Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
Dear Delegates,
The historical committee is unique in that the issues we strive to remedy have already
been resolved, yet we act as if they have not been. We are in the very special position to rewrite
history, hopefully for the better. A true treaty between the Powhatan Confederacy and the
settlers of Jamestown was not reached until 1646 after much conflict and bloodshed. Our goal is
to achieve a much earlier peace, in the year 1610 and bring a quick end to the First Powhatan
War.
Our mission is to pass a resolution serving as a peace treaty. Though the topic is highly
specialized, this committee will follow traditional United Nations Parliamentary Procedure,
consisting of the familiar speaker's list, points, motions, and caucuses; however, delegates
assuming the roles of historical figures will have the privilege of speaking in the first person.
We are very excited to chair this committee. The following background guide includes
problems to be solved, solutions to be considered, and allies to be made. Please read it in its
entirety. See you at CHSMUNC!
Sincerely,
Emily Abdow,
Sandy Yang
CHSMUNC 2014 Historical Committee Co-Chairs
Jamestown Settlers - Native American Peace Talks
In June of 1606, the Virginia Company was granted a charter by King James I to
establish an English colony in the Chesapeake region of the New World. One hundred five
settlers embarked on a mission to discover gold, seek out a water route to the Orient, and reap an
enormous profit for the crown. These settlers established the first permanent English colony in
North America, Jamestown, named after King James I. The young settlement faced a number of
challenges including a nearby mosquito-infested swamp, a brackish water supply, an absence of
food, unskilled workers, and a prolonged drought, but these paled in comparison to the colonists’
greatest struggle. Their small outpost was located in land belonging to the Powhatan
Confederacy, an alliance of thirty tribes united under Chief Powhatan. Thus, the fate of
Jamestown came to rest upon the tenuous relationship between two ethnocentric peoples
separated by vast cultural barriers.
In the beginning, Powhatan viewed the English as possible allies and allowed his various
tribes to act as they pleased to test the newcomers. He considered the English inept, and rightly
so as the settlers struggled to feed themselves and adapt to their new home. The English
dismissed the Native Americans as savages and sought to impose European politics and
Christianity on them (Reverend Robert Hunt was among the first settlers).
Lead by Captain Christopher Newport, the English began to explore the surrounding
land. The Captain formed an alliance with Parahunt, weroance or chief of Powhatan town;
however, he received a less-than-cordial welcome by Opussunoquonuske, weroansqua or female
chief of the Apamattuck town. Captain Newport departed for England to resupply the
settlement. Before he could return, provisions ran low, and half of the settlers perished during te
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
first summer from starvation and disease. On July 7th, 1607, Pepsicuminah, weroance of
Quiyoughcohannock, demonstrated his tolerance towards the settlers by agreeing to sell them
corn, but many chiefdoms refused to lend a hand.
To establish diplomatic relations with the Native Americans, the English needed to
understand and respect their culture. John Smith, who spent much of 1607 visiting tribes of the
Powhatan Confederacy, was the only man for the job. In December 1607, Smith was captured by
a hunting party under Powhatan’s brother, Opechancanough. As a prisoner, he journeyed through
the Powhatan Empire and ultimately befriended Powhatan himself.
Trading relations slowly opened between the two peoples, but trading was often a
dangerous and challenging undertaking. On one trading visit, the English refused to disarm and
leave their barge unattended, arousing suspicion among their Native American counterparts.
During the bargaining, Powhatan demanded an unreasonable price for his corn until John Smith
offered blue beads, which the natives considered very valuable. Powhatan traded about three
hundred bushels of corn for a pound or two of these beads. In another scenario, Smith traded
Parahunt a young boy named Henry Spelman, along with copper and promised “protection” from
other tribes, for the land called Powhatan town.
In the fall of 1608, Smith became President of Jamestown. As president, he was subject
to the orders of Captain Newport. Newport’s first ordered Smith to lead a diplomatic mission to
pacify Powhatan and make him a vassal of King James, but Powhatan saw the mission for what
it was and refused to kneel and receive the crown.
