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LECTURE
Q»
NEWfOUKDUND
A2n> m
If I SEEK
sisijTmip Bi
MATTHEW H. WIBREN,
v.
Bi^ojre the MechaniesMostittite,
At St. John's,
Wtb MAKCH, 1858.
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LECTURE
ow
i
NEWFOUNDLAND
AND ITS
FISHERIES,
1
DBLIVBHBD BT
MATTHEW H. WARREN,
Before the Mechanics' Institute,
At ISt. J jhn's,
14th march, 1863.
*RINT1D AT THE OfiS'lCE C? THE " MORNINQ POST,
St. John's, Newfoundland.
1853.
m
I
LErTURK
Delivered a/ the Mechanics' Institute, St. John' i ,\ .F . Mirch M.IS.VH.
Mr. Vice-president, Ladies and Gentlemen : —
Having been induced to address you on Newfoundland and
its Fisheries, I feel myself inadequate to the task, and by no
means profess ability to do justice to the subject ; yet a natural
desire to develop the resources of a land, long the residence of
my forefathers, and with which my own interests are 'dentiticd,
in which I have resided the past eighteen year.s, and the greater
portion of whose Coasts I have visited, tits me in some measure
for the subject. My endeavours shall be to point out the vast
resouices of this Island, the boundless and inexhaustable wealth
of its fisheries. Now that the fishery question is engaging the
attention of the British and American Governments, we, who
are so much concerned, cannot but view the subject with deep
interest, and I ask your kind indulgence, ladies, if 1 ain too
prolix in my remarks.
Newfoundland lies between the parallels of 46 40 and 51 30
North latitude, and the meridians of 5'i 40 to 59 80 longitude
West cf Greenwich ; it is in a curve, 420 miles long, and in its
broadest part 300 miles wide; it is bounded on the whole Eastern
shore by the Atlantic Ocean ; on the North- East and North it is
separated from Labrador, by the Straits of Belle Lsle, which are
about fifty miles long and twelve broad ; on the NovLh-wost
by the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
According to tradition it was discovered and taken possess' cri
of by Biron or Plorn, a sea-king or pirate of Iceland, wh'i was
driven here, and it is said, took shelter near Port Grace Har-
bour about the year 1001. It is doubtful, however, whether
his party colcnised the Island, if so, it is supposed they had
become extinct before its second discovery by John Cabot, who
during his first voyage, in 1497, discovered a head land which,
as a lucky omen, he named Bon a.- Vista, which name it still re-
tains. Cabot took home with him thrc^ natives who were
clothed in skins, and speaking a language which no person
tmdorstood.
Hob'Mtson and Pinkcrton were of opinion that Newfoundland
was tirst cdlonised by the Norwegians, and the latter Cliought
tlie Red Indians degenerated navagea from the Norwegian set-
tlers, v/hom Eric, Hishop ofOreenland, went to Winland in 12*21
to reform. Winland wan the first name given to Newfoundland,
that name it retained until 1479.
Among the Norwegian and Icelandic historical records, tho
discovery of a country, called by them Winland, on account of
its abounding in wild grapes, is fre(iuently mentioned, and that
in 1221, Eric, Uishop of (Greenland, went to Winland to reform
his countrymen, wiio had degenerated into savages, that he
never returned, and that nothing more was heard of Winland
for w?vera. c<Mituries. [t is very probable that the adventurous
Norwegian.^ discovered Newfoundland and Labrador, but that
they made settlemcnta, as in Greenland, is doubtful. As to
grapes abounding in Newfoundland, that we may safely deny.
The vast (luantities of wild fruits with which this Island abounds,
particularly wild cranberries, which are large, rich and juicy,
might very naturally have been called grapes by the Nor-
wegians.
The History of the lied Indians was ably given you by tho
Honorable Joseph Noad, a short time since, in addition to
which you will permit me to give the tbllowing extract from a
rare and vidualile work by llicliard \N iiitburne, issued from,
the London press in the year 1022, being the first book puli-
li.shed Holely on Newfoundland. I also append several curi-
ous and interesting extracts from the same work, but that
which lei'L'rs more immediately to this part of my subject is as
follows : — " It is well knowii that the natives of those parts
have great stores of red ochrf /verewith they use to colour their
bodies, bowes, arrows and eaimows in a painting uiauuer, which,
cannows are their boats that ihey use to go to sea in, which,
are b'lilt in shape like tho wherries on the River of Thames,
with small timbers no thicker nor broader then hoopes, and in-
stead o!' boards they use the barkes of birche trees, which tiiey
sew very artificially and close togethtn*, and then overlay tho
peames with turpentint^ as pitch is used on the seaines of ships
and boats ; and in like manner they u.se to sew the barkes of
spruice an<l firre trees round and deep in proportion like a
brasBt! kettle to boil their meet in, as it hith been well ap-
proved by divers men, but most especially to my certain know-
ledge by three njariners of a ship of Tapson, in the (Ji-unty of
Devon, which ship tiding there at anchor neere by laee at tho
Harbor called Hearts Ease on the North side of Trinity Bav.
la
it.
ftiid l»ein<i; rohbod iiitlic niglit hy tho savages of tlieir appftrolt
and div(!i\s othor i»rovi.si()iis did the ucxt (lay .soekc aftei' them,
aiid happoiiod to como ssuildLMily whcro thoy had set up throu
tents ami wore feasting, haviii;^ three .<uch caiuiows by them,
and three puts made of such lind.i of trees, standing each of
them on three stones, boyliii*, with twelve fowh's in eaeh of
thenj, evtTy fowlo as big as a widgeon and some so big as a
ducke ; they had also many such pots so served and fashioned,
like leather buckets that are used for <|uenching of tire, and
those were full of the yolks of eggs that they had takeu and
boyled hard and so dried small as it had been puwder sugar.
sed in their broth
)ftC
which the savages
nomc meates ; they had great «tori> of the skins oi' deore,
beavers, beares, seals, otters and div'ers other fine skins which
were excellent well dressed, as also great store of severall sortst
ot flesh dryed, and by shooting ott'a musket towards them they
all ran away, naked, without any apparall but only some of them
had their hats on t'''>ir bea<ls, wliich were made of scale skins, iu
fashion like our lia.is sewed handsomely with narrow bands
about them set round with fine white shels. All their thrcu
caunows, their flesh, skins, yolks of eggs, targets, bows and
arrows, and much fine okar, and divers others things they tooko
and brought away and shared it among those that tooko it, and
they brought to me the best cannow, bows and arrows and divers
of their skins and many other artificial things worth the noting
which may secme much to invite us to endeavour to fiude out
/borne other good trades with them."
Newfoundland, after its discovery by Cabot, was visited by
Ootereal, a J'ortuguese, and Carticr, the celebrated French
navigator, who reported favourably on the abundance and ex-
cellence of its cod fishery, owing to which it was called Baealao,
the Indian name for that fish. In 1550 a considerable trado
was carried on, a number of British ships tisht;d on the Banks,
and dried their fish on the shores. In 1583 Sir Humphrey
Gilbert, of Devonshire, landed iu St, John's Bay, iiaving a
Patent from Queen Elizabeth for any '200 leagues of coast he
choose to settle on. He took posst!ssion in the Queen's name,
in the presence of the crews ol' 80 vessels of diflerent nations,
and in testimony of Her .^lajesfy's sovereignty, erected a pillar
ol' wood, to which the arms of England, engraved on lead, were
affixed. Desirous oi' securing the best land before the expira-
tion of his Patent, he proposed to prosecute his discoveries
fcjouth; one of his vessels was lost with her crew of 100 men ;
md iu hei: the silvct ore discovered iu Newfuuudlaud by ^
n
ft
6 .
tJornihh minor. Sir TfuiTipliroy (lillxTt was \oA on his home
wanl voyage.
\u 15!)Ii Ilitliard Stray sailed I'ro u F.-ilmoutK with <wo
vossel", having (jn board .several butchers and codpcrs. for tiie
iv:iiiiea Ishind.s. In the months of April, May, and June, at
that time the Island was fiequcntcd by multitudefl of Morses
or Sea Horses. These creatures had two lartre teeth re.scnibling
ivory, which, us well as their oil and skins, were valuable
articles of connncrcc. One vessel reached the Ramca Islands,
))ut too late ; she, however, found a French vessel belonging to
St. Maloes, lying at anchor, almost full of Morses, but she
slipped her cables on the English ves-sel's approach, and stood
out to sea, leaving twenty-two men and thnn; shallops, or boats
behind ; the other vessel made Cape St, Francis on the 11th
Julj, when she wont to »he Westward, made Cape Breton, and
bore away South-west. At about one hundred and eighty miles
distance she fell in with an immense quantity of seals, rmm-
bors of which they secured; this is the earliest record of the
taking of those amphibious animals in this Western hemisphere.
In 1615 Captain Whitburne, who had been for many years
employed in the British Bank Fishery, was sent out with a com-
mission to empanel juries and investigate abuses. He received
the complaints of the masters of one hundred and seventy
English vessels, a proof of the extent of the fisheries at that
time, and of their being exclusively British. The first perma-
nent settlement was formed by Sir George Calvert, afterwards
Lord Baltimore. The settlers fixed their head quarters at
Ferryland, and he called his colony Avnlon after the ancient
name of Glastonbury, in Somersetshire.
In 1654 there were three hundred families residing here,
but the Board of Trade and Plantations did every thing in
their power to prevent .settlers colonising the Island.
In 1674 petition was made for a Governor. " On its being re-
ferred to the Lords of Trade and Plantations, the3' proposed that
all plantations in Newfoundland should be discouraged, and
that the Commanders of Convoys should compel the inhabi-
tants to depart from the Island, by putting in execution one of
the conditions of the Western Charter. His Majesty approved
of this, and, under its sanction, the inhabitants were most
most cruelly treated, their houses burnt, and extreme measures
used to drive them from the country. In 1676 His Majesty,
owing to the representations of George Downing, an inhabitant,
directed that none of the settlers should be disturbed.
In 1696 France had taken ujm England all her PojKsessions
IMC
in Newfoundland except Bonavista and (jarbouoar. The i-iiii^-
lisli tJoon, however, repossessed theiusolveH ot'.St. John's, and all
other places taken by the Frcneh.
By the Treaty of Utrecht, in 17 lo, Plaeentia and other places
were ceded to Great Britain, Franeo having only th(! license ot
coming and going during the season, lor the puriioses of the
fishery.
In 17-9 Captain Henry Osborne was appointed (tovernor.
The petty jealousies of the Fishing Admirals, Mereh^mts and
Planters, prevented Osborno and his successors fro'.ii carrying
into effect the objects and regulations, to enforce which, they
were appointed. The Board of Trade, which, i^ appears, iiad
the regulating of all matters that regarded tliis country, was
abolished in 1782.
Newfoundland up to this time had been govornod by Admi-
rals, Vice-Admirals, and Ilear-Admirals, as they were desig-
nated, namely, the master of the first shii/ that arrived was the
Aduiiral, the second, Vice-Adniiial, the third Rear- Admiral in the
harbours they frc< |ueuted. Few of tlies'- men could read or write.
Every effort had been used to prererit the colonization of this
country. The West of England Merchants, who came out in
the Spring for the prosecution of the Fishery, wished, by every
means in their power, to prevent tlie settlement and colonisation
of the Island. They found that the residents who remained in
the country, could, by cultivating the soil, and from the advan-
tage of being on the spot to repair and get ready their boats
and fishing-rooms, — catch fi.sh at a cheaper rate than those who
resided in England ; they Iherefore represented to the Govern-
ment, who viewed Newfoundland only as a nursery for seamen,
that should the Island be colonised, there would not be so many
vessels required; that green hands, as they were termed, would
not be brought out, and the fishery would be carried on in boats,
which, they said, v-uuld not make sailors of the fishermen.
These men having powerful influence, for a long time had the
ear of the Govei-niiicnt. The many cruelties the planters
sullered and the disadvantages they laboured under, were un-
known, or, at Icitst, paid little attention to, in fact a few mer-
chants residing in England, had for a series of years the mono-
poly of the Newfoundland fisheries, deluding the Government
by false representations, making them believe that the fishery
carried on by themselves was the only one calculated to
promote tho trade of England, and to prove a nursery for
seamen. B> thus imposing on the Government, representing
the soil as incapable of cultivatio^i, Ihey induced the Govern-
I
moiit to pass restrictive enactments and rules. The cultivation
of the soil was deemed a Felony. Residence in the country was
inade a transpprtaMe offence. Such nerc the injurious eifect?;
of the systi'in pursued, that Sir 'lugh Pijlliser in his report to
the Privy Council says: — " Such is the effect of the Nev?found-
land fishery running into monopoly, that the rest of the mer-
chants, if they eantiot have a monopoly likewise, will let the
2^e\v-En^knd men, Frenchmen, or anybody runaway with it."
The fallowing is the substance of the evidence of William
Kno.x, Esq., given before a Committee of the House of (Commons.
Mr. Knox represented himself as having been formerly Under-
Seeretu'y of State; for the Atiici icati Departmeiit ; and stated
that he furnished much. of the information upon which the go-
vernment of Lord North acted, he said — " That the Island of
JVovvfoundland iiad been considered in all times as a fishing-ship,
7^oor(id on tin' Banks during the fishing season, for the convc-
riienco ot Engli.sh fishermen. The Governor was considered as
Ship's Captain, and all those concernc I in the fishery business,
as hi.s crew, and subject to naval discipline. To prevent the
increase of inhabitants o" the Island, the most positive instruc-
tions were given to the Governors not to make any grants of
land, and to reduce the number of those who had alreaiy settled
there. Their vessels, as well as those belonging to the Colo-
nies, were to be denied any priority of right, in occupying
stations in the bays or harbours for curing their fish, over the
vessels from England ; and he was entrusted to withhold from
them whatever might servo, to encourage them to remain on the
Island. And as Lord North expressed it, whatever they love'd
roasted, he was to give to th«m raw, and whatever they wished
raw, he was to rrive them roasted.
Such was the evidence of William Knor, Esq., given be-
fore the Committee of the House of CommonB, April 24, 1793.
Chief Justice lieeves, appointed in 17^1, justly holds a high
place as one of the greatest benefactors of Newfoundland. The
FjUglish Government at that time began to think Newfoundland
required some consideration, and it was chiefly through his
representations that an Act was pa.ssed, doing away with the
authority of the Fishery Admirals, whose acts of oppression and
rapacity had become intolerable.
During the War, Newfoundland was in the height of her
pros])erity, fish selling in foreign markets at 45s. per quintal.
In the year 1HT4, aci^ording to McGregor, the exports from
Newfoundland sold for £iJ,8;K),000.
