Politics & government > Life of Sir Walter Raleigh

TO HIS SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA.
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navigation, not only in its higher branches but even in
the minuter practical details ; and the largest ship in the
squadron, which bore his name, of 200 tons, was built
under his own eye, equipped at his expense, and com¬
manded by Captain Butler, her master being Thomas
Davis of Bristol. The proprietor, who had now risen
into favour with the queen, did not embark in the expe¬
dition ; but he appears to have induced his royal mistress
to take so deep an interest in its success, that, on the eve
of its sailing from Plymouth, she commissioned him to
convey to Sir Humphrey Gilbert her earnest wishes for
his success, with a special token of regard,—a little
trinket representing an “ anchor guided by a lady.” We
find this interesting circumstance in the following letter
written by Raleigh from the court:—
“ Brother,—I have sent you a token from hermajesty,
—an anchor guided by a lady, as you see,—and farther
her Highness willed me to send you word, that she wished
you as great good hap and safety to your ship as if herself
were there in person, desiring you to have care of your¬
self, as of that which she tendereth ; and therefore, for
her sake, you must provide for it accordingly. Farther,
she commandeth that you leave your picture with me.
For the rest I leave till our meeting, or to the report of
this bearer, who would needs be the messenger of this
good news. So I commit you to the will and protection
of God, who send us such life or death as he shall please,
or hath appointed!—Richmond, this Friday morning.
Your true brother, Walter Raleigh.”*
* This letter is indorsed as having been received March 18,*
1582-3 ; and it may be remarked that it settles the doubt as to
the truth of Prince’sf story of the golden anchor, questioned
by Campbell in his Lives of the Admirals. In the Heroologia
Angliao, p. 65, there is a fine print of Sir Humphrey GUbert,
taken evidently from an original picture; but, unlike the portrait
mentioned by Granger in his Biographical History, vol. i. p. 246,
it does not bear the device mentioned in the text. Raleigh’s
* Cayley, vol. i. p. 31.
+ Worthies of Devon, p. 419.