m more
than sufficient to wipe off from the memory of Raleigh the least
suspicion of any plot against James's person or government.

He was remanded to the Tower of London with the rest of the prisoners,
of whom Markham afterwards obtained his liberty, and travelled abroad.
Lord Grey of Wilton died in the Tower; Lord Cobham was confined there
many years, during which, it is said, he was examined by the King in
relation to Raleigh, and entirely cleared him; he afterwards died in
the lowest circumstances of distress.

In February following a grant was made by the King of all the goods
and chattels forfeited by Sir Walter's conviction to the trustees of
his appointing for the benefit of his creditors, lady and children.
After 12 years confinement in the Tower, in March 1615 he was released
out of it, by the interposition of the favourite Buckingham; but
before he quitted that place he saw the earl of Somerset committed
there for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, and afterwards condemned,
which occasioned Sir Walter to compare his own case with that of the
earl's, and to remark, 'That the whole History of the World had not
the like precedent of a King's prisoner to purchase freedom, and his
bosom favourite 'to have the halter, but in scripture, in the case
of Mordecai and Haman;' on hearing which, the King is said to have
replied, that Raleigh might die in that deceit, which afterwards
proved true, for the King pardoned the infamous Somerset, a murderer,
and executed Raleigh, a brave and an honest man, equally to the
astonishment of the world. Sir Walter being now at large, had the
means of prosecuting his old scheme of settling Guiana, which he
had so much at heart, that even during his imprisonment, he held a
constant correspondence with that country, sending thither every year,
or every second year, a ship, to keep the Indians in hopes of being
relieved from the tyranny of the Spaniards, who had again encroached
upon them, and massacred many, both of the inhabitants and of
Raleigh's men. In these ships were brought several natives of the
country, with whom he conversed in the Tower, and obtained all
possible informations concerning it. Upon such informations he offered
his scheme for prosecuting his discovery to the court before he
undertook it in person: nor were there any doubts either as to the
improbability of the design, or its unlawfulness, notwithstanding the
peace made with Spain, otherwise the King would not