The Peace dissipated the flattering prospects these prices had
Taised, as fish foil from 46$. to 128. per quintal ; the conss:
qu-'^'iee w;i3 univ(!r?:i,I ruin to th« murohuiit an I shop koi;i>cr.
It wa.s e-itl .lat :d that in jyears 181 5,l81(i and 1^17, Bili.«j tQ
the amount of £1,000,'' *0 were rot arued prot.sUj J, occasioned
by the Insjlveno*y ofHoaSJ.SGng.igcl in the (ishory. Oar best
fishing "jrouuil-i ut the ebsi of the \Var, w're yicldel U) to the
French anJ Anijriean.^, who re;;eivc from their governmints
enormous l)ountio--?, thereby enabling them to undersell ud in our
own markets. Indee 1 it h ainitter of sur[)ri.5i' how the British
8ubje3lsof Newfoundland have been able to withstand the com-
petition; it i.s only the auxiliary ail of the Seal Fishery, and
the exten.sion of agvieulture that has enabled this Colony to
maintain its inhabitants.
The Treaties between France and E.iglf.nd whereby wa»
conceded to the Freu'-U the concurrent right of fishing on cer-
tain portions of the coast of Newfouii llnn>l, are ot considerable
importance, uh, up to the present time, the French si ill enjoy
the advantages they obtained therefrom.
T:ie following Declarations, which boar more immediately
on the point, I give entire, us they will probably be viewed
with interest ; —
Declauatfon' of ITis Bkitanxic MAJE'^TV. — 1. " The King liav
ing entirely agreed with His ALwt Christian xMajcsty upon tho
articles of the definitive treaty, will seul; (ivery nicau.s which shall
not only insure the oxecuti()!i thereof, with lii.s aecustomfld gnod
faith and punctuality, but will benido give, on iiis part, all possi-
ble efficacy to the principles which sliall jirevciit <'vi'n the least
foundation of dispute for tlie future. To this t!ii.d, and in ordi'-r
that t!ie lishei'nieti of the two nations may not givn caast.' tor daily
quarrels. His Britannic Miije>ty will takci the most positive nua-
Bures for ju'eventing Ids sulijects from inli rruptinj», in anv nianinT.
})y tlieir competition, the fishery oftlK- French, during tiic tei.ipo-
rary exercise of it which is granted to tlieui upon the coast ol ilia
island of N( wfxnidhuul ; and be will fir this jiujposr caus" the
fixed settlenif nt^, which shall lie i'oruied tlsi-rr, to be rotnovcd.
His Britannic Majesty will give orders that the 1 rencli tis ,.'!r;nen
be not incoiuuioded in cutting the wood necessary for the repair
of their snatfolds. huts, and lishing vessels.
" Thethirteonth artioleof the iVaty of u treolit, and the moihod
of carrying on tliu llshery, whioh has at all times been acknow-
ledged, shall bi! the plan upon wiiich the ii.-ibcry shall b« carried
on t'.icre : it sliall not bu deviatod from by oithor party ; the
Fronch fishermen buildiu<; imlv their .scuflblds, couhniiig I iu'm-
Belves to the repair of li.eir fishing-vftssols. and not wini ring
there; the subjects of hif Hritannii; Majo^-ty, on their part, not
inolesting in any manner the Frcufb hshecmeu during their fii^U-
Uig, not injurinj; tlioir seal!''! ,1s during their al>8enoe.
10
" The Klng<yf Great Britain, in ceding the islands of St. Plerrt
and Miqueloa to France, regards thorn as ceded for the purpose of
serving usa real shelter to tho Frciioh fishermen, and in full confi-
dence that thcao possessions will not become u.n. object of jealousy
betwfteu tlie two nations ; and that thf> fislKiry between the said
islands and that of Newfouadlaud shall be limited to the middl«
of tho channel.
"Manchbtib."
«• Given at Versailles, the 3d September, 1783,
>»
Counter Declaration OF his most Christian Majesty. — 'The
principles which have guided the King in the whole 0001:86 of tha
negociatious which jireceded the re-establishment of peace must
have convinced tho King of Great Britain that his Majesty has
had no other design than to render it solid and lasting, by pre-
venting as much as possible, in the four quarters of the world,
every subject of discusbion and quarrel.
"The King of Great Britain undoubtedly places too much con-
fidence in the uprightness of his Majesty's intentions, not to rely
upon liis constant attention tj prevent the islands of St. Pierr»
and Jliquelon from becoming an object of jealousy between tb«
two nations.
"As to the fishery on the coasts of Newfoundland, which hai
been the object of the new arrangements settled by the two sove-
reigns upon this matter, it is sufficiently ascertained by the fifth
article of the treaty of peace signed this day, and by the declara-
tion likewise dt'livered to-day by his Britannic Majesty's Ambaa-
eador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ; and his Majesty declare*
that he is fully satisfied on this head.
"In regard to tiio fishery between the island of Newfoundland,
a-id those of Sti. Pierre and Miquelon, it is not to be carried on by
either party but to the middle of the channel ; and his Majetty
will give the most piigitive orders that the French fishermen shall
not go beyond tliis line. His M;ijosty is firmly persuaded that th«
King of Great Britain will give like orders to the English fishermen.
" Given at Versailles, tho 3d of September, 17S3.
" Gravier dk Veroknnes-"
Having thus pointed out the French right of fishery, as granted
by the Treaty, I will now proceed to shew the right oi' fishery
f panted to the United States of America by the Convention of
818, which was, that the people of the United States should have
tho right to fi>h forever on the Grand Bank, and all other Banks,
of Newfoundland, and, in common with British Subjects, th«
liberty to liah on the Southern Coasts of Newfoundland, from
the Ramea Islands to Cape Ray ; on the Western and Northern
C««gt« froni Cape Ray to Cape Quirpon ; on the Coantii Bapi
11
tod darboars ft-om Mount Joli on the Southern Coaat of W
brador, through the Straits of Belle Isle, and thence indiscrimi-
nately aloiifr the coast Northwardly. Also the liberty /or ever
to cure and dry their flsh in any of the unsettled Bays, Creeka
and Harbours on the Southei^ ijoa.'it namely, from Cape Ray to
the Bamea Islands. The French having endeavoured to exercise
an exclusive right to the coast conceded them, and viewing this
Bubject as one of deep importance, I wish to be explicit.
The French enjoyed by Treaty the joint right of fishery from
1712 to 1783, on the coast from Cape Bonavisiu to Point Jiiche;
no formal deuiaad was made of an exclusive right of fishery, or
if made, it was never recognised, and tiiey jointly participated in
the right of fishery, on this' line of the coast. I'he Treaty of
Versailles ratified the Treaty of Utrecht as regards the fishery.
Tub Tieatyj of Paris 1783 gave to France in full, the right to
St. Pierre and Miquelon,aud stated that their limits should begin
at Cape John on the Eaat and ixrtiid round to Cape Ray on
the West, as was assigned by the 'i reaty of Utrecht, and it wag
again stipulated by the Ti-euty of Paris, 1814, that the fishery
should be enjoyed as in 1712. From a careful perusa; of the
Treaties and Declarations of the Kings of France and England,
it wil! plaialy Uo seen, not that the British were not to tish at
all within the French limits, but that, with a view to prevent
thiB evils they sulTored by the concurrent right of fishery, the
fixed settlements .should be removed. It muy well be a-sic^d
what motive could the British have, at the lime agricultural
pursuits were unknown in Newfoundland, in mamtaiijing a
fixed settlement, if they were not allowed to fish ? And even
if fixed settlements were prohibited, it is not said the Britsh
were not to fish at all, or to have temporary establishments
as permitted to the French. Mr, Pitt, the celebrated states^
man, always spoke nf it as a concurrent right. By the Aneri-
can Convention of 1818, Great Britain granted to the United
States the right of fishing from Cape Ray to Cape^uirpou.
Would America have accepted, or Great Britain have granted,
to the United States, a concurrent right of fishing, if she had
already granted the exclusive right of fishery to the Fiench?
Tho Americans have ever since 1818 cxeiuised the light of
fishery on the Western coasts.
In dwelling so long on our right? of fishery on tho coasts from
Cape Ray to Capp John, I do so from a knowledge of that por-
tion \shi;!i noare prt-ventedfrom enjoying, and have been so un-
justly depriveil of; aad as 1 view Newfoundland as a country
•a|>abl« of uaintaioin^ millioos of inhabitant?, and tho coa»^
12
tiovr used by the Krpiioh, na the best portion ufthe Island, poa-
i^t^ssing rcsourcos ui :!<nowii to tho other parts ; 1 fuo anxioud %6
hnprcHS on all who aeui- me, (our Legislators oHpeoially) that
the time has arrived wl\en we mast look to otir righln and
adopt tho necot^sary measures to obtain thorn. A better d.iy w
dav/niiiL' for Newfoua llniid. 'I'n'i ;rlorious spirit oK Free Trade
i»> abroad, infui^iu!:; its iiivi:;roratiiii' influen"e into all (;.nnniereial
operations, and wb should let no onportun'ty slip ol' furthering
the advancement of the country of our birth or of our adoition.
On the const wliI'-H tl.e French claim arc to be found coal,
coj)prr, iron, A77/,Y'/-, and Vuncstono, while the waier.^ also yield
Salmon, herri'ig and coil tish iu llm greatt'St abundance.
The land is in many places eipuil to any in Prince Edward
Island or New Br;;...-;\vick ; tho climate is superior, and free
from the cold fogs and winds ho hurthd to vegetation, and
which prevail on tliis Eastern portion of the Island. On tho
North-East wo find beautiful and well wooded bays abounding
with spendii harbours. Are we, then, to be for ever debarred
from enjoy i, the best tjcction of the Island by the miscon-
struction oi the Treaties? This is an impovlant subject, and
the day is not distant when it will be viewed with all the con-
pidoration it ?nerits and dcscrvofl. Our inherent rights should
be (iarnestly jiresstxl on the notice of tho j^arcrtt government,
»nd t trust \hvy will !>e.a;.l ihat toowith success.
The coo;-fl>hcry on t'u Banks of Newi'oun<iland commenced
a few years after its discovery. In 1517 mention is made of
tho tir^t British ship whii h had bee,i at .Vewfuundland, wliere,
at tlie *aine time, ;iO Spanish, French, and Portuguese, shipa
were fishing. The Frendi in 15oi> wer.^ extensively <»ngaged
in this fi^^hery, an 1 in I5')K there were employed in it, by S;/ain,
100 riliips, by Portugnl 50 s'dps, and by Fngland only 1-> shipH.
The lii^cayt'iis ha'I, abo :' tho f ;iaie time, frum '20 to HO vessels
in the whak liih :ry of NeTfoundland. and some English siiips
m 150'5 mal' a voyage in «pmst oi whales and v,-alrusseg.
Englnndfvail ii IvII.) at Ai v,'/)uadlandii')0 ships,andthe Frenrh,
Bisc:iyans, an» i'ortu^uc.-' 4C') ships. I'h-om thiapcricd Ncw-
foundluud begai' to rise into importance, and Do ^Vitt ob-
serve"?, "that tlio Fn'jfli'''t N iw became formidable by the dis-
covery ot 'he inexpressibly richiisliing Bank of Mewtounttlai.d."
In 1(j20 d\i\ Frcncii possi-^scd t; '.nocl\cs of, and settled at,
Placentia. Thid " ition alwnys viewed the English fishery with
great jealousy. Tho Frenc'.i, however, continued al'tOrwards^
Until t-'t-y were dc; rived of all their possessions iti Nortl> Ame-
rica, to carry on more cxteMsiveiy than the lin^lii^h, the (ishory
pos-
13
Qu the Dunks aud coasts of Ncwtuundlutid. It wui a luaxiik
of the Frenchi Govenmient that the North Anjorican tisherioB
#ere of more national vahie in ro;]^ard to navigation and power
than the gold mines of Maxico coittd have been if the latter
Tt^ere pos<essed by France. As the French have so largely
monopolised the Bank fishery, their method of conducting it
tlemaiids enquiry. The plan of bultow fishery, de,«truotivo
as it is acknowledged to be, even while acted upon, by the
French, is not allowed to bo used on the French Shores or
in the neighbourliood of St. Pierre's. It is ccntrary to the
ancient mode of fisiiing, as prescribed by the treaty granting
them the right to fi>>h on this coast, and is oppose 1 to the spirit
of the Treaty of Utrecht, the bas^is of all the Treaties apper-
taining to the subject of the Newfoundland fisheries ; as the
13th article of that treaty states, — " That the method of carry-
ing on the fishery, which has been at all times acknowledged,
f'hall be the jilan upon which the fishery shall be carried on
there; it shall not be deviated from by either party."
That the brltow system is injurious to our shore fishery, is
shown by the good voyages obtained when the Frenchmen, troni
want of bait, or other causes, are late on the Banks, and vico
versa. Besides, when we take into account that annually 360
French Vessels are on the Banks, each with 8 to 10,0UU fathoms
of bultows, spreading over 500 miles of ground, baiting over
dno million of hooks, and more than 200 small craft on St.
Pierre's Bank, it is but reasonable to conclude that a large
quantity of fish is stayed on its progress towards us, and pre-
vented from coming in with the shore.
The bultow fishing is carried on in the following manner : —
The vessel is provided with three or four large boats, of a size
fit to carry out, at considerable distances, large supplies of rope
and line, with uioorings and ani^hors sufiicient to enable her to
ride at anchor on the open Baiik in rough weather. The boats
carry out from 5 to 8000 fathomsof rope, to which are fastened
lba<ls, with baited hooks at certain distances from each other ;
these are placed out from the vessel in difi"jrent directii is, let
down, and necured with suitable moorings, to prevent thisir be-
ing carried away by the strong currents which usually prevail
on <ho Banks. Thoy are laid out at stated distances irora eacli
Other, with several thousand hooks well baited, and freijuently
occupying several miles of grouni. Having been thus set out,
they are taken up on the following day, and overhauled, tho
Qsh are taken ofl^, and if tho berth is approved of, the hooks are
baited afretth and let down sgain, and this course coutiauot t«
I
14
i)6 pursued dAily during the rojage. Should tha berth, ho^^-
ever, not prove a good one, they heave up, and the vessel (taib
about until they find another 5?nd a better one. Complaints were
made, and justly so, by the English Bankers, that when the
French saw them catching fish freely, they anchored near, and
laid out their bultows, which, spreading so large a quantity of
bait, soon drew the fish froiu the few caplin or oth^r bait prc-
eented by the English vessel ; and the latter was obliged to sail
away in <iaest of another berth, while so numerous were the
Frenchmen, that much time was lost in finding a bu'lh clear of
their vessels.
