261.

[12] _Ibid._, VI, 262.

[13] _Ibid._, X, 7, 8.

[14] _Ibid._, X, 9-63.

[15] _Ibid._, X, 64-74.

[16] For example, the expedition of George Fenner to Africa in 1566.
He had a great deal of trouble with the natives. Hakluyt, _Principal
Navigations_, VI, 266-284.

[17] Hakluyt, _Principal Navigations_, VI, 443-450, patent of Queen
Elizabeth, May 3, 1588.

[18] Scott, _Joint Stock Companies_, II, 10.

[19] Hakluyt, _Principal Navigations_, VI, 450-458, 461-467.

[20] _Ibid._, VII, 102.

[21] Scott, _Joint Stock Companies_, II, 11.

[22] _Ibid._, II, 12, 13.

[23] _Ibid._, II, 14-16.

[24] S. P. (State Papers), Holland, 178, f. 123, undated paper
concerning the title of the English to Cape Corse; A. C. R. (Records
of the African Companies), 169: 69, deposition of Thomas Crispe,
February 5, 1685/6; Dammaert, Journal (Journal gehouden bij Louijs
Dammaert ungewaren met 't schip Prins Willem), September 19, 1652 (N.
S.).

[25] Remonstrantie, _aen de Ho. Mo. Heeren de Staten Generael der
Vereenighde Nederlanden_, p. 18; Dammaert, _Journal_, September 19,
1652, May 18, 1653, December 7, 19, 1655, April 22 1656 (N. S.).

CHAPTER II

THE ROYAL ADVENTURERS IN ENGLAND

On account of the collapse of the king's cause at the death of Charles
I, Prince Rupert, with his small fleet of royal vessels, was driven
about from one part of the world to another. In 1562 he sought refuge
in the Gambia River,[1] where he listened to stories told by natives
of rich gold mines in that region. For a number of years the Negroes
had brought gold from the inland of Africa to the Dutch on the Gold
Coast. There seemed every reason to believe that the source of this
gold supply was none other than that described by the natives of the
Gambia River, and that it might be discovered somewhere in that
region. Prince Rupert was so much impressed with the possibility of
finding these mines that his voyage to Guinea was still vivid in his
memory when Charles II assumed the throne in 1660. In the duke of York
and other royal courtiers he found a group of willing listeners who
determined to form a company for the purpose of sending an expedition
to the Gambia to dig for gold. As early as October 3, 1660, the plans
were formulated. Each member was required to invest at least L250 in
the undertaking[2]. On December 18, 1660, the king, who was pleased
with the adventurers for having "undertaken so hopeful an enterprise,"
granted them a c