The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-03-31
NORTH CAROLINA
HISTORY
SOME FIRST GLIMPSES.
Interesting Facts.

y
after the discovery by the Cabot be-
fore an attempt was made to plant
colony OF English speaking people on
the mainland Of North America. The
two last Henrys had. seemingly, made
10 effort to grasp the great continent
across the seas, that had been brought
to the border land of existence. Con-
cerned with the affairs of state and do
nestle discords, they had neglected to
secure this pearl of great price.
Soon after the elevation to the throne
however, of the virgin queen, there arose
in England spirit of adventure that
was healthy and helpful. WESTWARD
no !"was the shout that re-echoed from
hamlet to town and from town to city
throughout the confines OF the British
islands. Dazzled by the tales OF the
Ell Dorados OF the far west, told by the
Spanish explorers in the New World,
the even tempered Engllshman began
to think of his life as hum-drunG
affair and to desire activity in far
away search for sudden wealth. Many
had followed Drake, Granville, Fro
bisher, Gilbert, and others IN their
noted voyages, and had returned laden
with the precious booty of the trip.
Taken all in all 1t was an age OF adj
ventures and reckless daring. No one
seems to have had any idea of peopling
the American continent, however, I'M
til Sir Walter Raleigh suggested it to
the queen some time after he was
taken into her confidence. She at
once grasped the idea of making it a
permanent acquisition of the English
people. Solicited by Raleigh she
granted him a patent, March 20, 1854,
which begins with the following Ian
guage:
Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, OF
England, France, and Ireland, Queen,
defender of the faith etc. To all PEG
pie to whom these presents shall come
greeting. Know ye that OF our spe-
cial grace, certain science, and mere
motion, we have given and granted
and by these presents for our heirs and
and successors, we give and grant to
our trusty and we'll beloved servant,
Walter Raleigh, Esquire, and to his
heirs and assigns forever, free liberty
and license, from time to time, and at
all times forever hereafter, to discover.
search, find out, and view such remote
heather and barbarous lands, countries
and territories not actually possessed
OF any Christian Prince, nor inhabited
by Christian people, as to him, his
heirs asst gns, and to every Or any OF
them as shall seem good, and the same
to have, hold, occupy. and enjoy to him,
his heirs and assigns forever"
This patent was intended to foster
colonization ; but was drawn so care
meaning. Not only was he granted
the privilege of discovering remote
heather lands, but free permission was
also given in the course of the patent
to plant colonies, which were ''te have
all the privileges of free denizens and
persons native of England" Also
these colonies should have q perpetual
right to the soil and the protection and
guardianship of English law.
with this instrument of writing,
granting privileges and exemptions,
Raleigh set about to equip an expedi-
ton to America, to select a suitable
place for prospective colony. Hap
PLY. he was man of considerable
wealth, and therefore, found no diff
Guilty in fitting out two vessels for the
voyage. These under the command
OF Captain Philip Amadas and Arthur
Barlowe, left the west coast of England
ON the 18th day of April, 1854, bound
for the new world. On June 10th
they found themselves in the islands
of the West Indies, and Immediately
turned northward, intending to strike
the mainland at some point north oil
Florida.
From an account of the voyage,
written by Captain Barlowe himself
contained In Vol. 3 of Hahluyt's his
tory of early discoveries, the following
is short extract:
"The second of July we found shoal
water, where we smelled so sweet and
Sd strong smell as it we had been
in the midst of some delicate garden
Astounding with all kinds of odoriferous
flowers, by which we were assured
that the land could not be far distant
and keeping good watch and bearing
slack sail, the fourth of the same
month we arrived upon the coast
which we supposed to be continent
and firm land, and we sailed along the
same hundred and twenty English
miles before we found an entrance o.
river issuing into the sea-"
From the above 1t is learned tLat
the Coast of North Carolina was firs1