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Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
Relations between Virgina's Indigenous peoples and the colonists who wanted to settle on their land were often contentious and violent. Virginia's colonial government passed multiple laws in the 17th century to regulate the actions of settlers and tribal members, many of which were not consistently enforced. The March 1662 law “Concerning Indians” was long and fairly comprehensive, detailing rights, responsibilities, and potential punishments for both Virginia Indians and the English colonists. The final section acknowledged that the enslavement of Indians was occurring in the colony and attempted to address it. This section stated that Indian servants were not to be held in servitude for a time period longer than was the case for white servants and also that Indian servants were not to be transferred from one master to another (as if they were slaves). Furthermore, if any colonist wanted to hire an Indian as a servant, they would need written permission from the governor to do so, and would be held responsible for any consequences resulting from actions of an Indian servant against an English person.
In 1711, New Kent County resident Richard Littlepage submitted a petition to Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood requesting permission to hire two Pamunkey Indians to work for him as servants. In his petition, Littlepage cites the provisions of the 1662 law (dated 1661 here because at that time the new year did not begin until March 25). Governor Spotswood granted Littlepage permission to hire "the said Indian man and Woman," but further noted that "Whenever the Queen of Pamunkey shall recall them or either of them, the said Richard Littlepage shall imediately Dismiss them from his Service," and he would have to obtain a new license to hire them again with the consent of Queen Ann, the Pamunkey leader.
The petition and certificate inform our understanding of the social interactions between the English colonists and the Pamunkey and indicate that the law regarding Indian employment was still being followed fifty years after the act's passage. However, the enslavement of Indigenous peoples was legalized by the House of Burgesses in 1682 and continued in Virginia into the 18th century. These two documents, specifically Spotswood’s certificate, also speak to the power and influence of Ann, the chief or weroance of the Pamunkey, who was known by the colonists as Queen of the Pamunkey and who regularly petitioned Virginia’s government to uphold its agreements.
Citations: Petition of Richard Littlepage, ca. 1711, and Certificate of Alexander Spotswood, Oct. 25, 1711, both in Colonial Papers Digital Collection, Library of Virginia.
For more information, read The Legal Status and Classification of Virginia Indians online at Encyclopedia Virginia.
To learn more about Ann, read her Dictionary of Virginia Biography entry online at Encyclopedia Virginia.
In 1711, New Kent County resident Richard Littlepage submitted a petition to Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood requesting permission to hire two Pamunkey Indians to work for him as servants. In his petition, Littlepage cites the provisions of the 1662 law (dated 1661 here because at that time the new year did not begin until March 25). Governor Spotswood granted Littlepage permission to hire "the said Indian man and Woman," but further noted that "Whenever the Queen of Pamunkey shall recall them or either of them, the said Richard Littlepage shall imediately Dismiss them from his Service," and he would have to obtain a new license to hire them again with the consent of Queen Ann, the Pamunkey leader.
The petition and certificate inform our understanding of the social interactions between the English colonists and the Pamunkey and indicate that the law regarding Indian employment was still being followed fifty years after the act's passage. However, the enslavement of Indigenous peoples was legalized by the House of Burgesses in 1682 and continued in Virginia into the 18th century. These two documents, specifically Spotswood’s certificate, also speak to the power and influence of Ann, the chief or weroance of the Pamunkey, who was known by the colonists as Queen of the Pamunkey and who regularly petitioned Virginia’s government to uphold its agreements.
Citations: Petition of Richard Littlepage, ca. 1711, and Certificate of Alexander Spotswood, Oct. 25, 1711, both in Colonial Papers Digital Collection, Library of Virginia.
For more information, read The Legal Status and Classification of Virginia Indians online at Encyclopedia Virginia.
To learn more about Ann, read her Dictionary of Virginia Biography entry online at Encyclopedia Virginia.
Standards
VS.2; VS.3; US1.3; US1.5; WHII.4; VUS.2; VUS.3; GOVT.1
Suggested Questions
Preveiw Activity
Scan it: Scan the document for any words that stand out to you. Why do they stand out? What do they tell you?
Post Activities
Think About It: Imagine you are a member of the Pamunkey tribe during this time period. Develop a strategy to protect the rights of your tribal members.
Looking at Language: After reading Littlepage’s petition and Spotswood’s response, what can you infer about Queen Ann’s political power? What evidence supports your claim?
Form an Opinion: What do you think explains the nature of the relationship between the Pamunkey and the English colonists early in the 18th century?
Scan it: Scan the document for any words that stand out to you. Why do they stand out? What do they tell you?
Post Activities
Think About It: Imagine you are a member of the Pamunkey tribe during this time period. Develop a strategy to protect the rights of your tribal members.
Looking at Language: After reading Littlepage’s petition and Spotswood’s response, what can you infer about Queen Ann’s political power? What evidence supports your claim?
Form an Opinion: What do you think explains the nature of the relationship between the Pamunkey and the English colonists early in the 18th century?