8 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

It fixed the attention of Englishmen on Newfoundland, and prepared the way for other enterprises designed to promote its settlement. The English fishermen soon gained rapidly on their rivals. In 1600, two hundred English ships went to New- foundland, who employed as catchers on board and curers on shore 10,000 men and boys.

Thus the settlement of the Island was successfully begun by the English in 1609. The Spaniards established themselves later on at Placentia Bay, which place in 1656 was held and fortified by the French, and for many years it held out against the attacks of the English.

In 1623, Sir George Calvert planted a colony at Ferryland. A little later large bodies of settlers came from Ireland, and the island became a real colony.

For over sixty years, or from the days of Cartier, France apparently became disinterested in relation to her domain in America. At length, however, after experiencing a long period of internal commotion, and having attained a degree of tran- quillity, was now doing her utmost to increase the prosperity of the nation. With this view the great men were zealously giving

their thoughts were directed to the state of New France. Accordingly an expedition consisting of nobles, missionaries, merchants, artizans and others, was organized at Havre de Grace. Four ships were provided, two for trading purposes and two to convey the adventurers. Being well supplied with stores, together with seeds -for the husbandman, on the 7th March, 1604, they set sail under the command of Samuel Champlain, an experienced Captain of the Navy. Reaching American waters they separated, the trading vessels steering for the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the emigrant ships the Bay of Fundy.

It was some time before the adventurers could agree to a suitable situation whereupon to plant a colony. At length they entered a river flowing into the Bay, where on a small island— which they named St. Croix—they landed and passed their first winter in America; but when spring came, the cemetery had in it thirty-five graves of those who had succumbed to scurvey and the cold.

Soon, however, the island was discovered to be insufficient to meet all requirements. The colony therefore in the spring of