PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. -'3 tury. During this whole period the pro¬ prietary system or the land question, as it was long called, was the burning question in Prince Edward Island politics. It will be re¬ ferred to again, when treating of the Island after it became separated from Nova Scotia . In 1768 the proprietors petitioned the King to erect the Island into a separate gov¬ ernment, and proposed to provide for the ex¬ penses of the establishment out of the quit rents, one-half of which they expressed themselves willing to pay, from the 1st May, 1769, the other half to be deferred for twenty years. The report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, to His Majesty, which was ap¬ proved by order in council at the Court of St James, on 28th June, 1764, recommend¬ ed the establishment of a government, to consist of "a governor and council, until such time as there could be a legisative assembly or house of representatives, and a supreme court exercising the authority of the courts of the King's bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, in Westminster Hall." * * * For forming a government on so limited a plan, "the example of the several new colo¬ nies, lately established under similar acts, furnish every useful and necessary prece¬ dent." * * * "But, as the lords commis- sioners wish in the course of this business to adhere as closely as possible to the opinion, so justly adopted by this committee, that no new establishment of this nature ought to be undertaken, either at the expense of this kingdom, or by charges upon the peculiar revenues of the crown, so they can not close this report without suggesting that the gov¬ ernor of the Island, in their opinion (in which opinion the proprietors also concur), be fully instructed that, as soon as an house of assembly should be formed, and the cir¬ cumstances of the people will admit of it, he shall make the strongest representations in Your Majesty's name, for the establishment of such a permanent revenue, by proper duties or taxes, as may amount to all the ex¬ penses of government, upon some certain es¬ timates." * * * The committee recom¬ mended the King that the commissioners of the treasury and Lord Hillsborough , one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of state, receive His Majesty's pleasure for the ap¬ pointment of the several officers proposed as necessary for the administration of govern¬ ment, so far as related to their respective departments; "and that the lords commis¬ sioners for trade and plantations should pre¬ pare draughts of a commission and instruc¬ tions for such person as Your Majesty shall be pleased to appoint governor of the said Island, conformable to the plans before men¬ tioned, and likewise consider of and prepare the form and device of a new seal for the said Island, and lay the same, together with the said draughts of a commission and in¬ structions, before Your Majesty's Council." His Majesty, in council, approved of the proposition and ordered that the same be carried out. The following estimates of the annual expense of the said establishment, and the amount of the fund for defraying the expenses thereof, were also approved. ESTIMATE OF THE ANNUAL EXPENSE OF THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN. The Governor ..........................£ 500.00 Chief Justice ............................ 200.00 Secretary and Registrar................. 150.00 Attorney General ....................... 100.00 Clerks of the Courts and Coroner........ 80.00 Prorost Marshal......................... 50.00 Minister of the Church of England........ 100.00 Agent and Receiver of Quit Rents........ 160.00 Contingent Exposes...................... 140.00 £1470.00 EsUmate of the amount of fund for defraying