Analysis Of Powhatan's Reply By Captain John Smith

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The text Powhatan's Reply was written by Captain John Smith translating the speech given by the Powhatan Chief to Smith. The Chief states that he has seen the death of his people many times and that he knows the difference between peace and war. He says that he is old and must die soon, but lists his family that will take his place and their successors. The Chief does not want Smith to give any less love and respect to his successors that the Chief himself has given Smith. He tells Smith that the bruit force he comes with to destroy their land, frightens the Powhatan people so much that they refuse to visit. The Chief asks Smith what will he get from trying to take something by force rather than using love to get it all. If he was kind to the Powhatan people there would be no problem with them sharing their riches and resources with Smiths men. The Chief goes on to say “What can you get by warre, when we can hide our provisions and fly to the woods? whereby you must famish by wronging us your friends.” The Chief is trying to explain to Smith that if it were to come to war the Powhatan would win. All they must do is take away the provisions and the Europeans would die from starvation. The only one to blame for this would be Smith because he chose the path of hate rather than love. …show more content…

He asks if it is better to have everything and be friends or rather have nothing and they have the fear of being hunted by Smith when they want nothing but friendship with the Europeans. He then ask Smith if he should hide his people's resources from the Europeans and be miserable in fear or if Smith will end his fear and if not there would be a miserable end for Smith. He invites Smith to come in a friendly matter without guns and swords as if the Powhatan people were the

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