Some of the Jamestown "gentlemen" refuse to work. John Smith tells them that if they don't work they will not eat. The London Company makes harsh demands. Smith is nearly
Some of the Jamestown "gentlemen" felt that that was exactly what they were, gentlemen, and to get a hand dirty was beneath them. They refused to work with the soil, feeling they should better spend their time searching for gold and other precious metals. There were also those who preferred not to engage in any sort of labor at all.
Back in England, the London Company was not helping matters in Jamestown in the least. At least twice in 1608, ships arrived in America from England demanding lumber, pitch, tar and other cargo to fill the holds of their ships. Being under the control of the London Company the Jamestown settlers had no choice but to stop the little work they were doing to prepare against a long and cold American winter to soon come and supply the ships' demands.
Well it was for these settlers that such as John Smith was amongst them. The incompetence of the other men, and probably the women as well, forced him to take charge. And take command he did. Smith is credited with declaring to the Jamestown population that: "He who will not work shall not eat." He also traded with the Indians to supply the colonist with corn.
Although John Smith was a strong and vibrant leader amongst his men there was at the same time another such leader whose influence was equally powerful among his own people.
Powhatan was the primary Native American leader in the area. Smith was captured by some hostile Indians and brought before Powhatan.
Captain John Smith continued.
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