1614, in the church at Jamestown. Two of her brothers attended, and an elderly uncle named Opachisco gave her away. This story was told by Ralph Hamor (1589–1626), secretary to the Virginia coun- cil, in a pamphlet published in London in 1615. The book A True Discourse of the Estate of Affairs in Virginia was part of the advance publicity for Pocahontas’ visit to England on behalf of the Virginia Company and helped to make her an international celebrity. (Hamor’s book also preceded Captain John Smith’s ac- count of Pocahontas by nearly a decade, but that is another story.) Indian feminist writers these days see the
conversion and marriage of Pocahontas as her own manipulation of the white man or as the result of coercion, or brainwashing, but this view seriously underestimates this remark- able, headstrong woman. Her voice, when it emerges as in Hamor’s account, is self-assured and even acerbic. She handled herself with aplomb amidst the highest society in London. The famous Simon van de Passe portrait of 1616 shows her haughtily wearing a Jacobean tunic and a perhaps uncomfortable high lace collar and fixing the viewer with a penetrat- ing, intelligent gaze. The whole course of her life argues against the idea that she was a pas- sive, bewildered victim. Our concern, however, is the European
attitude. The barrier to inter-marriage was much higher for the English settlers than for Native tribes, who often relied on marriages and sexual partnerships to seal alliances. In one famous departing sermon, the ad-
ABOVE: Pocahontas in King James’ Court by Richard Rum- mels. This souvenir postcard was sold at the Jamestown Tricentennial in 1907, a crucial event in popularizing the Pocahontas myth. It greatly exaggerates the pomp of Mrs. Rolfe’s presentation to the royal family. According to John Smith, Powhatan’s councillor Uttamatomakkin, who accompanied Pocahontas, was conversing at court with an unimpressive Englishman and asked afterwards when he would meet the king. He was astonished to be told he had just been talking with him. Richard Rummels. American Colortype Co., N.Y. Photomechanical print (postcard): half- tone, color. Published in Norfolk, Va., by The Jamestown Amusement & Vending Co., Inc. 1907.
LEFT: Wedding of Pocahontas with John Rolfe by George Spohni (ca. 1822 – after 1870). This 1867 lithograph romanticizes the wedding scene, forsaking Chapman’s overly ornate church and taking it entirely outside. It adds many more of Powhatan’s people to the wedding party and emphasizes their amity with the settlers. Instead of sulking, the senior in-law grasps a settler’s hand. But the scene is ominously framed by armored soldiers bearing pikes. Published in Philadelphia by Joseph Hoover.
venturers to Virginia heard the admonition, “They may not marry nor give in marriage to the heathen, that are uncircumcised.” William Symonds offered this aside in his April 25, 1609, sermon at Whitechapel, and continued, “The breaking of this rule, may breake the neck of all good successe of this voyage.” Old Testament injunctions from the Babylonian captivity were harsh and explicit. “Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.” (Nehemiah 13:25. Also Ezra 9:10-12).
R
olfe was well aware that he defied these injunctions. He defended his decision in a fa- mous letter to Governor Dale, which Hamor had delivered to
Sir Thomas and, perhaps to the newlyweds’ chagrin, also published in his book. Rolfe said that he had meditated on the warnings against “marrying strange wives, nor of the
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 37
Her voice, when it emerges as in Hamor’s
account, is self-assured and even acerbic. She handled herself with aplomb amidst the highest society in London. The famous Simon van de Passe portrait of 1616 shows her haughtily wearing a Jacobean tunic and a perhaps uncomfortable high lace collar and fixing the viewer with a penetrating, intelligent gaze.
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