Powhattan

(1550?-1618), was the chief of thirty tribes of Indians, numbering about 8,000, occupying territory between the James and York Rivers in Virginia. He was visited by Captain John Smith in 1609- who made negotiations for provisions. A gilded crown was brought from England and Powhattan was declared ‘‘ emperor of the Indies.’’ He never trusted the whites and was in constant collision with them. In retaliation for an attempt of Captain Smith to capture him, he planned the destruction of the James town settlement, but was prevented, the colonists being warned by his daughter, Pocahontas, Powhattan Indians, a confederation of thirty Indian tribes south of the Potomac, in existence at the time of the settlement of James town. It was conjectured that the entire federation numbered eight you sand souls. 119