ABSTRACT
This was the first permanent colony on the Virginian coast, and was established on the north side of the River Powhatan, or James River, about forty miles from its mouth.
On the 24th of March, Mr. Robert Harcourt sailed from Dartmouth, in the Rose, in company with the Patience and Lilly, having on board ninety-seven men, whereof sixty were landsmen, for the river Wiapoco, in Guiana. They touched at the Canaries, and on the 9th of May got into the current of the River of Amazons. On the night of the 11th the Patience anchored in two and a half fathoms water upon the flood, which fell from her upon the ebb, and left her upon the ooze; the next flood shook her so much, that she was with difficulty saved with the loss of her rudder. They then coasted along to the N.N.W. "the land so trending." In lat. 2° 30', they anchored in Carripapoory Bay; and on the 17th of May, anchored in the Bay of Wiapoco. The Indians brought off refreshments, and were rejoiced to see their countrymen, Canabre and Martin, whom they supposed were dead. Canabre had lived fourteen years in England; the other had been absent four years. Some of the Indians were dressed in old clothes, which they got from the ships that, by the direction of Sir Walter Raleigh, had traded there the year before. Mr. Harcourt explained to them why Sir Walter Raleigh did not return as he had promised; that he had sent Captain Keymis; that Queen Elizabeth was dead, and King James had succeeded her; and that they were come to settle there, to defend them from the Caribs. After some consultation, the Indians answered they were content it should be so, and they would furnish houses and necessaries in the best manner they could.
