A history of the colonies planted by the English on the continent of North America : from their settlement, to the commencement of that war which terminated in their independence

Front matter

A HISTORY

OF THE

COLONIES PLANTED BY THE ENGLISH

Preface

So large a portion of the life of General Washington was devoted to the public, so elevated and important were the stations which he filled, that the history of his life is, at the same time, the history of his nation.

The part he took, while commander in chief, in

tfte Civil as well as military affairs of the United

States, was so considerable, that few events of ge neral interest occurred, which were not, in some degree, influenced by him. A detail of the transactions in which he was either immediately or remotely concerned, would comprehend so great a part of those which belong to general history, that the entire exclusion of the few in which he bore no part, while it would scarcely give to the work more of the peculiar character of biography, would expose it to the charge of being an incom plete history of the times.

VI PREFACE.

His administration of the government while President of the United States, cannot be well un derstood without a full knowledge of the political measures of the day, and of the motives by which his own conduct was regulated.

These considerations appeared to require that his biography should present a general historical view of the transactions of the time, as well as a particular narrative of the part performed by him self.

Our ideas of America, of the character of our revolution, of those who engaged in it, and of the struggles by which it was accomplished, would be imperfect without some knowledge of our colonial history. No work had been published when this was undertaken, from which that knowledge could be collected. To have taken up the history of the United States when the command of the ar my was conferred on General Washington, would have been to introduce the reader abruptly into the midst of scenes and transactions, with the causes of which, and with the actors in them, he would naturally wish to be intimately acquainted. This was the apology of the author for the intro ductory volume to the Life of General Washing-

PREFACE. VI!

ton. Had the essays since written towards a ge neral history of the English colonies been then in possession of the public, this volume would not have appeared. But, although they might have prevented its appearance, they ought not to pre vent its being corrected and offered to the public in a form less exceptionable than that which it originally bore. From the extreme, I may add un pardonable, precipitation with which it was hurried to the press, many errors were overlooked which, on a perusal of the book, were as apparent to the author as to others. He was desirous of cor recting these errors, and of making the work more worthy of the public to which it was offered, as well as more satisfactory to himself. For this purpose he has given it, since the impressions un der which it was compiled have worn off, more than one attentive reading ; has made several al terations in the language ; and has expunged much of the less essential matter with which the narra tive was burthened. He dares not flatter himself that he has succeeded completely in his attempt to entitle this work to the approbation of the lite rary public of America ; but hopes that its claims to that approbation are stronger than in its ori ginal form.

Vlll PREFACE.

Believing that motives no longer exist for con necting the History of the English Colonies in North America with the Life of Washington, the author has obtained the permission of the propri etor of the copy- right to separate the Introduction from the other volumes, and to publish it as a distinct work.

Chapter I

Commission of Cabot. — His voyage to America. — Views of dis covery relinquished by Henry VII. — Resumed by Elizabeth. — Letters patent to Sir Humphry Gilbert. — His voyages and death.— Patent to Sir Walter Raleigh.— Voyage of Sir Richard Grenville.— Colonists carried back to England by Drake.— * Grenville arrives with other colonists. — They are left on Roanoke Island. — Are destroyed by the Indians — Arrival of John White. — He returns to England for succour. — Raleigh assigns his patent. Patent to .Sir Thomas Gates and others — Code of laws for the proposed colony drawn up by the King. Page 9

Chapter II

Voyage of Newport. — Settlement at Jamestown. — Distress of colonists. — Smith. — He is captured by the Indians. — Con demned to death, saved by Pocahontas. — Returns to James town. — Newport arrives with fresh settlers. — Smith explores the Chesapeake. — Is chosen president. — New charter. — Third voyage of Newport. — Smith sails for Europe. — Condition of the colony. — Colonists determine to abandon the country. — Are stopped by Lord Delaware. — Sir Thomas Dale. — New charter. — Captain Argal seizes Pocahontas. — She marries Mr. Rolf. — Separate property in lands and labour. — Expedition against Port Royal.— Against Manhadoes. — Fifty acres of x CONTENTS.

land for each settler. — Tobacco. — Sir Thomas Dale. — Mr Yeirdlej. — First assembly. — First arrival of females — Of convicts. — Of African slaves. — Two councils established. — Pros perity of the colony. — Indians attempt to massacre the whites. — General war. — Dissolution of the company. — Arbitrary measures of the crown. — Sir John Harvey. — Sir William Berkeley. — Provincial assembly restored. — Virginia declares in favour of Charles II — Grant to Lord Baltimore. — Arrival of a colony in Maryland. — Assembly composed of freemen. — William Claybourne. — Assembly composed of representa tives. — Divided into two branches. — Tyrannical proceedings.

