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Laa diagrammas suivants iiluatrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 TPL %r^ (Jcu^ w.; ^ e^ ^,-:!i- :^^? CATECaiSS3 OF THE FROM THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS TO THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1834, For the Use of ScU jjIs, BY WILLIAM CHARLES ST. JOHN, Of HARBOUR-GRitCfi., 5*/. Johi's : J. M'COUBREY, PRINTER. I 1835; ■^fm-^m-w to His Excellency HENRY PRESCOTT, Esq., COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE MILITARY ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN AND OVER THE ISLAND OF NEWFOUNDLAND, AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, Sfc. Sfc. Sfc, THIS WORK, CONTAINING A HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF THE OLDEST, AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT, COLONIES OF GREAT BRITAIN, IS, WITH His Excellency's permission, MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BT THE AUTHOR. tJrefacc* In the following sheets I Iiava endeavoured to prcduco a short and, at thjr'7.e to tho public for its introduction, since no one, I presutue, will deny that su«h a work has been long wanted in all the respectable Schools of this Island. History, in every modern syste.*' of oducntion, holds, and very properly, a distinri.ished place ; Vuit unless it is based upon a knowledge of ones ov/n country, it cannot possibly be attended with any substantial benefit. The materials of which the former par* of this Catechism is composed, have been drawn from tho njost authertic so-irces — viz.. Reeves' and Anspach\< '* Histories of Newfoundland," l^l'Gre-jor's " British America," and Carson's " Letters." For tho information respectin<; the Red Indians, 1 anj, in a good measure, indebted to Lieut. John Carlwri^ht's valuable communication to Governor Paliiser. — The sketch of tho Natu- ral History is fro»n my own personal observation and inquirv; — it is intended as a mere school-boy's acco-nt, and as such, of course, it will be received. Should, however, the Bounteous Giver of all Good, in His mercy, bestow upon me the blessin"^s of health, a mure satisfactory work on this subject may, perhaps, be exj)ected. I cannot conclude this short preface without returning' my prnteful acknowlcd^rments, in the first place, to His Exccllt-ncy the Governor, for his coiides(ension in allowing the d»'tli» ation, and also f^r his V(t\ iiaiidsome subscripli(;n ; — and, in the n«'Xl place, to those ycnllemen who have so kindly tendered their support in furlheranco of my little production. W. C. St. J. Harbour-Grace, August 6, 1835. CATECHISM OF THE ^i^ior^ of Ketofountilanlr. CHAP. I. Of the Discovery of Newfoundland by some Nor- wegian Adventurers. Question. — Have we any grounds for believing that the Island of Newfoundland was discovered before the close of the 15th century ? Answer. — We have ; — from the writings of several histori- ans of undoubted credit, it appears, that, in the year 1001, a Norwegian vessel, under the command of one Biron, or Biorn, was driven, by stress of weather, on the coast of an Island many degress S. W. of Greenland; and from the accounts and description which this adventurer gave of its soil, climate, and of the general aspect of its shores, it is conjectured, and with great probability, that the country alluded to was Newfoundland. . Q. Did not the Norwegians give this newly discovered Island a name ? A.— They called it Winland, that is, the Wine Country ; from the circumstance of their having found grapes growing spontaneously in the woods. 8 CATECHISM OF Tllli Q. — Do'.'s not this fact stated oi poratc , since jjrapos are not now a hav A — No ; for all Iho parlior r.d a^'ainst tlie conjpctijro above prodcjct of this iaiarxj ? econriimHJ ir assortin- tl,;,t ui|.| vonfiirors to NcMvf.Mindlnnrl \in''s. |) Q.— What was Ilio r.;nspquonro of Bi^.rn's discovery ? A.-In th,^ f.,Ilo»,-n.jr yrar, :, „„„,h,r ..f |r,.|:,„,lir omi-Mnnf, {rKujsspn.ad al.roa.l ..„ th.-ir r..,urn, f^ron!; ' , v' |^;v^ K.ml ;~,|H.y soon ..p,.„od a profH.Wo inf..rr<.ur.o , , , / ' 9''^w«».r,^u|,o.so furs «cTe readily exchan-.d for ar l..r f l^uropean manufarture. ^ '■•'Jn^uJ lor urlules of ^.^Q.pDid tl.is colony continue to flourish for any length of A.--II do« not apppar that it did. Ind.od, we aro inform A.— It 1, siippnscil lo Imvo been orcisionod hv ll.o vi^t fi,.l,l. or,. ..,.,. „ „„. eallod, .Yc„y«„,W/™,/, ...u..' ,.1":; "^I'ed'i! .' Inhabitants of Now Britain, or Labrador. I ^^w^ HISTORY OF' NKWFOrNDLAND. CHAP. II. i\ Of the Re-discovery of Newfoundland by John Cabot. (1497—1583.) Q. — By whom was this country re-discovered, and when ? A.-^By John Gabota, or Cabot, a Venetian, who, on a voy- aj^e of discovery, in the reign and under the sanction of Henry VIl., of England, and on the 24th of June, 1497, fell in with that part of the Island called Cape Bonavista, to which he gave the name that it bears. Q. — Is not the credit of this discovery sometimes awarded to his son Sebastian ? A. — It is ; but some think unjustly so — stating, that, " al- though Sebastian accompanied him at the time, it is certain that John, the father, had tho command of the expedition." Others however deny this, and claim lor Sebastian all the credit. Q. — Did Cabot make any stay here ? A. — No ; he coasted alons: the continent of America, until he found himself in latitude 38"^ north, when, being short of provisions, he returned to England, and, as it is recorded, with a good cargo. Q. — Of what did this cargo consist ? A.— Probably of furs and fish. He carried with him, also three Aboriginal inhabitants of the Island of St. John.* * Q. — What name did Cabot give to Newfoundland ? A. — That of Baccalaos, the Indian name for codfish. Q.— In what year did Europeans begin to establish a fishery on these shores? A.— In 1502. Q.— What people were the first to embark in this adventure? A,— The Portuguese ; and, subsequently, the Biscayans and the French ; the first of whom had, in 1578, no less than fifty vessels engaged in this occupation. * Now called Prince Edward Island, 10 '^ rATKCHISM OF THE Q— Who was Gasper de Corte Real ? A.—A distinguished Portn-uese, who, in 1501, visited this Country, and gave to Conception Bay its present name. Q -.When did the English begin to be fullv aware of tbo great importance of the Newfoundland fishery ? ' A. — About the year 1540. f { hr.^;r"ny^'* ^"*'"^ ''°'*' ^"^ ^''*^" "^°^* nonspicnousin this »' orancn of commerce? A.— London, Bristol, Biddeford, and Barnstaple. Q Were there not. in the reign of Elizabeth, some illustri- ous characters engaged in expeditions to this Island ? i^-'~I'?^«r V'^'^A""'"^'"^^.''' ^''' Hunipin-y Gilbert, and his relative Sir Walter RaNigh- Q.