have made such
grants, as he did, even at that time, which shews that he was then
convinced, that Sir Walter had in his first voyage discovered and
taken possession of that country for the crown of England, and
consequently that his subjects were justly intitled to any benefits
that might arise from its discovery, without the least respect to the
pretensions of the Spaniards: Besides, when Sir Walter first moved the
court upon this subject, the Spanish match was not thought of, and the
King's necessities being then very pressing, he may be presumed to
have conceived great hopes from that discovery, though he might
afterwards change his opinion, when he grew so unreasonably fond of
that match.

In 1616, he obtained a royal commission to settle Guiana at the
expence of himself and his friends; he was appointed General, and
Commander in Chief of this enterprize, and Governor of the new
country, which he was to settle with ample authority; a power was
granted him too, of exercising martial law in such a manner as the
King's Lieutenant General by sea or land, or any Lieutenants of the
counties of England had. These powers seem to imply a virtual pardon
to Raleigh, and perhaps made, him less solicitous for an actual one.
Meantime Gondemar the Spanish ambassador, by his address, vivacity,
and flattering the humours of James, had gained a great ascendency
over him, and began to make a great clamour about Raleigh's
preparations, and from that moment formed schemes of destroying him.
The whole expence of this expedition was defrayed by Raleigh and his
friends; the fleet consisted of about seven sail. On the 17th of
November, 1617, they came in sight of Guiana, and soon after to
anchor, in five degrees off the river Caliana, where they remained
till the 4th of December. Raleigh was received with great joy by the
Indians, who not only assisted him with provisions, and every thing
else in their power, but offered him the sovereignty of their country
if he would settle amongst them, which he declined to accept.[12] His
extreme sickness for six weeks prevented him from undertaking the
discovery of the mines in person, and was obliged to depute captain
Keymis to that service; and accordingly on the 4th of December,
ordered five small ships to sail into the river Oronoque. When they
landed, they found a Spanish garrison between them and the mine,
which sallying out unexpectedly, put them in confusion, and gave them
battle. In this con