en denly disappeared, and a cry arose from the Hind-"Our general is lost!" The Squirrel was never again seen; but the Golden Hind reached Falmouth in safety on the 22nd of the month. that he had a commission from Queen on some shoals before any discovery of land, Elizabeth, they submitted, and he sailed and nearly 100 persons perished: among into the port. Having pitched his tent on whom was Stephen Parmenius Budeius, a shore, in sight of all the shipping, and being learned Hungarian, who had accompanied attended by his own people, he summoned the adventurers, to record their discoveries the merchants and masters of vessels to be and exploits. Two days after this disaster, present at the ceremony of taking pos- no land yet appearing, the waters being session of the island. When assembled, shallow, the coast unknown, the navigation his commission was read and interpreted to dangerous, and the provisions scanty, it was E the foreigners. A turf and twig was then resolved to return to England. On their delivered to him; and proclamation was way homeward, the weather set in so immediately made, that, by virtue of a tempestuous, that the people in the larger commission from the queen, he took posses- vessels became alarmed for the safety of their sion of the harbour of St. John, and two commander, who, after the loss of the George, hundred leagues every way around it, for a ship of 120 tons burthen, had removed to the crown of England. He then, as the the Squirrel, a bark of ten tons only. On authorised governor, proposed and delivered the 9th of the month, the storm increased to three laws, to be in force immediately. By a hurricane, and Sir Humphry was the first, public worship was established treated to quit the bark, which he refused according to the church of England; by to do. About midnight of the same day, the second, the attempting of anything pre- the Squirrel being a-head of the Golden judicial to her majesty's title was declared Hind (the principal ship), her lights sudtreason; by the third, if any person should utter words to the dishonour of her majesty, he should lose his ears, and have his ship and goods confiscated. When the proclamation was finished, obedience was promised by the general voice, both of Englishmen and strangers. Not far from the place of meeting, a pillar was afterwards erected, upon which were engraved the arms of England. For the better establishment of this possession, several parcels of land were granted by Sir Humphry; by which the occupants were guaranteed grounds convenient to dress and dry their fish, of which privilege they had often been debarred by those who had previously entered the harbour. For these grounds they covenanted to pay a certain rent and service to Sir Humphry Gilbert, his heirs or assigns for ever, and to maintain possession of them, by themselves or assignees. This formal possession, consequent upon the discovery by the Cabots, is considered the foundation of the right and title of the crown of England to the territory of Newfoundland, and to the fishery on its banks. Gilbert, intending to bring the southern parts of the country within his patent, the term of which had now nearly expired, hastened to make further discoveries before his return to England. He therefore embarked from St. John's harbour, with his little fleet, and sailed for the Isle of Sables, by the way of Cape Breton. After spending eight days in the navigation from Cape Race towards Cape Breton, the ship Admiral was cast away Terrible as was the fate of Gilbert and his associates, the ardour of Raleigh was not daunted, nor his energies depressed. High in favour with Elizabeth, he found no difficulty in procuring a patent similar to that which had been granted to his unfortunate brother. Prompt in the execution, and intrepid in the projection of his plans, he speedily equipped two small vessels, under Amadas and Barlow, to obtain further information of the coasts, the soil, and the inhabitants of the regions he designed to colonise. Approaching America by the Gulf of Florida, they touched first at an island of Ocracock, which runs parallel to the greater part of North Carolina, and then at Roanoke, near the mouth of Albemarle Sound. In both they had some intercourse with the natives, whom they found to be savages, with all the characteristic qualities of uncivilised life-bravery, aversion to labour, hospitality, a propensity to admire, and a willingness to exchange their rude productions for English commodities, especially for iron, or any of the useful metals of which they were destitute. After spending a few weeks in this traffic, and in visiting some parts of the adjacent continent, Amadas and Barlow returned to England, bringing with them two of the natives of the wilderness, and gave a most Raleigh to their relief, arrived at Hatteras, | turers, incorporated by the title of the and made diligent search for them; but, not Borough of Raleigh, in Virginia. Of this succeeding, returned to England. Within corporation, John White was constituted a few days after this ship had left the coast, governor, in whom, with a council of eleven Sir Richard Grenville arrived at Virginia persons, the legislative power was vested. with three more vessels laden with provi- They were directed to land in the bay of sions. Searching in vain for the colony Chesapeake, and to erect a fort there. This he had planted, but yet unwilling to lose expedition sailed from Plymouth on the possession of the country, he left fifty of his 8th of May, and, about the 16th of July, crew to keep possession of the island of fell in with the Virginian coast. Arriving Roanoke, and returned to England. This