—In what year did Sir Humphry take possession of it in the name of his Sovereign Elizahpth ? A— He formally took possession on the 5th August, 1583. Q.— Did ho meet with any opposition in this measure? A —At first he did ; the masters of the foreign vessels Ivin.- in the harbour of St. John's refused to admit him into port" but. upon his preparing to sain an entrance bv force, they thought It expedient not to offer resistance. ' mandT"''''' '"''"^ '^'''''^ ^""^ ^'^ ""'"P^''^ "«^" his com- t!.pmTj''"p 'r^/V"'!' °"S\n3"y. been fitted out; but one of them, the Rakiglu having on board Sir Walter himself, was in ronsequenc^ of an infectious distemper which broke out amon- the crew, obliged to put back to England. ** Q.-After having effected an entrance, in what manner did oir Humphry proceed? A.— Ho convened a general meeting of the British and foreign merchants,— caused the commission under the Great ' Seal of England to be read in their presence.-informcd theni that he personally stood in possession of the harbour of St John s, and all the adjacent land wilhin the circumference of !nL»T i '^;fs;_aud also, U.at he was duly empowered to enact laws for the Covernment of the same. HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 11 Q.— What followed ? A. — Fie fjranted several portions of his hind, caused parties to explore the cuast, and to exatnine the interior; nud on the 20th August, in the same year, set sail from St. John's on a cruize to the westward. Q. — Did the voyage prove fortunate.* A, — No; — on the 27th of that month they bore in upon the land, and a violent gale springing up frou) the S. E., accompa- nied by heavy rain and thick fo'^, it was with the greatest diffi- culty that the fleet were preserved from the rocks. Q, — Wore any of the vessels lost? A. — Yes; at day-break, un the 2Ulh, in latitude 45® north, and about 260 miles to the wost of Capo Race, (probably the Isle of Sables) the Delight, Captain Maurice Brown, went oi shore, and was immediately dashed to pieces: — the others, for- tunately, gained the open sea am! escaped. Q. — Were the crew of the Delight sa"ed ? A. — Out of IIG souls, 14 only got safe to land ;— the Captain was among the number that perished. Q. — What berame of the other ships.* A. — On the first of September, orders were given to steer for England. In about i week af» r, a dreadful storm arose, when the Souirrel (Sir Humphry's vessel) sunk, and her crew, toge- ther wiUi theirilhistriousComfnander, unhippily were drowned. The rrmaiiiiijg vessel (the (Joldcu Hind J arrived at Falmouth in thirteen d »vs after. Q. — What remar'hubiO expression was Sir Humphry heard frequently to repeat on the evening previous to this disaster.* A. — This — " Courage, jny lads ! — we are as near Heaven at sea, as we are on land." Q. — Have you not sr»id that there was another vessel enga- gojl in this adventure ? A. — Yes ; she was called the Swalloic. Q. — What became of her ? A. — Previously te leaving St. John's, Sir Humphry had de- 12 CATECHISM OF THE CHAP. III. Op the Settlements attempted ,n the Reign of James I., &c. (1.583—1030.) 10 0, by a compauj English gen.lemen of thTLulZltl -f^* — They had. Q« — Of what prirt ? A — By ^el{ers patent dated 27th A nril Uiin r • .hen, all , ha, par. ^f N.vvfouadhnd lyh,^b Icn Can A'"' visla and Cape S(. Mary. oeiHecn Lapo Bona- Q.-Did any of these individuals actually ,isit this Island .' -A. — i\o. Q-Uoder whose direclion, ,|,o„. was .ho colony sent hither ? prrh;;r«1i"„U ,it'.o''f''!:- ^'■''"J?"^' "!'»•=''■'" ^ ^'■°" p'-^^-g". wilh the native hldians!' "''"'"' " P'"'"'^"'S ■""'rcourso Q— Were the hopes of these emigrants realized ' wtl"?',,:^ ."."' "''r'^ "I"' ."'-y -"o; for we learn ,h,„ th» country; ' ^' '"'^ ''""•"^ »'""■' '^""■"'d '" H'e mother HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 13 Q. — Have we any reasun to believe that the trade of New- foundlauii was at th's limo engrossed exclusively by tlie Eng- lish ? A. — We have. Q.— State it. A. — in a }ear Ci* two subsequently to the return of Guy, the Court of Admiralty, at home, comnussiotied a gentleman of the name of Whitburn to impannel juries, and to make legal inquiry into various abuses and disorders which had tuken place among the people prosecuting the fishery on this coast ; and, since it is not at all probable that the Admiralty would have interfered with the people of another nation, it is fairly concluded that the persons so engaged were the subjects of his Britannic iMajesty. Q. — Did Whitburn hold a Court agreeably to this commission ? A. — Ho did ; and cemplaints, from no less than one hundred and seventy masters of Eriglia.'t vessels, are said to have been immediately laid before bim. Q. — When were per nument dwelling-houses first erected in Newfoundland ? A. — About the year 1614. Q. — Who was Sir George Calvert ? A. — Principal Secretary of State to Jam^'S I. By letters patent, in 16*23, he be ame absolute lord and proprietor of all the S. E. part of the island, comprehended in the extensive peninsula formed by the bays of Flacentia and Trinity. This he erected into a province, under the name of Avalon ; and, sending thither a considerable colony, appointed Captain Wynn as Governor. Q. — At what part of the province did Wynn settle ? A. — At Ferryland, where he built a large dwelling-house, a granary, and some stores. Q. — Did not Wynn, in the following year, make flattering reports as to the soil and climate ? A. — He did. in bis despatches to Sir George, he stated that so early as the 17th of/ »us«, wheat, barley, and oats i 14 CATECHISM or THE were ea.o<,, a«.. .ha. ,.rious garden veje.ables had aMained Q.-VVha. effec. had Iheso acoou,.,, upon ,„o pr„pn.,o, > A. — l»>at ot inducing; him to remove thifhnr «,;. I u- r .. He had lately been cheated Lord Ba t ml , 'i ^^m^''^ arrival at Ferryland, he caused a house su tahi;. ?n . ' ^ ! *"' be erected, and also a stron hovering upon the coast-and that nether the s>il nor r"'"^ was so favourable to vegetation as he had, t firs bel l"",? beheve-he returned to En-land- and iLr hT- • '^"^ *^ of lands on the neighbouring cotinent UeLffTu-^ ' '^''''' sions in Ferrylandl^raduali; to sLril'dVc.y!''' '" P'""" CHAP. IV. The Introduction op a Regular System by Charles L (1633—1034.) Q. — What British Monarch tirst dm* im n r.. i rules and regulations with a vierto he ben./'^'"''''.'^'^'T "^ Island } ^"° ^"^^^^^ governing of this A — Charles I. Q.— In what year.^ A.— In the year IG33. «n8 end of thevovntr.-- _ii,of .,„ u_i.-_. /^"- ' '; f-^ A— The pe^ce concluded at Ryswick, in Holland, between li.ngland and France. Q._What understanding then took place between these two nations relative to Newfoundland ? A— They mutually agreed that it should be placed in the same state of division, with respect to each other, as it was in at the commencement of the war. Q.