In the late fall, the colonists were growing hungry. Though they were anxious about
providing firearms to the Native Americans, they were forced to trade tools and weapons for
food. Ultimately, the English exchanged a grindstone, fifty swords, guns, a cock and a hen,
copper and beads, and men to teach the building of English-style houses for a shipload of
Powhatan's corn. In 1609, the English attempted trading with Opechancanough and the
Pamunkeys, but the tribe attempted to ambush the English during negotiations. Outraged, John
Smith drew his pistol on Opechancanough and led the King among his people, an insult
Opechancanough never forgave. In contrast, the Quiyoughcohannocks had become very friendly
and were even receptive to evangelistic efforts.
The harvest of 1609 had been very poor. Jamestown could barely support it's existing
population, yet more settlers were arriving. To accommodate the growing population, John
Smith decided the settlement should expand. Under Captain John Martin, a group settled in
Nansemond territory on a nearby island. English messengers sent to negotiate for the land were
murdered, so Martin and his men used force to occupy the island until further violence forced the
settlers to abandon their conquest. This violence was not unusual. Native American raids on
Jamestown settlements killed over one hundred Englishmen in 1609.
Jamestown was in dire straights when the governor, Sir Thomas Gates, decided to
evacuate the colony. As colonists abandoned their homes, they were met by Lord De la Warr’s
fleet, which had gone missing as it journeyed across the Atlantic. Lord De la Warr convinced
the colonists to return to Jamestown and take up arms against the natives. He sent a message
offering Powhatan either peace or war. When Powhatan demanded the English remain inside
their forts or leave, De la Warr responded by sending George Percy and seventy men to raid
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
Paspahegh. Percy's men captured and killed one of Wowinchopunck's wives and her children.
Their murders violated the sacred Powhatan law that chiefdoms never kill the “royal ones” of
other tribes and triggered The First Anglo-Powhatan War.
Map of Jamestown:
Source: hindsitehealth.com
Past (And Future) Actions
Be mindful of the diplomatic relationship between the two peoples, which was built
primarily on trading (including the exchange of young men and boys). The settlers traded
primarily for Native American land and food. The natives, who placed great value on European
trinkets, wanted access to European weapons and tools, and while the Jamestown settlers were
wary of providing such items, starvation and disease often left them no choice.
It may also be helpful to look forward in time to gain perspective on how to end the
conflict more quickly. For example, in 1614, the marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe brought
a golden age of peaceful relations which has come to be known as the “Peace of
Pocahontas.” You may also consult the Treaty of 1646 for information on land division and
conflict resolution tactics, but keep in mind that agreements including tributes to the King of
England would not have been favorable to Native Americans who were much stronger in 1610
than in 1646.
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
Character Biography:
The information provided below about your historical figure has been provided to inform
you about your character's opinions and willingness to compromise. We are aware that a few of
these figures were not present in Jamestown (or even alive) at the onset of the war, but we have
selected these characters to provide each of you with a prominent and researchable figure. We
recommend you read descriptions of other delegates on both sides to determine who will make
the best allies. The strongest resolutions are likely to feature both Englishmen and Native
Americans.
English:
1. Captain John Smith - During the voyage to Jamestown, Smith was charged with mutiny and
sentenced to death, but was saved when the Virginia Company declared him a leader of the new
colony. Smith was a ruthless man, threatening those inside the settlement with the motto “He
that will not work shall not eat.” In 1608, Pocahontas is said to have saved Smith’s life, and
while historians debate the truth of the event, Pocahontas and John Smith became very close
friends. Smith was Jamestown's most skilled negotiator and discovered the natives' affinity for
trinkets and blue beads. Althouh he was diplomatic with most tribes, Smith had a less-thanfriendly relationship with Opechancanough.
2. Captain John Ratcliffe - The president of Jamestown Colony in 1607, Ratcliffe popularity
declined amid accusations of hoarding rations. He lead an extravagant lifestyle and ordered a
governor’s mansion to be built as his fellow settlers were suffering. Ratcliffe was removed from
office in 1608 and suffered a very gruesome death the following year. Although he was clearly
unpopular with the settlers, the Natives enjoyed his generous trading policies.
