Historical Sketch

0F

Prince Edward Island, Military and Civil.

CHAPTER I.

HE HISTORY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND may be regarded as embracing two important periods, that is, from its discovery by Europeans till its cession to the British Crown in 1763, thence to the present time. At a remote period the Island became a part of the Dominion of New France, the foundation or subject of which is the first to claim our attention; and which as a new nation, a deep interest in the conquest of the wilderness by civilization was always attached, as well as to the early critical years of its development. Accordingly in the following pages an effort is made to give a brief chronological narrative of the chief events and incidents that have character- ized its north—east settlements from the earliest times down to the latter days of its existence. The theme of our story, there- fore, date from the discovery of North America by John Cabot, five years subsequent to finding a New World, as it were, by Christopher Columbus, in 1492, which then opened a new field for the ambitious, enterprising adventurer, and mankind in general. On receiving the cheerful tidings of a New World, Europe was thrown into a state of great ferment over the achievement. The chances of obtaining gold, wealth and power, stimulated all alike; even monarchs recognized in it an easy mode of extending their domain and bettering their fortunes.

There resided in England, during the reign of Henry the Seventh, a most skilful and daring navigator named John Cabot,