University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER II.

EARLY ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.

Before entering upon the subject of our local history, it may
not be amiss to glance briefly at the earliest successive efforts
of monarchs, adventurers, and discoverers to colonize the
Western Hemisphere. It is not proposed to notice, in detail,
the progress of cis-Atlantic discovery, as that belongs more
appropriately to a History of the United States. We may
with justice and propriety, however, claim to occupy a brief
space in a preliminary survey of the efforts of France and
England to effect footholds on the North American continent.
This we deem essential to a proper elucidation of our subject,
as most of the difficulties encountered by the people of the
western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania, undoubtedly
grew out of the contending claims of those two powers for
supremacy in the west. The earliest English claim to sovereignty
in this country was based upon the discoveries of
John and Sebastian Cabot, father and son, who, acting under
a commission from Henry the Seventh, to "sail in the Eastern,
Western, and Northern Seas, to search for continents,
islands, or regions hitherto unseen by Christian people," and
to plant the flag of Britain upon any country thus discovered.
Sailing with these instructions, they discovered the continent
of North America near Labrador, on the 24th of January,
1497. Running along the whole extent of our coast,

from the 38th to the 67th degree of North latitude,
these English adventurers took possession of the country in
the name of that monarch, with the privilege of holding it to
the exclusion of all other persons. This patent, embodying
as it did the very "worst features of colonial monopoly," was
abrogated in the following year, and a new one, breathing a
more enlightened spirit, issued in the name of John Cabot.
Under this new grant extensive explorations were made by
Sebastian Cabot, one of the most distinguished navigators of
his age. Great, however, as were these discoveries, but little
was done by the British Crown, during the next half century,
to take formal possession, by actual settlement, of the newly
acquired regions.

The first Tudor, so happily described as

could see no propriety in diminishing the number of his subjects
at home by sending them to distant climes; while Henry
VIII., and his celebrated minister, Cardinal Wolsey, had
quite enough to attend to, without allowing them either time,
means, or inclination, to fish up continents from the "vasty
deep," or "annex" unexplored provinces, peopled by savages,
who had never heard of Harry, Luther, or Pope Clement VII.

It was not, indeed, until the splendid conquests of the
Spaniards in the West Indies, Mexico, and South America
had excited the cupidity of Elizabeth, that any effectual
attempts, on the part of Britain, at further exploration or
colonization were made.

In 1578, the attention of the English govern-

ment was directed to the importance of colonization,
by Sir Walter Raleigh, whose genius and enterprise were equal
to any undertaking. He procured a patent for Sir Humphrey
Gilbert, (half brother of Raleigh) who, in 1583, at-
tempted a settlement upon the sterile coast of New
Foundland; but, of course, was compelled to abandon it as
wholly unsuitable for an English colony. A second expedition
was fitted out in 1584, under a direct grant
to Raleigh himself. This expedition sailed under
the auspices of Sir Richard Grenville, a near relative of Sir
Walter. It consisted of two small vessels, commanded by
experienced officers, and sailed from London in April of that
year. In July, a landing was effected on an inlet of North
Carolina, (Wocoken, supposed to be the present Ocracock.[7] )
Here the party remained until September, when, becoming discouraged
by reverses and disappointments incident to a settlement
in an unbroken wilderness, they sailed for home,
taking with them two natives, Manteo and Wanchese.

On their return, they gave the most glowing description of
the country visited, representing it as a region where nature
appeared clothed with the most brilliant colors, and abounded
in fruit, game, fish, &c.

A third expedition was at once determined upon, and fitted
out with the least practicable delay. It sailed under the
broad pennant of Sir Richard Grenville, and reached Roanoke
about the middle of June (1585). Out of this expedition,
one hundred and eight men were left on the island, (Roanoke)
with a supply of provisions for two years.

The new colonists embraced some of the most energetic and
vigorous-minded men who had yet left the mother country.

Sir Richard, having appointed Ralph Lane, Governor of
the Colony, returned to England. By this expedition, Manteo
was restored to his friends, and became invaluable to the
colonists as guide and interpreter.

A year's residence, however, in the unbroken solitudes of
the New World, proved quite enough to cool the ardor of the
colonists, and make them determine to leave by the first opportunity.
They had no idea of being longer made instrumental
in extending the "area of freedom." Shortly after,
(1586) Sir Francis Drake arrived with his fleet, and despite
his entreaties every soul left for England.

Scarcely had the colonists departed, when Sir Walter
Raleigh,[8] in company with Sir R. Grenville, Hariot, Cavendish,

and other distinguished men, arrived at Roanoke. Sir
Walter Raleigh was greatly disappointed and chagrined at
the failure of their favorite scheme. Not discouraged, however,
he succeeded in persuading fifteen men to remain on
the island, while he returned home, and sent out (1587) a
new expedition, under the command of Captain John White.
On reaching Virginia, a party was sent to hunt up the men
left on the island, but all was silent as the grave; naught,
save the whitening bones of a single victim, gave any clue to
their melancholy fate. All, it is supposed, fell a prey to
savage cruelty.

