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[103] It had been despatched by Raleigh; but finding ‘the
Chap. III.} 1586
paradise of the world’ deserted, it could only return to England. Another fortnight had hardly elapsed, when Sir Richard Grenville appeared off the coast with three well-furnished ships, and renewed the vain search for the departed colony. Unwilling that the English should lose possession of the country, he left fifteen men on the Island of Roanoke, to be the guardians of English rights.1

Raleigh was not dismayed by ill success, nor borne

1587
down by losses. The enthusiasm of the people of England was diminished by the reports of the unsuccessful company of Lane; but the decisive testimony of Harlot to the excellence of the country still rendered it easy to collect a new colony for America. The wisdom of Raleigh was particularly displayed in the policy which he now adopted. He determined to plant an agricultural state; to send emigrants with wives and families, who should at once make their homes in the New World; and, that life and property
Jan 7.
might be secured, he granted a charter of incorporation for the settlement, and established a municipal government for ‘the city of Raleigh.’ John White was appointed its governor; and to him, with eleven assistants, the administration of the colony was intrusted. A fleet of transport ships was prepared at the expense of the proprietary; ‘Queen Elizabeth, the godmother of Virginia,’ declined contributing ‘to its education.’ The company, as it embarked, was cheered by the
April 26.
presence of women; and an ample provision of the implements of husbandry gave a pledge for successful industry. In July, they arrived on the coast of North

1 Hakluyt, III. 323. Stith, 22, and Belknap, i. 217, say fifty men, erroneously. Smith, i. 99, began the error.

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