Colonial Williamsburg displays 17th C. Spanish king’s letters

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) – Two letters from the early 17th century expressing Spain’s fears of the new English settlement at Jamestown are going on display at Colonial Williamsburg.

The letters written by Spanish King Phillip III were donated by best-selling crime novelist Patricia Cornwell.

The Richmond-based writer has been an avid follower of the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological project for many years. Cornwell acquired the historic letters several years ago at the New York auction of an old Spanish family archive.

Officials say the Spain was concerned the English would create a base in Virginia to attack Spanish ships in the Atlantic Ocean and raid as far as the Pacific Ocean as well.

The letters are on display at the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library.

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AP-WF-07-02-11 1545GMT

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