Why did Powhatan move his capital? A poor harvest in the spring and fall of 1609 threatened the survival of both the Powhatans and the colonists. Boats were so few that trading expeditions were not possible, even if the Powhatatns were willing to trade. The English sold all of their tools to neighboring tribes, who after getting the tools would not give the English food. If the colonists tried to leave the fort to hunt or gather food, they were ambushed. When the colonists realized that Powhatan intended to starve them out of Virginia, allpretensesat being allies ended. It was at this time that Captain John Smith planned to capture Powhatan to force the people to trade with the English. The English believed that they had a right to trade, even if the Powhatans didn't want to sell. When Powhatan extended an invitation for John Smith to travel to Werowocomoco, (present-day Gloucester), Smith readily accepted. Smith was warned of a planned ambush when he stopped at Warraskoyack to buy provisions.
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| 格洛斯特维吉尼亚州的小镇 |
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| Lord de La Warr |
When Smith and his party arrived at Werowocomoco, on January 12, 1609, the tide was out, forcing them to wade to shore through freezing mud. Negotiations took place in which Powhatan raised his prices for corn. Powhatan warned Smith against trying to take over his chiefdoms. Taunting Smith with the colonists' inability to feed themselves, Powhatan reminded Smith that the tribes could "withdraw" anytime, leaving the English to starve. The foiled ambush on each side may have been the reason Chief Powhatan moved his capital to Orapax, in the headwaters of the Chickahominy.
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