The first settlers of Jamestown endured the problems of hostile Indians, starvation, and poor leadership and government. Jamestown was the second English Colony in the New World (Roanoke being the first) and the Indians attacked the settlers within 3 days of arrival in May of 1607. An uneasy truce kept warfare down to periodic guerilla raids on both sides, and by 1609 the settlers have supplies from England and corn from the Indians, with whom they began trade. But by winter, as Indians refuse to trade corn, the 500 settlers are starving, and provide the only examples of European cannibalism in Virginia. By spring, less than 100 are alive. Many Englishmen take refuge with the Indians, under their chief, Powhatan. By summer, the governor of Virginia, Lord De La Warr, attempts to negotiate for their return, but Powhatan replies with "noe other then prowde and disdayneful Answers." The governor raids Indian villages, kills the inhabitants, including the queen of one of the tribes, who was stabbed to death. Throwing her children into the James River, he begins "shoteinge owtt their Braynes in the water." Astonishingly, he also orders all Indian corn to be cut down in the field to induce starvation among them! By 1612, the governor orders Englishmen "...to be hanged Some burned Some to be broken upon wheles others to be staked and some to be shott to death," for leaving Jamestown and living among the Indians.
American Slavery, American Freedom, Morgan, 1975
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