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] |