after these hostilities, the east india company found it hard to convince the english settlers, who had fled the island, to return, let alone to recruit new colonists. a range of incentives was introduced and soldiers were encouraged to 'turn planter'. powell must have seen this as an opportunity to make a new life for himself, as he quickly sought a discharge from the army so that he could start up his own plantation. this was granted and, as a single man, he was allotted 10 acres and a cow to get started.