Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/60

 30 CHAP. II. 1606. Voyage of captain Newport, INTRODUCTION. America, their funds appear to have been very- limited, and their first efforts were certainly extremely feeble. The first expedition for the southern colony consisted of one vessel of a hundred tons, and two barks, with a hundred and five men des- tined to remain in the country. The command of this small squadron was given to captain Newport, who, on the 19th of December, sailed therewith from the Thames. At the same time that his instructions were received, three packets sealed with the seal of the council, were delivered, one to captain Newport, a second to captain Bartholomew Gosnald, and a third to captain John Ratcliffe, containing the names of the council for the colony. These packets were accompanied with instructions, directing that they should be opened within twenty- four hours after their arrival on the coast of Virginia, and not be- fore; and that the names of his majesty's council should then be proclaimed. The coun- cil were then to proceed to the choice of a president, who should have two votes. To this singular and unaccountable concealment have, in a great degree, been attributed those dissensions which distracted the colonists on their passage, and which afterwards consider- ably impeded the progress of their infant set- tlement/
 * Robertson. ...Chalmers. ...Stith.