3. Captain Christopher Newport - The leader of the voyage to Jamestown, Newport was
responsible for sailing between Jamestown and England and returning with settlers and supplies.
Newport was largely responsible for the unsuccessful “coronation” of Powhatan, a poorly
disguised attempt to place the Powhatan Confederacy under British rule.
4. Edward Maria Wingfield - Wingfield and his cousin were responsible for recruiting about
forty of the participants in the expedition to Virginia. Wingfield was 57 upon his arrival in
Jamestown, much older than his fellow settlers. Upon landing, Wingfield was elected president
and he chose the land for Jamestown’s construction. He often clashed with John Smith, and
many colonists disliked his strict disciplinary tactics. Only a few months later, Wingfield was
deposed and charged with numerous crimes including atheism, hoarding food, and sympathizing
with the Spanish. Though Wingfield returned to England in 1608, he was determined to see the
colony survive and prosper.
5. Sir Thomas Gates - An original investor in the Virginia Company, Gates was named governor
in 1609 and given confidential instructions on the settlement’s goals by the royal council. Gates
was instructed of the mission to harvest natural resources from the land to send back to England
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
and capture Powhatan if the leader was uncooperative. Upon his arrival in Jamestown, Gates
declared the Native Americans were to be converted to Christianity and assimilated into the new
colony, demonstrating his ignorance of Native American culture and its value.
6. Lord de la Warr/Thomas West - Thomas West lead 150 men to Jamestown in 1610, landing
just in time to prevent the original settlers from abandoning Jamestown. West was a veteran
commander who ruthlessly employed early guerrilla warfare tactics against the Native
Americans. He and his men raided, burned, and pillaged Powahatan villages. West quickly
proved himself to be far more brutal than prior leaders and may also prove to be an obstacle in
peace talks.
7. Captain John Martin - Captain John Martin, a councilman of the colony and a the son of a
goldsmith, was particularly enthusiastic about Jamestown’s quest for gold. Martin led an ill
fated journey to claim an island in Nansemond territory. Nansemonds who visited Martin on his
boat were captured, and some of Martin’s men were found dead with mouths stuffed full of
bread.
8. Francis West - Brother of the ruthless Thomas West, Francis West arrived in Jamestown in
1608 and was elected to serve in the Governor's Council. When John Smith declared Jamestown
should expand, Francis West and his men were sent to occupy the town of Powhatan. The
ensuing conflict cost West half of his men.
9. Thomas Savage - Savage arrived in Jamestown in 1608 to work as a laborer but was traded to
Powhatan to live among the Native Americans. He lived among the Native Americans for three
years learning their language and culture. The boy was well liked by Powhatan and used as a
messenger between the Native Americans and the settlers.
10. Henry Spelman - Spelman arrived in Jamestown in 1609 at the age of fourteen. He was
traded to Powhatan's son, Parahunt, along with other items in exchange for land. Spelman later
lived with Powhatan himself, and like Thomas Savage, became acquainted with the Native
American culture.
11. John Rolfe - Rolfe sailed on the Sea Venture, which wrecked off the island of Bermuda, and
so arrived later to Virginia. Rolfe was renowned for his tobacco, which was coveted by
natives. In 1614, he married Pocahontas, ushering in the “Peace of Pocahontas.” The marriage
demonstrated a greater tolerance of Native Americans and their culture. In our committee, a
marriage may occur sooner and may be between different individuals.
12. George Percy - Percy was a member of the first group of colonists to arrive in Jamestown.
Although he was initially denied a seat on the Virginia Council, he was integral to the colony's
success. In 1610, Lord De la Warr sent George Percy and seventy men to Paspahegh. Percy and
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
his men massacred the Native Americans, including one of Wowinchopunck's wives and her
children.
13. Samuel Argall -In 1609, Argal, a captain for the Virginia company, discovered a shorter
route from England to Jamestown, which he used to delivered supplies to the starving
colony. He returned in 1610 to join the fight against the Native Americans by attacking
Warraskoyack village. He later traded with Iopassus to procure maize and furs. Argall was
responsible for the infamous capture of Pocahontas in 1613.
