The variety and partial success of the discoveries, made during a part
of Elizabeth's reign, inducements to colonization-First Charter
for that purpose granted to Sir Humfrey Gilbert, June 11, 1578-
Terms of the Charter-Recognition made therein of the faith pro-
fessed in the Church of England-This fact needful to be observed
-Further evidence of the same right principle in the narrative of
the expedition by M. Edward Haies, a commander of one of the ves-
sels; and also in the report of Sir George Peckham, one of its chief
promoters-Errors committed in fitting out the expedition-It leaves
England, June 11, 1583-Its arrival at St. John's, Newfoundland-
Gilbert takes possession thereof, August 5-Proceeds further on his
voyage-Compelled by losses to return home-The perils of his
passage-Lost at sea, September 9-Importance of Haies's remarks
on the proper objects of foreign discovery, and the spirit in which
it ought to be conducted-His appeal to his countrymen to examine
the motives which induce them to such exertions-The only true
motives declared by him to be a desire to promote God's honour, to
release the heathen from their ignorance, and to assist the indus-
trious and relieve the distressed among our countrymen at home—
The duty resulting from such motives acknowledged by him to be
acceptable unto God; and the opportunity possessed by England of
performing it, urged as a reason why she should not be discouraged
by the failure of her first attempt at colonization- Similar testimony
supplied by Sir George Peckham in his report of the expedition-
He desires to prove the lawfulness and advantage of planting settle-
ments in foreign lands-His general argument erroneous in the plea
which he attempts to draw from the subjugation of Canaan by Israel
-In other respects, he sets forth truly the motives which ought to
animate such enterprises-Argument to prove the Queen's title to
possess those countries, curious, but unsound-Nevertheless, the
main object, which he seeks to attain, is that which ought ever to
be recognised by a Christian land