— How long did it remain in this state .^ A. — Until 1702, when war was again declared. Q. — What followed this declaration ? A.—Qiieen Anne, then on the throne of England, sent a squadron hither under Sir John Leake, who gained possession of the whole country, captured no less than nine and twenty sail of the enemy, and returned home with his prizes towards the end of October. Q.— Did the English long remain the undisputed possessors } A— No; for very shortly afterwards the French attempted to become the sole masters of the Island ; their garrison at Placentia received from Canada such accession of strength as to be able, in 1705, to make a formidable attack upon the forts at St. John's. cess Q —Was their attack upon these forts attended with sue- BO r A.— No ; but they succeeded in spreading their devastations northward, as far as Bonavista. In the followinff year they were again expelled by tho English, and many of theiV men-of- war and fishing vessels cither crptured or destroyed. HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 17 Q. Did this put an end to the contentions of these two nations ? A. — It tUd not ; so impressed were their respective govern- ments with an idea of the vast importance of Newfoundland, that, for the eight subsequent years, the whole colony presented a scone of depredation and warfare, being sometimes in pos- session of the English, and sometimes in that of the French. Q. — Was it solely in consequence of \\qv fishery that New- foundland claimed so much consideration ? A. — Her fishery was not the only thing that rendered her an object of importance;— she formed an extensive nursery for seamen, and occupied a commanding geographical position with respect to the Canadas. Q. Was it not about the time of which we are speaking that the first Episcopal Missionary was appointed for this country ? A.— Yes, in 1705;— his salary was but £50 per annum, though he had tc perform his clerical duties at settlements near- ly 200 miles apart. Q. — What was the treaty d Utrecht ? A. A compact of peace between England and her allies on the one part, and France on the other ; concluded at the city of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, on the 4th of April, 1713. Q. — What was the substance of such part of this treaty as related to this country ? A. — Newfoundland and the adjacent Islands were declared to belong wholly to Great Britain ; — liberty was given to the French to catch and dry fish only on that part of the roast lying to the north of Cape Bonavista, and stretching along the vvestern shore as far as Point Iliche;— they were not to make any fortifications or erections, except such as were necessary for the fishery ; nor were they to remain in the Island longer than the process of curing their fish absolutely required. Q. — Was not the number of inhabitants in 1713 found to be considerably increased .^ A. — Yes. Q. — In what stale was society at this period ? 18 rATETHISM OF THJi A. — In a very disorderly one, owing to the bickerings con- tinually taking place between the adventurers and the resident population. Q« — What occasioned t'lese disajjroements ? A.--Previously to the arrival of the advonlurers, or fisher- men, in the spring, the planters, who resided on the Island du- ring the winter season, made a practice of selecting for them- selves the best stages, and the places most convenient for pro- secuting the voyage. This was considered by the adventurers as aa intolerable grievance, and they resented it accordingly. [It may here be remarked that it had long been the policy of the British government to discountenance, as much as possible, every species oi settlement in Newfoundland.] CHAP. VI. (1728--17G2.) Q. — In what year were a Civil Governor, and regular Justi- ces of the Peace, first appointed } A.— In 1728. Q. — Who was the Governor } A.— Captain Henry Osborne, of His Majesty's Ship Squirrel. He has been represented as an officer of distinguished merit and abilities. Q- — Did not Governor Osborne nominate a High Sheriff? A.— He did;— he likewise authorized the Captains of the ships of war, then on the station, to hold Surrogate Courts for the decision of civil causes. These Judges were afterwards de- signated Floating Surrogates. Q.— What else did he do ? A. — Ho divided the Island into convenient districts ; lowed a rate of a half a quintal of fish on all boats, and boats'-rooms, for the building of prisons ; and also erected several pair of stocks. ^ Q. — Had these measures a salutary effect ? A. — Though eminently cahulatod to do good, they proved of little swrvice to the country ; their usefulness was completely IIISTOllV or NEWFOUNDLAND. 19 frustrated by tho obstioafe, contemptuous, and arbitrary conduct of the fishing Admirals. Q. — Was it not proposed in the year 1737 to empower th« Governor to establish a Court of Oyer and Terminer in New- foundland ? ^ A.— It was. Q. — Why was ihi? Court instituted ? A. — For the purpose of trying such criminals as otherwise must have been sent to England. Q. — Who was Governor in 1740 ? A. — The Right Hon. Lord George Graham. Q. — By whom was he succeeded ? A. — By tho Hon. John Byng, in the following year. Q. — Did any thing worthy of note happen during his admi- nistration ? A. — Numerous captures were made by the squadron under his command, on the vessels of Spain, which nation was then at war with England. Q.— -Was there not, in consequence of these captures, a Vice Admiralty Court establistied here ? A. — Yes; and thus were prevented (he expense and risk of sending prizes to the mother-country for trial and condemnation. Q.— Who was the succeeding Governor ? A. — Sir Cliarles Hardy, Captain of His Majesty's Ship i/e/'*ey. Q. — In what year was he appointed r A.— In 1744. Q. — When did Lord Rodney assume the Government? A. — In the year 1749; he was then a Post Captain. Q. — What is to be remarked of 1754 } A. — It wasin this year that Lord Baltimore revived his claim to the province of Avalou ; but, in consequence of his having been so long out of possession, his claim was not allowed. (i. — Are you aware of any events in 17(30 worthy of remem- brance ? liM 20 CATECHISM OF THE A.— An attempt was this year inado, by ono Scutt, and others, to open au intercourse with the Indians; but both he and his companions were treacherously killed. Q. — Who was Lord lloduoy's successor? A. — Lord Graves. ^ Q.— What is remarkable of 17GI ? A. — So inconsiderable was the naval force on the stofiou, ia this year, that, in order to protect the bomeward-boiuid vessels, a merchant brig was equipped at the joint expense of the trade. The command was given to Lieut. John Neal. Q. — What was the consequence of leaving the Island in this unprotected state ? A.