Chapter I: Preface

After my return from Newfoundland, in the year 1791, I was curious to look back into what had been done, in former times, on the subject upon which I had myself been just employed. I accordingly looked over the NEWFOUNDLAND ENTRIES, and the NEWFOUNDLAND BUNDLES among the books which belonged to the late board of trade; and I then pursued the subject through the REGISTERS of the present committee of council for trade and plantations.

I was very much struck with the matter and reflections furnished by this research; and I wished that the useful information, which I had derived from this retrospect, might be seen by those, who had at that time to consider the subject of Newfoundland. Hence arose the present History; and as the same subject is now before the House of Commons, I have ventured to print it, and throw it among the other materials under examination.

If this public enquiry had not been instituted, the story here told would have been confined to the circle for which it was originally intended.

J. R.

_April 1793._

CONTENTS.

PART I.

_Different Charters granted—Rules and Regulations of the Star
Chamber—Of appointing a Governor—Additional Rules—Report
against a Governor—Sir John Berry’s Advice—Bye Boat-keepers,
what?—Question of a Colony argued—Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3. c.
25._ 5

PART II.

_Mr. Larkin’s Observations—Character of the fishing
Admirals—Character of the Commanders—Want of Police—Opinion
of the Board 1706—Representation 1708—For Sea Commanders to
command at Land—Such Commission issues—Laws and Orders made
at Newfoundland—Representation 1718—Claim of the Guipuscoans
to Fish—Of the Land ceded by the French—A Salmon Fishery
granted—Opinion on the 7th Sec. of Stat. 10 and 11 Will.
3.—Representation 1728—Recommends a civil Government—A civil
Governor is appointed—Disorders of Newfoundland, and Conduct
of the fishing Admirals during this Period—Complaints from the
Merchants._ 22

PART III.

_Justices appointed—Opinion on raising Money by the
Justices—Contest between the Justices and fishing
Admirals—Opinion on the Authority of the Admirals—A Court
of Oyer and Terminer proposed.—Such Commission issued—Lord
Baltimore revives his Claim—The Peace of 1763—Remarks
of the Board on Stat. 10 & 11 Will. 3.—Newfoundland a
Plantation—Custom house established—Property in Flakes, &c.
discussed—Stat. 15, Geo. 3, c. 31._ 97

PART IV.

_Import of live Stock, &c.—Representation on a Bill brought
in by the Western Merchants—Three Acts passed—Complaints
about Courts—Review of the Courts at Newfoundland—Fishing
Admirals—Surrogates—The Governor holds a Court—Courts of
Vice-Admiralty and Sessions—The Governors cease to hold
Courts—Court of Common Pleas instituted—Complaints against
it—Representation—And Act passed for a Court of Civil
Jurisdiction._ 129