at Hatteras on the 22nd of July, the gov was, indeed, but an inauspicious commence- ernor, with a select party, proceeded to ment of English attempts at Transatlantic Roanoke, and landed at that part of the colonisation; but, though the immediate island where the men were left the year results did not realise the high expectations preceding; but discovered no signs of them, which had been formed, the consequences were excepting the bones of one man, who had indirectly very beneficial. It gave Heriot been slain by the savages. The next day opportunity to describe its soil, climate, pro- the governor and several of his comductions, and the manners of its inhabitants, pany went to the north end of the island, with a degree of accuracy which merits no where Lane had erected his fort, and built inconsiderable praise, when compared with several decent dwelling-houses; hoping to the childish and marvellous tales published obtain some intelligence of his fellowby several of the early visitants of the countrymen: but, on coming to the place, New World. Another consequence of this and finding the fort razed, and all the abortive colony is important enough to houses, though still standing, overgrown entitle it to a place in history. Lane and his with weeds and vines, and deer feeding associates, by their constant intercourse with within them-they returned, in despair of the Indians, had acquired a relish for their ever seeing the objects of their research favourite enjoyment of smoking tobacco; to alive. In fact, every man left by Grenthe use of which, the credulity of that people ville as a garrison, had been murdered by not only ascribed a thousand imaginary the Indians. Orders were, however, given virtues, but their superstition considered for the repair of the houses, and for the the plant itself as a gift of the Great Spirit, erection of new cottages; and all the colony, for the solace of mankind; and its use, the consisting of 117 persons, soon after landed, most acceptable return which could be ren- and commenced a second plantation. "The dered for the boon. The ex-colonists brought instructions of Raleigh had designated the with them a specimen of this new commo- place for the new settlement on the bay of dity to England, and taught their country- Chesapeake; but the naval officer in charge men a method of using it, which Raleigh and of the expedition, refused to assist in explor some young men of rank readily adopted. ing the coast; and thus White was compelled From its being deemed a fashionable acquire- to remain on the island of Roanoke, at the ment, and from the favourable opinion of northern extremity of which the foundaits salutary qualities entertained by several tion of the city of Raleigh was laid. The physicians, the practice of smoking spread place is now nearly deserted; a few fisherrapidly among the English; and, by a sin- men, pilots, or wreckers, are now sole resigular caprice of the human species, no less dents of the spot on which Lane erected inexplicable than unexampled, it has become his fort, around which once clustered the almost as universal as the demands of those dwellings of the settlers-now a mass of appetites originally implanted in our nature. ivy-covered, shapeless ruins. In the mouth Amidst all the discouraging circumstances of August, Manteo, a friendly Indian, who with which the settlement of Virginia was had been to England, was baptized in attended, Raleigh still remained devotedly Roanoke, according to a previous order of attached to the object; and determined to Sir Walter Raleigh; and, in reward of his accomplish it by sending thither a class of faithful service to the English, was called people who, from their agricultural pursuits, Lord of Roanoke. About the same period, would be likely to make permanent colo- Mrs. Dare, daughter of the governor, and nists. Early in the year 1587, he there- wife of one of the council, was delivered fore equipped another company of adven- of a daughter in Roanoke, and baptized the next Lord's-day, by the name of Virginia, being the first English child born in the country. Before the close of the month of August, at the urgent solicitations of the whole colony, the governor sailed for England to procure supplies. Unfortunately, on his arrival, the nation was wholly engrossed by the expected invasion of the grand Spanish Armada; and Sir Richard Grenville, who was preparing to sail for Virginia, received notice that his services were wanted at home. Raleigh, however, contrived to send out White with two more vessels; but they were attacked by a Spanish ship of war, and so severely damaged, that they were obliged to return. More than another year elapsed before White could return to search for the colony and his daughter; and then the island of Roanoke was a desert. The expedition reached Virginia in 1590, and beheld a similarly dreadful scene to that which had been presented on the former occasion. The houses were demolished, though still surrounded by a palisade; and a great part of the stores was found buried in the earth; but, as no trace was ever found of this unfortunate colony, there is every reason to apprehend that the whole miserably perished. Thus terminated the noble and persevering efforts of Raleigh in the western hemisphere; in which he sent out in four years several expeditions, at a cost of £40,000, without any profitable return. It cannot be a matter of surprise, therefore, that he should be induced to assign his right of property in that country, with all the privileges of his patent, to other hands, especially as he was engaged in several projects which now presented, to his imagination at least, a