Imported diseases and a climate singularly fatal to the new-comers, the faction-breeding charter, the communism of labor, Indian attack, and the unreasonable desire of the company for immediate profit afford explanations more than sufficient.

Despite the presence of some unworthy characters, these "gentlemen" were largely composed of the "restless, pushing material of which the pathfinders of the world have ever been made." The ships returning from the "Second Supply" reached England in January, 1609, and the account that they brought of the dissensions at Jamestown convinced the officers of the London Company that the government in Virginia needed correction.

It was deemed expedient to admit stockholders into some share of the government, and something like a "boom" was started.

Broadsides were issued by the managers, pamphlets praising the country were published, and sermons were delivered by eminent preachers like Rev.William Simonds and Rev.
Daniel Price.

Zuniga, the Spanish minister, was greatly disturbed, and urgently advised his master, Philip III., to give orders to have "these insolent people in Virginia quickly annihilated." But King Philip was afraid of England, and contented himself with instructing Zuniga to keep on the watch; and thus the preparations of the London Company went on without interruption.[9] May 23, 1609, a new charter was granted to the company, constituting it a corporation entirely independent of the North Virginia or Plymouth Company.