SIR HUMPHREY GILBERT. 27 



from yce ; with who you shall leave a sufficient prepara- 

 tion of victualls and weapons, and also a pynnas, with 

 a carpenter, and thyngs necessarie, so well as may be." 



Sir Humphrey Gilbert's expedition to colonize New- 

 foundland soon followed. This naval commander was 

 distinguished for his intellectual acquirements, his 

 courage, and bold actions. He was nearly related to 

 Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1518, he obtained full power 

 from Queen Elizabeth to undertake a voyage of discov- 

 ery on the continent of America, and to settle such 

 parts as no Christian prince or his subjects could claim 

 from previous possession. A discourse, written by him, 

 and creditable to his talents, upon the practicability of 

 a north-west passage, is extant in Hakluyt. 



In 1583, Sir Humphrey left England, on his second 

 voyage, with five ships, sailing out of Plymouth Sound 

 on the llth of June. On the 30th, four vessels 

 were in sight of Newfoundland ; one of the ships, com- 

 manded by Captain Butler, and the property of Sir 

 Walter, then Mr. Raleigh", having returned home on 

 account of a contagious disorder breaking out on board. 

 On the 3d of August they landed in Newfoundland, 

 and took possession of the harbor of St. John's, in the 

 name of the Queen of England. A discovery was made 

 at the same time of a supposed silver-mine, by a Saxon 

 miner, brought out on purpose in the squadron. The 

 vessels remaining with Sir Humphrey at this time were 

 the Delight, Golden Hinde, Swallow, and Squirrel. The 

 largest vessel was but one hundred and twenty tons, 

 while the smallest was only ten. The Swallow was 

 sent home with the sick. Sir Humphrey then embarked 

 in the Squirrel, of ten tons. 



Sir Humphrey left the harbor of St. John's on 

 the 20th of August. On the 27th, he was in lati- 

 tude 44, with fair weather. On the 29th a storm 



