importation of Tobacco (a thing long and earnestly desired),
to the Virginia and Somers Island Companies, and that upon
such conditions as the private profit of each man is likely
to be much improved and the general state of the plantation
strongly secured, while his Majestie's revenue is so closely
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
amytie, 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 sufficient 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{tie} (Majesty) above all things requires from us a
proof of silke; sharply reproving the neglect thereof,
wherefore 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 Valentia we have been forced to hatch it here."

In 1623 a letter was prepar