much more promising appearance. Thomas Smith, and a company of mercantile men, were invested with the patent; but, finding it difficult, probably, to procure emigrants for a spot which had proved the grave of so many of their predecessors, they satisfied themselves with the traffic carried on by a few small barks, and made no attempt to take possession of the country. Thus, after a period of 106 years from the time that Cabot discovered North America, in the service of Henry VII., and of twenty years from the time that Raleigh planted the first colony, not a single Englishman remained in the New World; and the colonisation of America awaited the energy of a new impulse. CHAPTER II. FROM THE DISCOVERIES OF GOSNOLD, TO THE PERMANENT SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA. IN 1603 (the last year of Elizabeth), the voy- | in the latitude of 42°, where he anchored. age of Bartholomew Gosnold tended to re- Having taken a great number of cod at this vive the spirit of emigration. Sailing in a small bark from Falmouth, with thirty-two persons, for the northern parts of Virginia, with the design of beginning a plantation, instead of making an unnecessary circuit by the Canaries and West Indies, he steered, as steadily as the winds would permit, due west, and acquired the honour of being the first Englishman who sailed in a direct course to the western continent. After a passage of seven weeks, "he reached the American coast, in the bay of Massachusetts, not far to the north of Nahant; but failing to observe a good harbour," he pursued his course, until he arrived at a headland, place, he designated it Cape Cod. "Here Ön large island, which, in honour of the queen, I counsellor of many of the English expedi he determined should bear the name of tions of discovery, and the historian of their Elizabeth Consulting together on a fit exploits. By his persuasion, two vessels place for a plantation, the voyagers de- were fitted out by the merchants of Bristol, termined to settle on the western part of to examine the discoveries of Gosnold, and this island, near a small lake of excellent ascertain the correctness of his statements. fresh water, two miles in circumference, They returned with an ample confirmation having in the centre a rocky islet, upon of his veracity. A similar expedition, which they began to erect a fort and store- equipped and dispatched by Lord Arundel, house. While the men were occupied in not only produced additional testimony to this work, Gosnold crossed the bay in his the same effect, but reported so many addi vessel, went on shore, trafficked amicably tional particulars in favour of the country, with the natives, and, having discovered that all doubts were removed; and an assothe mouth of two rivers, returned to the ciation, sufficiently numerous, wealthy, and island. In nineteen days the fort and powerful to establish a settlement, being storehouse were finished; but discontents soon formed, a petition was presented to arising among those who were to have re- the king for the sanction of his authority mained in the country, the design of a to its being carried into effect. settlement was relinquished, and the whole company returned to England.* "The voyage home occupied but five weeks, and the whole expedition was completed in less than four months, during which entire health had prevailed among the adventurers." However inconsiderable this voyage may appear, its results were by no means insignificant. It was now discovered that the aspect of America was very inviting, far north of any portion the English had hitherto attempted to settle. The coast of a vast country, stretching through the most desirable climates, lay before them. The richness of its virgin soil promised a certain recompense to their industry. In its interior provinces unexpected sources of wealth might open, and unknown objects of commerce might be found. Its distance from England was diminished almost a third by the new course which Gosnold had traced out; and plans for establishing colonies began to be formed in different parts of the kingdom. The accession of James to the English crown was also highly favourable to the colonisation of America, though fatal to the illustrious projector of the design. Peace had been concluded with Spain; and England, in the enjoyment of uninterrupted tranquillity, was enabled to direct to more bloodless pursuits the energies matured in a war which had strongly excited the spirit of the nation, without impairing its strength. These projects were powerfully aided by the judicious counsel and zealous encouragement of Richard Hakluyt, prebendary of Westminster-a man of eminent attainments in naval and commercial knowledge; the patron and * Smith's History of Virginia, pp. 16—18. He Fond of directing the active genius of his English subjects towards occupations not repugnant to his own pacific maxims, James listened with a favourable ear to the application. But as the extent as well as value of the American continent began now to be better known, a grant of the whole of such a vast region to any one body of men, however respectable, appeared to him an act of impolitic and profuse liberality. For this reason, he divided that portion of North America which stretches from the thirtyfourth to the fifty-fifth degree of latitude, into two districts nearly equal-the one called the first or south colony of Virginia; the other, the second or north colony. authorised Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Summers, Richard Hakluyt, and their asso ciates, mostly resident in London, to settle any part of the former which they should choose, and vested in them a right