— It was visited in the followinj;^ year by a French squad- ron, which arrived at Bay Bulls on the 24«h of Juno: — here they landed some troops who proceeded overland to St. John's. Q. — Relate what followed ? t A.— -The garrison at St. John's, bcinj; incapable of defence, immediately surrenderod, and sixty soldiers, trgcthor with tlio officers and crew of Mis Majesty's Ship Giainont, then lying ia port, were made prisoners of war. Q. — Were their depredations confined to St. John's ? A.— -No ; — they likewise took Carbonear and Trinity, where they inflicted every kind of injury on the fishery and trade. CHAP. VI!. (17G2— 17G3.) Q. — ^You have stated that in 170'1 the French were success- ful in their attack upon Newfoundland. How long did they hold possession of it ? A.— But for a very few months. InfelIi;;cnco of the affnir having reached Lord Colvillo, at Halifax, he iMjU'Cfliat-ly set sail for this coast. On arriving with IjIs quadron ofx tiic mouth of Si. John's, he found a superior number of the enemy, under the commaiid of Admiral do Ternay, lying vvilhin, at aaciior. Q. — What subsequently happened ? HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 21 A. — Lord Colville, being joined by some transports having^ on board about eight hundred men, made immediate preparali- o«is f')T an attaik. The troops, who were uudot Ihc command of Sir Jeffroy Amiierst, effecti'd a hinding at Torbny, under a pallini; fire, and advanrcd, at onrc, upon Quidi Vidi, which they tuoksWord in hand. They afterwards turned their atten- tion to the commanding batteries on Signal-hill, then in pos- session of the French ; and such was the bravery of the British tiocps, that, in a few moments, the enemy were driven from their guns. Q. — Did not the French still occupy some strong forts in the centre of the town ? A. — They did ; but, on the niiiht of the I7th September, after sustaining, for some hours, a brisk fire from the English, they surrenderi^d themselves prisoners of war, Q. — Have you not said that Lord Colville, upon his arrival off St. John's, found a Freuch squadron lying within at anchor ? A. — Yes. Q. — Did thci/ take no part in the above related conflict } A. — No ; for they had previously put to sea under cover of a thick fog. - - Q. — Where were the English fleet at this time ^ A. — They had been driven off* by a heavy gale of wind. Q. — Did they fall in with the enemy's ships ? A. — They descried them, but at too great a distance to admit of pursuit. Q. — Do you know tl a amount of loss sustained by the Eng- lish ? A. — About twenty men, besides Lieut. Schuyler, of the Roy- al Americans, were killed. Capt. IM'DonaKI, who commanded in the attack on Signal-hill, died of his wounds; and some otiior officers were sovercjy wounded, but recovered. — The French troops, though defented by an inferior force, are said to have been a fine body of men. Q. — Were there not two individuals, inhabitants of the Is- 22 CATECHISM or THK land, who took an active, praisevvortliy, and conspicuous part in the occurrences of those tiiliral times? A.— There wcrp— namely, KoI)ert Carter, Esq., of Fcrrylaml, and Charles fjarland, Esq., of Harbour-Grace; the former supported a garrison at the IsJe of IJ.iys, and the latter a de- tachment of military nn an Island at the entrance of Carbonear. Their services were afierwards most hc-.iuural)ly acknowledged by the Government. Q. — V^'hat circumstance may be adduced as an unquosliona- ble proof of the hi^li opinion which the French government entertained of the itnporlance of Newfoundland ? A.— By ajielinifive treaty, signed it Paris towards the be- ginnini; of 170:3, Tranro renounced all her pretensions to Nova- ScoHa, for the privilei,'e of catchino^ and curinp: fish on the northern parts of this Islnnd. — The coast of I.abrndor was, about this time, aimexi-d t.j the government of Newfoundland. It is also worthy of remark, that, for two or three years subse- quently to this period, the justly celebrated navigator, Capt. James Cook, was employed in the survey of these and the ad- jacent shores. CHAP. Vlll. (17G3— 1774.) Q. — What was the amount of population in 17()3 ? A. — About thirteen thousand ; but of the-^o not more than one-half were cuyisfanf residents. Q. — Whatvvas then the extent of the fishery ? A. — i.i ihat year no loss than 380,271 qtls. of codfish were taken and cured ; 094 tierces of salmon ; and the produce of tr-iin oil was l->98 tuns. Q. — Can you tell the value of the furs obtained in this year ? A.— It exceeded £2000. Q« — Hive you Quy idea of the nuniber of vessels then cm- pl'^yeu in the trade ? A.— Yes; noarlv 400. IIISTOUY OF MiV\*Ol)NDLA\U. 23 Q* — Was the bt^al fishery prosocufed at ihh time? A.— No. Q.— In what year was Capt. Hugh Pallisor stnt hither as GovtTuor ? A. — In 17G4, and coniinnod till 1708. The rules and regu- laliuns whirh he made, relative to the* fishery, were aflerwal-ds passed into law. Q. — By V lioin was he succeeded } • A.—iiy the Hon. .luhn Byron, who was the first that issued a proclamation (or the protection of iho native savages. Q. — Who was his successor ? A. — Commoiiore Moliueaux, in 1772. lie was afterwards created Lord Shuldhani. — WesJeyan iMiihodisui was, abuut this year, introduced bv the Rev.' Lawrence Cou;;lane, a clertfvmaQ oftne Established Church. CHAP. IX. • (1774— 178G.) Q- — Was Newfoundland in the habit of receiving Sny other supplies than those imported fron) Euiopo ? A. — Yes, from various parts of America, and in particular from the Lnited States, at that time dependencies of Great Bri- tain. Frouj these she annually iniporied provisions, amountin"- to upwards of three hundred thousand pounds. ° Q.— What effect had the memorablo rupture, which tooji place between Britain and her American colonies, upon New- A.— A very serious one;— the Kcueral Congress of the States buving, in the fall of 1774, issued an order prohibiting the ex- portation of provisions lo such of the sister colonies as remained unfriendly lo the American cause, an alarming apprehension of famine took possession of the public mind ; and lhou<^h ves- sels were immediately dispatched across the atlaniic for supplies, yet the most distressing and unprecedented scarcity was experi- enced tliroughoul the land. Q.