Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/77

 INTRODUCTION. 47 for them. Lord Delawar was constituted chap, ii. governor and captain general, for life, and 1609. several other offices were created. The direc- tion of the expedition was again given to New- Third port; to whom, and sir Thomas Gates, and sir Newport. George Somers, powers were severally granted to supersede the existing administration, and to govern the colony until the arrival of lord Delawar. With singular indiscretion, the council omitted to establish precedence among these gentlemen ; who, being totally unable to settle this important point between themselves, agreed to embark on board the same vessel, and to be companions during the voyage. They were parted from the rest of the fleet in a storm, and driven on Bermudas ; having on board one hundred and fifty men, a great por- tion of the provisions destined for the colony, and the new commission and instructions of the council. The residue of the squadron arrived safely in Virginia. " A great part of the new com- pany," says Mr. Stith, " consisted of unruly sparks, packed off" by their friends to escape worse destinies at home. And the rest were chiefly made up of poor gentlemen, broken tradesmen, rakes and libertines, footmen, and such others, as were much fitter to spoil and ruin a commonwealth, than to help to raise or maintain one. This lewd company, therefore, were led by their seditious captains into many