A Relation of Virginia, written by Henry Spelman, “the third son of the Antiquary,” who came to the colony in 1609, was privately printed in 1872 at London for James Frothingham Hunnewell, Esq., of Charlestown, Mass., from the original manuscript.[282] Spelman, who was a boy when he first came to Virginia, lived for some time with the Indians, became afterwards an interpreter for the Colony, and was killed by the savages in 1622 or 1623.
In 1609 there were four tracts printed in London, illustrative of the progress of the new colony:—
1. Saules Prohibition staid, a reproof to those that traduce Virginia.
2. William Symondes’ Sermon before the London Company, April 25, 1609.[283]
3. Nova Britannia: offeringe most excellent Fruites by Planting in Virginia.[284]
4. A Good Speed to Virginia. The dedicator is R. G., who “neither in person nor purse” is able to be a “partaker in the business.”[285]
In 1610, appeared the following:—
1. W. Crashaw’s Sermon before Lord Delaware on his leaving for Virginia, Feb. 21, 1609.
2. A true and sincere declaration of the purpose and ends of the plantation begun in Virginia.[286]
3. A true declaration of the estate of the Colonie in Virginia.[287]