[1] Capt. Roger North, who had been a member of Raleigh's unfortunate
expedition to Guiana, petitioned the King in 1619 for letters patent
authorizing him to establish the King's right to the coast and country
adjoining the Amazon River and to found a Plantation there. On April
18, 1619, the Privy Council authorized the Solicitor General to prepare
a bill for granting him privileges for a Plantation which should
"extend from the River of Wyapoco [Oyapok] to five degrees of southerly
latitude, from any part or branch of the River of Amazons otherwise
called Oreliana and for longitude into the Land to be limited from
sea to sea." This was then esteemed to be part of Guiana, but is now
territory of Brazil. Provided with a passport, but without express
leave from the King, North sailed from Plymouth in May, 1620. The
King, inspired by the remonstrances of Spanish agents, then issued the
proclamation of recall. Although his cruise prospered, his ship being
"well fraught" with 7000 pounds of tobacco, he returned to England
as soon as he heard of the warrant against him. He was imprisoned in
the Tower in January, 1621, and his cargo was confiscated. He soon
succeeded in obtaining his release and later made good his claim to
the restitution of the tobacco (see _Acts of Privy Council, Colonial_,
i, 23-48; _Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1574-1660_; _Dict. of
National Biography_, xli, 174.)
1620, May 27.
[Manufacture of Tobacco-pipes.]