Chapter III

First ineffectual attempts of the Plymouth company to settle the country. — Settlement at New Plymouth. — Sir Henry Rose-well and company. — New charter. — Settlements prosecuted vigorously. — Government transferred to the colonists. — Bos ton founded. — Religious intolerance^. — General court establish ed. — Royal commission for the"government of the plantations. — Contest with the French Colony of Ac.iaie — Hugh Peters. — Henry Vane. — Mrs. Hutchison. — Maine granted to Gorges. — Quo warranto against the patent of the colony. — Religious dissentions — Providence settled. — Rhode Island settled. — Connecticut settled. — War with the Pequods. — New Haven settled. f3

Chapter IV

Massachusetts claims New Hampshire and part of Maine.— Dissentions among the inhabitants. — Confederation of the New England colonies. — Rhode Island excluded from it. — Separate chambers provided for the two branches of the Legis lature. — New England takes part with Parliament. — Treaty with Acadie. — Petition of the non-conformists. — Disputes be tween Massachusetts and Connecticut. — War between Eng land and Holland. — Machinations of the Dutch at Mttnhadoes

CONTENTS. xL

among the Indians.— Massachusetts refuses to join the united colonies in the war. — ^Application of New Haven to Crom well for assistance. — Peace with the Dutch. — Expedition of Sedgewic against Acadie. — Religious intolerance. Page 108

Chapter V

Transactions succeeding thejrestoration of Charles II. — Con tests between Connecticut and New Haven. — Discontents in Virginia. — Grant to the duke of York. — Commissioners ap pointed by the crown. — Conquest of the Dutch settlements. — Conduct of Massachusetts TO the royal commissioners. — Their recall. Massachusetts evades a summons to appear before the King and council. — Settlement of Carolina. — Form of go vernment. — Constitution of Mr. Locke. — Discontents in the county of Albemarle. — Invasion from Florida. — Abolition of the constitution of Mr. Locke. — Bacon's rebellion. — His death. — Assembly deprived of judicial power. — Discontents in Virginia. — Population of the colony. ISO

Chapter. VI

Prosperity of New England. — War with Philip. — Edward Ran dolph arrives in Boston. — Maine adjudged to Gorges. — Pur chased by Massachusetts. — Royal government erected in New Hampshire. — Complaints against Massachusetts. — Their let ters patent cancelled. — Death of Charles hi. — James II. pro claimed. — New commission for the government of New Eng land. — Sir Edmond Andros. — The charter of Rhode Island abrogated. — Odious measures of the ne\t government. — An dros deposed. — William and Mary proclaimed. — Review of proceedings in New York and the Jerseys. — Pennsylvania granted to William Penn. — Frame of government — Founda tion of Philadelphia laid. — Assembly "convened. — First acts of the Legislature. — Boundary line with lord Baltimore settled.

CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

New charter of Massachusetts.— Affairs of New York. — Wai with France. — Schenectady destroyed. — Expedition against Port Royal. — Against Quebec. — Acadie recovered by France. — Pemaquid taken. — Attempt on St. Johns. — Peace. — Affairs of New York. — Of Virginia. — Disputes between England and France respecting boundary in America. — Re-commencement of hostilities. — Quotas of the respective colonies. — Treaty of neutrality between France and the five nations. — Expedition against Port Royal. — Incursion into Massachusetts. — Plan for the invasion ot Canada. — Port Royal taken. — Expedition against Quebec. — Treaty of Utrecht.— Affairs of New York. — Of Carolina. — Expedition against St. Augustine. — Attempt to establish the Episcopal church. — Invasion of the colony. — Bills of credit issued. — Legislature continues itself. — Massa cre in North Carolina by the Indians. — Tuscaroras defeated. — Scheme of a Bank. Page 186

Chapter VIII

Proceedings of the legislature of Massachusetts. — Intrigues of the French among the Indians. — War with the savages. — Peace. — Controversy with the governor. — Decided in England. —Contests concerning the governor's salary.— The assembly adjourned to Salem.— Contest concerning the salary termi nated.— -Great depreciation of the paper currency.—Scheme of a land bank.— -Company dissolved by act of Parliament. -—Governor Shirley arrives.— Review of transactions in New York. - 215

.CHAPTER IX.

