The American History Podcast has an episode in its Jamestown series that covers the events surrounding the John Smith gunpowder incident. The episode is called "Jamestown 4: Gunpowder." A subtitle for the audio reads "The attempted assassination of John Smith" The podcast audio doesn't actually make the claim, that the explosion was deliberately orchestrated. The way the events leading up to the incident are described, however, suggests that feelings toward Smith were negative enough that an assassination attempt was not out of the question. As James Horn's book, A Land as God Made It, is cited on the website as a reference, I suppose Horn is Sarah Tanksalvala's source for her opinion that it was an assassination attempt, assuming the audio subtitle represents her true thoughts on the matter. A transcript accompanies the audio on the website. The actual gunpowder incident is discussed around the 12:00 minute mark on the audio, which runs 18 minutes total. It's best to listen to the whole episode though for necessary context.
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Excerpt from:
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLISH COLONIE IN Virginia since their first beginning from England in the yeare of our Lord 1606, till this present 1612, with all their accidents that befell them in their Journies and Discoveries. Sleeping in his boat, (for the ship was returned 2 daies before,) accidentallie, one fired his powder bag, which tore his flesh from his bodie and thighes, 9. or 10. inches square in a most pittifull manner; but to quench the tormenting fire, frying him in his cloaths he leaped over bord into the deepe river, where ere they could recover him he was neere drownd. In this estat, without either Chirurgion, or chirurgery he was to go neare 100. miles.10 Ariving at James Towne causing all things to bee prepared for peace or warres to obtain provision, whilest those things were providing, Martin, Ratliffe, and Archer, being to have their trials, their guiltie consciences fearing a just reward for their deserts, seeing the President unable to stand, and neare bereft of his senses by reason of his torment, they had plotted to have murdered him in his bed. But his hart did faile him that should have given fire to that mercilesse pistol. So, not finding that course to be the best they joined togither to usurp the government, thereby to escape their punishment, and excuse themselves by accusing him. The President, had notice of their projects: the which to withstand, though his old souldiers importuned him but permit them to take of their heads that would resist his commaund, yet he would not permit them, But sent for the masters of the ships and tooke order with them for his returne for England. Seeing there was neither chirurgion, nor chirur- || gery in the fort to cure his hurt, and the ships to depart the next daie, his commission to be suppressed1 he knew not why, himselfe and souldiers to be rewarded he knew not how, and a new commission graunted they knew not to whom, the which so disabled that authority he had, as made them presume so oft to those mutinies and factions as they did. Besides so grievous were his wounds, and so cruell his torment, few expected he could live, nor was hee able to follow his businesse to regaine what they had lost, suppresse those factions and range the countries for provision as he intended, and well he knew in those affaires his owne actions and presence was as requisit as his experience, and directions, which now could not be; he went presently abord, resolving there to appoint them governours, and to take order2 for the mutiners and their confederates. http://www.virtualjamestown.org/exist/cocoon/jamestown/fha-js/SmiWorks1 |