The 1587 Voyages

It was not originally intended that John White’s colony of 1587 should supersede that on Roanoke Island, but should supplement it with a second—and different—settlement further north. Raleigh had, it will be realized, a vast field for initiative along the North American coast. Gilbert, in similar circumstances, handed out paper grants of land-rights to anyone who could pay him something. ² Raleigh had, with Lane’s colony of 1585 and Grenville’s reinforcement of 1586, taken direct responsibility for establishing on Roanoke Island a paid garrison to maintain a privateering base. Now, with Grenville away on his second venture and with Lane’s reports before him, Raleigh, in the latter part of 1586, was able to take stock of the position. Roanoke Island was still his responsibility, though he could not forecast how Grenville would fail to decide squarely between abandonment and an adequate garrison. John White was one of those who had returned from Virginia optimistic and not discouraged. Lane had suggested that the best hope lay in the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay, where White may well have been. ³