Period XX.

DISTINGUISHED FOR SETTLEMENTS.

Extending from the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, to the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, 1689.

Section I. Prior to the year 1607, a period of One hundred and fifteer years from the discovery of San Salvador, by Columbus, attempts had been made to effect settlements in various parts of North America; but no one proved successful, until the settlement at Jamestown.

In 1606, King James I. of England, granted letters patent, an exclusive right, or privilege,to two companies, called the London and Plymouth Companies: by which they were author.. ized to possess the lands, in America, lying between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude; the southern part, called South Virginia, to the London, and the northern, called North Virginia, to the Plymouth Company.

Under this patent, the London Company sent Capt. Christopher Newport to Virginia, Dec. 20th, 1606, with a colony of one hundred and five persons, to commence a settlement on the island Roanoke,-now in North Carolina.--After a tedious voyage of four months, by the circuitous route of the West Indies, he entered Chesapeake Bay, having been driven north of the place of his destination.

Here it was concluded to land; and, proceeding up a river, called by the indians, Powhatan, but, by the colony, James River, on a beautiful peninsula, in May, 1607, they began the first permanent settlement in North America, and called it Jamestown.

The government of this colony was formed in England, by the London Company. It consisted of a council of seven persons, appointed by the Company, with a president chosen by the council, from their number, who had two votes. All matters of moment were examined by this council, and determined by a majority. Capt. Newport brought over the names of this council, carofully sealed in a box, which was opened after their arrival.

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Among the most enterprising and useful members of this colony and one of its magistrates, was Capt. John Smith. he acted a distinguished part in the early history of the colony of Virginia, a brief sketch of his life will be interesting.

He was born in Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, England, in 1579. From his earliest youth, he discovered a roving and romantic genius, and appeared irresistibly bent on extravagant and daring enterprises. At the age of thirteen, becoming tired of study, he disposed of his satchel and books, with the inten tion of escaping to sea. But the death of his father, just at that time, frustrated his plans for the present, and threw him upon guardians, who, to repress the waywardness of his genius, confined him to a counting room. From a confinement so irk some, however, he contrived to escape not long after, and, with ten shillings in his pocket, entered the train of a young noble man, travelling to France.

On their arrival at Orleans, he received a discharge froin further attendance upon lord Bertie, who advanced him money to return to England.

Smith had no wish, however, to return. With the money ne had received, he visited Paris, from which he proceeded to the low countries, where he enlisted into the service as a soldier. Having continued some time in this capacity, he was induced to accompany a gentleman to Scotland, who promised to recommend him to the notice of king James. Being disappointed

however in this, he returned to England, and visited the place of his birth. Not finding the company there that suited his romantic turn, he erected a booth in some wood, and in the manner of a recluse, retired from society, devoting himself to the study of military history and tactics, diverting himself, at intervals, with his horse and lance.

Recovering about this time a part of his father's estate, which had been in dispute, in 1596, he again commenced his travels, being then only seventeen years of age. His first stage was Flanders, where meeting with a Frenchman, who pretended to be heir to a noble family, he was prevailed upon to accompany him to France. On their arrival at St. Valory, in Picardy, by the connivance of the shipmaster, the Frenchman and attendants robbed him of his effects, and succeeded in making their escape.

Eager to pursue his travels, he endeavoured to procure a place on board a man of war. In one of his rambles, searching for a ship that would receive him, he accidently met one of the villains concerned in robbing him. Without exchanging a word, they both instantly drew their swords. The contest was severe, but Smith succeeded in wounding and disarming his antagonist, and obliged him to confess his guilt. After this rencounter, having received pecuniary assistance from an acquaintance, the earl of Ployer, he travelled along the French coast to Bayonne, and thence crossed to Marseilles, visiting and observ ing every thing in his course, which had reference to naval or military architecture.

At Marseilles he embarked for Italy in company with a number of pilgrims. But here also new troubles awaited him. During the voyage, a tempest arising, the ship was forced into Toulon, after leaving which, contrary winds so impeded their progress, that in a fit of rage, the pilgrims, imputing their ill fortune to the presence of a heretic, threw him into the sca.

Being a good swimmer, he was enabled to reach the island of St. Mary, off Nice, at no great distance, where he was taken on board a ship, in which, altering his course, he sailed io Alexandria, in Egypt, and thence coasted the Levant. Having spent some time in this region of country, he sailed on his return, and on leaving the ship received about two thousand dollars, as his portion of a rich prize, which they had taken durthe voyage.

Smith landed at Antibes. He now travelled through Italy, crossed the Adriatic, and passed into Stirria, to the seat of Ferdinand archduke of Austria. The emperor being at that time at war with the Turks, he entered his army as a volun

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By means of his valour and ingenuity, aided by his military knowledge and experience, he soon distinguished himself, and was advanced to the command of a company, consisting of two hundred and fifty horsemen, in the regiment of count Meldrick, a nobleman of Transylvania.

The regiment in which he served was engaged in several ha zardous enterprises, in which Smith exhibited a bravery admired by all the army, and when Meldrick left the imperial service for that of his native prince, Smith followed.

At the siege of Regal he was destined to new adventures. The Ottomans deriding the slow advance of the Transylvania army, the lord Turbisha despatched a messenger with a challenge, that for the diversion of the ladies of the place, he would fight any captain of the christian troops.

The honour of accepting this challenge was determined by ot, and fell on Smith. At the time appointed the two champions appeared in the field on horseback, and in the presence of the armies, and of the ladies of the insulting Ottoman, rushed impetuously to the attack. A short, but desperate conflict ensued, at the end of which Smith was seen bearing the head of the lifeless Turbisha in triumph to his general.

The fall of the chief filled his friend Crualgo with indignation, and roused him to avenge his death. Smith accordingly soon after received a challenge from him, which he did not hesitate to accept, and the two exasperated combatants, upon their chargers, fell with desperate fury upon each other. Victory again followed the faulchion of Smith, who sent the Turk headlong to the ground.

It was now the turn of Smith to make the advance. He despatched a message therefore to the Turkish ladies, that if they were desirous of more diversion of a similar kind, they should be welcome to his head, in case their third champion could take it.

Bonamalgro tendered his services, and haughtily accepted the Christian's challenge. When the day arrived the spectators assembled, and the combatants entered the field. It was an hour of deep anxiety to all; as the horsemen approached, a deathless silence pervaded the multitude. A blow from the sabre of the Turk brought Smith to the ground, and for a moment it seemed as if the deed of death was done. Smith however was only stunned. He rose like a lion, when he shakes the dew from his mane for the fight, and vaulting into his saddle, made his faulchion "shed fast atonement for its first delay." It is hardly necessary to add, that the head of Bonamalgro was added to the number.

Smith was received with transports of icy by the prince of