Factions at Jamestown
Factions were mainly caused by Wingfield and Ratcliff due to their inept leadership,. Archers attempts to gain power (referred to as busy hands). and the independent Francis West (brother of newly appointerd governor Thomas West, known as Lord De LaWar [Deleware]) who did not like to take orders and who stole a boat and left the other colonists to starve.
First Seeds of faction were first sewn by "Maister Edward Maria Wingfield"
The seed of first Jamestown factions were created by the aristocrat Wingfield, who during the voyage over, felt Captain John Smith was not giving him enough respect. Wingfield charged Captain Smith with "concealing a mutiny". Captain Smith was placed under something akin to house arrest. It is clear he was not in chains or confined because he refused to accommodate those who built a gallows for his use on one of the Caribbean islands and it is clear that he participated in exploring with Captain Newport up the river (James River) a few days after landing at Jamestown.
Wingfield was probably hearing the mummer of the colonists and some disrespect for the way he was treating Captain John Smith. Smith "so wel he (Smith) demeaned himselfe in this business, as all the company did see his innocencie, and his advreseries malice; and those suborned to accuse him, accused his accusers of subordination. Many untruths were alleged against him (Smith) ; but being so apparently disproved begat a generall hatred in the hearts of the company against such unjust commanders". "
"Many were the mischiefes that daily sprong form their ignorant (yet ambitious) spirits ; but the good doctrine and exortation of our preacher Maister Hunt reconciled them, and caused Captain Smith to be admitted of the Councell (20 June)".
Smith was released from his charges and given his place on council a few weeks after they arrived, before Newport departed (~ 15 June 1607) to return back to England. (Captain Newport was the re-supply shipping director and never stayed at Jamestown but sailed the supply ships back and forth).Before Newport left, elected President Wingfield expressed concern to Newport about possible overthrow. He told Newport that Gosnold "could if he would" and that Archer "was toubled with an ambitious spirit and would if he could". His observation proved to be very accurate. Newport unfortunately told Archer before leaving about Wingfield's comment. This undoubtedly fueled Archer's ambitious mind into believing Wingfield was afraid of him.
Thomas Studley wrote that Wingfield was keeping the best food for himself" Otemeale, sacke, oile, aquavitae, beefe, eggs ", while others starved with only a half pint of wheate and a half pint of barley per day that "contained as many wormes as graines".
Wingfield was deposed (voted off council by other councilors) and Ratcliff was installed as President
"seeing the Presidents projects (Wingfield's failed leadership) to escape these miseries in our Pinnas by flight (who all this time had neither felt want of sickness ), [this] so moved our dead spirits , as we deposed him" [~ 10 September 1607] .
Ratcliff was made President but he was a very poor one. He became the mouthpiece of want-to-be-lawyer Archer who practiced his designs to have power through his influence on Ratcliff.
NOVEMBER 1607
(50% + of the original 104 colonists who arrived are dead by the begining of November )
Toward the end of November Ratcliff, now President of the Council after Wingfield's removal, beat the blacksmith who struck back. [p153 TWCJS]. The blacksmith was sentenced to hang but saved his neck by telling of a conspiracy by Kendall. Kendall was executed.
Smith stops Wingfield in his attempt to steal the ship Discovery and leave
Studley says that it was discovered that Wingfield was making plans to steal the Pinnas (Discovery) and leave the rest to their fate.
Toward the end of November, Smith retuning to the fort from trading, was told of the plan and with his threat to fire musket balls fired from a light cannon, stopped Kendall and Wingfield from sailing the pinnace away.
Smith stops Ratcliff and Archerfrom from stealing the ship Discovery and leaving
Not long after " The president (Ratcliff) and Archer" , "intended also to have abandoned the country; which project also was curbed and suppressed by Smith " .
JANUARY 1608
Captain Smith returned to the fort (8th of January) from his capture and finds that Archer has been placed on council by Ratcliff without authority.
Now again Smith stops Ratcliff and Archer from sailing away on the ship Discovery
"Now in Jamestown, they were all in combustion, the strongest preparing once more to run away with the Pinnace ; which with the hazard of his life, with sakre, falcon and musket shot, Smith forced now the third time to stay or sink".
Counciler Archer plotted with President Ratcliff the next day (9th of January) try to hang Smith .Archer accused Smith of losing his men duing his exploration and fight with the Indians. Archer was quoting from the bible, and citing "Leviticall Law " a section that said a leader is responsible for the lives under his command.
But Smith "quickly tooke such order with such lawyers , that he layd them by the heeles till he sent some of them prisoners for England".
Newport arrives and Archer is removed from council.
August 1608
Captain Joh Smith returns from 3 months exploring and maping the Chesapeake Bay only to find the Colony in turmoil becasue Ratcliff had mobolized all available labor to build hiumself a "palace in the woods". The colonists remove Ratcliff as president, and beg Smith to assume the presidency. Smith knowing that being in charge at Jamestown was a thankless job, had refused to accept earlier rquests that he do so.
Captain Smith reluctantly accepted the responsibility.Smith becomes President 10th of September 1608.
Ambushes attempted on Captain John Smith .
Who Shot JR ?Who was Jr? ----we don't know yet who shot him but JR's identity is revealed .
Questions about Captain John Smith .
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