From Edward Waterhouse’s “DECLARATION of the state of the Colony and Affaires in VIRGINIA” after the Virginia Colony finally managed to incite a war with the Powhatan people in 1622.
[W]e, who hitherto have had possession of no more ground than their waste, and our purchase at valuable consideration to their owne contentment, gained; may now by right of Warre, and law of Nations, invade their Country, and destroy them who sought to destroy us: whereby wee shall enjoy their cultivated places, turning the laborious Mattocke into the victorious Sword (wherein there is more both ease, benefit, and glory) and possessing the fruits of others labours. Now the cleared grounds in all their villages (which are situate in in the fruitfullest places of the land) shall be inhabited by us, whereas heretofore the grubbing of woods was the greatest labour.
