CHAPTER II.

NORTH-CAROLINA.

DISCOVERY-ORIGIN OF ITS NAME-RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE COLONY.

We have noticed in the preceding chapter, the discovery of Virginia, the origin of its name, and the rise and progress of the colony, down to the dissolution of their charter under King James I. in 1624. We have also noticed the discovery of Florida, by Ponce de Leon; the origin of its name, and the attempts made to settle it. A singular anecdote that led to this discovery, as related by Dr. Williamson, in his ingenious History of North-Carolina, may not be uninteresting.

"Florida, (says Dr. Williamson,) was discovered in the year 1502, by an accident that would be classed among the fables, not with correct history, if the foibles and follies of men, did not compel us to believe many other stories, equally at variance with nature and sense. The diligent and persevering research after the philosopher's stone,* had long been the opprobium of chemistry; and many a visionary, at this hour, continues in chase of the perpetual motion, a thing impossible in nature.

"It had been reported, a few years after the discovery of America, that there was a fountain in Bimini, one of the Bahama Islands, that had the marvellous and happy power of restoring youth and vigour to aged persons, who should bathe in its waters. Jean Ponce de Leon, a wealthy, but aged inhabitant of Porto Rico, believed the story, and sailed in quest of the grand restorative. Stretching to the westward, he discovered land, in March, the sabbath before

*This was supposed to turn all that it touched, into Gold.

Easter, which the Spaniards call Pargua de Flores; for which reason he called the country Florida. Ponce de Leon dipped himself in every stream, or fountain that he saw; no Bramin or Mahomedan could match him in ablutions; but he returned an older man. Failing in his attempts to recover youth, he resolved to increase his wealth at the expence of the natives. For this purpose be obtain. ed a commission to explore and conquer, and in 1513, he entered upon the coast of Florida with a body of men, and began a settlement, as has already been noticed, which laid the foundation to the claims of Spain."

This anecdote goes to shew, not only the disposition of that age to ascribe to the new world, every description of the marvellous; but also to shew the high degree of credulity that prevailed, and their combined effects in producing a spirit of adventure.

We have noticed also, in our last chapter, the adventures and discovery of the coast between Florida and Virginia, by Ribault, under the patronage of Chattillon, Admiral of France; his discovery of the River St. Mary's, now the southern boundary of the United States. We have also noticed the further discoveries upon this coast the next year, by Laudonnier, and the name he gave to the country, in honour of his master, Charles IX. king of France, and called it Carolina, 1563.

The successive adventures upon this coast have all been noticed under Virginia, because this whole coast was then known only by that name to the English.

Before we enter upon a detail of the adventures that awaited the first settlers of North-Carolina, we will notice one more anecdote related by Dr. Williamson, in the first discovery of the coast. Speaking of the adventures of Sir Walter Raleigh upon this coast, in the year 1684, he says, "They landed at the mouth of an inlet, which they

took for a river, and returning thanks to God, they took possession of the country for Queen Elizabeth. The land was sandy; but every tree and shrub was loaded with grapes, and the low ground was covered with tall cedars. They soon discovered that they were upon an island about twenty miles long, which the Indians called Wockocken. On the third day after their arrival, three of the natives appeared, for the first time, on the beach, and received some presents. On the following day, forty or fifty Indians approached the ships. They left their canoes at a small dis. tance, in the cove, and presented themselves on the beach. Granganimo, the sachem, was amongst those Indians; his rank appeared by his deportment; he took his seat upon a long mat; and four of his chief men seated themselves upon the other end of the mat; the rest of the Indians stood at a respectful distance. The masters of the ships landed with some of their people in arms. The prince made them signs to seat themselves near him. He then touched his head and breast, and then touched theirs, to signify his desire of mutual confidence and friendship; and at the same time made a long speech, which they wished in vain to understand. They gave him sundry presents, which he thankfully received; and they gave presents to his officers, who attended him; but the prince took the whole to himself. The next day a profitable trade was opened with the natives; twenty skins, to the value of twenty crowns, were received for a tin dish, and other articles in proportion, &c. After a few days, Granganimo introduced his wife and children: she was ornamented with strings of pearls; and wore a cloak and apron of skius, dressed in the fur. When the ships had been some time at their anchorage, one of the captains, with seven or eight of the adventurers, proceeded in a boat towards Roanoke Island, where they arrived the next day. On the north end of the island was a small town, consisting of eight or ten houses, built of

cedar, and surrounded with pallisadoes, for defence against an enemy. Granganimo lived in that town; he was not at home; but the untaught civility of his wife left the сарtain and his company nothing to desire. She ordered her people to carry them ashore on their backs. Their boat was drawn up, and their oars secured. She placed her guests by the fire to dry their clothes; for it was rainy. Some of her women washed their stockings, and others washed their feet. Their clothes being dry, she conducted them into another apartment, and gave them a plentiful dinner, consisting of roasted venison, hommony, fish, mellons, and sundry fruits. They used earthen pots, and wooden dishes. While the strangers were at dinner, two Indians entered the house with their bows and arrows; the white men looked at their arms. The princess did not further remonstrance. The Indians were turned

want any
out, and their bows were broken.

She intreated her

guests to stay all night in the Palace; but they launched their boat, and dropped a grapnel at some distance from the shore. She observed, with marks of grief, that she had not gained their confidence; but she pressed them no further. Their supper was sent to the boat, and they were supplied with mats, as a defence from the rain; thirty or forty men and women were directed to watch near them all night on the beach."

"The particulars of this visit have been detailed, because the conduct of that woman is a correct portrait of the female character, and a specimen of that attention, which the stranger and the afflicted may expect to receive from woman in any part of the world."

These strangers, at their departure, took on board two natives, and carried them to England, where one of them learnt the English language, and became a useful interpreter. The friendship of Mantineo, continued faithful to the English to his death.

In 1585, a squadron of seven ships sailed from England, for the coast of Virginia, under the command of Captain Ralph Lane and Sir Richard Grenville, as was noticed under Virginia. This squadron reached the coast, and anchored without the bar, at Wockocken, on the 26th of July. They immediately began to explore the coast in their boats, and crossing the sound, dicovered an Indian settlement, near to the mouth of Pamlico River, and another near the mouth of the Neus, and from thence they directed their course to Socotan, (near to where Beaufort now stands,) where they were cordially received by Wingina, brother of Granganimo, and from thence they returned to Aquascosack, (an Indian settlement on the Neus,) to demand a silver cup that had been stolen upon a former voyage. The Indians conscious of guilt, and apprehensive of danger, fled to the woods, and left their village at the mercy of the English. These merciless adventurers, to revenge the loss of one single silver cup, set fire to the village, and reduced it to ashes.

This wanton abuse of power, sowed the seeds of future judgments and calamities, and kindled in the breasts of the savages a spirit of revenge, which none but a savage ought to feel, and which even a savage ought not to harbour, much less execute. The experience of ages, should have taught such men as Captain Lane and Sir Richard Grenville, not to have wantonly kindled a savage fire, which nothing but savage revenge could ever extinguish ; but they were blind to all former example, and deaf to nature's, remonstrances. Soon after this event the ships began to return to England, and in the month of August, Sir Richard returned himself. The lading they obtained for a return voyage, was red ceder, sasafras, and peltry. Governor Lane continued at the head of this little colony, who were settled down upon Roanoke Island, where they remained remarkably healthy through the season.