Smith's reply was querulous and insubordinate, and spiteful enough against Ratcliffe, Archer, and Newport, but contained many sound truths.

He ridiculed the policy of the company, and told them that "it were better to give L500 a ton for pitch, tar, and the like in the settled countries of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark than send for them hither till more necessary things be provided"; "for," said he, "in overtaxing our weake and unskillful bodies, to satisfie this desire of present profit, we can scarce ever recover ourselves from one supply to another." Ratcliffe returned to England with Newport, after whose departure Smith was assisted for a short time by a council consisting of Matthew Scrivener, Richard Waldo, and Peter Wynne.

The two former were drowned during January, 1609, and the last died not long after.

Smith was left sole ruler, and, contrary to the intention of the king, he made no attempt to fill the council.[4] The "Second Supply" had brought provisions, which lasted only two months,[5] and most of Smith's time during the winter 1608-1609 was occupied in trading for corn with the Indians on York River.

In the spring much useful work was done by the colonists under Smith's directions.