To this effect, a new office was created and a strong man was found to fill it.
Gates remained De La Warr's deputy governor, but Sir Thomas Dale went as Marshal of Virginia.

The latter sailed in March, 1611, with "three ships, three hundred people, twelve kine, twenty goats, and all things needful for the colony." Gates followed in May with other ships, three hundred colonists, and much cattle.
For the next few years Dale becomes, in effect, ruler of Virginia.

He did much for the colony, and therefore, in that far past that is not so distant either, much for the United States--a man of note, and worth considering.
Dale had seen many years of service in the Low Countries.

He was still in Holland when the summons came to cross the ocean in the service of the Virginia Company.

On the recommendation of Henry, Prince of Wales, the States-General of the United Netherlands consented "that Captain Thomas Dale (destined by the King of Great Britain to be employed in Virginia in his Majesty's service) may absent himself from his company for the space of three years, and that his said company shall remain meanwhile vacant, to be resumed by him if he think proper." This man had a soldier's way with him and an iron will.