the command of Newport, Poles and Dutchmen had been included for the purpose, among others, of erecting mills of this character.[1] In 1619, there were forwarded both men and material with the same object in view, and at a later date trained workmen were procured from Hamburg.[2] No saw-mill had been erected in England previous to 1633.[3] In the course of January, 1622, information was received from Virginia of an interview between a prominent citizen of that Colony and a Dutch captain who had proposed to introduce a master-workman from Holland for the construction of saw-mills propelled by the wind. It is not stated that this project was carried out.[4] Wyatt was enjoined to erect mills for sawing, and in doing so, to choose sites immediately adjacent to the Falls of the Powhatan, in order that the lumber might be brought thither by means of water.[5] With these facilities for obtaining planks and with a vast abundance of the finest timber, one or more ships were probably constructed during the treasurership of Sandys for the use of the Colony, as four at that time were in the possession of the settlers, a very small number it is true, but sufficient for the needs of the inhabitants. The number of boats built in the course of the same period is calculated to have been ten times larger than during the administration of Sir Thomas Smyth.[6]
It is probable that some of the most skilful boatwrights
- ↑ Works of Capt. John Smith, p. 434.
- ↑ Abstracts of Proceedings of the Virginia Company of London, pp. 67, 75, 84. These Dutchmen were in a short time permitted to return, the scheme having been found impracticable. See Royal Hist. MSS. Commission, Eighth Report, Appx., p. 45.
- ↑ Bishop’s History of American Manufactures, vol. I, p. 98.
- ↑ Letter of Governor and Council in Virginia, January, 1621-22, Neill’s Virginia Company of London, p. 286.
- ↑ Hening’s Statutes, vol. I, p. 115.
- ↑ Discourse of the Old Company, British State Papers, Colonial, vol. III, No. 40; Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, vol. I, p. 159.
