In the course of an exceedingly interesting article on the early settlements in America, R. K. Browne, formerly editor and proprietor of the San Francisco Evening Journal, says:—
“Many people seem to think that the Pilgrim Fathers were the first who settled upon our shores, and therefore that they ought to be entitled, in a particular manner, to our remembrance and esteem.
“This is not the case, and we herewith present to our readers a list of settlements made in the present United States, prior to that of Plymouth:
1564. A Colony of French Protestants under Ribault settled in Florida.
1565. St. Augustine[8] founded by Pedro Melendez.
1584. Sir Walter Raleigh obtains a patent and sends two vessels to the American coast, which receives the name of Virginia.
1607. The first effectual settlement made at Jamestown, Va., by the London Company.
1614. A fort erected by the Dutch upon the site of New-York.
1615. Fort Orange built near the site of Albany, N. Y.
1619. The first General Assembly called in Virginia.