According to the report of Captain Loch, of H. M. S.
Alarm, in 1848, there were 360 French Banking vessels, of
from 150 to 300 tons each, carrying from 16 to 17,000 Frenoh-
inen, which vessels caught annually 1,200,000 quintals of fish
on the Banks." He {.lao states that Monsieur Delucluse, the
French Governor of St. Pierre's, had the honesty to tell him,
it v»as the supply of bait obtained from the Newfoundland
fishermen, that alone enabled them to carry on the Bank fishery.
Captain Locii also remarks : — " li is obvious that, by withhold-
ing from the French the supply of .)ait from our shores, their
catch on the Banks would seniiibij diminish, and their trade
could not increase beyond the limits controlled by the compara-
tively very scanty supply of bait afforded by their own coast*
and islands." All naval officers who have been on the Western
station, as well as all disinterested persons who are acquainted
with that coast, unite in stating that it is only by means of the
bait supplied to them by British subjects, that the French are
enabled to carry on the Bank Fishery. Is it, not then, a source
of wonder, that our Legislators are so blind to the interests rf
the country as to permit this evil to continue ? Is it not sur-
prising they should be so supine as to neglect their great and
important duty of passing such laws, and adopting such mea-
sures, as will efiectually cheek and prevent our foreign rivali
from obtaining their supplies of bait from our shores ?
The French Government care not so much for the Coast aa
they do for the Bank Fishery, as it is by the latter they train
and make their seamen- Check our people in supplying them
with bait, and they cannot carry on that fishery to tiie exteni
they do now, — as it has again and again been observed that it is
alone the bait thoy new obtain irom us, that enables them to
send nearly 400 vessels to the Banks, and which by spreading a
network of Bultows over so largo a space, prevent the ash
from oominj in with our vhorei. To this cause ohiefiy may be
15
attributed the aoarcity of fish of late yenr^ in Conccpjtiou and
Trinity Bajs, and on the Southern coasts of this Island. Pre-
vent the French , (and it can be done at a sm;ill expense and
with no great difficulty) from obtaining bait from our shores,
and you will so materially afl'ect their 15ank fishery, that I may,
with the utmost safety, venture to assert, that before a year
passes over they will offer such term? anr| concessions to obtain
a Bupply of Bait from us, as the most sanguine among us oould
dream of or desire. In fact, they would gladly give us exclu
•ive possession of the coast from Cape Ray to Cape Norman, a
poition invaluable to us, from its great natural resources, but
comparatively useless to the French as they cannot settle, hav-
ing only a temporary use of it, and being obliged to leave it
for the winter.
The annual average of catch from 1831 to 1835 at the
French Shore, on the Banks, and at St. Pierr's, was about
800,000 qtls., since then it has much increased. In 1848 we
cannot reckon their catch at less than 1,. 500,000 qtb , as Cap-
tain Loch reports it that year, on the Banks alone, at 1,200,-
000 qtls. The French have always exhibited a jealousy when
questioned on the subject of their fishery, and therefore we can-
not arriv* at any accurate conclusion upon it. The amount of
drawbacks, premiums, and bounties, paid by the French Govern-
ment in 1845, was nearly 20,000,000 francs, or £833,000
sterling. The premium, per man employed, is 100 to 500
francs, though in some instances it extends to 1,000 francs.
The bounty on fish re-exported from France to the West India
colonies, was 40 francs or 33s. 4d. sterling per qtl. On fish
■ftnt direct to foreign Markets in the Mediterranean, or crossing
the frontier by land into Spain, 10 francs per quintal, or 83.. 4d.
•terling.
In 1845 the quantity of Herring supplied the French by oUr
people, was nearly 10,000 barrels, and ofCaplin 21,000 barrels,
besides large quantities of sounds. The Caplin supplied the
French from Lamaline alone amounted to 7,500 barrels. The
sum paid in 1845 at St. Pierer's for bait was £12,000 ; and in
1848 it was estimated at £20,000. During the time Mr. Oka
was on the station in the Colonial Cruiser for the suppression of
this suicidal traffic, Herrings were worth at times 45 to 70
francs per barrel.
The men in the French Bankers arc employed on shares ; oha
third of the voyage is divided among the crew, and the Master
Noaives two men's shares, and 500 francs for every thousand fish
«k*t ftte tftught. In 1 847 on« vMiel caught more than 5,000 qtls.
Ot
16
Tlicse enormous bounties alone would enable the French tp
fiCTty o;. their Fishery, and it is bj the dsheruien employed on
.'tlie Hankd, tliat France mans lier Navy. Most assuredly then
is it the policy ortlio British GoTurnnient to eurtail their ti.shery,
and the only means to ajicompiish this is to gtop the supply qf
Bait to fheni.
"\\'ith the method of the catch and cure of our shore Fish, all
are so well acciuainted, that it would bo supeiHuous in me to
enter into explanatory details; I will therefore proceed will: the
endeavour t(» convey some idea of the British Bank fishery,
whieli, owin^ to the method of French Bank fishing and other
causes, has of late years entirely fallen off. The Bankin;;- vessels
formerly mostly came out from England early in the Spring, when
having taken in bait they proceeded to the Banks. For tha
purpose of mooring there, they were provided with a large cablp
of about 'J inches in circumference, and '240 fathoms long ;
this cable was serviced or covered with a sumll rope, to prevent
its chafin?, cr being cut on the bottom ; after coming to anchor,
they^ would veer out their cabb according to the roughness of
the Weather, not requiring so much scope in a calm as in a gale.
Every vessel was manned with about eight fisher.nen, a splitter,
and u header and Salter, besides the (Captain, ■p'aose duty it was
to count the fish and see that the business was properly con-
ducted. Each fisherman was provided witli lines and bobbing
poles, which j)roiected from the side, and kept the outside clear
fro.a the inside lines. They generally fished in about 45
fathoms of water, and each vessel would frequently catch in a
day, 400 fish, although fishing in this depth of water, with
heavy leads and lines, was hard and laborious work. The fish
after being taken, were split and salted m the vessel's hold, the
heads, sounds, bones, and entrails, were kept on deck, uritil the
vessel made another berth, (which would probably not be for a
fortnight), as, if thrown overboard, they would either frighten
away the fish or feed them. Vessels of from lOO to 120 toas
haveloailed, by this method of hook and line fishery, in 14 days.
at other times when fish was scarce, they would remain anchoi-
ed on the Banks for a month or six weeks. To form some idea
of the agreeableness of the Bank fishing, one must fancy the
vep>el lolling and pitching about, the men scarcely able to
stand, the fog drojiping like rain tVom the rigging, gn a dark,
cold, night, and feeling the hooks to bait them.
Ai\er the vessel had completed her loading, or when bait was
required, she would proceed to Mie port at which the fish wa«
to he cured, where it was washed out, taken on shore, and dried.
J
11
>fter the vessel had discharged, she would take ia salt, bait, hai
other necessaries, and proceed again to the Banks, probably
not having been more than twenty hours in the harbour ; the
Merchants of those times priding themselves on the short time
the Banker was in port. The " /same spirit is evinced in the
present day, as regards vessels loading for Brazils.
The fish caught on the Banks is largo and of a superior
tjuality, averaging but thirty to the quintal when dried. The
greatest portion of th« fish formerly taken was shipped to the
Spanish and Portuguese markets, where it was more esteemed
and commanded ^ igher prices than the shore catch. The Bank-
ers made generally four trips during the season, and iu some
seasons upwards of 1500 quintals were taken by each vessel.
Tk\e last trip they split round tails, and took them in salt to
England, without being dried, and thero sold them iu that
state.
In 1835, a Portuguese company was formed in Lisbon, un-
der the title of the Compania Pisoarias, for the prosecution of
the Bank fishery ; they sent to England and purchased seven
English schooners, of about 100 tons each, and shipped in Devon-
shire, at high wages, men who had been accustomed to the
Bank fishery. A.fter being fitted out at a large expense with
ftU the luxuries thay thought Englishmen were fond of, such
as cheese, brandy, porter, &c., (and fine feasting these old
Bankers had) the vessels proceeded to Lisbon, and on arrival
there, an equal number of Portuguese were put on board, to bo
instructed in the method of fishing ; then taking in sardineas
for bait, they proceeded to the Banks, and when they had com-
pleted their first trip, they returned to JFayal, in the Western
Islands, where they landed their fish and then went on a second
Voyage, on the return from which those who had been successful
landed the second cargo,and proceeded on their third voyage, the
catch of which they took green to Lisbon, where it was sold in
the same condition. In Fayal the fish was taken in waggons
to the tops of the mountains, where flakes had been previously
made, covered with boards, as a screen to protect the fish from
the scorching rays ofthegun,and it was there cured by the winds
and heats, which in those climates are very drying, and when
cured tL:^ fish waa thence exported to Portugal, where it is
admitted at a nominal duty. At the end of the season the
Englishmen so employed were tlischarged and sent home.
The Portuguese having thus obtainod from them all the infor-
mation they required, (they now finhwith bultows;) the Com*,
pany, however, ia not in a flouri ' *
at
ig
lavmg
18
under many disadvantages. 80 ignorant were many of t&xw
Directors, at the time the Company was t'ormad, that at one of
their meetings, the V' ' ' lident proposed drying the fish oa
the Banks ! Their Go - jiit, I beliove,havo made overtures to
Great Britain to take off a 'Portion of the heavy duties they
now impose upon our fish, on condition of having granted a
portion of the Newfoundland coast, for them to form a settle-
ment for the cure of fish; if such is the case, the Portuguese
Government not having the means of granting bounties, it would
be wise policy in Great Britain to accede to the proposal, as
the consumption is much curtailed by the high prices the con-
sumers have to pay, the duties being in many instances more
than the price wi; obtain for the fish itf^elf, and the quantity
consumed would increase in a greater ratio, than the difference
of quantity the Portuguese would catch.
The method of fishing generally used on the Newfoundland
coast is the Hook and Line. Of late years, Cod-seines have
much increased, notwithstanding the denunciations of Izaak
Walton of Trii'iity, who, to his credit bo it said, and with a
perseverance worthy of success, always decried this injurious
mode of fi.-ihing ; nearly twenty years' experience enables me to
say I entirely agree in his views, and in corroboration allow me
to read from an old petition, sent in 1775 to the British House
of Commons, the following extract : —
" Codseines H 0 deem a great nuisance, by them we destroy
great quantities of small fish, which aftor being enclosed (and not
worth the attention of the person who hauls them) are left to rot,
by which means a multitude of fiah, that would else grow to matu-
rity, perish."
We learn from L' Abbey Ray nail that the English fishermen'
previously to the year 1763, used to repair to certain parts of
the Island during the winter for the prosecution of the Seal
Fishery, which always terminated at the close of the season.
They placed their nets between the shore and the islands, or
rocks, that lie at a small distance from it ; the seals, which ge-
nerally came in shoals from the Eastward, were caught in at-
tempting to pass the narrow places. This plan appears to have
been pursued until the end of tho last century, when some enter-
prising Merchants of Ooncoption Bay and St. John's commenc-
ed sending out small vessels of from oO to 50 tons burthen,
each manned by 12 or 14 men, who were generally hired at
fi'.ted wages. The number of vessels in 1800 did not exceed 50.
The expense of the outfit of each vessel wns about £75. —
In the year 1814, when the number of vessels had considerably
of eh«
t one of
6 fish on
turcs to
ties they
ant<}d a
a settlo-
rtuguese
it would
)Osal, as
the con-
Qes more
quantity
ifferenoo
tundland
les have
of Izaak
d with a
injurious
es me to
allow me
ih Houaie
) destroj
(and not
ift to rot,
to matu-
jhermeu'
parts of
;he Seal
3 season,
lands, or
^hich ge-
lt in at-
I to have
i« enter-
)mmeno-
burthen,
hired at
ceed 50.
£75.—
iderably
19
inoreascd, there were exported 4,660 tuns Seal Oil and 156,000
8kins. TheSeal Fishery then began to languish,and tor aoonsdera-
ble period, remained in a low condition, owing to the depression
in trade by the peace, and from other causes. From 1825
down to the present time, it has been yearly on the increase,
and is the most profitable pursuit in the island, or, it may truly
be said, in the world, more than equalling the gold diggings of
California or Australia, and not more uncertain or precarious in
its character The Seal Fishery now annually employs upwards
of 400 vessels of from 80 to 200 tons, manned by 15,000 men
by whose intrepidity and laborious industry, an amount of not
less than £300,000, the proceeds of Seal Oil and Skins, is
added to the trade of this Island.
Up to the year 1774, vessels were sent in pursuit of Wal-
russes. Morses or Sea Horse, and in 1761) the value of the Sea-
horse oil, skins and teeth, exported from Newfoundland, wa.^
£2,300. Inl843,three of these animals were taken on theFrench
shore; their tusks were about 18 inches long ; last season one
was taken in Green Bay, and some few years since, the remains
of one were brought in here by Mr. William Whealan of
Brigus.
The lext fishery in importasce to th« God and Seal, is the
Herring Fishery. No correct idea can be formed of its extent
or value. From St. George's Bay nearly 20,000 barrels are
annually shipped to foreign marketa; from Fortune and Pla-
oentia Bays, about 80,000 barrels, from other parts of the Island
45,000 barrels, and 10,000 barrels are supplied the French;
making the total exports, so far as oould be ascertained, 105,-
000 barrels, but this falls far short of the quantity actually
exported.
This branch of our fishery has heretofore been much neglect-
ed. Free Trade with Canada and the United States, will tend
80 to increase the demand for this fine fish, that, ere long, the
Herring fishery will rival in value and importance even the Cod
fishery in this Island. I cannot omit to mention the bad char-
acter Newfoundland Herrings have acquired in foreign markets,
owing in a great measure to the little pains taken in the cure ;
to the defects of our inspection sy&teni, and from allowing our
Herrings to be shipped in br.lk:. Were sufficient pains taken
in the cure and packing, I can imagine no rea-son why New-
foundland Herrings should not be as good as those caught in
other countries.
'In 1749 there were exported from this country 1,800 tierces
Salmon, valued at 40s per tierco, and in 1852, ?<,400 tierces.
20
In 1775 Coniinoilore DufF ro])ortcd the Salmon fishery in
OunJer l>iiy,!inJ Bay of Exploits, iw already largo and rapidly
increasing. But our b(\st Salmon fisheries liavc been unli.w-
f'uUy iiiid unjustly takon by the French ; tho splendid Salmon
fishery in JiuU Vac JJay is now nionopoli.sod by thorn.