14. George Yeardley - Yeardley left England in 1609 on the same ship as Sir Thomas Gates and
was selected to serve Gates himself as captain of the soldiers on board the vessel. He is most
famous for his later involvement in the House of Burgesses in 1619.
15. Reverend Robert Hunt - The chaplain on the expedition to Jamestown, Reverend Robert
Hunt led what is likely to have been one of the earliest Protestant services in America. Hunt
mediated disputes between the various factions in Jamestown. He wanted to befriend and
christianize the Native Americans.
16. Anne Burras - Anne Burras arrived in the second supply of settlers in 1608 at the age of
fourteen. She served asMistress Forrest's maid. The pair accounted for the first two women in
Jamestown. In 1608, Anne married John Laydon.
17. Thomas Graves - Graves arrived in 1608 with the second supply of settlers. As
one of the Virginia Company's original investors, he was particularly interested in reaping a
profit in the New World.
18. Temperance Flowerdew - Temperance Flowerdew arrived in Jamestown in 1609 on the ship
commanded by Captain John Martin. After her arrival, she married Richard Barrow. Together,
the couple survived the winter of the Starving Time.
Native Americans:
1. Chief Powhatan (Wahunsenacawh) - Equivalent to an English king, Wahunsenacawh was the
supreme ruler of the Powhatan Confederacy in the Chesapeake Bay Area above Jamestown. He
was initially uneasy about the presence of the English and kept a wary eye on them. He enacted a
strict trading policy with the settlers and ordered several raids on the English settlement. After
his daughter’s marriage to John Rolfe, he grew to trust the English.
2. Parahunt - Parahunt was Powhatan’s son. In 1607, Captain Smith sent Francis West to build a
fort on the James River on land he had purchased from Parahunt. Later, Parahunt raided West’s
fort.
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
3. Pocahontas - The young, teenaged daughter of Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas is said to have
saved the life of Captain John Smith in 1607. After she was captured, she converted to
Christianity and remained with the English. Her marriage to John Rolfe brought about a sudden
peace between the Native Americans and the settlers.
4. Opechancanough - Opechancanough became chief of the Powhatan Confederacy after his
brother, Chief Powhatan, died in 1618. Opechancanough was infamously hostile towards the
English. He lead assaults on the settlers and famously captured Captain John Smith. He
frequently abandoned diplomatic efforts and wanted nothing but to rid his land of the settlers.
5. Nemattanew - Nicknamed “Jack-of-the-Feather” by the English, Nemattanew was one of
Opechancanough’s greatest advisors and warriors. He made many daring assaults on the English
and resisted their attempts at expansion along the James River.
6. Wowinchopunck - King of Jamestown’s immediate neighbors, the Paspahegh,
Wowinchopunck withheld support from the English and encouraged his confederation to attack
them. He and his followers would often kill settlers who ventured too far into their land. In 1609,
he ambushed Captain John Smith himself, but his actions led to his own capture. After he
successfully escaped, Smith burned the town of Paspahegh.
7. Iopassus (a.k.a. Japazaws) -Iopassus was the ruler of the town of Passapatanzy. In 1613,
Captain Samuel Argall pressured Iopassus to help capture Pocahontas in return for an alliance
with the English against the Powhatan Confederacy.
8. Opussunoquonuske - Weroansqua of the Appamattuck tribe welcomed Captain Newport with
food and tobacco. She was appointed to serve Captain John Smith when he was captured in
1607. Before Anglo-Native relations started deteriorating in 1610, the Appamattuck traded corn
to the settlers in exchange for copper.
9. Opitchapam - The eldest brother of Powhatan and Opechancanough, Opitchapam was the ruler
of the Pamunkey people. He assumed power of the Powhatan Confederacy in 1618 after
Powhatan’s death along with Opechancanough. Wanting to return quickly to his Pamunkey
people, Opitchapam offered peace and released several English prisoners but warned that if the
English responded with war, his people would retaliate.
10. Kekataugh - Jointly ruled the powerful Pamunkey tribe alongside his brother Opitchapam.
11. Rawhunt - Powhatan’s trusty lieutenant and chief representative. He was responsible for
trade logistics.
