Philosophy of Captain John Smith
Captain John Smith was the most courageous, industrious, persevering, skilled, benevolent and humane person in early Virginia. He had not in him the stuff of which braggarts are made. The American Dream of Captain John Smith by A. J. Leo Lemay 1991.
Captain John Smith's thoughts expressed in his writings are the best way to know his character
Then seeing we are not borne for our selves, but each to helpe other, and our abilities are much alike at the houre of our birth, and the minute of our death: Seeing our good deeds, or or badde, by faith in Christs merits, is all we have to carrie our soules to heaven, or hell: Seeing honour is our lives ambition; and our ambition after death, to have honourable memorie of our life : and seeing by no means wee would bee abated of the dignities and glories of our Predecessors; let us imitate their virtures to be worthily their sucessors. from the conclusion of Smith's A Description of New England (1616; 1:361).
Smith on how to treat the enemy you have defeated
Be certain to behave with responsible humanity: "always have as much care to their wounded as your owne., and if there be either young women or ageed men, use them nobly, which is ever the nature of a generous disposition" ((3:103).
Smith was desgusted with those who treated the Indians sadistically.
Smith had contempt for those who whold critisize him for not "ransaking and destroying (as did the Spanyards) the simple bodies of such ignorant souls" (2:206).
Among Smith's proudest achievements is that he accomplished his governorship "with so little bloud shed" (1:257).
Smith on how
Ambushes attempted on Captain John Smith .
Who Shot JR ?Who was Jr? ----we don't know yet who shot him but JR's idenity is revealed .
Questions about Captain John Smith .