A Representative For My People
Hello, I am John West, Son of Cockacoeske, Queen of the Pamunkey tribe. I come before you to speak of a problem for my people as well as your own. Bacon’s men killed much of our tribe, leaving very few of the Pamunkey tribe that once was great. I fear not only for what is left of the Pamunkey but all other Powhatan tribes under my mother’s protection.
This war among yourselves has brought much pain to our people. We tried to defend Berkeley’s men as best we could but our weapons were weak. Part of this rebellion was Bacon’s dislike for the Powhatan tribes, a misunderstanding. We pose no threat to you or your men. We would like to send a man of our own to this House of Burgesses to speak for the Powhatan men & women, to ensure the safety of our own. We hope to have a voice amongst yours in deciding the fate of the Powhatan, and only in deciding the fate of the Powhatan.
I am sure it is obvious, for men of reason such as yourselves, the benefits for having one of our own among yourselves. It would ensure the peace we wish to keep & ensure a known ally all across the lands, for the Powhatan are a loyal people. In giving us this small place in your mighty government, there will no longer be question of threat, for our people are not one. In being able to communicate ourselves to you that we are a peaceful people, you will no longer have to leave your crops that earn you gold in other lands. In keeping from war, you will no longer have to shed the blood of your own men or pay to create more weapons & defenses. If you value the peace between our peoples, and the men that work your lands, certainly wise men like yourselves would know that having but one of our voices in such a great system would help both of us.
This war among yourselves has brought much pain to our people. We tried to defend Berkeley’s men as best we could but our weapons were weak. Part of this rebellion was Bacon’s dislike for the Powhatan tribes, a misunderstanding. We pose no threat to you or your men. We would like to send a man of our own to this House of Burgesses to speak for the Powhatan men & women, to ensure the safety of our own. We hope to have a voice amongst yours in deciding the fate of the Powhatan, and only in deciding the fate of the Powhatan.
I am sure it is obvious, for men of reason such as yourselves, the benefits for having one of our own among yourselves. It would ensure the peace we wish to keep & ensure a known ally all across the lands, for the Powhatan are a loyal people. In giving us this small place in your mighty government, there will no longer be question of threat, for our people are not one. In being able to communicate ourselves to you that we are a peaceful people, you will no longer have to leave your crops that earn you gold in other lands. In keeping from war, you will no longer have to shed the blood of your own men or pay to create more weapons & defenses. If you value the peace between our peoples, and the men that work your lands, certainly wise men like yourselves would know that having but one of our voices in such a great system would help both of us.