INTRODUCTION. jl should thenceforth be under the allegiance, chap.i. and protection of the crown of England, and 1578. the persons to inhabit them, should enjoy the privileges of free denizens, or natives of Eng- land. She further grants to sir Humphrey, his heirs, and assigns forever, full power and authority to correct, punish, pardon, govern, and rule, as well in causes capital or criminal, as civil, all such her subjects or others, as should inhabit the said countries; and she authorized him to constitute such statutes, laws, and ordinances, as should, by him, his heirs or assigns, be devised or established, for the better government of the people: " pro- vided always that they should be, as near as conveniently might, agreeable to the laws and policy of England; and provided also, that they be not against the true christian faith, professed in the church of England; nor any way tend to withdraw the subjects or people of those lands or places, from the allegiance of the queen, her heirs, or successors." 11 Furnished with these ample powers, Gilbert and the associates of his voyage embarked h; s voy agfi8 ° and death.. for America. But his success by no means equalled his expectations. The variety of dif- ficulties inseparable from the settlement of a distant unexplored country, inhabited only by savages; the scanty and inadequate supplies h Robertson.. ..Chalmer : c 2
