Early English Colonies in Trinidad. 379 



that he believed they were in distresses, assured them 

 that he had found upon mature consideracion, that he 

 could not mainetaine a trade without apparent hazzard 

 of his life and fortune, upon wch. those ships sayled from 

 Trinidad^ back for the Granadas where they found their 

 colony, the greatest part destroyed : those few that re- 

 mayned they tooke wth. them for England, and the 15th 

 day of December, i6og, they arrived in England to ye 

 greac dissattisfaction of their employers, who would (not?) 

 embarque any more, on soe advantageous a designe 

 wherein they had once miscarried, wch. are the reasons 

 rendered by Mr. GODFREY in his own writing, (one of the 

 undertakers) which he hath left unto posterity." 



26. Robert Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt in 

 Oxfordshire, an English gentleman, had a Patent from 

 King James I, to establish a Plantation in Guiana.* 

 In i6og, this descendant of ' noble, nay Royal ancestors,' 

 called at Trinidad, on his return to England. In his 



* In the Bodleian Library, Oxford, is preserved the letter of which 

 the following is a copy (Tanner MS., LXXI. 1S4J 



To his honoured friend Sir Henry Spelman, Knt., These. 

 Worthy Sir, — It will much concern my brother Sr. Simon Harcourt at a 

 trial wh. he shall have shortly at Stafford Sizes, to make good proof 

 of my father's death in Guiana. We have already to that purpose 

 Captain King his oath, who was there at ye time of his death, but to 

 strengthen that proof, our request to you is that you would be pleased, 

 to certifie under your hands to this bearer, Mr. Astley, what yourself and 

 the Companie have heard and verily believe, concerninge his death ; 

 and for this favour I shall ever be ready to acknowledge, and to my 

 power to expresse myself, — Your Servant at your Commande. 



Fr. Harcourt. 

 Mid. Temple, Feb. 27, 1632. 



The deceased was probably Michael Harcourt, younger brother of 

 Simon. Michael was a fellow-colonist with his elder brother in 1609, 

 in Guiana. In i6i8, he was a Captain in Sir W. Raleigh's Expedition. 



