Capt.  John White’s name in the annals of English art is destined to rank high, though it has hitherto failed to be recorded in the art histories and dictionaries.  Yet his seventy-six original paintings in water-colours done probably in Virginia in 1585-1586 while he was there with Hariot as the official draughtsman or painter of Raleigh’s ’ First Colonie’ entitle him to prominence among English artists in Elizabeth’s reign.  There are some other works of his in the Manuscript department mingled with those of his friend and master Le Moyne.

As Raleigh’s friend and agent White’s name deserves honorable mention in the history of ‘Ould Virginia.’  He was an original adventurer in the ’ First Colonie’ and was one of the hundred and nine who spent a whole year at and about Roanoke and returned with Drake in 1586.  He went again 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 ’ invincible armada,’ so wide spread and alarming that it was deemed prudent by the Government to stay all ships fit for war in any ports of England to be in readiness for service at home ; and even Sir Richard Grenville was commanded not to leave Cornwall.