First Attempt
![Picture](/uploads/9/7/1/7/9717579/1322690325.png)
Image of Sir Walter Raleigh retrieved from:
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/uploads/pics/Raleigh.jpg
Map of First settlements on the coast of North America. Obtained from: http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/maps/settlements/
It is important to first look at some background information in
order to clearly see what happened leading up to the disappearance of The Lost
Colonists. The area that was to be settled by the English had long since been
inhabited by the Native Americans. The Native Americans had a long history in
the lands where they had built villages and had means of farming and hunting.
There were many tribes and villages, or communities, spread across the area and
these tribes had contact with each other; participating in trading of goods.
When the colonization in America began, the colonists came in contact with these
Indians who had built a life in the lands of what was to become America. It is
important to know that the colonists were surrounded by others who had a strong
relationship with the land that they inhabited (Quinn, 1984).
At the start of the journey to America, Sir Walter Raleigh, being in great favor to Queen Elizabeth, was presented with a patent in order to colonize in America (Kupperman, 1984). On March 25, 1584, Queen Elizabeth presents her charter to Sir Walter Raleigh
giving him full control over the land and colonies to be discovered:
Knowe yee that of our especial grace, certaine science, and meere motion.
. . . we give and graunt to our trustie and welbeloved servant Walter Ralegh,
Esquire, and to his heires assignes for ever, free libertie and licence from
time to time, and at all times for ever hereafter, to discover, search, finde
out, and view such remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countries, and
territories, not actually possessed of any Christian Prince, nor inhabited by
Christian People…thereto or thereabouts both by sea and land, whatsoever we by
our letters patent may graunt. . . . and the said Walter Ralegh, his heires and
assignes. . . . shall goe or travaile thither to inhabite or remaine, there to
build and fortifie, at the discretion of the said Walter Ralegh, . . .(Queen
Elizabeth, 2010, “From Revolution to Reconstruction,” para. 2).
Raleigh was a survivor of war and an educated man. The original
reason for colonization, in Raleigh’s mind, was to keep up with the Spanish and
to set up a base for privateering (Kupperman, 1984). In 1584, two men, Philip
Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, went over to investigate a site for colonization
(Quinn, 1973). Here they made the first English possession in America, and
discovered the area which would be called Roanoke. Other areas had already been
settled by the Spanish about 300 miles away from the English (Durant, 1981). The
men described this land as a new “Garden of Eden” (Durant, 1981, p. 13). This
first journey was merely to assess the land and its inhabitants. The men of this
voyage quickly formed relationships with the surrounding Algonkian Indians. The
first meeting seemed to be peaceful as the Indians had to be careful for they
had seen people come onto their land before. The Roanoke Indians and the Iroqoi
Indians were also nearby. The Roanoke Indians sent over a messenger to the
English settlers and the two parties began trading. During this time they also
discovered Indians who were not as friendly, known as The Chesapeake Bay
Indians. These Natives had every right to be weary of the settlers because they
had previous harsh encounters with the Spanish. On this trip, the English
brought back two Natives, Manteo and Wanchese. Manteo would prove to be a
valuable asset in later years to come. On their return, they presented the
found area as a wonderful place to settle and started a plan for the next
voyage (Durant, 1984).
![Picture](/uploads/9/7/1/7/9717579/1322620229.png)
Image of Queen Elizabeth Retrieved from:
http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003/elizabeth01b.jpg. Painting of an Algonkian Indian Village. Based off of one of John White's paintings. Very much like one that would exist on Roanoke Obtained from: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2007/09/indian_village_of_pomeiooc.jpg