Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/89

 now that we won so few years ago? Let not the world be deceived, we are the same now we were then, and they would soon see it if they were to give us a chance, since with the blessing of God we are more powerful now than we were then, those parts being now enclosed and in good order which at that time were open. Our plant has taken root, the branches are green and very desirous to spread out.&#8221;

This was the spirit, of the English race, which had to be reckoned with before a hand was raised to strike a blow at the infant settlement on the Powhatan. The English ambassador at Madrid, who was constantly reporting to his government the rumors afloat as to expeditions to be sent out by the Spaniards against Virginia, stated as the result of his observation that &#8220;for their doing anything by ye way of hostilitie, I conceive they will be very slowe to give England (who is very apte to lay holde on any occasion) so juste a pretence to bee doing with them.&#8221;