whereof he took possession in the same harbor of St. Ihon, and 200 leagues every way, invested the Queenes Maiestie with the title and dignitie thereof, and delivered unto him (after the custome of England) a rod and a turffe of the same soile, entring possession also for him, his heires and assignes for ever: And signified unto al men, that from that time forward, they should take the same land as a territorrie appertaining to the Queene of England, and himselfe authorised under her Maistie to possesse and enioy it, And to ordaine lawes for the government thereof, agreeable (so neere as conveniently might be) unto the lawes of England: under which all people coming thither thereafter, either to inhabit or by way of traffique, should be subiected and governed. And especially at the same time for a beginning, he proposed and delivered three lawes to be in force immediatly. That is to say: the first for Religion, which in publique exercise should be according to the Church of England. The 2. for maintenance of her Maisties right and possession of those territories, against which if anything were attempted preiudiciall the partie or parties offending should be aduiged and executed as in case of high treason, according to the lawes of England. The 3. if any person should utter words sounding to the dishonour of her Maiestie, he should loose his eares, and have his ship and goods confiscate.

"These contents published, obedience was promised by generall voyce and consent of the multitude as well of Englishmen as strangers, praying for continuance of this possession and government begun. After this, the assembly was dismissed. And afterward were erected not farre from that place the Armes of England ingraven in lead, and infixed upon a pillar of wood. Yet further and actually to establish this possession taken in the right of Her Maiestie, and to the behoofe of Sir Humfrey Gilbert knight, his heires and assigns for ever: the Generall granted in fee farme divers parcels of land lying on the water side, both in this harbour of S. Iohn,

and elsewhere, which was to the owners great commoditie, being thereby assured (by their proper inheritance) of grounds convenient to dresse and drie their fish, whereof many times before they did fail, being prevented by them that came first into the harbour. For which grounds they did covenant to pay a certaine rent and service unto Sir Humfrey Gilbert, his heires or assignes for ever, and yeerely to maintain possession of the same, by themselves or their assignes."

Thus, eighty-six years after the discovery by John Cabot and the men of Bristol, was the annexation of Newfoundland to the Crown of England confirmed by quaint and formal ceremony. But nearly a generation was yet to elapse before it was actually occupied by settlers. In spite of the obligations Gilbert was under to his Roman Catholic friends, the first law he ordained was that the public exercise of religion should be according to the Church of England. He perhaps thought it sufficient that the private exercise of religion should be free and untrammelled.

His third law is significant. Had some whispering tongues already breathed scandals about Queen Elizabeth? Her sudden infatuation for Ralegh must have been well known, and its bearing upon the voyage could not but have been commented on. Rumours had doubtless come to Gilbert's ears, which his loyalty, his long service, and his brotherly affection all called upon him to terminate instantly. Like Sheridan's "Critic," he would have no scandal about Queen Elizabeth.

One of the English merchants in St. John's harbour at this time was Richard Whitbourne,-this being the fourth year in succession that he had fished at Newfoundland. His first voyage was made in a ship belonging to a Southampton merchant, Master Cotton, who was one of the largest subscribers in Gilbert's Southampton Company, and was then in command of a "worthy ship of 220 tons" belonging to one Master Crooke, also of Southampton. In 1622, he pub

lished a pamphlet to induce colonists to go to Newfoundland, and tells that about thirty-six years before, "Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a Devonshire Knight, came thither with two good ships and a pinnace, and brought with him a large Patent, from the late most renowned Queen Elizabeth, and in her name took possession of the country, in the harbor of St. John's, whereof I was an eye-witness."

Whitbourne continued to visit Newfoundland and became an enthusiastic supporter of colonization projects. He saw the first permanent settlement made in 1610, and in 1615, was sent out with a commission from the Court of Admiralty to impanel juries and settle disputes; this being the first exercise of English judicature in the Colony. The early history of the city of St. John's is unknown. It is not until 1626 that there is any record of houses being built or of people residing there, and it is therefore presumed that the recipients of Sir Humphrey's grants of land were not able to maintain the titles he had given them.

Haies continues

"Now remained only to take in provision granted, according as every ship was taxed, which did fish upon the coast adioyning. In the meane while, the Generall appointed men unto their charge: some to repaire and trim the ships, others to attend in gathering togither our supply and provision: others to search the commodities and singularities of the countrey, to be found by sea or land, and to make relation unto the Generall what eyther themselves could knowe by their owne travaile and experience, or by good intelligence of English men or strangers, who had longest frequented the same coast. Also some observed the elevation of the pole, and drewe plats of the countrey exactly graded. And by what I could gather by each mans severall relation, I have drawn a brief description of the Newfoundland, with the commodities by sea or lande alreadie made, and such also as are in possibilitie and great

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