WTar with the southern Indians. — Dissatisfaction of Carolina

with the proprietors. —Rupture with Spain.— -Combination to

subvert the proprietary government.-— Revolution completed.

--Expedition from the Havanna against Charleston.— Peace

CONTENTS. xiii

with Spain. — The proprietors surrender their interest to the crown.^— The province divided. — Georgia settled — Impolicy of the first regulations. — Intrigues of the Spaniards with the slaves of South Carolia. — Insurrection of the Slaves. P. 238

Chapter X

War declared against Spain. — Expedition against St. Augustine. — Georgia invaded. — Spaniards land on an island in the Altamaha. — Appearance of a fleet from Charleston. — Spanish arm) re-embarks. — Hostilities with France. — Expedition against Louisbourg. — Louisbourg surrenders. — Great plans of the bel ligerent powers. — Misfortunes of the armament under the duke D'Anville, — The French fleet dispersed by a storm.— Expe dition against Nova Scotia. — Treaty of Aix la Chapelle. — Paper money of Massachusetts redeemed. — Contests between the French and English respecting boundaries. — Statement respecting the discovery of the Mississippi. — Scheme for con necting Louisiana with Canada — Relative strength of the French and English colonies. — Defeat at the Little Meadows. — Convention at Albany. — Plan of union. — Objected to both in America and Great Britain. 253

CHAPTER XL

General Braddock arrives. — Convention of governors and plan of the campaign. — French expelled from Nova Scotia, and in habitants transplanted. — Expedition against fort Du Quesne. — Battle of Monongahela. — Defeat and death of General Braddock. — Expedition against Crown Point. — Dieskan defeated. — Expedition against Niagara. — Frontiers, distressed by the Indians. — Meeting of the governors at New York. — Plan for the campaign of 1756. — Lord Loudoun arrives. — Mont calm takes Oswego. — Lord Loudoun abandons offensive operations. — Small pox breaks out in Albany. — Campaign of 1757 open ed. — Admiral Holbourne arrives at Halifax. — Is joined by the earl of Loudoun. — Expedition against Louisbourg relinquish ed, — Lord Loudoun returns to New York.— Fort William xiv CONTENTS.

Henry taken. — Controversy between Lord Loudoun and the assembly of Massachusetts - Page 287

Chapter XII

Preparations for the campaign of 1758. — Admiral Boscawen and general Amherst arrive at Hal fax. — Plan of the campaign. — Expedition against Louisbourg, Ticoncleroga, and Crown Point. — General Abercrombie repulsed under the walls of Ticonderoga. — Fort Frontignac taken. — Expedition against fort Du Quesne. — Preparations for the campaign of 1759. — General Amherst succeeds general Abercrombie. — Plan of the campaign. — Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken. — Army goes into winter quarters. — French repulsed at Oswego. — Defeated at Niagara. — Niagara taken. — Expedition against Quebec. — Check to the English army. — Battle on the Plains of Abraham. — Death of Wolf and Montcalm. — Quebec capi tulates. — Garrisoned by the English under the command of general Murray. — Attempt to recover Quebec — Battle near Sillery. — Quebec besieged by Monsieur Levi. — Siege raised. — Montreal capitulates. — War with the southern Indians. — Battle near the town of Etchop. — Grant defeats them and burns their towns. — Treaty with the Cherokees. — War with Spain. — Success of the English. — Peace. 311

Chapter XIII

Opinions on the supremacy of parliament, and its right to tax the colonies. — The stamp act. — Congress at New York. — Violence in the towns. — Change of administration. — Stamp act repealed. — Opposition to the mutiny act. — Act imposing duties on tea, &c. resisted in America. — Letters from the as- / sembly of Massachusetts to members of the administration. — Petition to the King. — Circular letter to the colonial assem blies. — Letter from the earl of H ill sbo rough. — Assembly of Massachusetts dissolved. — Seizure of the Sloop Liberty. — Convention at Fanueil Hall. — Moderation of its proceedings. — Two British regiments arrive at Boston. — Resolutions of

