England in America, 1580-1652 eBook

Lyon Gardiner Tyler
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 289 pages of information about England in America, 1580-1652.

England in America, 1580-1652 eBook

Lyon Gardiner Tyler
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 289 pages of information about England in America, 1580-1652.

[Footnote 26:  Hakluyt, Voyages, III., 53.]

[Footnote 27:  Hakluyt, Voyages, III., 52-104, 132.]

[Footnote 28:  Brown, Genesis of the United States, I., 9.]

[Footnote 29:  Hakluyt, Voyages, III., 174-176.]

[Footnote 30:  Hakluyt, Voyages, III., 186.]

[Footnote 31:  Cal. of State Pap., Col., 1574-1674, p. 17.]

[Footnote 32:  Cal. of State Pap., Col., 1574-1674, pp. 8-10.]

[Footnote 33:  Edwards, Life of Raleigh, I., 82, 83.]

[Footnote 34:  Stevens, Thomas Hariot, 40.]

[Footnote 35:  Cal. of State Pap., Col., 1574-1660, p. 2.]

CHAPTER II

GILBERT AND RALEIGH COLONIES

(1583-1602)

Preparations for Gilbert’s second and fateful expedition now went forward, and public interest was much aroused by the return of Drake, in 1580, laden with the spoils of America.  Gilbert invited Raleigh to accompany him as vice-admiral, but the queen would not let him accept.[1] Indeed, she seemed to have a presentiment that all would not go well, and when the arrangements for the voyage were nearing completion she caused her secretary of state, Walsingham, to let Gilbert also know that, “of her special care” for him, she wished his stay at home “as a man noted of no good hap by sea."[2] But the queen’s remark only proved her desire for Gilbert’s safety; and she soon after sent him word that she wished him as “great goodhap and safety to his ship as if herself were there in person,” and requested his picture as a keepsake.[3] The fleet of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, consisting of five ships bearing two hundred and sixty men, sailed from Plymouth June 11, 1583, and the “mishaps” which the queen feared soon overtook them.  After scarcely two days of voyage the ship sent by Raleigh, the best in the fleet, deserted.  Two more ships got separated, and the crew of one of them, freed from Gilbert’s control, turned pirates and plundered a French ship which fell in their way.  Nevertheless, Gilbert pursued his course, and on August 3, 1583, he reached the harbor of St. John’s in Newfoundland, where he found the two missing ships.  Gilbert showed his commission to the fishing vessels, of which there were no fewer than thirty-six of all nations in port, and their officers readily recognized his authority.  Two days later he took possession of the country in the name of Queen Elizabeth, and as an indication of the national sovereignty to all men he caused the arms of England engraved on lead to be fixed on a pillar of wood on the shore side.

Mishaps did not end with the landing in Newfoundland.  The emigrants who sailed with Gilbert were better fitted for a crusade than a colony, and, disappointed at not at once finding mines of gold and silver, many deserted; and soon there were not enough sailors to man all the four ships.  Accordingly, the Swallow was sent back to England with the sick; and with the remainder of the fleet, well supplied at St. John’s with fish and other necessaries, Gilbert (August 20) sailed south as far as forty-four degrees north latitude.  Off Sable Island a storm assailed them, and the largest of the vessels, called the Delight, carrying most of the provisions, was driven on a rock and went to pieces.

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England in America, 1580-1652 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.