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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 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 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 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 :! 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 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>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 lbael 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 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 /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 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 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 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 nUrt.li''ji'i5*iva i^^iamn v- vgii i ps.- ^^' '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 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.