CONTENTS. xv

the house of Burgesses of Virginia. — Assembly dissolved. — The members form an association. — General measures against importation. — General court convened in Massachusetts. — Its proceedings. — Is prorogued. — Duties, except that on tea, repealed. — Circular letter of the earl of Hiilsborough. — New York recedes from the non-importation agreement in part.— Her example followed. — Riot in Boston. — Trial and acquittal of Captain Preston. Page 350

Chapter XIV

Insurrection in North Carolina.— Dissatisfaction of Massachu setts. — Corresponding committees. — Governor Hutchinson's correspondence communicated by Dr. Franklin. — The assem bly petition for his removal. — He is succeeded by general Gage. — Measures to enforce the act concerning duties. — Fer ment in America. — The tea thrown into the sea at Boston.— Measures of Parliament. — General enthusiasm in America. — A general congress proposed. — General Gage arrives.— Troops stationed on Boston neck. — New counsellors and judges. — Obliged to resign. — Boston neck fortified. — Military stores seized by general Gage. — Preparations for defence.— King's speech. — Proceedings of Parliament. — Battle of Lex ington. — Massachusetts raises men. — Meeting of Congress. — Proceedings of that body — Transactions in Virginia. — Provincial congress of South Carolina. — Battle of Breed's hill. V - 395 es

A HISTORY

OF THE

AMERICAN COLONIE

CHAPTER!.

Commission of Cabot. — His voyage to America. — Views of discovery relinquished by Henry VII. — Resumed by Elizabeth. — Letters patent to Sir Humphry Gilbert. — His voyages and death. — Pa tent to Sir Walter Raleigh. — Voyage of Sir Richard Grenville.— Colonists carried back to England by Drake. — Grenville arrives with other colonists. — They are left on Roanoke Island. — Are destroyed by the Indians. — Arrival of John White. — He re turns to England for succour. — Raleigh assigns his patent. — Patent to Sir Thomas Gates and others. —Code of laws for the proposed colony drawn up by the King.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ex-

tend, on the Atlantic, from the bay of Passamaquoddi in the the 45th, to cape Florida in the 25th, degree of north latitude, and thence, on the gulph of Mexico, in- B i eluding the small adjacent islands, to the mouth of the

Sabine, in the 17th degree of west longitude from Washington. From the mouth of the Sabine to the Rocky mountains, they are separated from Spanish America by a line which pursues an irregular north western direction to the 42d degree4 of north latitude, whence it proceeds west, to the Pacific. On the north they are bounded by the British provinces; from which, between the Lake of the Woods and the Rocky, or Stony mountains, they are separated by the 49th parallel of north latitude. Their northern boun dary, west of these mountains, has not yet been ad justed.

The extent of this vast Republic, in consequence of its recent acquisition of almost unexplored territory, has not yet been accurately ascertained ; but may be stated at two millions of square miles.

Its population, which began on the Atlantic, and is travelling rapidly westward, amounted in 1820, ac cording to the census of that year, to nine millions six hundred and fifty four thousand four hundred and fif teen persons. The enumerations which have been made under the authority of government, show an augmentation of numbers at the rate of about thirtyfour per centum* in ten years ; and it is probable, that for many years to come, this ratio will not be materi ally changed.

Public sentiment, to which the policy of the go-

* The general estimate in the United States is, that their population doubles in twenty-five years.

vernment conforms, is opposed to a large military es tablishment ; and the distance of the United States from the great powers of the world, protects them from the danger to which this policy might otherwise expose them.

The navy has become an object of great interest to the nation, and may be expected to grow with its re sources. In April 1816, Congrees passed an act ap propriating one million of dollars annually, to its gradu al increase ; and authorising the construction of nine ships, to rate not less than seventy-four guns each, and of twelve, to rate not less than forty-four guns each. The execution of this act is in rapid progress. In considerable as the navy now is, with respect to the number and force of its ships, it is deemed inferior to none in existence for the bravery and skill of its offi cers and men. When we take into view the exten sive sea coast of the United States, the magnificent lakes, or inland seas, which form a considerable part of their northern frontier, the abundance of their ma terials for ship building, and the genius of their popu lation for maritime enterprise, it is not easy to resist the conviction that this bulwark of defence will, at no very distant period, attain a size and strength sufficient to ensure the safety of the nation and the respect of the world.

The net revenue of the United States amounted, in the year 1822, to considerably more than twenty millions of dollars ; and, unless a course of legislation unfavourable to its augmentation be adopted, must grow with their population.