White was made governor of the colony, and was assisted
by twelve councillors. One of these (Annaias Dare) was
White's son-in-law, and shortly after the arrival of the little
band of colonists, was signalized an event not unworthy of
note in the early annals of Virginia,—that event was nothing
less, than the birth of the first white child in North
America.[9]

White having, as he supposed, comfortably secured the
emigrants, returned to England, with the view of making
further arrangements for increasing the little

colony, and promoting the interests of those left
behind.

White found on his return, the government and people full
of anxious solicitude to meet the threatened Spanish invasion.
But Raleigh, true to his purpose of securing a per-

manent settlement in Virginia, despatched White with
two ships of supplies for the relief of the colonists. Instead
of proceeding at once to the colony, White engaged in capturing
Spanish prizes, until at last overcome, he lost all, and was
compelled to return to England, to the great chagrin and disappointment
of his noble and generous friend and patron.

"The Invincible Armada of Spain" had to be overcome,
and the safety of England herself secured, before another
effort could be made to succor the colony at Roanoke.

It was not until another year had passed, that White could
be sent in aid of the colonists. On arriving at the

seat of the colony, what was his alarm to find, as the
only vestige of his people, a vague inscription pointing to
Croatan as the place to which they had gone.

The fate of the colonists has never been satisfactorily ascertained.
The presumption is, they all fell victims to savage
power. Some have indulged the idea that they amalgamated
with the Hatteras Indians; but while humanity may dictate
such a hope, "credulity must entertain a doubt of the truth
of the hypothesis."

White soon after returned to England, in hopeless despair
of ever hearing again from his hapless friends or unfortunate
daughter.

Sir Walter is said to have sent several times in search
of his "liege men," but nothing satisfactory was ever ascertained.

Sir Walter, having forfeited his patent by attainder,
James the First granted a new patent for all our territory,
from the 34th to the 45th degree, under the general name of
Virginia; a name previously conferred by Elizabeth in reference
to her own unmarried state. The South Virginia division
extended from Cape Hatteras to New York, and the
first colonization of the new patentees was made at Jamestown,
on James' river, May 13th, 1607.

The settlement of Jamestown, has by some, and with much
truth, been termed the most important event since the era of
the Reformation. Who can properly estimate the ultimate
influence it is destined to exercise upon the future history of
the world?

Within the entire range of recorded history, we know
of no more grand and imposing spectacle than the landing
of that little band of hardy pilgrims, with the determination,

come weal or woe, to plant then and there, a colony
that should be self-sustaining and self-relying.

The heroic Smith and his resolute companions then,[13] laid
broad and deep the corner stone, upon which has since been
reared the proud temple of American Liberty. Aye, those
men, seeking homes in the wilderness of the West, unconsciously
planted the germ of a nation that was destined to spring
forth in the fulness of its strength, and startling the tyrants
of Europe in their seats of power, cause them to feel that the
"divine right" no longer existed—that the young giant of
the West had inflicted a blow which shook the foundations
of their very thrones. Great have been the regrets of
Britain[14] at the success of the "American experiment;" but
all such regrets will be more futile than even her efforts
to roll back the flame of freedom, or check its mounting to
meridian splendor! The fabric which has grown from the
plantation of the colonies at Jamestown, at Plymouth, on the
Island of Manhattan, on the banks of the Mississippi, and
along the borders of our great inland seas, now stands the
mark and model, the admiration and wonder of the world!
The vicissitudes of five and seventy years, while they have
shaken down the pillars of most of the corrupt monarchies
of earth, have but proven to mankind the indestructible material
of the plain temple of Republican Freedom.

Of the gallant Captain Smith, the most devoted of the
chivalrous spirits at Jamestown, it might be expected we
would say something. In consequence, however, of our
circumscribed limits, we can only add, that his accomplished
address, great skill, consummate bravery, indomitable courage,
and devoted patriotism, mark him as one of the first men
of his age. The story of his captivity by the Indians—his
trial, condemnation and preparation for death—his timely

rescue by the beautiful Indian girl Pochahontas, who threw
herself upon his person, and averted the blow of the savage—
one of the most remarkable instances of true philanthropy
upon record—is too familiar to all readers of American
history, to be given here. Suffice it, that Smith was the
master spirit of the colony; and to his discriminating judgment,
keen sense of right and wrong, and his enlightened
policy towards the Indians, may be ascribed the fact, that
the little band of adventurers did not share a fate similar to
that of the unfortunate colonists of Roanoke.

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.