John Smith (explorer) were planning to take his life, and it is written that he was warned about the plan by Pocahontas. He called a meeting and threatened those who were spoiled and not working "that he that will not work shall not eat." After that, the situation improved and the settlers worked with more industry, albeit with some punishments as needed. In December 1607, while seeking food along the Chickahominy River, Smith was captured and taken to meet the chief of the Powhatans at Werowocomoco, the main village of the Powhatan Confederacy. The village was on the north shore of the York
Powhatan had with the Spanish prior to their arrival). Within two weeks of the English arrival at Jamestown, deaths had occurred. The settlers had hoped for friendly relations and had planned to trade with the Virginia Indians for food. Captain Christopher Newport led the first English exploration party up the James River in 1607, when he met Parahunt, "weroance" of the Powhatan proper. The English initially mistook him for the paramount Powhatan ("mamanatowick"), his father Wahunsunacawh, who ruled the confederacy. On a hunting and trade mission on the Chickahominy River in December 1607, Captain John Smith, later president of the colony,