[1] North's ensign, John Howard, died on 6 October after leaving the island of Bravo, as fever ravaged the fleet.
Raleigh, who was disabled by fever, ordered five small ships to sail into the River Orinoco, led by Kemys and carrying five companies of fifty.
After a difficult passage up the river the explorers disembarked, and bivouacked on the left bank, not knowing they were near San Tomé, founded by the Spanish, who made a sudden attack.
[1] North in 1619 petitioned for letters patent authorising him to establish the king's right to the coast and country adjoining the River Amazon; to found a plantation or settlement there, and to open a direct trade with the natives.
King James, however, provisionally granted the required letters patent under the great seal, and nominated North governor of the proposed settlement.
He sailed out of Plymouth Sound early in May 1620, having obtained a passport from the Duke of Buckingham, the Lord High Admiral.
By the intervention of Buckingham, North was released (18 July 1621) on the same evening as Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland.
In July 1636 Sir John North wrote that he wished his brother Roger could be captain of one of the king's ships.
He died late in 1652, or early in 1653, leaving to his brother and executor Gilbert lands in the Fens, and all his property, apart from some minor legacies to relatives.