PART II.
Chap. I.
Of the English Settlements in Virginia.
The first Discovery made for the English in North-America, was in the Year 1584, (a hundred and forty Years ago) by Captain Philip Amidas, and Captain Arthur Barlow, by the Protection and Encouragement of Queen Elizabeth; with the Persuasion and Direction of Sir Walter Raleigh.
They anchored at Roenoak Inlet, now belonging to the Government of North Carolina, and from the Virgin Queen, and the apparent Purity of the Indians, and primitive Plenty of the Place, that new discover'd Part of the World was named Virginia.
After that, Sir Richard Greenvile, Sir Francis Drake, and Sir Walter Raleigh carried on the Project, and made Advancements in it, with the Leave of the Government; which were promoted and continued by the Merchants of London, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth; with Variety of Accidents, Successes and Disappointments in Respect of their Trade and Possessions, and War and Peace with the Indians; especially under the Conduct of Captain Smith, who was employed by the Company of Merchants incorporated by King James I. in 1606; and has written a large History of his particular Transactions.
They then fixed chiefly at, and near James Town, on a small Island in James River, till the Year 1609, when they sent out Settlements to Nansemond, Powhatan, and the Year after to Kiquotan.