— What is remarkable of 1775 > , / 24 CATECHISM OF THE A. — One of the heaviest storms ever remembered in this Is- land occurred in that year. The sea suddenly rose twenty feet above its usual height, and the conspqiient loss of property, on the land, was immense. Numbers of square-ri2[ged vessels went on shore, and were totally lost ; hundreds of smaller craft shared the same fate; and it is estimated that, at least, three hundred human beings perished. Q. — Did the Americans, after their declaration of war, com- mit any depredations on this coast ? A. — They did; and so well acquainted were they with the various harbours and coves, that, not unfrequentiy, they would capture vessels while lying a^ the merchants' wharves. Q. — Were not the towns of IIarbour-Grac» and Carbonear very much annoyed by the privateers r A. — At first they were ; but batteries having at length been erected upon some commanding cliffs, these vessels thought it advisable to keep at a distance. Q. — When was Rear Admiral Montagu appointed Governor? A. — In 1776. Q. — For what was his administration remarkable? A. — Principally for the measures adopted to enforce, on the part of the settlers, an amicable intercourse with the native Indians, many of whom had been ui.justly, and even v/ontonly, killed. About (his time a copper mine, between Petty Har- bour and St. John's, was attempted to be worked ; — not an- swering expectations, however, it was soon afterwards aban- doned. During the administration of this Governor a Presby- terian Minis. jr first ofhciated here? Q. — Who nest succeeded to the Government ? A. — Rear Admiral Edwards, in 1779. Q. — Who had charge of affairs in 178*2 ? A. — Vice Admiral John Campbell. His Secretary was Mr. Aaron Graham, whose abiliiics, it is said, were of essential service to the country. Q. — Had the English the entire scope of the fisheries in 1782, or did the people of other nations participate ? « r HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND, 25 A.— The English possessed the exclusive right. Q.— Were they, over afterwards, careful to preserve this right ? A.— No ; France and the United States were re-admitted to a participation at the close of the war. Q.— What were the limits and extent of the French Shore or that part of the coast on which the people of that nation are allowed to fish, as defined at the cessation of hostilities ? A.— It was a^rreed that France should renounce her right of hshing on that hue of coast lying between Cape Bonavista and Cape ^t. John ; but from the latter Cape, situate on the eastern side of the Island, and in latitude about the fiftieth degree, she was, after proceeding north about, to ertend her privilege down the western shores, as far as Cape Ray. I ?*~7^.^^ '* understood, by this agreement, that the French had, within these bounds, an exclusive right of fishery ? A.— The Government of that nation has always considered it as such, though it has been strongly questioned by many of our own statesmen, by whom the subject has been frcnuentlv ar^ita- ted in the Senate. '' "' m CIIAF. X. (17SC— 1811.) Q- — Who was Governor in 178G? A.— Rear Admiral Elliot. Q.__Was it not about this time that Dr. James O'Duuuell came hither as head of the Roman Catholic Church ? A.— Dr. 0'D.jnnell came in 1784. Q.— What title had he ? A.— "Prefect and Vicar Apostolic of Newfoundland." He was subsequently raised to the dignity of Bishop. After spend- ing, meritoriously, twenty-three years of his life in this country he returned to Ireland, whore he passed the remainder of his days. On his retirin- from Newfoundlaud, the British Govern- ment, in testimony of his patriotic conduct, presented him with a pension of fifty ponntls a-yoar. H [^ !l "^m^M ■^•^^ 26 CATECHISM OF TllL il Q. — When was a Court of Common Picas first establislied here ? A. — In 178U, by Admiral Mark 3Iilbank, who was then Governor. Q. — Was not this followed by a Court of Criminal and Civil Jurisdidioo ? A. — Yes; it was called "Tho Supreme Court of Newfound- land." Q. — Who v^s appointt'd Juland. He has been represented as a man of extensive legal acquirements and deep penetration. Duringf his short continuance in office, numerous abuses, that had gradually crept intt .he inferior Courts, were rectiHed ; and, from that time, their proceedings were conducted w»«h more regularity and order. Q. — In what year did the French, undci- the command of Admiral [lichrry, burn the shipping and town of Bay Bulls? A.— In 171)0. Q. — What number of vessels had Richery under his com- mand ? A. — Nine sail of the line, and several of inferior force. Sir James Wallace was Governor in this year. Q. — By whom was he succeeded ? A. — He was succeeded by Vice Adtniral Waldegrave, whose exertions, in the cause of religion, will be long remembered, in this Island, with feelings of gratitude. Q. — Are you informed as to the extent of the fishery about this period ? A. — The nudjber of quintals of codfish reported to lave been cured in 1795, was six hundred thousand, v.du rl «U eighteen shillings per quintal. Four thousaiul nine htnun ^ seals were also taken, besides a vast quantity of salmon. — The whole amount of property vested this year in the trade, was estimated at little less than a million and a half pounds sterling. Q. — Who was Judge of the Supretne Court in the time of Governor Waldegravu ? A.— Richard Routh, Fs(j. HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 27 Q. — When (lid AdiT..ral Gambler administer the government ? A. — From 1801 to 1803. During Ins administration, and that of his srecrsovjr, Sir Krasmus Gsnver, Benevolent Irish So- cieties, having for thoir object the relief of the poor, were form- ed, both in S(. John's and in Conreptiou IJay — and several Sunday Schools established. — A Red Indian female was taken in tho year 1804, and carried to the capital. Q.— What is remarkable of 1807 ? A. — The first newspaper ever issneil in the Island was pub- lished by IMr, John Ryan, under the title of " The Royal (ia- zette and NeivfoumUand Advertiser^''' \*hich is continued to the pre.sent period (i8l;4), by the same publisher, under the title of " Tlie Royal Gazette:' Q._What happened in 1808 ? A. — A very respectable volunteer militia was formed in St. .lohn's : and* about this time, a regular Post Office was esta- blished in that town. Q. — What else, worthy of remark, occurred? A. — The Courts of Judicature, which bad hitherto been m.?rely the subject of experiment, were now rendered perpetual. — The coast of Labrador, which f)r s;j:n»Miine previjusly had been separated frotn the government of this Island, was re- annexed to it; and an ineffectual attempi, under the direction of L'Hif. Spratt, was made to open an intercourse with ine In- dians. — Admiral Holloway was then (iuv rnor. Q. — Who succeeded him ? A.— Sir John Thomas Duckworth, K. B., in 1810. Q. — What were Ui^iong the tirst acts of tiis administration ? A. — That of publishing a proolarnati»in for the protection of tlie Indians; and uf sen(iing, to the \\\y of Kxploits, a sniall armed schooner, nn«~ttiat IS, fr..