This design for establishing some sort of government in Newfoundland ended in the appointment, not of _a person skilled in the law_, but of _Captain Henry Osborn_, commander of his majesty’s ship _the Squirrel_. The commission given to Captain Osborn begins by revoking so much of the commission to the governor of _Nova Scotia_, as related to the government of _Placentia_, or any other forts in Newfoundland; and then goes on to appoint _Henry Osborn governor and commander in chief in and over our said island of Newfoundland, our fort and garrison at Placentia, and all other forts and garrisons erected and to be erected in that island_. It then gives him authority to administer the oaths to government, and to appoint justices of the peace, with other necessary officers and ministers for the better administration of justice, and keeping the peace and quiet of the island. But neither he nor the justices were to do any thing contrary to the Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3, nor obstruct the powers thereby given to the admirals of harbours, or captains of the ships of war. The justices were required to be aiding and assisting to the commodore, or commanders of the ships of war, and the fishing admirals, in putting in execution the said statute. The governor was to erect a court-house and prison; all officers, civil and military were to be aiding and assisting to him in executing this commission. In case of his death, the government was to devolve on the first lieutenant of _the Oxford_, the ship commanded by _Lord Vere Beauclerck_. Such were the terms of the first commission of civil governor, granted for Newfoundland. The instructions that accompanied this commission, have nothing in them very particular. They are fourteen in number; and the last required him to execute all such matters as _Lord Vere Beauclerck_ should propose to him, for his majesty’s service. The instructions to his lordship contained all the _heads of enquiry_ relating to the trade and finery, and the abuses and irregularities so long complained of, and they were fifty in number. We are told, that on the 24th of May 1729, a box was sent to the _Lord Vere Beauclerck_, in which were eleven setts of _Shaw’s Practical Justice of the Peace_, each impressed on the covers, in gold letters, with one of these titles, _Placentia_, _St. John’s_, _Carboneer_, _Bay of Bulls_, _St. Mary’s_, _Trepassey_, _Ferryland_, _Bay de Verd_, _Trinity Bay_, _Bonavista_, _Old Parlekin_ IN NEWFOUNDLAND; together with thirteen printed copies of Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3, and a bundle containing the acts relating to the trade and navigation of this kingdom. And thus provided, his lordship and the governor set sail for Newfoundland[34], in the summer of the year 1729.