The Fishery Question, 7 



throne, a restless, but by no means purpose- 

 less, energy inspired her seafaring subjects.'^ 

 French adventurers had demonstrated the in- 

 ability of the Spanish navy to convey the 

 treasure ealleons from the West Indies. Mer- 

 chants, explorers and pirates put to sea and 

 English slave dealers forced the Spaniards to 

 relax their exclusive trade regulations.'^ 



Formal intimation of a design to acquire 

 North America appeared in Gilbert s petition 

 to Elizabeth makingr mention of the lands, 

 " fatally reserved for England." ''° 



In 1578 Gilbert had secured letters patent 

 to discover, settle and regulate these remote 

 countries. Previous to his departure the 

 Government found it expedient to send Sir 

 Thomas Hampshire to the Newfoundland 

 fishing grounds, for the purpose of settling 

 disputes over the pre-emption of shore sta- 

 tions. Gilbert followed in 1583, but the 

 Spanish war ships forced him to return.^' 

 Trying again, the following year he made the 

 harbor of St. Johns where were congregated 

 fishinor vessels of several nations. The hos- 

 tility aroused by his appearance, at a time 

 w^hen any strange sail might well be a pirate, 



