In 1607, after a long and eventful sea voyage from England, Captain John Smith arrived in America, and soon after became president of the council of Jamestown in Virginia. A highly controversial figure, he explored the now territory at lendth, and wrote about his encounters with the native American tries. He became well known became of the story that he was saved from execution by Pocahontas, the daughter of an Indian chief - though whether this actually happened in the way he described has been greatly debated.