Ashlyn Atkinson Document paper 1:00 PM class

These papers focused on how two groups of people could look past their differences and

help the other when they could see they were in need. In reading Thomas Harriot, A Briefe and

True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia (1588), and John Smith, A True Relation of such

occurrences and accidents ofnoate as hath happened in Virginia since the first planting of that

Collony, which is now resident in the South part thereof, till the last re-turnefrom thence

(London, 1608), in English Colonial Documents: American Colonial Documents to 1776, a

common theme noticed throughout was, at different times the colonists or Native Americans

noticed the other in need of help and provided what they could. The colonists provided help to

the Native Americans, when they were struggling with disease, but that which was brought over

by the colonists. The Native Americans provided food and knowledge to the colonists when they

faced starvation. Both situations created an environment for positive relationships to be build

between the colonists and Native Americans.

Thomas Harriot spoke of how the Native Americans came to them for help as they were

struggling with disease. The diseases that were killing so many Native Americans were brought

over by the colonists. These were diseases the colonists had lived with and built up immunities

to, therefore none of their people were affected. This was the first time any Native Americans

were exposed to such disease, causing many of their people to become sick and die. The

Native Americans perceived this immunity as the colonists were Gods, none of their men were

sick or dying, “This marvelous accident in all the country wrought so strange opinions of us, that

some people could not tell whether to think us gods or men, and the rather because that all the

space of their sickness, there was no man of ours known to die, or that was especially sick”

Thomas Harriot, (1588). They also believed the sickness was the work of the colonist’s God,

striking down their enemies without weapons but with disease. The Native Americans came to

the colonists asking for help and if their God might have mercy on them. The colonists saw this
as an opportunity to convert the Native Americans to Christianity.

“Whose entreaties although we showed that they were ungodly, affirming that our God
would not subject Himself to any such prayers and requests of men: that indeed all
things have been and were to be done according to His good pleasure as He had
ordained: and that we to show our selves his true servants ought rather to make petition
for the contrary, that they with them might live together with us, be made partakers of His
truth and serve Him in righteousness;” Thomas Harriot, (1588).

The Native Americans were grateful to the colonists, they felt as though they helped them

through their struggle with diseases they had never seen before. Other Native Americans

weren’t as grateful. Some believed the next generation of travelers were invisible and killing

their people, spreading disease sickness and death throughout the tribes, “they imagined to be

in the air, yet invisible and without bodies, and that they by our entreaty and for the love of us

did make the people to die in that sort as they did by shooting invisible bullets into them” Thomas

Harriot, (1588). The writer, Thomas Harriot, expresses how he has hope they will be converted

and their relationship will stay peaceful, “[T]heir opinions I have set down the more at large that

it may appear unto you that there is good hope they may be brought through discreet dealing

and government to the embracing of the truth, and consequently to honor, obey, fear, and love

us” Thomas Harriot, (1588).

John Smith was a part of the settlement of Jamestown. In the beginning of the document

a few of their men went exploring and were attacked by Native Americans. They previously had

a good relationship with the Pa-maunke tribe, the King sent an Indian to assure the settlers it

was not his tribe who attacked their men. The settlers became very sick due to lack of food and

fresh water. This lead to rationing their provisions, the leaders got larger rations to keep them in

better health. Many travelers died of starvation and sickness, they elected Captain Ratcliffe as

their new leader. The Native Americans brought the colonists food to help give them strength,

this was surprising to the colonists, they thought the Native Americans would rather hurt them
instead they helped, “shortly after it pleased God in our extremity to move the Indians to bring

us corn ere it was half ripe, to refresh us, when we rather expected when they would destroy us”

John Smith, (1608). The Indians continued to bring the colonists corn and bread to help them gain

strength. The Native Americans continued to trade with the colonists, sometimes to their

advantage and sometimes generously, and the colonists reciprocated in kind;

“The Indians, thinking us near famished, with careless kindness offered us little pieces of
bread and small handfuls of beans or wheat for a hatchet or a piece of copper. In like
manner I entertained their kindness and in like scorn offered them like commodities, but
the children, or any that showed extraordinary kindness, I liberally contented with free
gift of such trifles as well contented them” John Smith, (1608).

The writer, John Smith, expresses the colonists gratefulness to the Native Americans. Their

people were healthy and happy. The colonists and Native Americans continued to have a

peaceful and beneficial relationship with one another, “We now remaining being in good health,

all our men well contented, free from mutinies, in love one with another, and as we hope, in a

continual peace with the Indians”, John Smith, (1608).

Usually we hear of the terrible relationship and attitude between the colonists and the

Native Americans. There are many other cases of violence and destruction between the two

groups, but, here are two examples to the contrary. Each story shows how one group can

realize the struggles of the other and provide help. In both stories, the providing group had

some advantages; the colonists saw the Native American’s struggles as an opportunity to

convert them to Christianity, and the Native Americans somewhat took advantage of the

colonists ability and supplies to trade. Even though their helpfulness wasn’t completely altruistic,

they provided support for those who needed it.