HISTORICAL SKETCH. 427 



the lawful possession of the New World ; and it may be said 

 that she was mistress of the continent from Mexico down to 

 Chili. The other nations being jealous of her dominion and 

 covetous of her great riches, privateers — French, English, and 

 Dutch — were suffered to organise a regular warfare against her 

 commerce ; and whenever Spain was at war with any foreign 

 country, they joined in attacking her merchant navy at sea and 

 her dependencies on land. 



More intimately connected with the history of Trinidad, at 

 this period, are the two expeditions of Sir Walter Raleigh in 

 search of the Dorado. It was in the year 1594 that he preluded 

 his expedition by sending Captain Widdhon to Trinidad, with 

 the object of getting information respecting the Dorado. It 

 seems that, whilst anchored off Port-of- Spain, a party of English 

 ventured out in the neighbourhood, but were never seen again. 

 The probability is that they were killed by the Spaniards, or at 

 their instigation. 



On the 22nd of March, 1595, Sir Walter Raleigh arrived at 

 Trinidad, and anchored in the Gulf. He was well received by 

 the Spaniards, which did not deter him from entering into 

 relation with the Indians, from whom he received full informa- 

 tion respecting the small number of men in the island, the town 

 of San Jose, where de Berrio was then staying, and directions 

 for reaching the capital. De Berrio, who had reason to suspect 

 the intentions of the English, had sent messages to the Governors 

 of Margarita and Cumana asking for assistance. On the other 

 hand, Sir Walter Raleigh, who had found ready concurrence 

 among the caciques, or chiefs of the Indians, decided on attacking 

 de Berrio and his town. As related by him, " taking a time of 

 much advantage, he set upon the Corps de Garde, Port-of- Spain, 

 in the evening, and having put the soldiers to the sword, he sent 

 Captain Culfield onward with sixty men, and soon followed with 

 forty more, to the attack of San Jose de Orufia. The city was 

 taken at daybreak, and set on fire at the request of the Indians. 

 Don Antonio de Berrio fought bravely at the head of his men, 

 but was made prisoner.-" Sir Walter then returned to Puerto de 

 los Hispanioles, bringing with him de Berrio and one of his 

 lieutenants as prisoners. 



Raleigh then set off on his expedition to the Dorado, taking 

 de Berrio with him ; the Governor was, however, released when 



