The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-24
The Raleigh Calendar.
CONTINUED From Second Page)

fitted out captured the spanish lIdIe-Silip
the Madre de Dios with its cargo valued
at two and one half millions.
Sept. q. Was released from prison as
the only man in England who could save
the treasure of the great Prize ship IRON
the plumber of his own countrymen. The
Queen, as sovereign, took the lions share
OF what he recovered.
1894. Sent ship to get information
concerning Guiana, in South America,
which the Spanish had then lately an
nexed to their dommons and named tbe
New FL Dorado
1885, February 6. Sailed with an ex-
petition TO explore and take possession
Of Guiana.
March %. Anchored off the Island Of
Trinidad and shortly took possession of
l. as a base of operations from which
to explore the continent. This island
still belongs to Great Britain.
April. Began his famous voyage up the
Oronoko river which he explored for four
hundred miles from its mouth.
His expedition remained in Guiana,
Trinidad and the American waters for
several months. He was reported sail
ing along the coast of Cuba in the month
o. Ialy, and he landed in England some
time III October. He told the Spanish
Governor of Trinidad that he was on his
way to his settlement in Virginia but
there is no record that he touched our
coast.
December. Published an account of his
explorations which were speedily trans
lated into Latin and German and circu
lated over Europe.
1896. Sent another expedition TO Guiana
which explored the South American coast
&C Iar south as the Amazon. OF this
ciSo he published an account, written,
as was the other, III some OF the best
prose of the F,iiZabethian period; IN both
be set forth to the English people the
boundless wealth OF America and the adj
vantage and nracticahility CT co!onlzing
it, Of the vast territory in the region
OF the Oronoko and the Amazon which
Raleigh urged England 10 seize, it now
holds British GUIANA couA.x about
one and one half times the size OF North
Carolina.
June 81 Led the English to victory in
the great naval hattie OF Cadiz. This
fight placed him on the pinnacle of mis-
fame as commander of Warships, rein
stated him in the counsels of his Sovcr-
eign. and made Great Britain, for the
first time, Mistress of the Seas.
q.
ana which obsequio,islv confirmed his own
previous accounts. 1t returned without
adding any new information, or mater
tally advancing the policy of explora-
ton and conquest which lay next to his
heart. II was shrewdiy surmised that
the Spanish, failing in open warfare, were
beginning to try the effects OF gold upon
his subordinates as well rs his superiors
in office.
September. Stormed. a. the head OF
a small force the town of Fayal in the
Azores. 1t was his last battle and only
added another spark to the envy OF him
which now increased with his fame.
1902, November 4. Had his last inter
view with Queen Elizabeth.
1903. Dispatched two expeditions to
America, the last of five which he sent at
his own charge 30 search for the lost
COLONY
March 80 The Queen died, ard with
her persisted Raleighs hopes of prefer
ment and even OF personal safety.
He had spent his years of freedom in
opposing 'tIie tyrannous ambition of
: Spain," and now his Well-beioved Eng
land was to be governed 10y monarch,
James /, VINO had taken into his counsels
the mercenaries of SIialn-the country
with which Raleigh was even then urging
war. He also wrote letter denouncing
Cecil, James chief officer ana adviser and
one who was then privily receiving five
thousand crowns year from the Spanish
Government.
July l.. Was arrested on the charge OF
reasonable conspiracy with the Spanish
Government.
July /. Was imprisoned in the Tower
4: ~ 81
mence at once on account of the great
plague which was then raging in London.
Nov. II. He was brought to trial at
Winchester on the charge OF high treason
and convicted on the same day. The pros
ecutlon was conducted by the famous law
writer, Coke. Raleigh pleaded his own
cause, the laws of England not allowing
him TO have counsel for his defense no.
was he confronted by the witnesses
against MIN. The jury was packed, the
testimony against him was perjured, t1c
court was suDservient to the crown, ana
at least one member of it. Cecil was
in the pay OF the Spanish Government
Immediately after his conviction he
was roundly abused from the bench by
CHEF Justice Popham who presided over
the court and then sentenced, to death.
But he was not then executed. Popular
favor which he had sacrificed some wears
before by accepting from Queen Elizabeth
a monopoly of the tax on wines and Ii
quors, was in measure now restorcs
to him on account of his persecution and
misfortunes.
England would not believe. though -
court record had spoken the lie, that the
great enemy of Spain who had spoiled
her by land and ruined her PRESTIGE on
the seas. would betray into her mower
his own country.
Dec. 10. His sentence was commutef
to Imprisonment. The man of action ard
exploit was now Gagged for his long cor
finement He was stripped of his vast
possessions that they might enrich the
fawning favorites of the king.
1904. In prison, he took UP the study