Tlu! method oftalviDi^ Sahiion is generally in nets. The Es-
quinian.v Indians resliling N(-rthward take them in ATeirs mado
ot'bnjncheM of trees, and of wood they prepare for the purpose.
In 1832 there were exported from Newfoundland, OlO bar-
rels of ^Mackerel. This fifh, so valuable an article of commereo
as well so great a luxury, has desfiLeil our coasis for many
years, still we may reasonably hope they will visit us again.ere
long, in abundance, as they naturally will ibllow their old cus-
tom of returning to their former haunts, after having deserted
them for years. In (ji-reen Bay, during the past few years, they
have already made their appearance ; last seiuson, about a barrel
of Mackerel was taken per net, From information kindly af-
forded me by Mr. Knight, I am led to agree with him in opinion,
that thev are gradually appearing on the shores of the North
East part of thu Island. I am ei-edibly informed they were in
abundance in White Bay last season, and from these indications
we may indulge the hope, that they will shortly gladden our
fish^nnen by their presence in all the bays of the Island.
Newfoundland, so long deemed valueless as an agricultural
country, is not so in reality ; even that purtion which is most
thickly populated, and contains the worst land in tho Island,
the territory of Avalon, has 100,000 acres under cultivation ;
and though it labours under the disadvantage of being exposed
to cold fu;iS and winds in the summer, yet even here the land
repays thi^se who cultivate it, and when the country shall be
denuded ol" its forests, and the land more extensively drained,
we shall hiid great improvements in the productive properties
of the soil. And here I would read an extract fromWhitbornes'
work, before alluded to, in corroboration of these remarks:
" It is \vell knowno unto nil those that have seene the countrey
and observed it, how th« laud is over growne with woods and
bushes, that ha\'c growne and so rotted into the ground againo,
(in my ojdnion ever since the flood) the rottennos thereof hath 80
covered the earth and rocks in divers places of the countrey in
j^reat thickness, and by reason thereof the open land and woods
doe along time in the Summer, containe a great moisture under
the same, so that a man miiy oljscrvc when the heate of the yearo
comes on a kinde of t'ogge arising continiially Irom it. Therefore
in mv oppinion. which I snl)n)it to deeper judgments, if those
unnei'essiirv hushofl and such unserviccahUi wwds were in somd
21
filacos burnud, so an tho hot bcanios of the nun might poarco Into
the ear til an tl stones tbore so speijtlily as it doth on some uther
CHintrcys t'lut lyo nniJer tho Huino oh>vntion of tlio Poh*, it would
then th(?ro uuiko andi a rofloctinn of hoato that it wouM much
loHsen t\uii^ foirs, ami also mako tho oonntrny mur:h iho liottor
Wjntor and Suinmor, and thorchy tha oarth will hud forth ho?
blossoms and fruitH moro tiiiudy in thr yoero than now it doth,
nnd so hriii>» tho land more fainiliar to us and fitt'T for tillage and
for boasts, and also for land fowl than now it i.s, and thctroby those
islanda of ico that como on that coast at ai/y tiino will tho sooner
dissolve, wliioh dtj speedily molt when they como nt;cro tho Souh-
part of that land, etc."
Tho Western p*rt« of Newfounilland arc tho best I'or Agri-
cultural purposes, the land there is rich and loamy, tho climato
good, and ttjual to that of I'rincc Edward iHland or Now
lirunswick. Magnificent St. G«orge's Bay, as it is termed by
flomo of our Naval (Joinmandore, is one of the best sections of
the Island. Bonne Bay is another of the beautiful Bays situato
on the Western coast. I have heard it described as rescnibling
Devonshire, the garden of England, and all agree in pronounc-
ing that portion of our Island to possess a good climate, and a
soil highly capable of cultivation. It i.s true the harbours aro
not so numerous there as they arc on the Eastern coasts, but
the River* and Bays are of a magnitude unknown in the Avalon
district, the tbrnier connecting the coask with the interior, and
affording water transport for the splendid lumber of various
kinds which abound near tho coast. In the North-East, that
portion situate between Cap* John and Cape Quirpon, tiie land
is fiar superior to that to the Southward. The weather during
the summer season is wanner, and free from cold winds anil
fogs, the reason probably to b« assigned for which, is, that tho
land does not approximate uo closely to the Bank.
Wc find the framers of the treaty were always taunted with
having given away the best portion of Newfoundland, making
ovpr to our rivals the dry and beautiful climate of the West
and North East, and retaining only the cold foggy South East
portions of the Island.
True it is, we have the Eastern harbours, always easy of
access at nil seasons of tho year, and admirably adapted lor tho
prosecution of the fishery. Still we cannot but view with a
feeling of regret, if not ot envy, the land that should now be
our own, but that we are debarred from enjoying; a portion of
the Island easy of cultivation, and which would well repay the
labour of the husbandman.
On the French Shore North the land is rich and loamy, free
22
in & gre&t measure from rocks : th« loil ia so deep thai I har*
often thrust a walking slick to the hilt when walking there. I
have seen numbers of natural meadows, many of them from ten
to twenty acres, where hundreds of tons of haj might be cut.
I was told by John Dower, whom I saw cutting hay in Concho,
that, with the assistance of his man, ho had cut nine tons, and
had it made in four day* ; this person keeps eight or nine cows,
the most of which he bred there. In Conche, mor# than sixty
British subjects reside, a Chapel was built there a few years
since, in which a French clergyman officiates during the summer
season.
In Pistolet Bay, immense quantities of kelp are to be ob-
tained, the accumulation ol a series of years ; the strong tides
of the Straits detitch it from the bottom, and the sea throws it
on shore, where it invites the attention of the Agriculturalist.
In making up the exports of the Island it is but fair to take
into account the quantity of fish abstracted from the Banks and
Shores of Newfoundland, and our Coasts of Labrador. We
therefore put down the catch as follows :
Br TU£ AltUICAMS.
1,500,000 QtU. Cod Fish at lOs £760,000
4,500 Tons Oil at £30 135,000
«00 Tierces Saknon at £4 3,200
£888,200
By thb Fhbnch.
1,600,000 Qtls. Cod Fish at lOs 800,000
4,000 Tons Cod Oil at £30 120,000
1,000 IVrces Salmon at £4 4,000
£924,000
Bt British Subjkcts.
Exported from Newfoundland as per Customs returns.
1,000,000 Qtls. Cod Fish at lOa 500.000
4,U00 Tons Cod Oil at £30 120,000
7,000 Tons Seal Oil at £30 210,000
110 000 Barrels Herrings at 128. 00,000
535,000 Seal Skins at 2s. 6d 6G.875
3,400 Tierces Salmon at 808 , 13,600
£976,475
23
We have aldo to put down as exported from the Labrador
of Fish caught in the Waters by British subjects, of which w«
have no returns,
300,000 Qtls. Fish at 10s
Of Oil, Skins, Salmon and Horriag, the value of. .
. 1 50,000
. 100,000
£250,000
making \ total of 4,400,000 quintals of Cod Fish, caught on
the Shores and Banks belonging to Newfoundland, and there
is annually taken from our waters the value of £3,0^58,075.
Have we not then just cause to be proud of our valuable fish-
eries, and of a country possessing such inmiensc and important
resources ?
Taking a retrospectivoview of Newfoundland,we find that since
1830 she has given greater evidences of her capabilities for an in-
crease of her products, and an extension of her commerce, than
in any preceding period. Since then the Capital, and other towns,
have assumed more of the characteristics of the cities and vil-
lages of the old country, than of merely temporary settlements.
St. John's, since the great fire of 1840, has risen like a Phoenix
from its ashes, adorned with public buildings, shops and private
residences, that, could old Governor Millbank and his fiihing
Admirals in their buckskin breeches, top boots, and long queaus
now look upon them, would afibrd them •ome difficulty to iden-
tify in the modern capital the fishing station of 1790, the
scene of their prohibitions and short sighted restriciions. Or
could we introduce, this evening, to the attractive portion of
this brilliant assemblage. Major Lieut.-Crovernor Mford, who,
80 late as 1788, reaommendod to the British Parliament, that all
the women located on the Island should bo removed, and that in
future no one of the gentler sex should be allowed to land ;
could we, I say, introduce him to the galaxy of female loveli-
ness which now adorns this room, and could he but appreciate
the worth of those around me, I am sadly afraid ho would bo
the last to act upon his own recommended measure of expatria-
tion, unless, indeed, he meant to accompany the fair exiioi hira-
ielf.
Mr. Vice-President, Lcidies and Gentlemen,
Had time permitted I would gladly have given far more ex-
tended views on the resources of this Island, as aim n more
detailed description of that most valuable portion of uur coun-
try, denominated the French Shore, itsfishorios and the customs
tf the French subjects frequenting that coast.
ii
Labrador, the maguificsetit dependency of Newfouhdland, anc(
tiie day destined to assume and oocapj an important poiition in
tlie commercial world, I have here passed bj unnoticed. This
vast country and its inexhaustible resources, its wandering
Indians, Esquimaux, and located inhabitants, afford much and
interesting matter for separate attention, to which, with your
ttpprobation, I shall willingly devote myself, by making them
the subject of another lecture on some future occasion^
iiftnd, and
poiitioD in
;ed. This
vrandering
much and
, with your
iking them
Hi
APPENDIX
^aj
.X 1 0 /la J I
V7.
to
ba
Wi
&fi
do
fbi
tri
of
Ta
uei
fo]
ha
M
be
an
B<
SI
ha
H
th
to
no
ha
on
TV
(^
ia
b<
H
APPENDIX;
Mi'
<•»•
1.:
A Conclusion to the former Discourse — containing a partial*
jj , Iqr description and relation of something omitted, tottching
Tf. the Natives of that Country— as also of a Strange Creature
/■^cene thp-e,^ and likewise the rmson why I have not set forth
a Map of the Newfoundland in this Book. ,.^ j
Gbktlk RfiADSR, — ^When you have perused my fbriner di&;
iBOUrsc and discoveries contained therein and such good appro^
bation as it hath received, which gives me ever an assurance it
Will also receive good acceptance from all His Majesties well
affected subjects, whed it shall bd presented unto you, and if it
do so appeare Unto ihe, I shall be the better incouraged to set
forth what I have taken notice of iil my travells to that Coun*
try concerning the severall depths of the water, and deversities
of the ground, in ievery severall depth that hath come in the
Tallo ojQ the end df the Leade, when it hath been cast into the
^eA, which I coiiceive to bee necessary for those that shall hence-
forth tride thither^ because as yet, nb man to ray knovrledge
hath undertakeil so to doe, and whensoever it may please Hia
Majestie^ or the State shall seem good to command mc, I shall
be ready with my life and mearies to make a perfect discovery
and description of the severall Headlands, Bays, Harbours and
Boads, fbr Ship to anchor, as also the Islands, Bocks and
Shelves round about the Newfoundland, which as yet no man
hatii done, neither are there (I suppose) but few men living of
His Mi^esties subjects that did at any time saile round about
the land between ^o continent of Amcrlcu, and that whereby
to set forth a true Map of that Couatrey, which as yet there m
Act but imaginarily because such as have usually travelled there
have alwayes made their Voyages in the Harbours and Boads
on the East and Southmost parts of that land, but never on the!
West and North parts thereof, and so by such an imployment,
(which may be well performed with a very small charge) there
is no doubt but that some other good discoveries of trade may
bee made ia 3omc parts of that Countrcy and also with Ike
IV* APPENDIX.
Natives tkere, not only with those which live in the North and
WestmoBt parts of the Newfoundland, but also with those which
border in the maine continent of America neere thereunto.
For it is well knotrne that they are a very ingenius and subtill
kinde of people (as it ha^ oflen appeared iii divers things) so
likewise are they tractible aa hath beene K^ell approved, when
they have bnene gently and politiokly dealt with all, also they
are a people that will seeke to }«venge any wrongs done unto
them, or their Woolves as hath often appeared. For they
m^rke their Woolves in the Eares with severaU markes as u
ns^here in England on She^ and ottrer beasts, whidb ha^
been likewise well approved, for the Woolves in those ptorts are
not so violet ai^d devouring as Wbolviss are in other Goontries.
For nomaa that I ever heard of oould sajr that any Woolfe,
Leopard, lieare, or any ot&er beasts did ever set upon any man or
boy in the Newfoundland, althou^ divers times some men have
been by themselves in the woods when they have suddenly oome
neerer unto them, and those'beasts have presently upon toght of
any christian speedly mnne from them. Neither are there any
Snakbs, Toads, Serpents or any other venomous Wonttes thai
ever were knowne to hurt any man in that Country, but jonly
a very little nimble Fly (the least of all othw flies) which is
calledaMiiikieto, those flies seem to have a great power and
authority upon all loytering and idle people that come to tlie
Newfoundland : for they nave this property that when they
finde any such lying, la^yi or sleeping in the woods, they wUl
presently bee more nimble to s^ze on &em than any SargeanI
will be to arrest a man for debt. Neither will tiiey leave
atinging or sucking out the blood of 0uch sluggards, nvtil like
a Beadel they bring him to his master, where he shouH labour,
in which time ot loytering, those flies will so brand suoh idle per*
sons in ihar faces, that they may bo knowne from others as thjs
Turks do their slaves. Now it may be well undearstood, there
is great hope that those parts of the world will yield sev^rall
commodities of exceeding worth, whereon divers good implov*
m^nts may bee made for great numbers of His Majesties sub-
jects.
It is well knowne that firom the Newfoundlfind, nnto a place
ealled the Banke, which lyeth East from thence towards %^gf
land, 25 leagOBS in the like altitude, which Bank is a sand and
in most places twelve leagues broad, and in length North East
and Southw6st 100 leagues, on which Bank there is no less
than 20 fadorae of water at any place, and there doc fishyoarly
abone lOQ saile of French bbips, winter and Buiuuior ; boni« ef
>rih and
se which
ereunto.
1 subtill
lings) 80
\di when
,lso they
3ne unto
'or they
kes fts 18
[eh hath
pflnrtsare
onntnes*
Woolfe,
y man or
nenhaTO
nlycnme
1 ta^t of
heire any
vies that
but only
which 10
»wer and
ne to the
hen they
Ihey will
Saraeant
ey leave
ivtil like
A labour,
idle per*
;rsa8 th/B
4)d, there
1 sev^rall
i implo7'
Btiea 8ub-
X) a place
krds £9g-
sand and
orth East
no less
ishyoarly
Monii ef
AI>t*ENDlX. Vi
ihtm makbg iw6 voyages there in a yeere and another voyage
to some other place, also in the same yeere, and spend much time
of the same yeere at their owne homes likewise.
