152 NEWFOUNDLAND.

Prince Edward Island): from the latter he carried away three natives to England. He also discovered the continent of Norembegua, the ancient name of all that part of America situated between the Gulf of St Lawrence and Virginia.9E

The first attempt made by the English to form a settlement in Newfoundland, was in the latter part of the reign of Henry VII I., at the recommendation of Messrs Elliot and Thom, who traded there with leave from the crown ; and to such advantage, that an expedition was made, at the expense of a Mr Hare, a merchant of eminence, and his friends, for the pur- pose of planting Newfoundland.

From their ignorance of the nature of the country they failed in their attempt, and were reduced to great wretchedness through famine and fatigue. From this period until 1579, all thoughts of prosecuting the discovery and settlement of Newfoundland were relinquished, although we had then fifteen ships engaged in its fisheries. About this time, Captain Whitburn, who was employed by a merchant of Southampton, in a ship of three hundred tons, put into Trinity Bay, Where he was so successful, that, with a full cargo of fish, &c., he cleared the expenses of the voyage He says, “ “W... 1619 a Iner-

maid 1n St John’s harbour,” and 1n 1612,“ we saw

Easton the arch-pirate, with ten sail of good vessels, well furnished, and very rich' , ” ‘many pirates fre-

* Vide Hackluyt’s Voyages. De Thou. Hcrrara. Hist. Gen. Amer. Raynal.