John Smith played a central role not only in founding Virginia but also in promoting the colony in hopes of attracting new settlers. In the following account, Smith describes the abundant resources that Virginia had to offer settlers in the 1600s.
The Commodities in Virginia, or that may be had by Industrie.
The mildnesse of the ayre, the fertilitie of the soyle, and situation of the rivers are so propitious to the nature and use of man, as no place is more convenient for pleasure, profit, and man’s sustenance, under that latitude or climat. Here will live any beasts, as horses, goats, sheepe, asses, hens, &c. as appeared by them that were carried thether. The waters, Isles, and shoales, are full of safe harbours for ships of warre or marchandize, for boats of all sorts, for transportation or fishing, &c.
The Bay and rivers have much marchantable [commercial] fish, and places fit for Salt coats, building of ships, making of Iron, &c.
Muscovia and Polonia [Russia and Poland] doe yearely receive many thousands, for pitch, tarre, sopeashes, Rosen, Flax, Cordage, Sturgeon, Masts, Yards, Wainscot, Firres, Glasse, and such like; also Swethland [Sweden] for Iron and Copper. France in like manner, for Wine, Canvas, and Salt. Spaine asmuch for Iron, Steele, Figges, Reasons, and Sackes. Italy with Silkes and Velvets consumes our chiefe Commodities. Holland maintaines it selfe by fishing and trading at our owne doores. All these temporize [traffic] with other for necessities, but all as uncertaine as peace or warres. Besides the charge, travell, and danger in transporting them, by seas, lands, stormes, and Pyrats [pirates]. Then how much hath Virginia the prerogative of all those flourishing Kingdomes, for the benefit of our Land, when as within one hundred myles all those are to be had, either ready provided by nature, or else to be prepared, were there but industrious men to labour. Onely of Copper we may doubt is wanting, but there is good probabilitie that both Copper and better Minerals are there to be had for their labour. Other Countries have it. So then here is a place, a nurse for souldiers, a practise for mariners, a trade for marchants, a reward for the good, and that which is most of all, a businesse (most acceptable to God) to bring such poore Infidels to the knowledge of God and his holy Gospell.
Source: Edward Arber, ed., Captain John Smith of Willoughby Alford, Lincolnshire; President of Virginia and Admiral of New England, Works: 1608–1631 (Birmingham: The English Scholar’s Library, 1884), 359–60.