The History of Virginia (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1805. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... I when they might fall with their united strength on CHAP, their oppressors. ] Ofechancanough, from his retreat at the 16>0head of York river, witnessed with secret pleasure the progress of these discontents, which his influence and discourses had pricipally contributed to excite and exasperate. His sagacious mind quickly discovered, in the divisions of the colony, the occasion, which he had long waited for with impatience and anxiety; and he lost not a moment in concerting measures for improving it to the purposes of his patriotism and revenge. Although now grown old, his conduct exhibited on this occasion, the union of a burning ardor and an indefatigable industry; and his orders were conveyed with electric rapidity during the silence of midnight, to the remotest tribes of the confederacy. The Pamunlcies and Chickahominies, who were immediately under his influence, together with the Paspaheys, Warasqueakes and Mataponies, as well from their situation as their courage} and their experience of the English mode of fighting, were looked upon as the main strength of the confederacy: And with these, Opechancanough resolved to make the principal onset in person. The more distant stations were assigned to the principal war chiefs of the several tribes: And thus a war, which raged from the mouth of the Chesapeake, to the heads of all the great rivers, which discharge themselves into it, was so simple as to render confusion impossible. The leaders were simply directed, at a stated hour, to attack the English settlements with their whole force and the utmost fury. But few particulars of this war have been transmitted to our times; so that the. day, or even the year, of its commencement, is known with little CHAP, certainty. Beverley* seems to think, that i...