1585.

selves, that the country they had discovered CHAP. I. could not be destitute of those mines of precious metals with which Spanish America abounded. The Indians soon discerned the object for which they searched with so much avidity, and amused them with tales of rich mines in countries they had not yet explored. Deceived by this misinformation, they encountered incredible hardships, and mispent, in search of what happily did not exist, that time which ought to have been employed in providing the means for their future subsist

Mutual suspicion and disgust, between them and the natives, which had been easily generated, began to show themselves in open hostility; and, the provisions brought from England being exhausted, the former were under the necessity of resorting for food, to the precarious supplies afforded by the rivers and woods. In this state of distress they were, on the first of June, found by sir Francis Drake, who was then returning from a successful expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies. agreed to supply them with about a hundred men, four months provision, and a small vessel; but, before she could be placed in a state of security, this scheme was defeated by a sudden and violent storm which forced out to sea, among many other ships, that which had on board the men and provisions destined for the colony. Discouraged by this misfortune, and

He

1586.

CHAP. I.

worn out with fatigue and famine, they unani1586. mously determined to abandon the country; Colonists and, at their own request, were taken on board

carried back

by Drake,

to England the fleet, which, on the 19th of June, sailed for England.

Grenville arrives

colonists.

Thus terminated the first English colony planted in America. The only acquisition made by this expensive experiment, was a better knowledge of the country and its inhabitants.

A few days after the departure of Drake with with other Lane and his associates from Roanoke, a small vessel which had been dispatched by Raleigh with a supply of provisions, reached its place of destination. Not finding the colonists on the spot were they had settled, this vessel returned to England. Soon after its departure, sir Richard Grenville arrived with three ships and ample supplies. Having searched in vain for the colony he had left, and being totally unable to conjecture their fate, he placed, some authors say fifty, others fifteen men, in the island, with provisions for two years, for the purpose of retaining possession of the country, and set sail for England. This small party was soon destroyed by the Indians.

They are

left on Roanoke island, and destroyed by the

Indians.

1587.

In the following year, Raleigh, who was neither discouraged nor wearied out by the ill success which had hitherto attended all his ef forts to make a settlement in America, fitted out three ships, under the command of captain John White, and as some authors say, directed the

colony to be removed to the waters of the Chessapeake, which bay had been discovered by Lane, in the preceding year. Instructed by the calamities already experienced, more efficacious means for preserving and continuing the colony, than had heretofore been used, were now adopted. The number of men was greater; some women accompanied them; and their supply of provisions was more abundant. Mr. White was appointed their governor, and twelve assistants were assigned him as a council. A charter was granted them, incorporating them by the name of the governor and assistants of the city of Raleigh, in Virginia.

CHAP. I.

1587.

of captain

Thus prepared for a permanent settlement, Arrival they arrived in the latter end of July at Roanoke, John White. where they received the melancholy intelligence of the loss of their countrymen who had been left there by sir Richard Grenville. They determined, however, to remain at the same place; and, immediately began to repair the houses, and to make the necessary preparations for their accommodation and comfort. They endeavoured to effect a reconciliation with the natives, one of whom, who had accompanied Amidas and Barlow to England, and who had distinguished himself by his unshaken attachment to the English, was christened, and styled lord of Dassa Monpeake, an Indian nation in the neighbourhood.

CHAP. I.

About the same time was added to the colony 1587. the first child of English parentage, ever born in America. She was the daughter of Ananias Dare, and in token of the place of her birth, was named Virginia.

White dispatched

for succour.

On viewing the country, and their own actual to England situation, the colonists found themselves destitute of many things, deemed essential to the preservation and comfortable subsistence of a new settlement, in a country covered with forests, and inhabited only by a few scattered tribes of savages. With one voice they deputed their governor, to solicit those specific aids which their situation particularly and essentially required. On his arrival in England, he found the whole nation alarmed at the formidable preparations for their invasion, made by Philip II. of Spain, and Raleigh, Grenville, and the other patrons of the colony, particularly and ardently, engaged in those measures of defence which the public danger called for, and rendered indispensable. Raleigh, however, mingled with his exertions to defend his native country, some attention to the situation of the colony he had planted. Early in 1588. the year he found leisure to fit out for its relief, at Biddeford, a small fleet, the command of which was given to sir Richard Grenville; but the apprehensions from the Spanish armament, proudly and confidently styled, by the monarch of that nation, the invincible armada, still in.

creasing, the ships of force prepared by Raleigh CHAP. I. were detained in port, by order of the queen, for 1588. the defence of their own country; and sir Richard Grenville was, especially and personally, commanded not to depart out of Cornwall, where his services under sir Walter Raleigh, who was mustering and training the forces, as lieutenant of the county, were deemed necessary. On the 22d of April, White put to sea with two small barks; but these vessels being, unfortunately, more desirous of making prizes, than of relieving their distressed countrymen, were beaten by a superior force, and totally disabled from prosecuting their voyage.

1589.

assigns his

sir Thomas

company.

Soon after this, in March, the attention of Raleigh being directed to other more splendid Raleigh objects, he assigned his patent to sir Thomas patent to Smith, and a company of merchants in London. Smith and It was not until the year after this transfer, that any other effort was made for the relief of the colony. Three ships fitted out by the company, and having mr. White on board, sailed in March from Plymouth; but having cruelly 1590. and criminally, wasted their time in plundering the Spaniards in the West Indies, they did not reach Hatteras until the month of August. They fired a gun to give notice of their arrival, and sent some men on shore at the place where the colony had been left three years before; but no sign of their countrymen could be found. In attempting the next day to go to the Roan