to Virginia in April 1587 as Governor of Raleigh's' Second Colonie,'
consisting of one hundred and fifty persons in three ships, being the
fourth expedition. Raleigh appointed to him twelve assistants 'to whome
he gave a Charter, and incorporated them by the name of Governour and
Assistants of the Citie of Raleigh in Virginia,' intended to be founded
on the Chesapeake Bay. It never became more than a ' paper city.'

This Second Colony landed at Roanoke the 20th of July, but finding
themselves disappointed and defeated in all points, the colonists joined
in urging the Governor to return to England for supplies and
instructions. He reluctantly departed the 27th of August from Roanoke,
leaving there his daughter, who was the mother of the first child of
English parents born in English North America, Virginia Dare. He
intended immediately to return to Virginia with relief, but the
embarrassments of Raleigh, the
stirring times, and the ' Spanish Armada' defeated Sir Walter and
frustrated all his plans.

On the 20th of November 1587 Governor White having reached home apprised
Raleigh of the circumstances and requirements of the Colony. Sir Walter
at once ' appointed a pinnesse to be sent thither with all such
necessaries as he vnderstood they stood in neede of,' and also 'wrote
his letters vnto them, wherein among other matters he comforted them
with promise, that with all conuenient speede he would prepare a good
supply of shipping and men with sufficience of all thinges needefull,
which he intended, God willing, should be with them the Sommer
following.' This promised fleet was got ready in the harbor of Bideford
under the personal care and supervision of Sir Richard Grenville, and
waited only for a fair wind to put to sea. Then came news of the
proposed invasion of England by Philip King of Spain with his '