of property to the land extending along the coast fifty miles on each side of the place of their first habitation, and reaching into the interior country a hundred miles. The latter district he allotted, as the place of settlement, to sundry knights, gentlemen, and merchants of Bristol, Plymouth, and other parts of the west of England, with a similar grant of territory. The supreme government of the colonies to be so settled, was vested in a council named by the king (resident in England); with laws and ordinances given under the sign-manual; and the subordinate jurisdiction was committed to a council, resident in America, which was also nominated by the king, and to act conformably to his instructions. charter, while it thus restricted the emigrants in the important article of internal The regulation, secured to them and their de- as their fleet consisted only of three ships, scendants all the rights of denizens, in the conveying 100 emigrants; and although same manner as if they had remained, or some persons of rank were among the had been born, in England; and granted number of proprietors, their pecuniary them the privilege of holding their lands in resources were but scanty. The charge of America by the freest and least burdensome this expedition was committed to Christenure. The king permitted whatever was topher Newport, already famous for his necessary for the sustenance or commerce of skill in western navigation; and he sailed the new colonies to be exported from Eng- from the Thames on the 20th of December, land, during the space of seven years, with- 1606, sanguine as to the accomplishment of out paying any duty; and, as a further in- his mission, although ill prepared to encitement to industry, he granted them counter the difficulties that might attend it. liberty of trade with other nations; and In a sealed box he carried the royal instrucappropriated the duty to be levied on foreign commodities, as a fund for the benefit of the colonies, for the period of twenty-one years. He also granted them liberty of coining for their own use, of repelling enemies, and of detaining ships that should trade there without their permission. "In this singular charter," says Robertson, "the contents of which have been little attended to by the historians of America, some articles are as unfavourable to the rights of the colonists, as others are to the interest of the parent state. By placing the legislative and executive powers in a council nominated by the crown, and guided by its instructions, every person settling in America seems to be bereaved of the noblest privilege of a free man; by the unlimited permission of trade with foreigners, the parent state is deprived of that exclusive commerce which has been deemed the chief advantage resulting from the establishment of colonies. But in the infancy of colonisation, and without the guidance of observation or experience, the ideas of men, with respect to the mode of forming new settlements, were not fully unfolded or properly arranged. At a period when they could not foresee the future grandeur and importance of the communities which they were about to call into existence, they were ill qualified to concert the best plan for governing them. Besides, the English of that age, accustomed to the high prerogative and arbitrary rule of their monarchs, were not animated with such liberal sentiments, either concerning their own personal or political rights, as have become familiar in the more mature and improved state of their constitution." The proprietors of the royal patent lost no time in carrying their plans into effect. It cannot, however, be said, that they commenced their operations on a scale at all worthy of the magnitude of the undertaking, * History of America, b. ix., p. 290. tions, and the names of the intended colonial council, with orders not to break the seal till twenty-four hours after the expedition had effected a landing; to which singular policy may be attributed the dissensions which soon commenced among the leaders, and which continued to distract them during a long and disastrous voyage. Captain Newport had designed to land at Roanoke; but being driven by a storm to the northward, he stood into the spacious bay of Chesapeake, that grand reservoir into which are poured almost countless tributaries, that not only fertilise the country through which they flow, but open to it a commercial intercourse scarcely surpassed in any portion of the globe. The promontory on the south of the bay was named Cape Henry, in honour of the Prince of Wales; and that on the north, Cape Charles, after the then Duke of York. At night the box, containing the sealed instructions, was opened; in which Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Wingfield, Christopher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin, and George Kendall, were constituted the council of government, with power to elect a president from among their number. The adventurers were employed in seeking a place for settlement until the 13th of May, when they took possession of a peninsula, on the north side of the river Powhatan, (called by the emigrants James River), about forty miles from its mouth. To make room for their projected town, they commenced clearing away the forest, which had for centuries afforded shelter and food to the natives. The members of the council, while they adhered to their orders in the choice of their president, excluded from a seat among them, on the most frivolous pretences, the individual who was probably of all others the best fitted for the office (Captain Smith), though nominated by the same instrument from which they derived their |