necessity of his bringing the Southern coast within the scope of his patent by actual colonization, compelled him to extend his explorations in that direction. The ore dug up was carefully stored away in one of the ships of his fleet. This discovery of metal altered the opinion which he had entertained of the northern parts of America. He had previously regarded it with indifference; he now, refused to make any large grants of territory in that region, although he was warmly urged to do so. He reserved Newfoundland for himself, affirming that this voyage “had won his heart from the South and that he was now become a Northern man altogether.” There were few more pathetic spectacles in the sixteenth century than Sir Humphrey Gilbert, upheld in the stormy voyage which was his last and comforted for the interruption of his scheme of colonization, by the feeling of certainty that news of the mine would induce the Queen to lend him ten thousand pounds to equip a fleet to set out for America in the spring.[1]
The eagerness shown by the earliest promoters of colonization to discover gold mines in the countries which they claimed under the authority of their letters patent was not due entirely to an expectation on their part that they would be exclusive possessors of such sources of immense wealth. The enterprises of both Gilbert and Raleigh required the support of a large number of adventurers to arrive at a successful consummation. Gilbert sought and obtained the coöperation of others very soon after he received his letters patent, and Raleigh was forced in the end to procure the assistance of English merchants.[2] Carlile spoke correctly when he said that
