The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-04


he was man of wealth and power.
a noted soldier, seaman. patriot, cour-
tier and statesman. Some writer has
said that he was the greatest hero in
the greatest age of the world. AL
though honored and flattered by
Queen Elizabeth, and the recipient
of vast estates in England and Ire
land, Raleigh never abandoned his
plan to establish an English colony
in America. The supremacy of Spain
on the Atlantic Ocean did not over
awe him; he determined to make the
attempt regardless of adverse condi-
tons.
In 1884, under a liberal patent
granted by the crown, he was en-
powered to explore, settle, hold and
govern that part of America which
lies between Florida and Halifax, and
extending 500 miles back into the
continent. Under this patent the set
tiers were to enjoy the rights of free
Inhabitants; they were to be governed
by the English law, but if necessary
they could make their own laws, pro-
vided they did not interfere with their
allegiance to the, crown and the
church, In the liberaiity of its terms
this charter was over two centuries
ahead Of its times: Elizabeth, through
Raleigh's influence, made concessions
which George III refused TO grant the
colonies in 1775, thus precipitating the
Revolutionary War
Within less than two months from
the date of his patent, Raleigh sent
over Captains Amidas and Barlow in
command of two well-equipped yes
sells to explore the coast of his new
possessions and to select site for the
colony which he proposed to send
over later.
Early in July this expedition was
opposite the shores of North Caro-
lima; but not finding ready harbor
they turned northward Gin order to
avoid the Spaniards to the south
ward), and after sailing 120 miles
along the coast they entered the first
inlet which appeared" unto them
and came to anchor off Wokoken
Island, July 10, 1854. After returning
thanks to the God of all Nature, the
explorers landed and took possession
of the land in the name of Queen
Elizabeth. Well may they have re-
turned thanks for the safe transpor-
tation to this new world! Their ar
rival seemed suspicious: all Nature
appeared to be making every effort
to charm and allure them. As they
sailed over The tranquil sound beneath
the azure sky of beautiful July day,
the transparent water dotted with its
hundred isles must have presented
10 the view of these sea-Weary adj
Venturers q scene of unparalleled
beauty. The forests OF magnificent
trees and luXuriant vines which then
covered the banks and shores were
alive with the chatter of countless
birds: beneath the vessels they could
see myriads of fish passing to and fro
in the clear. shallow water; on the
icla
gentle, loving, faithful. hospitable"
natives.
After spending several weeks amid
these enchanting scenes, during
which time explorations We're made
in Roanoke, Albemarle and Pamlico
Sounds, this expedition returned To
England, taking with them Manteo
and Wanchese, two chieftains of the
friendly natives, who had so kindly
received them. Such a glowing report
did Amidas and Barlow make of the
fruits, grain, animals, natives and
climate of this region that the queen
knighted Raleigh and declared her
reign signaliZed by the discovery of
the new lands. AS a further token of
her especial interest in Raleigh's eff
forts to colonize America, she named
the recently explored region 'Vir-
ginia" in honor of herself--she liked
The people listened to the descrip-
ton of the new world with such cred
ulity that it was an easy matter to
organize a colony to come over and
take possession of the lands explored
by this first expedition.
The following year 15S5) Raleigh
sent over a fleet of seven vessels bear
Ing los colonists, all men, under
Richard Greenvile as military pro
tector and Ralph Lane as governor.
This vas the first systematic attempt
to plant an Anglo-Saxon colony in the
new world.
Passing into Albemarle Sound the
colonists came to anchor off the north
ern end of Roanoke Island the place
which had been selected as the site of
the home of the English in America.
Here they built a fort and laid the
foundation of a village, calling their
settlement the new fort in Virginia"
The ruins of this fort may be easily
distinguished yet. though it is now
called Fort Raleigh"
This good beginning which they had
made was destined to have a bad end
ing; for instead OF busying themselves
clearing away the forests and MAX
ing other preparation to till the soil.
and inviting and strengthening friend
ly relations with the natives. they
spent their time in making fruitlegs
excursions up the nearby rivers or
through the neighboring forests in
search of gold or a waterway across
the continent or else, they did what
was more dangerous to the success
of the enterprise, they remained in
complete idleness, during which time
me-sickness would often get the
better of them.
During their periods of restless
rowing they made excursions up the
Roanoke (Cipo) as far as the present
town of Williamson, up the Chowan
s(Namopana) above Tunis, down the
coast to Secotan (Carteret County,,
and through Albemarle Sound (Oc-
can River) up the coast to the site of
the present city of Norfolk
The only good result derived from
these numerous expeditions was the
discovery that good harbors existed
farther north Gp Chesapeake Bay.
Governor Lanes dealings with the ma
tives was equally as unfortunate as
his love of adventure. Upon one oc-
casion he destroyed an Indian village
and the surrounding fields of grain
because he suspected that one of the
Villagers had stolen a cup from one
of his men. At another time, having
invited the Chief and many leading
fn Of Phi he