14 HISTORY or PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND."

On receiving this reply to his memorial, the Earl addressed a second one to the King, substantially the same as the former, to which no reply seems to have been made. He accordingly had a third one drawn out and presented, attache ing the names of his co-adventurers, who had agreed to assist his Lordship in the settlement of the island. The list included four admirals, a large number of officers, and eight members of parliament. This memorial, like the first, was referred to the Board of Trade, who prepared a lengthened report in answer to it. The opening passage was of such a nature as to make the memorialists imagine that all desired was to be granted. “We are of opinion,” said the Board, “ it may be highly conducive to the speedy cultivation of your Majesty’s American Dominions that the nobility and other persons of rank and distinction in this country should take the lead, and show the example in the under- taking and carrying into execution the settlement thereof, and. that all due encouragement. should be given to officers of Your Majesty’s fleet and army, to Whose distinguished braveiy and conduct this kingdom is so much indebted for the acquisitions made in the last war.”, Butthis soothing

paragraph was followed by others which blasted the hopes.

of the ardent adventurers, by insisting on the distribution of land on the island being made in conformity to those principles of settlement, cultivation, and government which had been . previously adopted, and were founded on experience. The King referred this report, and all the other papers, to a committee of council, to whom Lord Egmont sent obser- vations on the report, drawn up with great ability, in which his former arguments were repeated, and others adduced to strengthen them. These observations are pervaded by a bitterness of expression which, in the circumstances, is pardonable. The committee of council coincided in the