X have often (suling toynards the Newfoundland) met with
some French Shipe, oomming from tb^ce dcepe loden with
Fish in the fiisst of April) who have takw the same there in
Januaiyt F^raary» and March, which are the sharpest months
in the yoMre for storms and oruell weather.
To wbioh 3aiike, may our JMation such as will adventure
therein and ^ grMjt goocl in fishing saile firam the Newfound*
land in the latter part of the summer, when the fish begins to
draw ^om that Coest as commonly it doth when the winter
oomes ea. I meoiie eueh shipping as are to be imployed by
whf^isoever may undertake to plant there and likewise any
otberp that aaile thither a fishing, as now they use to do : whofaav*
ing dijBpoeed away such fish and traine oil as they take Uierein
Uie summer time unto Merchants as usually every yeere, some
•tioh as adventure thither haye done, they may then (salt being
made theiei as it may be fitly and dieaply) take in thereof a
fit quantaty and fresh water, wood, fresh fowels, great store,
and otbiOr victuall and likewise a suffioient quantity of Herrings,
Maokenell, Gapeling and Lawnce to bait their hookes — ^withall
for taking of fish on the said Bank, because such bait tibe
Frenchmen are not able to have that saile purposely to fish
there, but are constrained to bait their hookes with a part of the
same Cod Fish which they take there werewith they load their
Ships.
Now also I will not omit to relate something of a strange
creature wbidi I first saw there in the year 1610, in a morning
early, as I was standing by the river side in the Harbour of
Saint John's — whieh very swiftly came swimming towards me,
looking cheerfully on my £ice as it had been a woman, by the
face, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, earea, necke, and forehead, it
seemed to bee so beautiful!, and in those parts so well proper-'
tioned, having round abont the head muny^lue streakes rosem-
bling^hMre, li^t certainly it was no haire, yet I beheld it long,
an4 another oj^ my company also yet livinff, that was not then
far &oin I4CC, saw the ^ame coming so swiftly towards mee at
irhich I stepped backe, fbr it was come within the length of a
long Pike, supposing it would have <^rung aland to mee, be«
cause 1 had often seen huge Whales to spring a great height
above the water, as divers other ^eat fi^es doe, and so might
this strange creature doe to me ifl had stood still where I was
as I verily believe it had such a purpose. But when it saw
vt.
aM'endIx;
that I went from it, it did thereupon dive a little under the
water, and swam towards the place where a little before I land<
cd, and it did ofte*i looko baoke towards mce whcrebj^ I beheld
the shoulders and backe ddwn to the middle to be so square,
white, and smooihc as tho backo of a man, add fh>m the
middle to the hinder part, it was pointing in proportion some*
thing like a brdad hooked Arrow ; how it wad in the fare part,
frdm the neoke and shooldert , I could not ^ell diiceroe, but it
came shortly after to a Boat in the sanje HarboiUr (wherein one
William Hawkridge tiien Mj sel^rant was) that, hath been since
a Captain in a ship to the East Indies ajid is lately there so
imployed again, and the saitie ordature did put both his handd
upon the side of the Boat, and did strive niuoh to oome i&td
him, and diVers then in the dame Boat ; whereat thej wert
afraid; and ohe of them struck it a full blow on tlie head;
whereby it fell off from thenl, ahd afberwards it came to two
other boats in the said Harbour, where they lay by the shore—
the men in them for fear fled to land, and beheld it. This (I
suppose) was a Marenu|,id or Mareiniin. Now becailse div^iid
have writ miioh of Milromaids, I have presumed to delate
what is most certaine of such a strange cireture that #as thus
then seen at Newfoundland, whether it w6te a Maremaid or hoi,
I leave it for others to judge ; and so referred ^oU to the per-
usual of the copies of thdse letters following, which have been
lately sent from {he Newfoundland, which I doubt not but
they will also give you some satisfaction of what I have writ-
ten of that Country : whereby to bring you the more in love toi
the imbracing of a Plantation in that Country, which may be
well gtJled — a Sister Land which God grant to bless^ and pros-
per, &c;
RICHARD WHITBURNE;
Greutle reader, I have in my former didcoutse, something
like unto a Harbinger, chalked .)ut the way for a Plantation
in the Newfoundland, wherebv it may prove to be a work
both profitable and necessary ror his Majestle's Kingdoms \ti
General. But because the i^ections and resolutions of oieti
0 sometimes freere instead of heating, and most decline wheri
to the oye of the world they seem most to advance, I havel
therfore adventured to fortify and assist itiy former Discoutfie
with this second, by unfolding dther reasons to make it morci
Apparent that to settle an orderly plantation in that country,
it bears divers great persuasions with it, yea, such as hay^
all the grounds and runno ou all the feet of good probabi-
APPENDIX.
vn,
litieB, as Religion, Honour, Empire and Profit, the vihick
may be performed with small charge and to have yearly good
benefit with great facility. Therefore, I purpose now, more,
plainly to acquaint all such undertakers of that Plantation
what particular profit may redound to themselves and po*.-
te»ities, and what honour through their industry will acoruej
thereby unto all liis Majestie's other Kingdoms. Bear thereii
fora, I beseech you, with my rough style and plain meaning,
in which I strive rathei; to shew truth in her own brightness '
thui to heap applause or glory to my self. To crown that
country of Newfoundland with due praises it may (by the ap-
probation and iiavour of his Majesty) be justly styled a siatei;
land to this great Island of Brittania, Ireland, Virginia, the
Summer Islands, New England and Nova Scotia.
And« th&t she may claim herself this bold and honourable
title, the World I think, will be on her side, especially, because
from her own mouth doth shew what infinite and unspeakable
benefit for many years together, the negotiation of our King
dom with her bath brought to all people — not only by the
increase and maintaining of Mariners and Shipping, but also
by the enriching of many a subject ; and so consequently., by
relieving of many thousands of families, which else, bad lived
in miserable wants for lack of honest imployments, Our
English having more than fourscore years together mac*e
thriving and profitable voyages to that country, the poseessiou
whereof began in our late Sovereign, of happy memory, Queen
Elizabeth, :ind so continues more strongly now in his Majestie
without the claim, interest and authority of any other Prince,
This proper and commodious situation of the place together
with the correspondency of beticfits, which not only Qreat
Britain but also other countries may, and do receive from the
same, fills me more with an ardent desire so to have her called
(Sisterland.) And worthily may that royalty be bestowed
upon her, for as Great Britain hath ever been a cherishing
nurse and mother to other foreign sons and daughters, feeding
tbeni with the mi)k of her plenty, and fattening them at her
breasts, when they have been even starved at their own.
Even so hath this worthy Sisterland, from time to time given
free and liberal entertainment to all that desire her blessing,
and chiefly (above f»ll other nations) to the English.
What receive %, from the hands of our owne Country, which
in most bountious manner we have not had or may have at
hers. Nay, what can the world yeild to the eustentation of
paan which is not in her to bcc gotten. Desire you wholcsonie
MIL
APPENDIX.
ayre ( the rery food ol' life) ? It is there— Shall any land powr«
in abundaut heaps of nourishments and necossaries before you.
There you have them — what seas so abounding with fiafai — wfaafe
shoitjs so replenished with fresh and sweet wutess ? The wanUi;
of other kingdoms arc not fult heere, and those provinons which'
many other countries want are from them supplyod. How^
much is Spain, Franoe, Portugal, Italy and other* plaoes behold*
ing to this noble part of the world for hsb and odier commodi^
ties (it is to be admired), let the Dutch report what sweetnest
they haye suofct from thenoe by trade thitner in buying of ^
and other commodities from oar Nation, and (albeit all th0 test
should bo dumbe) the yoyces of them are as trumphets lowd
enough to make £)Dgland f»l\ more and more in lore i^ith such
a Sister>land,
I am loth to weary thee (good reader) in acquainting thee
thus to those famous i&ire and profitable Riyers and likewise to
those delightful, large and inestimable Woods s^d also with
those fruitful and inticing Hill and delightftil yallie(>— there to
hawke and hunt where is neither sayage people nor ravenous
beasts to hinder their sports. They are suoh, that in so small a
piece of paper as now my love salutes thee with, I cannot fcdly
set them down as they deserye, and therefore I doe intreat theo
withji:Jgment, with patience, and with a true desire fbr the bene-
fit of thy dread Sovereign and Country, to reade over thlR dis<
course whidi (I trust) may inoourage thee to further so hype*
ful a Plantation aa it appeareth o be, and also I trust mye thee
ample satisfaction and ^ust cause to answereopposerSfUany^out
of ignorance or any oihersinester respect shall seek tO' hinder so
honourable and worthy designs, So wishing thee all happiness,
I rest,
Ever thine for my Countries good,
RICHARD WHITBURNE.
<< It IB well khowne that they which adventure to NewfoundLund
a fishing begin to dresse and provide their ships ready, commonly
in the monCn of December, January and February, and ar6 reiiCdy
to set fourth at sea in those voyages neere the end of February,
beine commonly the foulest time in ihe year. And thtib they^ do«,
etrituigto be there first in a Harbour to obtain the name of Ad*
miraU that ye^e, and so to have the chiofest place to make their
tish 00, where they may doe it with the greatest ease and hate the
choyce of divers other necessaries in the Harbours which do them
little stead, but the taking of them, wrongs many othew of Your
Majesties Eu'^jects trWch ajsiY* thwe aft^i tk first"
.*!.
APPENDIX.
JX'.
powr«
e you.
—what
wanU;
i whidh'
tumodix
reeinesv
SOf^
th0rest
t8 lowd
lib such
ing ihca
ewise to
isointli
-thdrc to
ravenous
small a
not fully
;reat theo
the bone-
ihit dis*
* so b^vpe-*
Okie ihed
ifany'out
hinder 80
lappinesff,
foundlaud
commonly
ard recidy
Pbbtuary,
I they doe,
me of Ad*
sake their
d hate the
;h do them
IB of Your
A Copy of a Letter from N. hi., a Genllenian living at lArrtf-
land in Newfoundland, to a worthy friend M. P., of the
ISlh August, 1622.
Sir, — Mj humble service remembered accounting mysell'
bound unto you in a double bond, namely love and duty. I
could not bee unraindfell to shew the same unto you in these
rude lines, tiicrcby to acquaint you with our health, the tempera-
ture of our Countrey and the commodities and blessings therein.
And first, for the first concerning our health, thei*e is not any
man amongst our company that hath beene sicke scarcely one
day .since he came, but hath 'een able to follow his worke.
The climate difiers but little from England, and I myself felt less
cold here this winter then I did in England the winter before,
by much. The ay re is sweeter, for I never smelt any evil sa-
vour in the Countrey, nor saw any venomous creature to Kurt
me. Gods blessings upon this land arc manilbld, as for Wood
and Water, it passeth England, the one most sweet in growing
:;nd burning, the other most plea-sant to taste and good to drink.
For in the Whitson holidays (I taking with me master Stoning)
did coast some ten miles into the Countrey Westward from our
Plantation to make some discovery of the Countrey and to kill
11 Deer, and being some 5 miles into the land where wee lodged
that night in a W^ood, wee found much champion ground and
good levels of one, two, three or four hundred Acres together,
and at the foot of each mountain and small hill wee always met
with a faire fresh River or a sweet brooke, and it did quench
my thurst as well as any Beere and much refresh us both and
never ofiended our stomacks at all, we travelled tliree days but
found no deer, save their footing, which came to pass by means
of a great fire that had burned the Woods a little before tea
miles compaese. It began between Formouse and Aqualbrt, it
burned a weeke and then was quenched by a great raine. I
know not who or what he was that gave fire to it, but I thinkc
he was servant hired by the divell to doe that wicked deed who
(I doe not doubt) will pay him for his worke. In the night
the Woolves being near did something aff"right us with their
bowlings, but did not hurt us, for wee have had dogs, fire and
dword to welcome them. As for the Beares, although there be
many, they beare us no ill will, I thinke, for I have eaten
my part of two or three, and taken no hurt by them. Foxes
here are many and as subtil us a Fos.. Yet have wee coozeaed
many of them of their rich coats, which our worthy Governor
keep!* careliilly, an also nl Cjtttagcna's ami Otter.'<, wh'.»sc '.•ovcr-
ing wee ppj^aTt; c!'; litli'-g prc^cut^ lyr givater p-.T-un'^, TU^
If
V.
APfENDIX.
n
Vuwle.s uiid Birdd of the ItiuJ wxvi Partriges, Curlucd, PillidajB,
Blackbirdti, Biilfinchc-^, Larks, SparroWH and sucli like. ThoHo
of the sea arc Goose. Ducks of four sort, Capdei-aee, Toalo,
Snipes, Pcnguyns, ^lurrcH, Hounds, Sanderlins, lledBhaiiks and
otherH, all very fat, sweet, and wholesome. The Fowle.s of prey
are Tercels, (ioshawkes, Falcons, Lancrs, Sparhauks, Gripes,
Ofprois, Owls', Great and small Ravens, Gulla, Pitterila and
some othei'9, and of most of these sorts I have killed many.
As for the plenty of Codfish, it is well known unto you, Salraona,
Eolcs, Mackarcll, Herring, Lanco. CapUn, Dogfish, Hollibuts,
Flowkes, Lolsters, Crabs and Huskies, all and more then all
these are here in great plentry, very good and sweet meat. The
wild Fruit and Berries are small, PeaA, Cherries, Nuts, Res-
berries, Strawberries, Parberrics, Dewberries, Hurtleberrics,
with others, all good to eutc. Many fair Flowers I have seen
here, which I cannot name, although I bad learned Gerrads
Hcrball by heart. ]Jut wild Roses are hecre, both rod and dam^
ask, as fragrant and fair as in England. All our Come and seed
have prospered well, and are already growne, almost to perfect
matvuity. What shall I sjiy. To say that I know not — I dare
not. Thus much I know, as an eye witness, and much more good
the Countrey doth promise to shew mo, the which when I see
you, my heart shall command my tongue to cortifie you. Dear
Governors letters (T doubt not) will bring you news at large. I
wrote but this in haste to ijatisfie myself, and shew my duty
desiring you to lookc tiiorow it as thorow a prospective Glasse
wherein 3 ou may discerno a farre off what I have scene nccro
hand, aiid see, that ycur poorc well wishing friend is alive and
ill good health at Ferryl-nd, who in the lowest step of duty
takes his leave wiili prayers. lOr your preservation and will ever
remain,
Your Servant to beo commanded,
Feiryland, 1.8th August, 1622, N, H.
