From The Generall Historie of Virginia by John Smith (1624)
This is Smith’s first public mention of the Pocahontas story, although he
refers to it in a letter he wrote to Queen Anne in 1616. Smith also wrote
about the colony in 1608 and 1612, but he made no mention of the rescue
story. Smith’s 1624 book was published after an Indian attack in 1622
brought the Virginia Company’s handling of the colony into question.
At his [Smith’s] entrance before the King [Powhatan], all the people gave a great
shout. The Queen of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his
hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers, in stead of a Towell to dry
them: having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could a long
consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought
before Powhatan: then as many as could layd hands on him, dragged him to them,
and thereon laid his head. And being ready with their clubs. To beate out his
braines, Pocahontas the Kings dearest daughter, when no intreaty could prevaile,
got his head in her arms, and laid her owne upon his to save from death.
From “Captain John Smith” by Henry Adams (1862)
Adams’ essay criticizing John Smith was written during the Civil War. Adams
was a descendant of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams of
Massachusetts. Massachusetts fought on the side of the Union (North)
during the Civil War, Virginia on the side of the Confederacy (South).
This is Adams’ response to a letter written by John Smith in 1608.
There is not a trace of his [Smith] having felt any immediate fear for his life,
except from a savage whose son he killed and from whom Opechankanough
protected him. There does indeed occur one line to the effect that they fed him
so fat as to make him much doubt they meant to sacrifice him; and this paragraph
furnishes the most striking evidence of the kindness of the Indians…Yet in 1624
we learn all this long time of his imprisonment he was still expecting every hour to
be put to one death or another.
This is Adams’ response to a document about the culture of Virginia Indians
written by John Smith in 1612.
Among the customs which he [Smith] describes as peculiar to the Indians was the
form of execution practiced against criminals. Their heads, he says, were placed
upon an altar, or sacrificing-stone, while ‘one with clubbes beates out their
braines.’ During his captivity, he adds, not indeed that he had actually seen this
mode of execution, but that an Indian had been beaten in his presence till he fell
senseless, without a cry or complaint. Here we have, therefore, the whole idea of
the story which he afterwards made public.
From The Pocahontas Myth by Chief Roy Crazy Horse of the Powhatan Nation
(1997)
In 1995 Roy Disney decided to release an animated movie about a Powhatan woman
known as “Pocahontas.” In answer to a complaint by the Powhatan Nation, he
claims that the film is “responsible, accurate, and respectful.”
We of the Powhatan Nation disagree. The film distorts history beyond
recognition. Our offers to assist Disney with cultural and historical accuracy
were rejected.
“Pocahontas” was a nickname, meaning “the naughty one” or “spoiled child.” Her
real name was Matoaka. The legend is that she saved a heroic John Smith from
being clubbed to death by her father in 1607 – she would have been about 10 or 11
at the time. The truth is that Smith’s fellow colonists described him as an
abrasive, ambitious, self-promoting mercenary soldier.
The truth of the matter is the first time John Smith told the story about this
rescue was 17 years after it happened. Yet in an account Smith wrote after his
winter stay with Powhatan’s people, he never mentioned the incident with
Pocahontas. In fact, the starving adventurer reported he had been kept
comfortable and treated in a friendly fashion as an honored guest of Powhatan.
Euro-Americans must ask themselves why it has been so important to elevate
Smith’s fibbing to status as a national myth worthy of being recycled again by
Disney. Disney even improves upon it by changing Pocahontas from a little girl into
a young woman.
The true Pocahontas story has a sad ending. In 1612, at the age of 17, Pocahontas
was treacherously taken prisoner by the English while she was on a social visit, and
was held hostage at Jamestown for over a year. During her captivity, a 28-year
old widower named John Rolfe took a “special interest” in the attractive young
prisoner. As a condition of her release, she agreed to marry Rolfe, who the world
can thank for commercializing tobacco. Shortly after, they had a son, whom they
named Thomas Rolfe.
In the spring of 1616, Rolfe took Pocahontas to England where the Virginia
Company of London used her in their propaganda campaign to support the colony.
She was wined and dined and taken to theaters. It was recorded that on one
occasion when she encountered John Smith (who was also in London at the time),
she was so furious with him, hid her face, and went off by herself for several
hours.
Rolfe, his young wife, and their son set off for Virginia in March of 1617, but
Pocahontas has to be taken off the ship at Gravesend. She died there in March
21, 1617, at the age of 21. She was buried at Gravesend, but the grave was
destroyed in a reconstruction of the church. It was only after her death and
fame in London society that Smith found it convenient to invent the yarn that she
had rescued him.
Did Pocahontas Save John Smith?
Document and author: ______________________________
Primary Source or Secondary Source? (Circle One)
Does this document claim the event happened? __________
Why or why not? What evidence is given?
Can you identify any bias the author might have?
Document and author: ______________________________
Primary Source or Secondary Source? (Circle One)
Does this document claim the event happened? __________
Why or why not? What evidence is given?
Can you identify any bias the author might have?
Document and author: ______________________________
Primary Source or Secondary Source? (Circle One)
Does this document claim the event happened? __________
Why or why not? What evidence is given?
Can you identify any bias the author might have?
Document and author: ______________________________
Primary Source or Secondary Source? (Circle One)
Does this document claim the event happened? __________
Why or why not? What evidence is given?
Can you identify any bias the author might have?
Homework:
Mini-DBQ: Did Pocahontas Save John Smith?
Based on the sources you have examined, do you think Pocahontas saved John
Smith? Write a one-page essay that defends your opinion. You must
mention three of the four sources discussed in class: John Smith’s A
Generall Historie, Henry Adams’ “Captain John Smith”, Disney’s Pocahontas,
and Chief Roy Crazy Horse’s “The Pocahontas Myth.”
In addition to your point of view, your essay should answer the following
questions:
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Which source did you find most believable and why?
Which source did you find the least believable and why?
What was the motivation of each author?
Did the biases of any of the author’s influence your decision?
Sentence Outline
Introduction: What is the time period? Describe it to the reader as if they had no information on
this era.
Document 1
Document 2
Document 3
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Conclusion: What is your point of view on this event? Any final observations from the sources?