In arts, in arms, and in power, they have advanced, and are advancing, with unexampled rapidity.

The history of their progress, from the first feeble settlements made by Europeans on a savage coast, to their present state of greatness ; while it has just claims to the attention of the curious of all nations, may be expected deeply to interest every American.

Soon after the return of Columbus from that me morable voyage which opened the vast regions of the west to civilised man, the maritime states of Europe manifested a desire to share with Spain, the glory, the wealth, and the dominion to be acquired in the new world. By no one of these states, was this de sire carried into action more promptly than by Eng land. Henry VII. had received communications from Columbus, during the tedious and uncertain negotia tions of that great man, at the dilatory court of Ferdi nand, which prepared him for the important discove ries afterwards made, and inclined him to countenance the propositions of his own subjects for engaging in similar adventures. On the 5th of March 1495, he granted a commission to John Cabot, an enterprising bot. Venetian who had settled in Bristol, and to his three sons, Lewis, Sebastian, and Sanctius, empowering them, or either of them, to sail under the banner of England, towards the east, north, or west, in order to discover countries unoccupied by any Christian state, and to take possession of them in his name.

It does not appear that the expedition contemplated at the elate of this commission was prosecuted immediately : but in May 1496, Cabot, with his second son, Sebastian, sailed from Bristol in a small squadron, H« v°y?se

* lo America.

consisting of one ship furnished by the King, and four barks fitted out by merchants of that city ; and, steering almost due west, discovered the islands of Newfoundland and St. Johns, and, soon afterward, reached the continent of North America, along which he sailed from the fifty sixth to the thirty eighth de gree of north latitude, in the vain hope of discovering a passage into the Pacific.

Thus, according to the English historians, was first discovered that immense continent which stretches from the gulph of Mexico as far north as has yet been explored ; and to this voyage, the Eng lish trace t1 title to the country they afterwards ac quired by settlement, and by arms.

France, which has since contested with Britain the possession of a considerable portion of this important territory, has also advanced claims to its discovery ; but they seem not to be well founded.

The ardour which had been excited in the bosom The scheme

..... of making

of Henry for making acquisitions in the new world, settlements expired with this first effort. Cabot, on his return, ed. q found that monarch entirely disinclined to the farther prosecution of a scheme in which he had engaged with some zeal, the commencement of which had been attended with encouraging appearances.

Several causes are supposed to have contributed to suspend the pursuits of the English in America. Previous to its discovery, the Portuguese had explored the Azores, or Western Islands; in consequence of which they claimed this continent, and contended for the exclusion of the Spaniards from the Western Ocean. The controversy was decided by the Pope, who, on the 7th of May 1493, of his own " mere libe rality and certain knowledge, and the plenitude of apostolic authority," granted to Spain, the countries discovered or to be discovered by her, to the west ward of a line to be drawn from pole to pole, a hun dred leagues west of the Azores ; (excepting such countries as might be in the possession of any other Christian prince antecedent to the year 1493 ;) and to Portugal, her discoveries eastward of that line.

The validity of this grant was probably strength ened, in the opinion of Henry, by other circum stances. He set a high value on the friendship of the King of Spain, with whom he was then negotiating the marriage which afterwards took place between his eldest son and Catharine, the daughter of that monarch. Ferdinand was jealous to excess of all his rights ; and Henry was not inclined to interrupt the harmony subsisting between the two crowns, by as serting claims to the country discovered by Cabot, which was obviously within the limits to which the pretensions of Spain extended.

The fisheries of Newfoundland were carried on

by individuals, to a considerable extent, and a paltry

traffic was continued with the natives ; but no serious

Renewed design of acquiring territory, and planting colonies in

by^Ehza- Amerjca was formed until the reign of Elizabeth,

AMERICAN COLONIES.

when a plan for making permanent settlements was proposed and patronised by several persons of rank and influence. To select a man qualified for this ar duous task, and disposed to engage in it, was among the first objects to which their attention was directed. Sir Humphry Gilbert had rendered himself conspi cuous by his military services, and by a treatise con cerning the north-west passage, in which great inge nuity and learning, are stated by Dr. Robertson, to be mingled with the enthusiasm, the credulity, and sanguine expectation which incite men to new and hazardous undertakings. On this gentleman the ad venturers turned their eyes, and he was placed at the head of the enterprise. On the llth of June 1578, he obtained letters patent from the Queen, vesting in him the powers that were required ; on receiving which, he, with the associates of his voyage, embark ed for America. But his success did not equal his expectations. The various difficulties inseparable from the settlement of a distant, unexplored country, inhabited only by savages ; the inadequacy of the supplies which could be furnished for a colony by the funds of a few private individuals ; the misfortune of having approached the continent too far towards the north, where the cold barren coast of cape Breton was rather calculated to repel than invite a settle ment; have been assigned as the probable causes of his failure.*

* Robertson. Chalmer.