^ ,|,e bei^.nnino of June to llio "HUh of Or tober; and a « sphllcr^ at lea.t double this sum cou?;t^7''"* "^"'' ''"^' '^" P'''""^ '^^^ "P"» '^' tradeof this the'\*tT.t''T'"''rT'''''^''''^'""'^''"'^" ^^^^ immediatciv felt; the staple products of the island fell, suddenly, in value and the numerous n.erca.aile failures, consequent ^upu . , W^^un'x pected change, threw the whole colony into a sta^te of alarm. Q— Who succeeued Sir John Thomas Duckworth ? A — Sir liichard Goodwin Keats. Q.— What events happened in 181G r nfilT^ ^''''^ i^'^ ''*'^^- •'•'''"'" ''^^ destroyed, in the month G^aoeT7h'.-'^'''."' ''''' ^'" P-ish Church of Harbo - Grace, ,n the succeeding autumn.-The most honourable men- Bos t:?wT'-' '^ ^""t ^^'^"r '— 'enceof ,he dtize;;::f Boston, who, mmedtatdi/ on hctrin- of the disaster at St Q.— -What occurred in the fjllowing year ? '?'^^''''"" *"''" unusually unproductive harvest in virinn^ K^t faiiT' '• " ''"^-"r' r ""'^ "f P-visi;V:"hLr the last fa!), been imported luto Newfoundland ;-soveral m..r rant.le es tabl.s .uents were, perhaps, tolerably stocked bu -se, see.n. ,„ the event of their .lisposin,^fthX;,^^^^ upon credit the great improbability of returns, n^-solvel inTh a respec-^, to be as circumscribed as thev could. The w.'r ho v over, had scarcely commo..-ed, wh MUuincireds of thrp ^uh' on professedly ,„ a starvin,^ state, began to break men ^ stores ana It was not until vohuitoer coinpanies wcrt Ti^ i^ od a,a efficiently armed that they could be prevailed n . " oe.u . Committees ot Kelief wer-i then for,. hI, anrl fo- son months a rateable .uppiv was, at stated period., d'd n 1 I I IIISIURY Ol NLWFOtNDLANU. 31 I I Q. — Did not an inquiry into the state of Newfoundland afliiirs lake place in the Imperial Parliament this year ?^ Yes. A, What facts were elicited on that occasion ? That Newfoundland en:ployed, annually* eight hundred and produced a revenue of two millions sterling, in of various kinds. — The population was stated to bo A.— Q.- A.— vessels, reti'rns 80,000, Q.— A.— When was Vice Admiral Pirkmore Governor } In 1857. Q. — Was there not, in the fall of this year, a large portion of the town of St. John's consumed ? A. — Yes ; the fire broke out on the night of the 7th of No- vember, and, in nine hours, thirteen mercantile establishments, and about one hundred and thirty dwellincj-houses, were redu- ced to ashes. The destruction of property was estitnated at five hundred thousand pounds. A temporary embargo was laid upon the vessels and boats lying in the harbour, in order to prevent any unnecessary quantities of provisions being carried from the scene of distress. Q. — Was not this calamity almost immediately followed by a similar one ? A. — It was ; — in about a fortnight afterwards, fifty-six hou- ses, besides stores and wharves, were entirely destroyed. Q. — Were these fires the eflfect of accident, or of design ? A. — There was every reason to believe, upon the strictest examination, that the cause of them had been accidental. Q. — What happened in the beginning of 1818.^ A. — The death of Governor Pickmore. Q. — Were his remains interred in the Island ? A. — They wore deposited for a month or two in a vault, but subsequently conveyed to England in His 3Iajesty's Ship Fit/, Q. — Who assumed iUc temporary managensent of affairs ? A. — Capt. Bowker, of H. M. S. Sir Francis Drake. ^^ CATECHISM OF THE Q.-When (lid Sir Charles Flamilton come hither as Governor ? A. — In the course of the same year. fishtr^s?' "°' '^" ^''" "^'""^^ distinjjuisLed for its sncccssn,; pectin: i^^ii^Srbrl^E' '^ --"-^^' P- Ch?;.-;; Hamrn?'^''"^'^^ '""°^^ the administration of Sir A -Francis Forbes, Esq., of Lincoln's-inn, Barristcr-at- Law He was put mto office on the 4th August, 1816 H^ talents as a Judge were, unquestionably, of a high order- ami the pamswhichhetooktorender ihe Law^f Engfnd suitable^ thepecnharwants of this colony are deserving the greatest praise! Q._Was there any thing remarkable occurred in 1319 ? ihf^r'^a Ylf"" u "'*lt ""^^ captured by an armed party in the month of March. Her husband, a man of noble and com" manding stature was, while endeavouring to rescue her, most unjustly and inhumanly shot. The woman was afte^vards conducted to the capita!, where she experienced the most kind treatmert from Lady Hamilton and others. She was eventually sent back, w,th presents, intended for her people, but she uied before she reaj^hed them r r » Q. — What was done with her body ? A.— It was wrapped in linen, and laid on the margin of a pond, where it was discovered by some of her own trtbe, and conveyed away. JWr. Cormack, very much to his surprise, found It some years after, in a cemetery, lying beside the re- matns of the husband. ^ ^ o Q.— How were the laws administered in the out-ports in and about the year 1819 ? A.— By means of Courts, held by resident and floating Sur^ rogates ;-froni these in suits exceeding £40, an appeal lay to the Suprema Court m St. John's. Courts of Session, also, were held by gentlemen m the commission of the peace ; they had jurisdiction in cases of assault, &c., aud in a«v cause not excecuin- forty snuiiugs, disputes respecting servants' wajres, to any amount, could be finally settled by them. HISTORY OF newfoi;ndland. .3:3 Q. — How long did Mr. Forbes hold the situation uf Chief Justice ? A. — About six years ; he resigned on the 30th September,! 822, Q. — VVIieu were *' The Newfoundland Free Schools'' '»sta- blished? A. — Inlft2;J; incalculable benefit has, without doubt, been derived from them. — The Naval establishment was this year broken up. Q. — Who succeeded Mr. Forbes in the office of Chief Justice ? A. — R\-hard Alexander Tucker, Esq., A. M., of tho Inner Temple, Barristcr-at-Law, who took his seat in the Supreme Court, on the 5lh of xMay, 1823, and continued the so/c .ludjje thereof until the 2d of . January, 1820. CHAP. XII. (1S2G— 1S31.) Q. — Was there not, in 182G, an important chang:e effected in the judicial proceedings of Newfoundland ? A. — There was; — for some years pa^^ t^? inefficiency of the Surroo^ate Courts had become a popular theme. It was conten- ded that the resideat Judges of these Courts, however honour- able their intentions, could not possibly maintain an unbiassed ju, rniwved from ofTicc. illSTOttV Ol M:Wf OUNDI.AM) 36 Uiulod oil tlipso sliorts. During his st:iy yU tho Kpiscopal places of worship throu^'houl tho Maud were couscrratvd, uiid uuntbers of individuals confirmed. Q. Did nolGoveruor Cochrane return to England this year? A. — He did; and tho temporary adiiinistration of th« go- vernment devolvod up' n Chief Justice Tucker, :is l^residcnt of the Council, whose pl.ce on the Di^nch was supplied by ♦he Hon. Ldward !5rahazon lirenton, Scniir Assistant Ju. Dr. Scallan, Roman Ca- thulic Rishop. He had, fur many years in this Island,^ dis- charged the duties of his responsible ollice. His kind anucon- descendinf4 deportment rendered him generally beloved, and his li;S3 was deeply and universally lamented.