What did English settlers hope to find in Virginia?

* Gold and other precious metals: The Spanish had found vast quantities of gold and silver in Mexico and Peru, and the English hoped to find similar riches in North America.

* A route to the Pacific Ocean: The Spanish controlled the only known route to the Pacific Ocean, via the Strait of Magellan. The English hoped to find a Northwest Passage that would allow them to sail from the Atlantic to the Pacific without having to go through Spanish territory.

* Land for settlement: England was a crowded country, and many people were looking for a new place to start over. Virginia offered an opportunity for these people to own their own land and build a new life.

* Religious freedom: Many of the English settlers in Virginia were Puritans, who were persecuted for their religious beliefs in England. They hoped to find a place in Virginia where they could worship freely.