HISTORY OF THK

Two expeditions conducted by this gentleman ended disastrously. In the last, he himself perished ; having done nothing farther in the execution of his patent, than taking possession of the island of New foundland, in the name of Elizabeth.

Sir Walter Raleigh, alike distinguished by his ge nius, his courage, and the severity of his fate, had been deeply interested in the adventures in which his half brother, Sir Humphry Gilbert, had wasted his fortune, and was not deterred by their failure, or by the dif ficulties attending such an enterprise, from prosecut ing with vigour, a plan so well calculated to captivate his bold and romantic temper. 1584 On the 26th of March, he obtained a patent from

.Patent to

sir Waiter the Queen ; and, on the 27th of April, dispatched two small vessels under the command of captains Amidas and Barlow for the purpose of visiting the country, and of acquiring some previous knowledge of those . circumstances which might be essential to the wel fare of the colony he was about to plant. To avoid the error of Gilbert in holding too far north, Amidas and Barlow took the route by the Canaries, and the West India islands, and approached the North Ame rican continent towards the gulph of Florida. On the 2d of July, they touched at a small island situate on the inlet into Pamplico sound, whence they pro ceeded to Roanoke, near the mouth of Albemarle sound.

After employing a few weeks in traffic with the In dians, from whom they collected some confused accounts respecting the neighbouring continent, they took with them two of the natives, who willingly ac companied them, and embarked for England, where they arrived on the 15th of September. The splen did description which they gave of the soil, the cli mate, and the productions of the country they had visited, so pleased Elizabeth, that she bestowed on it the name of Virginia, as a memorial that it had been discovered during the reign of a virgin Queen.* Ra leigh, encouraged by their report to hasten his prepa rations for taking possession of the property, fitted out a squadron consisting of seven small ships, laden with arms, ammunition, provisions, and passengers, which sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of April, under the l585 command of Sir Richard Grenville, who was his re- Voyage of

Sir Richard lation, and interested with him in the patent. Having G taken the southern route, and wasted some time in cruising against the Spaniards, Sir Richard did not reach the coast of North America, until the close of the month of June. He touched at both the islands on which Amidas and Barlow had landed, and made some excursions into different parts of the continent around Pamplico, and Albemarle sounds.

Having established a colony, consisting of one hun- First coio dred and eight persons, in the island of Roanoke, an "y incommodious station, without any safe harbour, he committed the government of it to Mr. Ralph Lane; and, on the 25th of August, sailed for England.f

* Rebertstin. Chalmer. Stith. t Ibid,

c

An insatiate passion for gold, attended by an eager desire to find it in the bowels of the earth, for a long time the disease of Europeans in America, became the scourge of this feeble settlement. The English flattered themselves that the country they had disco vered could not be destitute of those mines of the pre cious metals with which Spanish America abounded. The most diligent researches were made in quest of them; and the infatuating hope of finding them stimu lated the colonists to the utmost exertions of which they were capable. The Indians soon discerned the object for which they searched with so much avidity, and amused them with tales of rich mines in countries they had not yet explored. Seduced by this infor mation, they encountered incredible hardships, and, in this vain search wasted that time which ought to have been employed in providing the means of future sub sistence. Mutual suspicion and disgust between them and the natives ripened into open hostility ; and, the provisions brought from England being exhausted, they were under the necessity of resorting for food to the precarious supplies which could be drawn from the rivers and woods. In this state of distress, they 1586 were found, in June, by Sir Francis Drake, who was then returning from a successful expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies. He agreed to sup ply them with about one hundred men, four months provisions, and a small vessel ; but, before she could be brought into a place of security, and the men and stores disembarked, she was driven out to sea by a sudden and violent storm. Discouraged by this mis fortune, and worn out with fatigue and famine, the c^onwts colonists unanimously determined to abandon the co- back to