Samuel Argall

Sir Samuel Argall (died ca.

24 January 1626) is an English adventurer and naval officer.

As a sea captain, in 1609, Argall is the first to determine a shorter northern route from England across the Atlantic Ocean to the Virginia Colony based at Jamestown, and makess numerous voyages to the New World.

He captains one of Lord De La Warr's ships in the successful rescue mission to Virginia in 1610 which saves the colony from starvation.

As a sea warrior, he is best-known for his successful diplomacy with the Powhatan Confederacy.

He kidnaps the Chief's daughter, Pocahontas, as security against the return of English captives and property held by Powhaton.

Pocahontas had long been a friend of the English and is treated with great respect according to her rank, in the eyes of the English, as an Indian Princess.

This action eventually results in the restoration of peace and trade relations between the English and the Powhaton Confederacy.

He is also successful in his actions against French efforts at colonization in New England and North Africa which are upheld in London as violations of the Charter of the Virginia Company.

Knighted by King James I, Argall is criticized by his rival and successor Yeardley as having been excessively stern in his term as Governor of Virginia, but the examinations of his conduct in London and the opinion of most modern historians have cleared him of these charges.

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