The Court and the Queen were alike
enlisted, and looked to this discovery as one of the brightest spots in
her lustrous reign.
For a land so distinguished in natural charms, and to which England
designed to devote the expanding energies of her people, a name was to
be found worthy of future love. The Queen selected "Virginia," and none
can deplore the graceful choice. She remembered her own unmarried state;
and connecting, it may be, with this the virgin purity which yet seemed
to linger amid this favored region, she bestowed a name which has since
interwoven itself with the most sensitive chords of a million hearts.
Raleigh had now obtained the honor of knighthood and a seat in
parliament; and deriving from this lucrative monopoly means for further
effort, he made diligent preparation for despatching another fleet to
Virginia. The second expedition consisted of seven vessels, large and
small; and that gallant spirit, Sir Richard Grenville, himself was at
its head. The war with Spain was now in progress, and the richly laden
vessel from South America and the West Indies offered tempting prizes to
English bravery. Sir Richard sailed from Plymouth, April 9, passed the
Canaries and West Indies, captured two Spanish ships, ran imminent
hazard of being wrecked on the dangerous headland now known as Cape
Fear, and reached Wocpcon on June 26th.
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