KING JAMES OPPOSES TOBACCO-RAISING. 59 



joyned as together with the colonie it must rise and faile, 

 grow and impair, and that not a small matter neither, but of 

 twenty thousand pounds per annum, (for the offer of so much 

 in certainty hath his majestie been pleased to refuse in favor 

 of the Plantations." 



On Friday the 22d of March 1622 the Indians attacked the 

 plantations " and attempted in most places under the color 

 of unsuspected amy tie, and by surprise to have cut us all off 

 and to have swept us all away at once throughout the whole 

 lande had itt not pleased God of his abundant mercy to 

 prevent them in many places, for which we can never suffi- 

 cient magnifie his blessed name." 



But notwithstanding this terrible massacre in which nearly 

 four hundred persons were slain the colony increased in 

 wealth and numbers as plantations were laid out and the 

 colonists developed the various resources of the country. 

 From the first planting of tobacco in Virginia by the colony 

 it seemed to meet the royal displeasure of King James the 

 First who falsely and frivolously sought to establish a 

 connection between the balmy plant, and the influences of the 

 Evil One. 



In 1622 King James still opposing the cultivation of 

 tobacco sought by every means in his power to discourage 

 its growth and culture. He urged the growing of mulberry 

 trees and the propagation of silk worms, as being of more 

 value than tobacco. In a letter dated 10th June 1622, 

 addressed to the Governor and Council of Virginia by the 

 London Company we find this reproof for neglecting the 

 cultivation of " mulberrie trees " : 



" His Ma tle (Majesty) above all things requires from us a 

 proof of silke ; sharply reproving the neglect thereof, where- 

 fore we pray you lett that little stock you have be carefully 

 improved, the mulberrie trees preserved and increased, and 

 all other fitt preparations made for, God willing before 

 Christmas you shall receive from us one hundred ounces of 

 Silkworme seed at least, which coming too late from Valen- 

 tia we have been forced to hatch it here." 



In 1623 a letter was prepared for the colony by order of 

 privy council of the king and addressed to Sir Francis 

 Wyatt Knight and Captain General of Virginia and to the 



