reaches of the
great river James in Virginia. Young though it was, the new plantation
"prospereth better than that of Virginia, and giveth greater
incouragement to prosecute yt." In England there arose, from some
concerned, the cry to Give up Virginia that has proved a project awry!
As Gates was once about to remove thence every living man, so truly
they might "now removed to these more hopeful islands!" The Spanish
Ambassador is found writing to the Spanish King: "Thus they are here
discouraged... on account of the heavy expenses they have incurred, and
the disappointment, that there is no passage from there to the South
Sea... nor mines of gold or silver." This, be it noted, was before
tobacco was discovered to be an economic treasure.

The Elizabeth from London reached Virginia in May, 1613. It brought to
the colony news of Bermuda, and incidentally of that new notion brewing
in the mind of some of the Company. When the Elizabeth, after a month in
Virginia, turned homeward, she carried a vigorous letter from Dale, the
High Marshal, to Sir Thomas Smith, Treasurer of the Company.

"Let me tell you all at home [writes Dale] this one thing, and I pray
remember it; if you give over this country and loose it, you, with your
wisdoms, will leap such a gudgeon as our state hath not done the like
since they lost the Kingdom of France; be not gulled with the clamorous
report of base people; believe Caleb and Joshua; if the glory of God
have no power with them and the conversion of these poor infidels, yet
let the rich mammons' desire egge them on to inhabit these countries.
I protest to you, by the faith of an honest man, the more I range the
country the more I admire it. I have seen the best countries in Europe;
I protest to you, before the Living God, put them all together, this
country will be equivalen