When Captain James Davis arrived in the spring, bringing news of the death of Chief-Justice Popham and of Sir John Gilbert, Raleigh Gilbert's brother, who had left him his estate, both leader and colonists were so disenchanted of the country that they with one accord resolved upon a return.

Wherefore they all embarked, as we are told, in their newly arrived ship and newly constructed pinnace and set sail for England.

"And this," says Strachey, "was the end of that northerne colony upon the river Sagadahoc."[12] To the London Company, therefore, though slower in getting their expedition to sea, belongs the honor of the first permanent English colony in America.

December 10, 1606, ten days before the departure of this colony, the council for Virginia set down in writing regulations deemed necessary for the expedition.

The command of the ships and settlers was given to Captain Christopher Newport, a famous seaman, who in 1591 had brought into the port of London the treasure-laden carrack the _Madre de Dios_, taken by Raleigh's ship the _Roe Buck_.
He was to take charge of the commissions of the local council, and not to break the seals until they had been upon the coast of Virginia twenty-four hours.