America’s First Century: Virginia, Bloody Virginia
Lead: Far more potent threats to the survival of Virginia than attacks by Native Americans or the Spanish were disease and hunger. In the early years, people arrived and died - in droves.
Intro. : A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.
Content: The Virginia Company had it figured out. They instructed the leaders of the colony never to allow Native Americans to see an English colonist die. If the natives did not think white men were mere mortals, they would be far more cooperative. Native Americans must have thought such a dictum rather laughable as they watched from afar for Jamestown was a killing field. Of the initial 104 settlers less than 40 were alive nine months later. The company could hardly keep up with the carnage.