^^ S^f
TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS OF GREAT
BULTVLN IN PAULIAMENT ASSEMBLED :—
The Pdifion of the Merchants, Boat-keepers; and Principal
Inhabitavis of St. John's, Petty Harbour, and Tor Bay^ in
the Island of Newfoundland,
Most Humbly Shewcth ;
That your petitioners having Maturely Considered a Bill for
amending and rendering more Effectually an Act made in the
APl>ENbtX. 3i^
Fit'tcciuli y\'ur of lli.s present iVIujcsty (Uooige 'inJ, 1770,) en'
titled, " Aii Act for the Encouragcineiit ol'tlio FishevioH carried
oil iroiu Oreat Britain, [rclaiil, uiul the Britisli Du'uiuiuut> iu
Europo, and for scouring tUo return of the fi>licrrnon, sailors,
ai)d others Kinployed iu the said fisheries to the ports thereof,
at Uic end of the finhinj,; season," and tor ropoalin/^ certain pro-
visious in the said Act reUitivo to the said fishericH, arc o;'
opinion that it.s (lencral tendency in well culoulatcd for tho
lienetit of this Island, at tha eanie time beg leave to lay ))cforQ
you some aniendnicnta and additions, which we appccUend will
also be of public utility. :
Jlfllotve to liou4»tie» granted ships ov vessels cuinloyof.l in tho
British fishery, ou. the Ba^ks of Newfoundland, iuiving been
found in adeijuat^^ to itH inteniion (as to obtain it the adveu-
turer3 were obliged to bo at a considerable expouse in outfitting
their Vessels, carrying extra men, to entitle them to receive the
same) that the said JJounties may be appropriated and allowed
to such »hi[)s or vessels employed in th'.' sai I fishery, nuvi*
t»ated with ten men each, at the rate of six shillings per
Ton, agreeable to their regislars, subject to all the rules and
restrictions as reserved in former Acts.
That all the Plantations, Houses, Gardens, and so forth, in
this Island, on being established property, to bo nevertheless
liable to the payment of debts, otherwise those merchants and
others who supply the Boat-keepers and inliabitants will l)o
deprived of that resource, for the di.^chargc of their just debts.
That all Oil, Blubber, and 8eal Skins, exported from this
Island, caught by British subjects, may be imported into Great
Tlritain free of Duty ; oath being made l)y t le Master or per-
son having tho charge of tho said ship, that it was caught and
cured as aforesaid.
If a Master or tho person acting under him, should at any time
see it necci«sary to conevt any servant vuider them with nio lera-
tion, (free from harshness or cruelty) for not doing his duty in
a projier manner, that the said servant may not be allowe I, for
every frivolous disagreement or complaint to have his Master
Bummon'd before a Justice of the l*eace, which in the height of
the fishery has been found very detrimentrl and often liaowa
to bo the case without a just cause of complaint.
Fishing Admirals being authorized to hear and detcrmin mat-
ters, relative to tiie fishery, the Trading People are often depriv-
ed of an immediate resource to them, thoy being employed
fishing on the Banks.
XIT.
aPPKXDIK.
Thai moh fishing Ailniirals may be allowed to appoint deputy
or deputies to act under them to hear or determine, on such
matters as may come before them relative to the fishery afore*
said, with liberty to preside at any Court of Justice hold in
their different districts as a Justice, and :ilso for their deputa>-
tions to remiiin in force until the Twentieth of November,
before which time the transactions, relative to the said fishericH
are not adjusted, as frequently, the fishing Admirals are obliged
to sail from this Island, early in October.
As Lumber is at present a scarce commodity, and the in(<3r-
course of supply from Quebec, and Port Roseway, not yet war-
ranted, from whence no doubt large quantities will be sent to
this Island, in the intermediate space, Regard should be paid
to the Timijor Trees growing in this Island, which if not wan-
tonly cut down would in a few years, become large spars, for
Masts of Ships and other uses, as well as to saw into boards.
To prevent the said Trees from being unnecessary cut dowu
the principal person of each crew (of which there are a great
many who prosecute the Business of making Shingles for
covering houses, stores, &c ; also hoops in the winter season)
should be competent to judge such Timber as would suit his
purpose, and not wantonly cut down any Trees but for their im-
mediate use under certain restrictions.
Rinding Trees is al^o of a pernicious tendency, altho' that
article is very necessary in the fishery, yet should be subject to
Regulations, not for more Trees to be rinded than is necessary
for curing and preserving the fisli and for the covering tempo-
rary houses and huts, where boards are uot to be obtained,
Codd Scans we deem a great nuizance us by them we destroy
great quantity of small fish, which after being inclosed in the
P(>;in(and not worth the attention of the person who hauls them)
are left to rot, by which means a multitude of fish that would
grow to maturity, perish.
ContigouH to the Northern Fart of this Island are a great
many Islands where Birds breed in vast ahundanee tvhich wen^
of great sen-itK^ to the inhabitants residing near them, for food ni
the winter, ami also for bait in catching of fish during the sum-
mer, of wliicli valuable resource they are now almost entirely
deprived, as groat part of the birds arc destroyed within a few
years by the crews of men who make it their business to kill
tliom in their breeding season, lor their feathers (of whicli they
ttiake a Traffic) and burning tli carcasses, we have applied to
get tiiis witii many other grievances redressed hut have yet
APPENDfX.
xirr.
©nly retalnecl a partial relief, therefore pray that an entire stop
may be put to destroying the birds otherwise than for food or
bait as before excepted.
Oliva Oil and Cork, both articles very necessary for the fiah-
cry if allowed to be imported here duty free, we appreher»d
would not bo detrimental to the revenue, and at !ne time of
public utility, as at present we are not allowed to import either,
except its being first sent to England, which is attended with
additional expense. !...•.
V7hen iJread and Flour is to be purthased in Groat BrKaln
Ireland and Quebec at Twelve Shillings per cwt. it can be sup*
plied the inhabitant of this Island at such moderate prices m
not to be a burthen or tax on the fi»hery> but when it exceeds
the price before quoted, a bounty to be granted on what is ex«
ported from Great Britain and Ireland, to reduce it to the said
price of twdve shillings per cwt. (in British veasels).
Every Ship or Vessel that brings Passengers to Newfound*
land not provided with Masters (which is often the case) the
Master of such Vessel on his arrival should be obliged to enter
into Bond, th..t such men as do not get employed during the
summer (by which means they became very burthensome here,
and frequently through Idleness and want commit Outrages,
Breaking open Stores and Shops for plunder) and are not pro-
vided with a Master in the fall, either to carry them back
from where they came or give proper security for their passages
so that they may not be burthensome here, which would prevent
a number of Idle Men remaining here the winter, all of that
description being a great nuizanco.
It has been a Custom lately with several Masters of Vegaeln
on their arrival, to land many Passengers (great part thereof
unprovided for) and then go off with most of their Cargoes (chiefly
provisions) supposed for some part of the United States, leaving
the said Passengers and others without even the resource of their
CargocH, for supplying them as also the Inhabitant*-, and by this
means doiibtly distressing the Trade. This we pray may be
prevented in future by a clause, that every Vessel bringing
provisions to this Island, should not be sutlnred to carry away
more +han sufficient Stock for said Vessel's intended Voyage,
by suffering the Exportation ihe Price here ia tousequently
enhanced and the Inhabitants much distressed thereby.
As our Season for prosecuting the Fish i?* of a short continue
ancc the utmost industry during that period is very i"oquipite-
and thoroforo the fewer innovations or incentives to draw iht
XIV.
APPENDIX.
iSorvants off from their duty the atrictoat their aiteation will L*
in the diaoharge of it, ..,. ,ti:'.i/.,: . . ^ ;«! yBW
Some few yeura back when the Fishery was proseouted io the
Harbour of vSt John's, with great vigour, three to four Houses
Public by Licence for vending Spirituous and Malt Liquora
were found sufficient, then the servant was obliged to apply to
his Employer for Liquor when, if he made bad use ot it getting
intoxicated and thereby neglecting lus duty, it was in the said
Master's Power to prevent the like happening in future, but
within a few years the number of Licenced Houses iu the said
Harbour are amounted to more thaw Eighty in number, many
of which are houses of* lU-fjune, where tlio fishermen and sea-
men resort, arid get drunk, neglecting their duty to the great
detriment of their Employers, it often happening through one
servant's neglect of a few hours a considerable loss ensues, as
fish is a perishing commodity too much care and attention can't
be paid it. To prevent the like in future \ve pray that the
number may be reduced (of Houiies Licenced for Selling
Liquors) to twelve, which we deem full sufficient for the En-
tertainment both of the Inhabitants, as well as Strangers
reEorting to the Harbour, and that each person so authorized to
Vend Liquors should be obliged to keep a Fishing Shallop and
cure all the Fish said Shallop may catch.
The number of shopkeepers and Retailers of Goods have in-
creased lately in St John's to the great detriment of the Fish
Catchers, as formerly every Employer had the HU[)plying his
own Servants, which we apprehend in E(juity they are entitled
to, from the very great wages given to them lor the short season
of prosecuting the Fishery, the profits arising from such supply
was a small emolument to reduce the enormous wages given,
but at present the Masters uro deprived of this, by their Ser-
vants being supplied at those Retail Sliops before alluded to,
who in the fall of the year collect their BUls, in consequence of
which the servants are often reduced to great distress daring
the winter, to prevent which we pray that each Shopkeeper of
Goodp may in iumrobe obliged to keep a Shallop on the Fishery
othcjwise lo have six months liberty to sell ofl" his Goods and
leave this Island, as we deem every person not iramodiatly con-
cerned in the Fishery (except his Majesty's Servants) is a
burthen to the Island, and that every Tavern-keeper, or other
person, known to supply a Servant belonging to or Employed
by Merchants or Boat-keepers in i j Fishery, on Proof to b«
fined Fifty Pounds.
APPKNDIX-
XV.
Hia Mup^sly's Officers having lat^jly inclosed large Spots of
Ground contigous to thia Harbour i'or erecting Housea, Planting
Gardens, Fnvms, &c., by which meinsuian)' of the public path-
ways leading to th* woods are fctopped, to the prejudice of thtt
residcnte here, we thveforc request t^at no more ground may be
inclosed for farms, or otherwise, except aa Gardens for the use
of the said Officers families, which, when they may be recalled
should go to the next that arrives according to their rank.
We theieforo request you will deign to take the preceding
inatterB inu> your serioua consideration and grant us such re-
dress as your Honourable House bhall seem meet and as in duty
bound your Petitionora shall ever pray, &c.
Letter from the Governor M. K. Mifhanle, to George Huf chins.
Egg., dated Gosernmeut House, iit. Jo/in's, Newfoundland,
Iblk October, 1790.
Sir,— I have considered your request respecting the alteration
which you wish to nuikc in your Storehouse, near the water-
side, and a? it appear.^ tiiat the alteration will not be any ways
injuriouH to the Fishery, you have hwrehy permissicm to make
it. As to Alexander Long's house which has been built con-
trary to His Majesty's express commands, made known to the
inhabitantsof this place by my Proclamation ot the 13th of last
October, it must and shall come down. The pretence now «et
up of its being intended for a craft-house serves rather to aggra-
vate than extenuate the offence for by the confession of your
tennant to the ]Magistrate who forbade him to go on with tho
work after it was begun, as well as to nic when I viewed
the house on Saturday last, no such use was to be made of
it : as he said it was intended only as a covering to his potatop
celler, though there is a complete chimney, if not two in it, and
lodgiijg for at least six or eight dieters. I shall embrace this
opportunity of warning you against making an improper use
of any other part of (what you are pleased to call) your ground
for you laay rest assured that every house or other building
erected upon it hereafter, without the permission (in writing)
of the Governor for the time being (except such building and
erection as shall bo actually on purpose for the ourring, salting,
drying, and husbanding of Fish, which the fishermen from any
part of His Majesty's European dominions, qualified agreeable
the to Act of thj 10th and 11th of William the Third, and the
i5th of George the Third, have a right to erect without apk-
jng permif*ici») mu^t unavoidably bv vAcu down and removed
I '
XVI.
APPENDIX.
to obedieucc to his Majesty's said commands. And it may not
be aniisH at the aaine time to inform you, I am also directed
not to allow any possessio7i as private property (n be taken of,
or any right of property whatever to he acknowledged in any
land whatever 'yhich is not actually employed in the Fishery, in
terms of the aforementioned Act, whether possessed by pretended
grants from former Governors or from any other (no matter what)
unwarrantable pretences — therefore it behoves you, with all pos-
sible dispatch, to employ the whole of the ground which you
owe lay claim to in the Fishery, lost others should profit by
your neglect, and make that use of it which the Legislature of
Great Britain inte.ided should be made of all the land in this
Country, and without which no one has a right to claim it as
his own. The Sheritf will have directions about the removal of
the house above mentioned, which you will no doubt assist him
in executing.
I am, &c„ 7
To GjiQROi; IIuicai>'.i);, ES(|, , . . •
. .i>-i-
u • t
<t.
I- ■( .'A
M' . ■<
:?
. i
A STATEMENT qF THE ADMIRALS
; may not
3 directed
taken of,
ed in ajiy
'ishery, in
pretended
iter what)
th all pos-
which you
profit by
islature of
md in this
jlaim it as
removal of
assist him
,i ': r:o>
i
1770
British Fishing Sh 353
of which are Banke 238
•Sack Ships. 123
Trading Ships fp
Colonies. 133
G20
1771
369
244
120
123
G12
No. of boats kept
British fishing shi; 503
Ships from Ooloni
}Bye boat men.
nhabitaata. 444
1229
.2201
556
559
1173
2288
1772
3or>
190
146
138
590
400
605
1330
2421
Qntls. Fiih made 252910
British fishing shi
Ships from Colon i
£y e boat men . H 8768
tiabitanta. 277820
23G080
147599
2G1240
G49498 G44919
305391
155847
298G05
759843
Qtls. Fish carried
Foreign Markets. 10910
)204|
5G0204 48 1347
Carried to Forei;
Markets. &19
Tierces Salmon.
1258
734
Tons of Train (
made. 2592
2723
2795
n fFish per Quia
I { Salmon t)er TiOs. IGs.
£ I Train Oil per '05.45s.
zLl l__-:i4£ir.
llsfJdUs
35.S-. 45s.
£12 £18
Us. Us.
10,*. 45s.
nmiios
o
s
.1
'Seal Oil niadc^j^jossg
Sea Cow Oil,
£1299
Teeth.
