IV A letter of advice to Sir Francis Wyatt, Governor of Virginia

Abstract

MS 5 consists of 8 foolscap folios, 7 closely written on both sides, and one partly written on one side. It is in George Wyatt's hand, but not the firm italic of most of his works; although legible and regular, it has a broken backed appearance, as though age or sickness had weakened him. In form it is a letter to his son, Sir Francis, then Governor of Virginia, but it bears no sign of having been sent as a letter, and is therefore, presumably, a copy of the original. MS 6 is another holograph copy of the same document, and we are bound to ask why George transcribed his letter in this way. The answer perhaps lies in the fact that, although it contains some personal matters, it is primarily a treatise on the security of the Virginian plantations. Such a treatise might well have been circulated among the members of the Virginia Council in London at a time when the Company was in grievous difficulties, and was being bombarded with criticism and advice. Although portions of this letter savour of Polonius, it contains many shrewd and practical suggestions, and George was obviously kept well informed by his son of events in the colony, as well as studying to good effect the map which he had received. Although a ‘Roman’ in his military science, in so far as he was a firm believer in the classical discipline and tactics, George here shows himself to be fully aware of the peculiar military problems presented by the small number of the colonists and the elusive nature of their enemies.