where was the charter of the virginia company of london written
London Company
Initially , the colonists were governed by a president and seven - member council selected by the King . Leadership problems quickly erupted . Jamestown 's first two leaders coped with varying degrees of success with sickness , assaults by Native Americans , poor food and water supplies , and class strife . Many colonists were ill - prepared to carve out a new settlement on a frontier . When Captain John Smith became Virginia 's third president , he proved the strong leader that the colony needed . Industry flourished and relations with Chief Powhatan 's people improved .
Initially , the colonists were governed by a president and seven - member council selected by the King . Leadership problems quickly erupted . Jamestown 's first two leaders coped with varying degrees of success with sickness , assaults by Native Americans , poor food and water supplies , and class strife . Many colonists were ill - prepared to carve out a new settlement on a frontier . When Captain John Smith became Virginia 's third president , he proved the strong leader that the colony needed . Industry flourished and relations with Chief Powhatan 's people improved .