— A new stone Court-house and Prison were this year built in Harbimr-Crace, and Gover;unent-house in St. John's was couipleted at tho expense of £(:i),0(>0 ! (>. — What also took place in this year? • Thest: siiiikc! roi'u > nr- MUiate on the Western ed;e oi'tiie Griind Ba;:k, i- loi.;;i'i:de 50*^ jj.' 35" wet, ai.d 4r)« 20,' 2:V north. 5 . .i^S«--V-'- ;io < ATi:( 11 ISM (»i I UK ^h^V""^'?'""!' ''""!'* «onetios, railed - li.lu.rti.Ou's a,.,l Sho,. .n..„'s .\s.s„c,at,ous" .„.! - Mochanir. Societies," wJc iounded in various parts of tho country. - Q._\V'|,;,i happened iti \K}1 ? n'^'u*'"'^!''!'"!.'"-'''^ -'^^ "P' '" '^""^O- towns, pravin-tHt FI.s Majesty's Gvernment would l,o ,raciouslv\..leas:d to contor ou this hland a Local Leiii^lature—Goveruo Cocbn.ne rc-visifcd Kn-lan-l this vear. -""i.'nt CUAF. \|||. (18;31— 18^4.) L which nmely-seven buildiu-s, inciudin- the Episconal Church were completelv 1 or I HE valued at IO.v. per quinlal ; three thousand tun. train ,>ii, at \S, per tun; four hundred ihuu.aud^ seal-skins, at l.v. ea I, • ive aS" £.>0 m.r'^' "\'-' ^ ''' '"" ■' ^"'' ^'^''"- -^ ^- valued at ±20,000 ;— ma ku.g a total of jfcM04,000. Q.-What were the imp.nts of th.3 principal ailide.s of pro- vision, avera-mg- the same oeriad ? ' A.-Bread ninefy-thi ■ '. .;.and five hundred and twrntv- ourba-s; flour thirty-se- the; .and fivo hundred and fifi;-. wo barrels ; pork twenty-two thousand five huudrod an(luin"e- nme thousand ei-ht hundred and seventy-two poimd.s. Q- — VVhat occurred in 183^? A -The first session of the Colonial Parliament was opened on the hrst day of January .-Mr. Tucker resiguedf his L n- nns.,onasCh,efJudo:e--,uno!lice he had fo°r ten vears fill' d du ed i'n sf^ll'' ^^^^y—^ presentation Convent was intro- duced in St. John's ; ComriHttees of Heallh were formed in the several d.stncfs; a commodious Cholera Hospital was built principally by private subscription, at llarbuur-Gracu ; a de- structiyo tire happened in the low-r street of 81. John's, atten- ded with the melancholy loss of lives; and several atrocious and diabolical murders were perpetrated in Concepti.;n Bay. Q.— What led to the resignation of the late Chief Justice ? ..^;~~V.''^""'''''^'^"'''"« "'"*='' ^""^^ place between him i„ h.s legislative capacity as President of th« Council, and the Commons House o Parliament, upon the subject of taxation-. Air. luckercuutendmg that the trade and si^ie of the tountrv in genera, were then unable to bear anv levies of that Mature' and the representatives mainlaiuiug to the contrary.— The Re- venue Bill was passed in the f.ower House, but, in conforrMitv to the S resident's cpinion, was rejected in the Council.— N \V Iloyles, hsq., was this vear appointed Colonial Treasurer. ' Q.—Who succeeded Mr. Tucker in the oaire of Ciiicf Justice ? A.— The Hon. He.iry John Boulton, of Upper-Canada. lit'ss than 10 years ago th.; ailcJi of .seal-, was Lut tOOO " t C^ir,Mthe rcsi..natio., of >Jr. T..rk..,-. }i„, n,,,,. Janu. f^-vv. nreivod the appomtineni of Aclm- Chief Jud-e JIISTORY 01 M:\M0I NDLAM). 39 (i.— Did any thitii;- else, worlliy of remark, happen at ihc rlose of Ibis year ? A.__The execution of the inhuman miscreants, v\iio had conimillcd tlie atrocious murders in Conception-Bay, took place in January. Q. — What events happened in 1834 ? A _Tho arrival of His Rxceliencv Henry Prescott, Esq., Con.paniou of the iMost Honorable Military Order of the Bath, as Govcrn.>r of the Island; and the subsequent departure ot bir Thomas John Cochrane and family for England. Q —Are yon informed as to the total amount of property imported by the colony this year ? A.— Yes, £018,757. and the exports re8-2(i,05<), leaving a dilference of £207,00-2 in our favour. Q.__Wh:it number nf ships, from sundry psris, arrived at JSevvfoundlaiMl in 1834 ? A —Of British tlicrp were oijibt hundred and twenty-eight, rarryin- 105,570 tons ; and of foreign (i. c. Spanish and Ame- can) twenty, carrying '2978 tons. Q.__l]o\v many vessels were, this year, employed on the Sealing voyage." A—From St. John's, 125 sliips, of 11,029 tons, and c^arj-y- in" 20l0men; from Conception-Bay, 218 ships, of i7,78;:> tons, and 4894 men ; from Trinity-Bay, 19 ships, and from other p^rls «>f the Island perhans ten or a dozen more. All these -ciieraliv speaiiiug, to-ether with several other registered vessels^ too small, <.r too weak to be sent to the ice, are employ- ed in the cod-(ishory during the summer months. Q.— Is there not a considerable fishery still carried on in the Bays, and on the Banks of this Island ? A.— Wl at is termed the Batf or Shore fishery is still very extensive- but the number of vessels employed upon the Banks is now inconsiderable. Formerly no less than 700 vessels were enga-ed in this particular branch, while, at the present day, there arc not, perhaps, twenty 1 Q.— What is the present population ? 40 CATECHISM OF THE A.--It is eslimaled at about !)5,(M)() ; of these St. Jolin's* contains 15,000, and Co-.ccption Bay upwards of double that number. Q. — Has there not been a Chamber of Commerce established for some years in St. John's? A.— Yes ; there is one, also, at Harbour-Grr. ..•, and another has more recently been formed in Carbonear. Q.— How many newspapers are published in the Island? A.— Seven; five in St. John's, and two in Conception Bay. Q. — Were there any charitable instilulions formed in 1834 ? A. — There was one— the Benevolent Irish Society of Car- bonear. CHAP. XIV. Of the Red Indians, or Aborigines of Newfoundland. Q.— -Is it known of what race the native Indians are the inmiediate descendants ? A. — Various conjectures and arg^uments have, from time (o lin)e, been hazarded upon this difficult subject ; but none of thcni sufficiently plausible or convinciii?rs have maintained, and with much more probability, that thty origina- ted from some of those numetous hordes or tribes of warriors or, as they emphatically desi^^nate themselves, rfd-mrn, who were once the sole inhabitants of the neighbouring continent. Q. — Have not the Indians of this Island been represented as the most ferocious people in the world ? * Considerujg tlie population of St. John's, per]iaj)s there is not. Ml the whole world, another town with an ctpial ev . of trade. "'5?fc-A-':i7,:-^A:^ S.'twss'^s:: wj»SBfieed were they by their enemies, that they be- tooK themselves to the j^joomy solitudes iu (he neighbourhood of the iuver Exploits. At* thnt time, probaMy, their whole tribe did not exceed two hundred souls. More recently, liow- ever, they have been driven, even from this unobtrusive retreat, and it is, at thi? moment, a question whether a single family of (hem survives. Q« — Are they acquainted with the use of the jrun ? A. — No; their arms consist, simply, of the how and arrow. Q.