Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-08-12
The Colony That Was Lost.

The Elizabethan era is renowned in
English history not only for its literature,
but for its growing power upon the sea,
and especially for its hardy and skillful
seamen. Most notable among these were
Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh
and his half brothers. Drake was the
first to put into practice the policy OF
weakening Spain by attacking her in
America. Drake it was who made the
great voyage around the earth in 1880.
Eight years afterward he took an impor-
tant part in the most momentous event OF
the century in which he lived-the defeat
of the Spanish Armada.
The defeat OF this armada has been
pronounced the opening event in the his
tory of the United States. From that
moment North America was open TO
colonization, with little danger OF him
drance from the Spaniards. Sir Walter
Raleigh must ever be considered "the
father of English colonization on the soil
OF the United States"
Raleigh was one OF the most repre-
sentative Engiishmen ofhis age. He was
a student OF books and leader OF men.
A pupil of ColignY, friend OF SpenSer,
he was a statesman and ascholar, cour-
tier and a soldier, and in each he was one
OF the leading men OF his times. Raleigh
was granted colonization charter by
Queen Elizabeth. He first sent two
exploring ships TO the coast OF North
America, and they returned with glowing
accounts OF the beauty oil the land and the
gentleness OF the natives. The first OF
these exploring ships landed at Roanoke
Island, off the coast OF North Carolina,
331 years ago-June l3, l5S4-and they
were the first to name the eastern coast
OF North America Virginia, in honor Of the
virgin queen.
The following year Raleigh sent over a
large colony under Ralph Lane with los
men, who settled on Roanoke Island, but
after a year OF hardship they were picked
I'D and carried back 10 England by Sir
Francis Drake, who happened TO touch
at that point in one OF his great voyages.
They brought back with them tobacco
and the potato, and first introduced the
use of these in England. Raleigh was
disappointed at the failure OF his colony
and he determined TO try it again. In
1887 he sent a colony OF $50, II OF whom
were women, under John White, and
soon after they landed at Roanoke, Viz
ginia Dare was born. She was a grand
child of Governor White and was the
first English child born on the soil OF the
United States
The Governc- soon found il necessary
10 make a voyage 10 England, intending
to return to his colo7y. But the war with
Spain interfered, and three years passed
before an English vessel reached Roam
oke. When at last help came the colony
had utterly disappeared and its fate was
never known. Years afterward the peo-
pie of Virginia found children among The
Indians with light hair and eyes, and 1t
was believed that they were descendants
OF members OF Whites colony who were
probably adopted by Indian tribes.
Raleigh was still undismayed. Finally
his fortune took a downward turn. he
fell into disfavor with the King and was
cast into prison, where he remained Tor
II years, meantime writing his History
of the World" Then after efseason
OF liberty he was again imprisoned, and
was soon afterward beheaded. Notwith-
standing none OF the colonies planted by
Raleigh was permanent, he must be
awarded the honor OF securing the pos
session OF North America to the English
race, of making known The advantages OF
IFS soil and climate and creating the spirit
OF colonization among his countVmen.