Fu"3 taken bj
bitanto
Truck with Sa
£1028
£5509 jCKMOG
£1290
£1109
XC85
XOGG
Number of Stag 2244
Train Fats. Q20
'No. ot Acres ot
improved
1103
904
1132
8G1
9G9
1204 I 1923
A STATEMENT OP THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY IN THE FOLLOWING
WHO COMMANDED ON TI
1699
1700
1701
1714
1715
1716
1749
1750
1751
1
Total
British Fishing Ships ^
ofFish-
171
75
85
108
86
80
93
122
ofwhioh are Bankers. >
ing &
•Saok Ships. j
Trading Ships from >
Colonies. (
Sack
49
46
45
38
30
125
115
87
Ships
236
236
20
42
188
31
147
66
75
103
220
121
150
271
283
312
No. of boats kept by ^
'
British fishing ships. \
171
199
295
4
Ships from Colonies. )
805
800
338
380
376
319
fBye boat men.
Inhabitants.
2
i
115
90
97
120
197
184
^349
485
482
«
i
<
467
674
558
500
464
403
654
746
668
li
1387
1564
993
1000
1037
911 1174
1430
1447 1 2
Qntls. Fish made by ^
111300
55600
104CiO
1
British fishing ships. V
79680 5000033375
30329
7100
Ships from Colonies. )
fBye boat men.
Inhabitants.
1
,,ftrfi. 2000020716
24310
94900
139700
117530
(
WODUI., 45Q()Q
,35521
1 ■
33830
29310C
236940
136140
3,
fj
216180 11500C
' .0J2
S8469|50040(.
432240
358310
51
Qtls. Fish carried to
Foreigu Markets.
154370 129000 89622,88409
462076
1
445470
358310 4'
Carried to Foreign ^
Fish-14000
Markets. >
Qtls. . sold us
Tierces Salmor.. )
by the French.
1802
1225
867
Tons of Train Oil )
made. y
Tons
Hhds.
1049
520
1835
320
2726
2465
2404
a ( Fish per QuinHl.
S { Salmon per Tierce.
g (TrainOilpcrTun.
12*. 13*
35».425
£9 £12
12j.
355. 405
£12£13
135l3a6
36s 41*
£13£14
13
405
iLlt
[Seal Oil made.
£1006
£1882
£3139
£
'S
Sea Cow Oil, Skins,
Teeth.
Fu-3 taken by inha-
bitonta
£220
£920
£675
£
_Truck with Savages.
Number of Stages.
405
583
544
450
^.40
370
725
785
835
r
Crain Fats. |
468
488
618
lo. ot Acres ot Land
improved.
1
1
1717
291
1 546
J2.S %" /Mastci-3.
Men.
461
2470
315J
2011
049
8C4
482
S fl'S
Men Servo nts.
Wmn.
ICO
340
390
203
3727
591
2435
i-a-S
Mistresses.
Siv'ts.
2008
540
343
440
Ji^»:
3171
3773
^^"S-s
WomcnSiv'ts.
202
941
214
Children
250
350
500
421
920
1017
Dieters.
3171
3773-
3575
3160
4043
3295
0038
2079
4588
]
• Sack Ships are Vessels that carry out supplies for the Fishery
Vessel remains.
t The bye boats arc such as beloDg to tlie British Ships, or are
ihelababitauts.
from England, and whose
manned by Fishermen brox
IRY IN THE FOLLOWING YE.VRS ; TAKEN PROM THE RETURNS Or THE ADMIRALS
mo COMMANDED ON THAT STATION.
1716
1749
1750
1751
1704
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
86
30
80
125
93
115
122
87
141
97
177
116
204
104
258
92
296
93
354
222
117
368
238
123
369
244
120
30G
190
146
31
66
75
103
205
104
83
115
114
120
138
123
138
147
271
283
312
443 1 397 ) 391
465
503
591
620
612
590
319
184
403
171
199
295
?10
318
536
490
472
430
528
556
490
^349
654
485
746
2
482
668
200
306
1236
4
345
1156
361
1117
372
1151
437
1095
429
1333
444
1229
559
1173
605
1330
911
1174 1 1430
1447 1 2012
1823
2014
2013 2104
2192
2201
•2288
2425
30329
111300
7100
55600
104C10
116570
136840
206676
1200
208570
216795
221340
252910
236080
305391
24310
33830
94900
20310C
139700
236940
117530
136140
92050
352G90
85096
31057G
87930
264179
79590
265150
82700
273955
93220
263464
118768
277820
147599
201240
155847
298605
58469
50640(
432240
358310
561310
532512
559985
553310
573450
578024
640498
644919 759843
38469
462076 445470
358310
470188 493694
523626
533620 542900
544718
610910
5G0204|
481347
1172
1119
1006
40386
919
649
1258
734
1802
1225
867
2320
125 Sea
320
2726
2465
2404
5062
Cows.
2509
2778
2612
2896
2535
2592
2723
2795
12*. 13*
35».425
£9 £12
12s.
Z5s. 40j
£12£13
13513*6
36* 41s
ei3£14
13*16.99
40*. 45*
i:i5£l7
ll*12*6<f
40*.
£16 £18
9*. 6^13*
40*.
€13 £15
9*13* bl.
15*.btr 10*. 14*. 8s6<fl5*3d
405.45* 30*. 40*. 30*. 50*.
£14£15£14£15£12£18
10*. 16*.
30*. 45*.
£14 £10
ll*6<fl4*
35*. 45*.
£12 £18
11*. 14*.
40*. 45*.
/14/17 10*
£1006. £1882
£3139
£3304
£5109
£3587
£8832
£12664
£5375
£123 5i
? £5509
£13406
,
£1238
£1200
£2267
£1299
£1290
£685
£2^20
£920
£675
£2700
£980
£1728
£2041
£1593
?1077
£1028
£1109
£966
370
725
468
785
488
835
618
994
857
1005
806
1039
788
1138
853
1208
1117
952
1144 1'.03
910 901
1132
861
1717
291
546
1141
1262
1399
1431
1328
1194
9G9
12G4
1 1923
2G11
203
C49
3727
540
8C4
591
343
482
2435
440
1250
8976
753
1139
8837,
860
968
6610
677
1034
7056
739
1136
GOCl
750
' 1128
5417
737
1167
5499
811
1171
5751
820
1197
6138
884
421
3295
202
920
941
214
1017
776
4226
785
3863
393
3195
408
3316
397
3251
429
3270
892
354C
\ 356
> 3353
437
3230
G038
2079
4588 ! 15981 ^ 15484
11843,
12553 1 11595
10981
1141?
\ 11457
11906
slicry from England, and whose crcvrs are ejuplojcd on the boat Fishery during the Buramcr season, or whilo th«
)r ftre manned hy Fishermen brought out by them, and nre bo called iu contradistinction to the boats belonging t©
I
i
c
4a
J
:
c
5z
. I
p-
c
«
''1 ^
T
A STATEMENT OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISIIKRV
m
'FishineShip^
•jS . ofwhicTiaro Bankers.
M S,^ *Sack Sliins.
olS Trad
</}
(. Colonics
i dliins.
ing vohips
from
1773
1774
1784
1785
1780
17^7
202
254'
230
292
280
300
170
130
141
181
93
149
GO
85
173
107
125
175
50
58
34
37
480
578
340
435
487
610
Britiali fis'iing ships.
Ships fron Coloui'js.
o sr^, fByeboatLncn.
V
I Inhabi
nhabitants.
479
500
1270
2315
451
518
1440
572
344
1008
2415 1984
424
540
1434
L
2398
276
413
1152
1841
-321
451
1709
2481
British fishing ships.
"^•^ J Ships from Colonics
f Bvc boat men.
Inhabitants.
202025
150957
366400
237010 ,131050 170372 : 212415 270215
780348
145800 ' 93010 111004
312420 212010 202370
I
095800 :437310' .344942
' 99180 ' 114180
257547 ; 341020
509142 732015
Quintals Fish carried to )
Foreign Markets. )
489005
1 1
510358 497SS4 COG27G
1 1
585897
732210
Tierces Salmon carried to or lo • ocni
Foreign Markets. i
725 2341
2596 i 3805
Tons of Train Oil made.
3243
2902
2140
2033
2391 2749
e/Fish per Quintal.
^ < Salmon per Tiorco.
(S5 I Train Oil per Tun.
Il5. 145.
40i.
i:i4£17
9s. 14s.
30.'« 50.S-.
£15 £18
125.
£18
12.N-. lt)s.
42s.
lis. 10s.
40s. 45s.
£15 £20 l£l5 £18
12s. IGs. ilO
40s. 00s. i
£15 £17 £1
9
-a
"Seal Oil made.
Sea Co\Y Oil, Skins,
Tcctb.
Furs taken hy inha-
bitants
.Truck with Savages.
£20388
£17005
•
£3382
£4202
£0071
£5435
£1452
£1005
£1359
£827
£30
£540 £1040
£20
£2575
£225
£2093
Number of Stages.
Train Fats.
1107
886
1219
974
942
073
1123
941
1170
707
1444
887
No.ofAcres of Land improved. 1447
2075
7349
8034 4773
0920
<2 C3 tD
rt o K
•'•' '2 ^
o
Masters.
Men Servants.
Mistresses.
WomcnSrv'ts.
Children
Dieters.
1210
1277
1052
955
5708
G-130
4054
3040
844
9C4
1018
923
420
515
300
447
3388
1757
4211
4270
11570
10949
10701
102-14
1129 i 2178
5001 8007
808
481
4205
1517
821
5637
11774 '■ 18300 '
• Sack Ships arc Vessels that carry out supplies for the Fisliury from Knglaud, and
fummcr season, or while the Vct-sc'l rcmaiu.s.
I The bye boats are such as belong to th« Britioli Ship,-*, ot arc ziianncd V'v Fiehcmitif
t« the boat? bvlongijig to the lulialituut^.
7'
FOUNJ)LA.ND FlSIIERVf IN THE FOLLOWING
YKAU.S:
1785
178G
280
181
173
34
17^7
1788
1789
1790
1791
1792
292
141
85
58
300
1G7
37
i
389
150
28
304 :
182
168
70
1
259
156
143
69
245
158
151
76 i
1
278
187
161
57
435 1 487 i
510
507 1
542 »
471 !
472 1
494
424
540
1434
1
276
1
413 1
1152
321
451 i
1709 1
273
317
2090
413
533
1456
370 ;
1
387 ':
1414
375
584
1259
150
•
^199T
2393
1841
2481
2080
2402
2171
2218
2147
0 170372 :
0 111094
li 2G237G
t
212415
' 99180
257547
27G215
1 14180
341G20
412580
79285
457105
FisluDg Ships
liortts. ■
97815
Bankers.
228994
lOGOOO
339200
do.
lOGGlO
do.
155G38
83870
302974
do. i
71090 1
do.
112404
123023
220770
do.
16910
do.
139450
395900
g' 544942
569142
732015
948970
7710G9
649092
530287
552260
4' C0G276
1
585897
73221G
77G480 ]
782791
632656
532270
452402
2341
2596
3805
3736
2327
1
I 2999
1
3585
4598
2033
2391
2740
2847
2372
2125
1923
2091
1
12.S-. VJs. Us. Ids.
425. i40s. 45s.
£15 £20 li: 15 £18
125. I65.
405. GO5.
£15 £17
105.Grf.l55.G</i
405. 5G5.
£12 £14 IO5.
Os.Otl.ns.Od.
405. 565.
£12 £16
95. 145.
405. 585.
£14 £18
12vGrf.l45.
i 425. 505.
; £17 £21
1
14s. I65.
40s. 50s.
£17 £22
2 £4292
0 £1040
ii;20
£G071
£2575
£225
£5435
£2093
£7126
£1901
£1108S
£1040
jC 12728
£3190
£890
£4080
£3190
' £2405
£100
£11920
£228a
£50
1 112")
941
1170
707
1444
887
1.578
873
1 1464
932
1334
915
1380
961
235G
654
8034 4773
6929
6285
4299
4292
■ 4278
6374
i 955
3G49
923
447
4270
10244
1129
5001
898
481
4205
1 2178
8007
' 1517
821
5637
2099
8G95
1595
G92
5128
2232
7718
1563
877
5338
1378
1874
6488
1423
742
5468
; 840
1880
5075
1542
724
5348
898
199G
6726
1602
83:i
5306
697
11774
'■ 183G0
^ 18200
' 10 100
108.35
15407
171G0
the Fiyliury liow England, and whoso crcus arc tuiploycd on the luiit Fiehcry duriug tha
ft
lil'.s, ov ate nianiH'd I'v Fiehcmnjn brcm^lil out b; rli^m, nu-il uie sv QuU^d ju ■;'>nUrt.li''ji'i5*iva
i^^iamn
v-vgiiips.-^^'
'i^Ri'-Jt^aSi-sii^^tfj;-^:,
RETURNS OF THE QUANTITIES OF FISH CAUGHT AT, AND EXPORTED FROM. NEV
OCTOBER :
Y«ard endins 10th October.
Rfjh mad?
l^tOi
Qntl3.
No return.
1805
Qnth
T0a3l4
180G
Qntls.
No return.
1807
1808
1809
Qntlg
520522
Qntls.
478435
(Jntla.
G777G1
j2 a
•s
Sp.iin, Portugal and Italj.
British Europe.
West Indioa.
^ liritish Aincvica,
United Statca.
Brazils.
.Total of Cod Fish esport'id.
Qntl?.
334403
18^320
559'J3
18107
431J1
001277
.•>tlfl.
3772J3
05079
814S3
22770
779.^3
023519
Qntla.
Qntls.
Qntls.
438913
202300
154009
84241
130400
208254
100930
103418
115077
32555
23541
40874
110159
155085
50053
772S09
674S10
570132
(Jntls.
3L'G781
292008
133359
41894
10117
810219
n
1^1 British Markets.
"2 S« I Foroiiia Murkiita.
Total of Salmon eiported.
Ticrcce.
3739
I
Ti.r?03.
009 I
10 iO
Tiorcea.
m^i
Tierces.
2303
1166
3469
Tierces.
3272
Tierces
3337
727
400-1
Office for Trade, WhitchiUl, 24tb Jui
DUTIES IMPOSED ON BRlTIoU FISH IMPORTED INTO SPAIN DUR
Reil per hard dollar
1792—21 per Quintal, at 4a. cxchaigo is equal to is. 2d. ^ per Ca
18('2— 'IHjJj '• do. •' do. Hs.dd.
I8i'8 Iti^c... " do. •♦ do. Zs. Ad.
1814-4r)ido •• do. " do. 9.. 3t/.
1815—47, 31 mri. do. " do. 9s. 14.
^m0>*^^» ^titmt ii%'w»>»fcw m^mm^m
iND EXPORTED FROM, NEWFOUNDLAND IN THE FOLLOWLNQ YEARS ENDING lOra
OCTOBER :
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
n.
