Arguably, John Smith was one of the most capable and manly individuals in American history. More than any other individual, he was the providential tool of God to hold the Jamestown colony together. Note that he was given an opportunity play a similar role for the Pilgrim fathers.

“In 1619 Smith himself offered to act as a guide to the Pilgrims, but they turned down his offer, probably because of their precarious financial position, or because of a commitment to Myles Standish. Smith’s experience might well have helped through the first winter. He said as much later: “Their humorous ignorances caused them for more than a year to endure a wonderful deal of misery with infinite patience.”

Quoted in Pilgrim: A Biography of William Brewster, by Mary B. Sherwood, Great Oak Press, 1982 pg. 139.