1584, as appears by the following entry in the Lords' Journal, volume
ii, page 76. ' Hodie allatae sicut a Dome Communi 4 Billae; _Prima,_ For
the Confirmation of the Queen's Majesty's Letters Patents, granted to
Walter Raughlieghe, Esquire, touching the Discovery and Inhabiting of
certain Foreign Lands and Countries, quae ia _vice_ lecta est.' It does
not appear precisely at what date the Bill received the Queen's
signature, but probably as early as Christmas or New Year.

Having now early in 1585 secured the Confirmation of this much coveted
patent which liberally permitted him in the name and under the aegis of
England to plant a ' colonie' and found an English empire in the New
World at his own expense of money, men, and enterprise; having pocketed
the geographical results and valuable experience of the French in
Florida and Canada; having vainly attempted a visit to Newfoundland in
1578, and having succeeded to the rights and privileges of his noble
half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert; having received by the return in
September of his two reconnoitring barks favorable reports as to the
properest place to begin his Western Planting in Wingandacoa ; and being
thoroughly supported by the good wishes and hearty co-operation of the
Queen and many of her prominent and influential subjects, Raleigh rose
superior to all jealousies and opposition.

This lasted as usual just so long as he was successful and no longer.
But he was blessed in his household, or at his table, or in his
confidence, with four sterling adherents who stuck to him through thick
and thin, through prosperity and adversity. These were Richard Hakluyt,
Jaques Le Moyne, John White and Thomas Hariot. When Wingandacoa makes up
her jewels she will not forget these Four, whom it is just to call
Raleigh's Magi.