Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/46

16 INTRODUCTION. chap. i. them and the natives, which had been easily 1585. generated, began to show themselves in open hostility ; and, the provisions brought from England being exhausted, the former were under the necessity of resorting for food, to the precarious supplies afforded by the rivers and woods. In this state of distress they were, on the first of June, found by sir Francis Drake, 1586. who was then returning from a successful expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies. He agreed to supply them with about a hundred men, four months provision, and a small vessel; but, before she could be placed in a state of security, this scheme was defeated by a sudden and violent storm which forced out to sea, among many other ships, that which had on board the men and provisions destined for the colony. Discouraged by this colonists misfortune, and worn out with fatigue and fa- to England mine, they unanimously determined to abandon by Drake. ' J J the country; and, at their own request, were taken on board the fleet, which, on the 19th of June, sailed for England. 11 Thus terminated the first English colony planted in America. The only acquisition made by this expensive experiment, was a better knowledge of the country and its inhabitants. A few days after the departure of Drake with Lane and his associates, a small vessel which n Robertson. ...Chalmcr....Stit/i.