New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-30

With q narrative beginning in 1897 and covering
almost four hundred years Of dependence on 'he
English Crown there Is unusual fitness IN Judge
Prowses division Of his work by reigns beginning
with Henry VII and ending with victoria. ~ Is
a defect In the history that 1t can be toid IN 'his
way better than in any other, for II SHOWS NJ"
little control the colony has had from nist 10
last over its own affairs. In all the long line OF
rulers the best for Newfoundland was the one
who made no pretence to royalty. Even IN our
island" says Judge Prowse, 1.-The sagacious states
manship and irm strong hand oil Cromwei ihdoe
,tse,f felt" II the Commonwealth had been per-
petuated, 1t is possible that the one great prop
lem of Newfoundland would have been solved al
most as soon as its urgency began TO be iet
Judge Prowse's book is new and almost final tes-
+,tnonv 10 the faulty OF Englands colonial policy
an cases where colonies lacked the strength 10
have q policy of their own The island is stand
inx proof that the ancient plan OF adopting
co1ony to the exigencies Of the parent country
was fatally injurious one. Down almost 10 '"e
present day Newfoundland was not esteemed as a
colony at ALL but fishing station. FOR this
Judge Prowse blames the men OF his own west
Country. who were too narrow minded TO care LOT
\ the island except 1t contributed 10 their own
wealth In their way. For more than CEN
fury after the island was discovered though IN
the meanwhile It became the haunt OF Engish
Asbernien) no official attempt was made to settle
a colony upon II. The early voyagers were wholly
absorbed In plans for discovering a northwest
passage In general. the theory OF the times was
that England would be enriched by sporadic ex-
ploratfon by movements which started always
from home ports Only one man in Elizabeth's
time as Judge Prowee looks at the matter. could
foresee the benefits OF permanent settlement IN
the newly-discovered countries. 1T was the
trsnscendant mind Of Raleigh, with the VIVA
IMAGINATION OF poet and the profound wisdom OF
a. statesman, that first expounded 10 the Enza-
bethan age the plan Of English colonization the
foundation Of greater Engands In the Ne" "oriu'
knowing the temper Of the time ne had 10 pro-
coed warly; he held out gold as an inducemeht ior
HE new projects. Fishermen were urged 10 capt.
ure Indians, to bring home strange Dlros anu
beasts and products Of America. All these Things
captivated the credulous mind OF the public, and
saws Raleigh, helped forward the plantation
nightly Whilst he encouraged In every way
,hH working OF the gold mine Of the Newfoundland
Ashery In his own words the mainstay and sup
port Of his own Devon and western counties his
mind was set on gaining the whole vast eonti-
nent."
Rut much OF what Raleigh said fell upon minds
,ncanable OF comprehending his purposes. The
vvest Countrymen, with whom his name was mos
nowerful. caught from him only the inspiration
~ conquest and rulership They were willing and
sh,e 10 take possession OF the Newfoundland
coast and to enforce their authority over the null
t,t,de AZ ships from all the countries OF Western
Furope. But they saw In the island only con-
yenience for their fishing operations ana for inc
trade which these brought to their hands &c
this day the interior OF Newfoundland Is almos
an unknown region. the wealth OF when IN min
erals and other things is rather guessed at thar
truly known Even after colonization began TO d.
favored in England and exemplihed In New-Eng
land and Virginia. every effort at permanent set
Element In Newfoundland met with determined
opposition. But in spite OF bitter enemies IN
resident population grew In numbers. SINAI
hands NJ settlers found places the eastern coas
between Cape Race and Cape Bonavista. I'M
nyst Of these settlements was In the neighborhoo'
Of St Johns, and from there they spread slowI
,avard each of the neadlands named But the.
had M rights which the ship fishermen were boun
"a respect. Their law was the dictation OF tn
N.h,nr adnnirals The instructions to John Gu
from his associates. one OF whom was Sir Franci
racon., show how keenly would-be colonizers Tel
thu measure OF the great industry which to tn
n,,,Ir ,,or,d seemed the only possible for then
A. soon an Guy reached the land granted he wa
10 take measures TO prevent We murmuring
suspicious and Jealous persons that perhaps WI
not fail to spread abroad that TINS enterprise WI
be TO the prejudice Of ye fishermen as well OF on
nation as others"
arhe documentary evidence gathered by Judg
provse. including particularly several rare pam
nhlets. enables him to set right other autnors
the matter of these early colonies most OF wnic
vers short-lived. 1t was to the interest OF thos
vho vere bent on driving settlers away to conces
their acts The statement that Guys colony faie
because of Indian hostility he declares to be er
tireiy opposed to the evidence OF the records.
the times of James there were six colonies
The Island: Guys. the parent colony: Bristol