John Smith, from "The Generall Historie of Virginia"

Guide to the Reading
Some notes and questions to keep in mind:

1. Smith's narrative is a representation of events. Although we must grant him some authority, we must also take into account his social position and his intended audience back in England. His portrayal of himself and others reflects his biases and serves his rhetorical needs.

2. Rather than using "I," Smith refers to himself in the third person. He also calls himself "the President" and Powhatan "the King."

3. Questions to pose as you read:
(a) What was the role Pocahantas played (according to Smith) in helping him and the English?
(b) What does each side bring to the table in their trading exchanges? Another way to ask this is, what does each group lack that the other possesses?
(c) What is the nature of the conflict between the English and the Native Americans in this particular case? In other words, what are Smith and Powhatan negotiating about in the extended dialogs Smith recounts?

Voacabulary
Some unfamiliar terms and their translations:
salvage (246, 249): savage
fayning: pretending
subtill (248): subtle, crafty
bruit (248): noise
Werowance (249): leader
doe what you list (249): do as you please
curtesies (249): courtesies
Divels (249): devils
Pinnace (250): ship, boat
misprision (250): misinterpretation