12. Pepsicuminah - Weroance of the Quiyoughcohannock tribe, Pepsicuminah maintained good
relations with the Jamestown settlers, while other tribes were less hospitable. John Smith
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
described him as an “honest, proper, good, promise-keeping king” who provided the English
with supplies and believed strongly in maintaining healthy Anglo-Native relations.
13. Namontack - One of Powhatans servants, Namontack was traded to the English in 1608 in
exchange for Thomas Savage. Namontack ultimately left Jamestown for England alongside
Captain Newport.
14. Mosco -Mosco was a member of the Wighcocomoco tribe. He served as a guide to English
settlers during their exploration of the Potomac. He provided the settlers with important advice
about where they should explore and which tribes they should avoid. He often convinced local
tribes to aid the exploration party. For instance, he persuaded the weroance of the Appamattuck
tribe to provide Smith with guides to show him a silver mine.
Questions a Resolution Must Answer:
1. How far, if at all, should colonists be allowed to expand?
2. What guidelines should be enacted for trading between the Native Americans and the
settlers?
a. Should firearms be traded to the Native Americans?
b. How much is one bushel of corn worth in terms of European
trinkets/firearms/young boys/etc.?
c. Where should trades take place?
d. How many people should arrive in a trading party?
e. If trades take place at the Jamestown settlement or a Native American camp
ground, should the visiting party be allowed to arm themselves/bring guards?
3. What guidelines should be enacted for exchanging captives and compensating for
killings?
a. For example, Wowinchopunck may be seeking compensation for the killing of
one of his wives and children.
4. What further steps should be taken to bring peace?
a. This could include, but is not limited to, marriages (we have a Reverend in our
midst), annual banquets, celebrations, exchanging of young children, a body for
peace similar to the United Nations, etc.
5. What measures should be taken to avoid future conflicts?
6. What consequences should be imposed upon a party who breaks measures of the treaty?
7. Should Reverend Hunt be allowed unrestricted access to the Native American settlements
for the purpose of spreading Christianity or should there be limits to his mission?
8. How should Native American converts to Christianity be treated by both sides?
9. Should there be a time limit on the stay of children who are sent to live with the other
group of people?
10. Should an alliance be forged between the Powhatan Confederacy and the Jamestown
Settlers against other Native American peoples and European countries?
Saturday 15 November 2014
Centennial High School Model United
Nations Conference – Historical
Conclusion
The English settlers sought land and food, especially corn. Their mission was to establish
Powhatan as a subject of the crown and proselytize the Natives. They treated the Native
Americans as an inferior, less intelligent race, which impaired their success and contributed to
the outbreak of the war.
The Powhatan Confederacy viewed the English as a potential ally. While several tribes
were hostile towards the settlers, many more welcomed trade and Christianity, but they did not
want to give up their land. Frequent conflicts over trading, land, hostages, and cultural
differences caused The First Anglo-Powhatan War. We hope a resolution can bring a swift end to
the war.
Suggested Resources
• http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Treaty_Ending_the_Third_AngloPowhatan_War_1646 (Contains excerpts from the Treaty of 1646)
• http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org
• http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/chronology-of-powhatan-indian-activity.htm
(Timeline)
• http://books.google.com/books/about/Pocahontas_s_People.html?id=fUzd7LeJpjYC (A
more in depth history of the events summarized in the background guide leading up to the
outbreak of war)
• http://www.fofweb.com/History/MainPrintPage.asp?iPin=INApow03&DataType=Indian
&WinType=Free (more history)
References
• Pocahontas’s People: The Powhatan Indians of Virginia Through Four Centuries By
Helen C. Rountree
• Jamestown Colony: A Political, Social, and Cultural History By Frank E. Grizzard
• Pocahontas, Powhatan, Opechancanough: Three Indian Lives Changed by Jamestown By
Helen C. Rountree
• The Double Life of Pocahontas By Jean Fritz
• http://apva.org/rediscovery/page.php?page_id=30
• http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/the-powhatan-indian-world.htm
• http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/chronology-of-powhatan-indian-activity.htm
• http://www.hindsitehealth.com (Not a very relevant website but contained the map of
Jamestown and Surrounding Area in 1607)
• http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org