108 OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



ketches ; and sucli are Currituck, Ronoak, and up 

 tlie sound above Hatteras ; whilst others can re- 

 ceive ships of burden, as Ocacock, Topsail Inlet, 

 and Cape Fair, as appears by my chart. 



The first discovery and settlement of this coun- 

 try was by the procurement of Sir Walter Ea- 

 leigh, in conjunction with some public spirited 

 gentlemen of that age, under the protection of 

 queen Elizabeth ; for which reason it was then 

 named Virginia, being begun on that part called 

 Bonoak Island, where the ruins of a fort are to be 

 seen at this day, as well as some old English coins 

 which have been lately found ; and a brass gun, 

 a powder horn, and one small quarter-deck gun, 

 made of iron staves, and hooped with the same 

 metal ; which method of making guns might ve- 

 ry probably be made use of in those days for the 

 convenience of infant colonies. 



A farther confirmation of this we have from the 

 Hatteras Indians, who either then lived on Ro- 

 noack island or much frequented it. These tell 

 us that several of their ancestors were white peo- 

 ple and could talk in a book as we do ; the truth 

 of which is confirmed by gray eyes being found 

 frequently amongst these Indians and no others. 

 They value themselves extremely for their affinity 

 to the English, and are ready to do them all friend- 

 ly offices. It is probable that this settlement mis- 

 carried for want of timely supplies from England ; 

 or through the treachery of the natives, for we may 

 reasonably suppose that the English were forced 



