33. Raleigh was not given an additional hearing or trial following the Orinoco engagement
During his prolonged journey from Plymouth to London (and likely on the voyage home from the Orinoco as well), Sir Walter Raleigh prepared a defense against the charges levied by the Spanish government against him. He had copies of the written orders he had provided Keymis, forbidding any hostile action against the Spanish, and his logs and ledgers indicated plainly that he had not been present when the attack occurred. He also had statements from participants in the affair which claimed that the Spanish had attacked the English explorers without provocation, killing his own son in the process, yet he still personally opposed retribution against the Spanish. He was not given a chance to present his arguments to King, court, or magistrate.