Qntls
520522
Qntls.
478435
Qntla.
G777G1
Qntls.
7310GG
Qntls.
618494
Qntls.
709163
Qntls.
816000
Qntls.
805132
Qntls.
80;;.580
Qntls.
819200
Qntls.
2023G0
130400
103418
23541
155085
Qntls.
154009
208254
115077
40874
5GG53
Qntls.
3L'G781
292UG8
133359
41894
1G117
Qntls.
£
O c
Qntls.
C119G0
139501
152184
18621
1214
Qntls.
545451
67020
91867
4121
2600
Qntls.
706939
50678
119354
14389
Qntls.
708010
55791
97249
24712
Ont^^.
95J115
46180
159250
2S750
Qntls.
674810
57G132
810219
884474
1
923540
711059
891360
947762
1036266
}.
Tierces.
2303
1166
3469
Tierces.
3272
Tierces
3337
727
Tierces.
Tiercea.
2323
371
2694
Tiercse.
3494
337
Tierces.
2910
827
Tierces.
2247
1178
TiorccB.
Tierces
40G-1
5747
3831
3737
3425
cflfor Trade, WbitchiUl, 24th June, 1817.
(Signed)
TnOM.VS LUCK.
IMPORTED INTO SPx\lN DURING TIIK UNDERMENTIONED YEARS :
laigc is equal to As. 2rf. \ per Caatilian quintal or 4i. 7rf. i per English Cvrt
' do. 8j. 8J. do. do. 95. (kl. i do. •*
» do. 3*. id. do. do. 35. W. do. "
• do. 9i. Zil. da. do. IO5. 2d do. "
< do. 9t.U. do. do. IO5 GJ| do. ••
I
AN ACCOU.NT OY 11 IL K-\l'0Kl"5 01" -N
t:
iVFOUNr
)LA.\D
FOR Xl
OFFICIAL KETJ
I
1
1
Qntls.
•
from lOtl) Octu'xr
No of j Qntls. dried
core
No. Seal
Tuns C
to 10th October.
Sliii'plug! Fish.
Fiuh.
Skina.
Oil.
1817
C3Ci ' 050094
7510
4904G
333
1818
7.59 1 918974
9435
145072
252;
1819
715 825107
12074
280817
242j
1820
752 901159
7720
213079
486
From 1st July } ,^01
to 1st June, i ^^-^
780 : 1020643
1398
'-. 7193
497(
I8i>2
726 ' 925409
G675 '
244181
479(
1823
804741
853
230410
C40(
1824
754 1039404
2720
202001
693
1825
809 •■ ' Ci9?;'.^8
6040
295302
766'
1826
%^M2
5.74
292007 934S
1829
799 8'lli06
2088
357523 833'
1830
830 702019
4231
558942
1228;
1831
025901
3280
080836 1
1236^
18''.2
681746 2855
508407
10407
9133
1833
074988 1
360155
1830
' ' 860534 1532
384321
1837
8G2 786406
351620
1833
724515 1900
357361
Ccd & Se
1839
834 ' 865377 1223
437501
do.
1840
952 915795 960
031385
12525
1841
10C9725 1376
417115
1842
1 1007980
.344683
12100
1843 • 936202
651370
12153
1844 ' ' 852162 773
085530
140S5
1845 ' 1O0O33J , 422
352202
8009
1840 ; , 879015 , at9
205109
3558
1847 1 ' 83797J '
430831
8688
18-.0 • , 92036) ; 13
521004
10198
1849 ; 117516' ;
306072
8916
1850
i , 10S918J
442392
3337
1851
\ 1017 15J
452
511630 3492
1852
972921
534378 3912
Igo0-22S Tuns Cod Livor Oil. ;
1851^ 77 Do. d
0. do. do.
^T.WFOU^'DLA^D FOR THE UNDERMENTIONED
OFFICIAL RETURNS.
YEARS. TAKEN FROM THK
Qntla.
.
— "■ ' '— — ' ' '
ried
core
No. Seal
Tuns Cod
Tuns Senl Oil.
Tierces
Barrels
Casks
No. of
Fish.
Skins.
Oil.
Salmon.
Uorring.
Mackerel.
Fur Skins.
34
7510
4904G
3333
541
2858
172G
941
4820
74
9435
145072
2523
1638
1663
IGOl
1158
3975
)7
12074
280817
2428
2542
2125
1663
780
2217
59
7720
213G7'J
4861
3320
17.73
3233
Hr'ng&M'kl.
2482
13
1308
'..7193
4970
3220
1777
526
700
3211
09
6675 '
244181
4796
3120
2651
305
923
3934
41
853
230110
C4fl0
Cod— Seal.
2249
333
436
3300
(!4
2726
202001
6931
1238
1927
349
367
2684
^S
6046
295352
7669
Cod -Seal.
2958
263
560
3565
42
5-74
292007
9342
do.
3172
267
752
GG
2688
357523
8334
do.
4340bls
970
bls.621
4685
19
4231
558942
12283
OU & Blubber.
4322
1524
'. 560
01
1 3280
686830
12364
do.
2763
3305
. 916
£1185
46 2855
508407
10407
do.
2729
3285
633
£3341
88 i
360155
9133
Cod & Seal. ,
2564
2271
149
3216
34 1532
384321
9010
1847
1534
79
■2959
06
351620
8252
2262
5815
None caught.
15 lOGO
357361
Ccd & Seal.
8491
. 4408
15276
4
2200
77 1223
437501
do.
8766
2922
20806
None caught.
3815
95 966
631385
12525
Cod & Seal.
3396
14686
do.
3083
25 1376
417115
10443
3642
9685
do.
2325
80 :
i .344683
12100
do.
4715
13839
do.
02
651370
12153
Cod & Seal.
4C58
9649
do.
62 773
685530
140S5
do.
3753
13410
do.
2281
33 , 422
352202
8669
do.
3545
20903
do.
2037
15 , 2-19
265109
3558
3063
5201bl3
12119
do.
2575
7J i
436831
8688
do.
4917
9908
do.
3053
6) : 13
, 521004
10198
do.
3822
13872
do.
3903
6' ;
, 306072
8916
do.
6911
11471
do.
2106
8!
442392
3337
6235
3108
19556
do.
5J
452
: 511630
3492
6968
4375
36259
do.
252S
^
i 534378
3912
7333
4048
42715
do.
*.»
I
J!
f^
1 1
AN i
Places
Wintei
BonaTista.
King's Cove,
Grocuspoud.
ANAi
Winter.
BoTifivista.
Trioitjr Bay.
Winter.
Bonavista.
Trinity.
Labrador.
i
Winter.
Trinity. i
Bonavista.
Winter.
Bonaviata.
Trinity.
AN ACCOUMT OF lilfci ;Sii.\L t'ISlIEPwY 1-V Tilt: YEAR
Places.
Winter.
Bonavista.
King's C\»vo.
Grocuspoud.
j Seals.
Mon.
Tuns
Oil. 1
i7n4|
43
21
121
17714
ISo
Places.
Spring.
Bon-^viita.
Trinity.
Conception Bay.
Sk. John's.
Ferryland.
No.
Craft.
4
5
100
• AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEAL Fr3{ii::iY IN THE YEAR
AY inter.
Bonavist.i.
Trinity Bay.
1900
593
IDS
29
6
Bonavista.
Conception Buy.
St. Jo!in'8.
71
Nono.
dr».
AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEAL FISHERY,
"Winter.
.Soals.
Tuns.
Bonavista.
4
Boniivista.
14378
153
Trinity.
5
Trinity.
3G700
G13
Cjnceptiau Biy.
140
Labrador.
1200
30
Forrylind.
St. Joh:«'8.
1
32
SEAL FiSIKRY, 1321.
Winter.
Spring.
St. John's. ' 39
Trinity.
770
9
Bonavista. 6
BonavistA.
2448
42
Conception Bay. 152
Ferrvlund.
Trinity. . 10
SEAL FISHERY, 1S22.
Spring.
Winter.
Conception Bay.
■ St. John's.
164
Bonavidta.
17776
388
Trinity.
250
3
Trinity.
! Bonavista.
Ferryland.
9
5
3
f
SEAL FISHERY-Spring, 1
«»
■
pLAcrs.
No.
Craft.
^ Conception Bay.
*St. John's.
Trinity,
Ferryland.
103
54
<(
3
L FIblltPwY IN TH£ YEAR 181S, .\S PER OFFIOlAr RKTURHJ.
uns
Oil.
Places.
No.
Craft.
T0U3.
58
84
1534
M«n.
165
5163
Tuna
Oil.
No.
Seals.
PRTcas,
43
21
21
Spring.
Bon-^viita.
Trinity.
Conception Bay.
Sk. John's.
Ferry land.
4
5
100
41
45
1272
289
3498
4133
118223
24735
90
Ss, to 16j.
QsZd tolls od.
85
150684
L FBfiLilY IN TIIR YEAR 1S17, AS PER OFFICIAL RETURNS.
29
6
Donavisti.
Conception Bay.
St. John's.
5
35
81
1813
71
3376
1217 ; 29
27001
None.
Nono.
df>.
do.
94.Ci.tg0j.3i.
;T OF THE SEAL FISHERY,
IN THE YEAR 1819
,
Br)navi3ta.
4
212
59 45
4013
Trinity.
5
304
67 ; 71
4765
CjnceptiDn Biy.
140
7523
1 2022
179051
-
Forrylind.
1
43
12 9
950
St. Joh:«'B.
32
1710
545
395^
39052
SEAL FiSIKRY, 1321.
Spring.
St. John's.
Bonavista.
Conception Bay.
Ferrvland.
Trinity.
' 39
6
152
) 10
1998
8778
697
651
97
2382
174
Tuna.
528
89
2180
IG
146
1
1
39920 i 5i. to8j-
7738
801392 5s. to9i.
1270
11654 iis.Qd.tolOiQd
SEAL FJSIIERi', 1S22.
Spring.
i Conception Bay.
• St. John's.
I Trinity.
I Bonavisla.
I Fcrryland.
164
9463
2036
2329
1400
209158
105504
9
584
146
117 U
6
301
72
160
9427
3
82
36
19
1887
SEAL FISIIERY-Spring, 1824.
Placts.
No.
Craft.
1
Tons.
Men.
No.
Seals.
Tuns
Oil.
Pmciis.
Conception Bay.
*St. John's.
Trinity,
Ferry laud.
103
54
«(
3
9CG9
9874
733
143
2703
996
193
47
70931
5U038
4844
620
839
707
60
6*. 3i to 7s.
4j. 6i. to 85.
6*. 0(f. to 75.
'Ji'-VVVs OF TUB FRFiNCH FT.SriE'lY AT NEWFOUNH
TAKEN FROM THE llETURN.^ OF THE liRITIs
UPON THAT STATION.
Years.
No. of
Ships.
Their
Tonnage.
No. of
Boats.
No. of men
employed in
theFiahery.
Quintals 0
1769
431
44727
1455
12367
215030 ;
1770
437
45541
1470
12855
435340
1771
419
42369
1327
12040
239804 :
1772
1773
1774
330
284
273
86
73
86
58
43
40
37257
33332
31530
1408
1-132
1014
15243
14476
^5137
388800 '
336250
38621c,
426400
128590
241262
239000
40580
940OO
1780
1787
1788
1789
1701
1792
22040
15090
20130
15900
10417
9180
1532
1342
1500 1
1035 '
r)28
089
7859
6402
7433
7314
5895
3397
The avcngo Tonnngc of each shin employed in this I
108, and the average Tonnage froni 1180 to 1792, was 238 Tor
period— 35 to ovcrj 100 Tons shipping, and in tlio latter peri
A true copy, taken Irom rcturi
.. WhitehaH, 19th March, 1783.
Average ofycara.
1099, 1700, 1701
1714, 1715, 1716
1749, 1750, 1751
170-1, '5, -0, 7, '8, '9
1770. '1, '2, '3, '4
1784, '6. '0, '7. '8, -9
1790, '^ '2
\\
RECAPITULAl'ION OF THE AFOREG
No. of
Ships.
192
ioi
?88
616
4S0
Burthen
of Ships.
7991
9198
33512
40091
48950
No. of men
belonKin"; t)
tho Ships.
"T
4020
2119
4108
5435
No. of
No, of
Passengers.
Boata.
1314
982
3J49
. 1370
6441
2163
4617
2258
Q
Fis
4
6;
A true Copy, taken from the Ad;
piEce ©f Ihc ComiTiittee of Priry Council for Trade,
Witehall, 19th March, 1783.
ri FTsriE'lY AT NEWFOUNDLAND IN TIIR FOLLOWINQ YEARS.
UKTURNS OF THE liRIlTSlI ADMIRALS, WHO COMMANDED^
n:
• 1 t 1
No. of
Boats.
No. of men
employed in
Quintals of Fish taken and cured.
TuDsofQIlmads
the Fishery.
1455
12367
215030 i"'^'^\700j)0 of Fish
J by Talo.
435340
3153 Hhdi.
1470
12855
35 J I do.
1327
12040
239804 .'^°^4.J0';?V^^^'^
by lalQ.
4259 do.
1408
15243
388800
4C87 do.
14 32
14476
336250
3358 do.
1011
^5137
7859
38621c,
-
3377 «lo-
1532
426400
1059 Tuns.
1342
6402
128590
323 do.
1500
7433
241262
103 do.
1035
7314
239000
B28
5895
40580
120 do
089
3397
94000
174^ do.
if each shij) employed in this Fishery, foy the years 1709, to 1774, wai
;e from 1180 to 1792. was 238 Tons. The number of men in the former
3 shipping, and in the latter period, 40 to every 100 Tons shipping.
A true copy, taken from returns of Admirals,
GEORGE CHALMERS,
1783. Chief Clark Coiomissionar* Trado.
ITULAITON OF THE AFOREGOING ACCOUNT.
». of men
inging t)
Ships.
No. of
Passengers.
No. of
Boats.
Qntls. of
Fiah niiidc.
Qntls. of
Fish car-
ried to
Market.
Tierces ol
Silmon
carried to
Market.
1 Tuns of
jTraln Oil
made.
No. of inhabitant*
remaining in tha
country during the
winter.
4020
2119
4108
3140
1314
982
. 1370
216320
d7730
432318 •
154370
102303
422116
1308
1049
891
2532
3506
3501
5855
5435
6441
2163
626270
521296
5146
2882
12340
im-
4017
2258
637955
622108
2974
23 &4
15253
A true Copy, taken from the Admirals' returns in this Office,
(Signed) GEORGE CHALMERS,
Chjef Clerk CommisBioQers Commercial liade.
Trade, ' ^ .
i3.
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