Shortly after the commencement of the shameful traffic in the blood and bones of men—­the destiny and chastity of women by Captain Hawkins, and what was termed England’s “Virgin Queen”; Elizabeth gave a license to Sir Walter Raleigh, to search for uninhabited lands, and seize upon all uninhabited by Christians.  Sir Walter discovered the coast of North Carolina and Virginia, assigning the name of “Virginia” to the whole coast now composing the old state.  A feeble colony was settled here, which did not avail, and it was not until the month of April, 1607, that the first permanent settlement was made in Virginia, under the patronage of letters patent from James I, King of England, to Thomas Gates and his associates.

This was the first settling of North America, and thirteen years anterior to the landing of the Pilgrims.

“No permanent settlement was effected in what is now called the United States, till the reign of James the First.”—­Ramsay’s Hist.  U.S., vol.  I., p. 38.

“The month of April, 1607, is the epoch of the first permanent settlement on the coast of Virginia; the name then given to all that extent of country which forms thirteen States.”—­Ibid., p. 39.  The whole coast of the country was now explored, not for the purpose of trade and agriculture—­because there were no products in the country—­the natives not producing sufficient provisions to supply present wants, and, consequently, nothing to trade for; but like the speculations of their Spanish and Portuguese predecessors, on the islands and in South America, but for that of mining gold.  Trade and the cultivation of the soil was foreign to their designs and intention on coming to the continent of the new world, and they were consequently, disappointed when failing of success.  “At a time when the precious metals were conceived to be the peculiar and only valuable productions of the new world, when every mountain was supposed to contain a treasure, and every rivulet was searched for its golden sands, this appearance was fondly considered as an infallible indication of the mine.  Every hand was eager to dig."...

“There was now,” says Smith, “no talk, no hope, no work; but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold.  With this imaginary wealth, the first vessel returning to England was loaded, while the culture of the land, and every useful occupation was totally neglected."...

The colonists, thus left, were in miserable circumstances for want of provisions.  The remainder of what they had brought with them, was so small in quantity, as to be soon expended—­and so damaged in the course of a long voyage, as to be a source of disease....  In their expectation of getting gold, the people were disappointed, the glittering substance they had sent to England, proving to be a valueless mineral.  “Smith, on his return to Jamestown, found the colony reduced to thirty-eight persons, who, in despair, were preparing to abandon the country.