Details
RALEGH, Sir Walter (1554-1618). Document signed ('W. Ralegh'), letters patent, n.p., 26 March 1617, acknowledging the investment by Sir Arthur Ingram of £330 in his projected voyage 'towards the South Parts of America' [i.e. the second voyage to Guiana], penwork interlace initial, in English in a neat secretary hand on vellum, one membrane, 240 x 320mm, signed on the fold-back (significant areas of damp damage, with the loss of approximately 34 words, silked on verso and fold-back), remnant of signet seal of Sir Walter Ralegh in brown wax on vellum tag.
RALEGH RAISES MONEY FOR HIS LAST VOYAGE. Ralegh's letters patent recite the royal grant to him of 'full [power] authoritie and free license ... out of this realme of England ... to carry and leade towards the South Parts of America ... so many of his loving subiects as shall willingly accompany [him]', and also the royal permission for investors to take 'their ane part of the proffitt made in and during the same voyage of the gold silver pearle and other merchandize which shall by the favour of god be returned and imported into this Realme of England'; Ralegh goes on to acknowledge Ingram's investment of £330, to promise him a return from 'all such gold silver pearle goods wares merchandizes treasur and such like' that the voyage may bring back, and to give him a faithful account of the profits within a limited period after the return of the ships.
Ralegh's second voyage to Guiana had been conceived with the highest and most enthusiastic hopes, and ended disastrously. In March 1616, after twelve years' imprisonment in the Tower for allegedly conspiring to overthrow James I, he obtained his release by his proposal that he should return to the Orinoco river to search for the gold mines thought to be there. Ralegh raised nearly £30,000 for the voyage by subscription: most of the gentlemen voyagers subscribed £50, King James £175, and a few, such as Sir James Ingram, larger sums. The expedition set sail in June 1617, and ended tragically the following spring. Ralegh himself was too ill to lead his force when they landed and his second in command, Lawrence Keymis, led the party up the Orinoco. The undertaking Ralegh had given the King not to attack the Spanish was breached by the engagement with them outside San Thomé in which Ralegh's son was killed. Keymis committed suicide, and no gold was found. The expedition was Ralegh's downfall, and, at the urging of the Spanish ambassador, Count Gondomar, he was executed on 29 October 1618.
RALEGH RAISES MONEY FOR HIS LAST VOYAGE. Ralegh's letters patent recite the royal grant to him of 'full [power] authoritie and free license ... out of this realme of England ... to carry and leade towards the South Parts of America ... so many of his loving subiects as shall willingly accompany [him]', and also the royal permission for investors to take 'their ane part of the proffitt made in and during the same voyage of the gold silver pearle and other merchandize which shall by the favour of god be returned and imported into this Realme of England'; Ralegh goes on to acknowledge Ingram's investment of £330, to promise him a return from 'all such gold silver pearle goods wares merchandizes treasur and such like' that the voyage may bring back, and to give him a faithful account of the profits within a limited period after the return of the ships.
Ralegh's second voyage to Guiana had been conceived with the highest and most enthusiastic hopes, and ended disastrously. In March 1616, after twelve years' imprisonment in the Tower for allegedly conspiring to overthrow James I, he obtained his release by his proposal that he should return to the Orinoco river to search for the gold mines thought to be there. Ralegh raised nearly £30,000 for the voyage by subscription: most of the gentlemen voyagers subscribed £50, King James £175, and a few, such as Sir James Ingram, larger sums. The expedition set sail in June 1617, and ended tragically the following spring. Ralegh himself was too ill to lead his force when they landed and his second in command, Lawrence Keymis, led the party up the Orinoco. The undertaking Ralegh had given the King not to attack the Spanish was breached by the engagement with them outside San Thomé in which Ralegh's son was killed. Keymis committed suicide, and no gold was found. The expedition was Ralegh's downfall, and, at the urging of the Spanish ambassador, Count Gondomar, he was executed on 29 October 1618.
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