— Ot what are these implements made ? A. — The bow, wh' ■ is about five feet in length, is cnn^ruc- I T wssJ.iw.awMqi^iH 42 CATECIIISIVI Ol THE ted of a wood called sycatiioro, represented vs being very scarce in the IslamK The interior side of this bow, except immedi- ately in the t;rasp, is cut with a certain slant, and with so much nicety ihat the string will vibrate in a direction exactly coinci- dent with iho thicker edge. Upon this principle, it is said, depends the true delivery of the arrow. Q.«^How is the arrow formed ? A. — It is nothing more thj«ri a straight, smooth piece of pine, armed at the point, with :. dart af bone or iron of about six inches long, and niouuti'd, at the other extremity, with a few goose quills in order to direct its flight, Q. — Of what are their canoes fabricated ? \. — The frame is formed of frail pieces of light wood, which are covered with birch nnd, sewed together with the elastic roots of trees, split to a convenient size: the seams are payed over with resin. The usual size of these boats is about twelve feet long, by three and a half wide. Q. — What is the shape and construction of their huts ? A. — Their huts, or as they are termed wigwhams, are, for the n»ost part, of a conical form, ingeniously covered with th^ skins of deer, or with broad pieces of birch rind. The frame work consists of poles fastened together at the top, leaving only a small aperture for the escape of the smoke, and spreading to the required breadth at the base. Their beds are cavities dug in the earth, and lined with the soft branches of trees. Q. — What are the deer fences ? A. — A kind of hedge reared along the banks of rivers, lakes, or ponds ; extending, frequently, with slight interruptions, over a space of thirty miles. Q. — Of what utility are they ? A. — They lessen, exceedingly, the toils and disappointments of the hunt — without them the poor Indian could never be sure of subsistence for a week together. In nine cases out of ten, the (leer, in their migrations from north to south, and the con- trary. Would, in consequence of the vast range of forest which comprises the hunting grounds, be sure to pass unobserved ; — whereas, by means of these feuces, they are intercepted io their - .-;■— :.-i- ,-.-:--,r.,--r----'t— .-^i;^,- t ^r -^ur-'--^ r '"BHIBI ^-..'~'- ' ■^''■^'*_ V'i,'"" ■ si'wm!^ HISTORY OF NEWIOLNDLANI). 4: passage, and conducted to tlie vory spot where the Indian lies in ambush to shoot them. Q. — Have you any notion how these fences are constructed ? A. — Large trees, growing in a line along the banks of rivers, or other sheets of wator, are cut somowhat more than half through ; they are then made to fall, so as to coincide exactly with each other. Care is taken that the distance between each shall b(? rather less than the height of tho respective trees, in order that the top of one may be properly secured to the butt of another. In this manner a continuous hidwark is raised, over which it is impossible for almost any animal to pass. Q. — But suppose, as it must sometimes bo the caso, that spots occur on winch no trees grow — how are the fences then made ? A. — When this is the case, no fence is constructed ; but sctv- /'/s are placed at "»gular distances, which answer the purpose equally well. Q. — What are sewels ? A. — Slender poles, from eigiit to ten feet long, on the top of which are fastened long tassels or pendants of birch-rrind. These poles are stuck in the ground, swnewhat in a leaning position, in order that the tassels may hang clear, and be agi- tated with the srnailest breath rincipal arlick-s of food ? A. — Venison scorns to be i he object of i heir choice; but, in .i:rsii^i'^s^m¥3^&.^'^. ■:-^ ^l:-' --:?.-i?j .^. il' • I < f in 1 : ^ i'ATECJIlSM THE cases of neoeabity, every species of bt-ail, birJ, or fish, thai ca;j possibly bo procured. Q. — Have tboy not at all times a sufficient supply r A. — No; famine frequently stares llicrn in the face; and in- stances have occurred of women, iu a starving' condition, been obliijed to give themselves up to the civilized inhabitants. Q. — Are the Red Indians bl.'ssed w.h the services and com- panionship of the domestic dog r A. — Tiiey are not — and perhaps this constitutes one of their heaviest privations. It has been well remarked, by a distin- guished writer, in an allusion to savages in genera!, that " the poor Indian, who will but too frequently expcrieure fraud and treachery in his dealings with man, finds iu his honest dojj a friend tha,t will never forsake or betray him." CHAP. XV. Of the Situation and general features of the Island ; ITS Harbours, Capes, Bays, Banks, etc. ; surround- ing Islands, Cijmate, and Soil. Q. — How is Newfoundland situated, and what are its latitude and longitude ? A. — It is situated at the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to which it aflTcjrds a northern and a southern entrance. It lies between the latitudes of 40' 40', and 51'" '37\ North, and between the longitude 52° 25', and 59"^ 15', West ; and ap- proaches to a triangular form. Q. — How ma.iy square miles does tho surface of this Island contain } A. — Nearly forty thousand. Q. — Keport the names of the principal bays. A.— On the S. E. side is the bay of St. John, in which is the capital of the same name. To the north of this, lies ihu beautiful bay of Conception, containing the port of Harbour- tJr^tCffS ■;'*^ilr-^ - - Z-' ■","'' t- •^i=-:s'T^^.S^^. iii^^- ^^ i?£^n3^i ^i/^ f4^^^^^»-*>v E^^^^^eST'^^SF^SMHSKJ .^::,£r^Sfiar»£aj?i lll!»JOK.V Ol NEWFOINDLAM) 45 Giaio,* to<;etber with Carbonear, Biigus, l*ort-ilL--Graoe, Bay Huberts, ami several other wealthy, populous, and cominodious towns and harbours. In this bay, also, are situated the fine Islands of Great Bell Isle, Little Bell Isle, and Kelly's Island, iMoro northerly are the bays of Trinity, Bonavista, Gander, Exploits, Notrc-dauie, While, and Hare; and on the most nurlhern extremity is the small bay of Pistolet. Q. — Are there not some others on the western side ? A. Yes; St. Geuri;e's Bay, and Bay of Islands, with some others of less note. Hero are, also, several large rivers, and a very extensive lake. Q, — What bays are situate on the southern side ? A. The principal are, Fortune Bay, bays of I'lareulia, St. Mary, and Trepassey. Q._\Vhere is Cape Ray ? A. — On the southernniust angle of the Island. Q. — What is the most eastern cape called ? A. — Cape Spear. Q. — Where is Capo Norman ? A. — On the northern extremity of the Island. Q. What separates; Newfoundland from Labrador? A.— The Straits of Belle Isle. Q. — Repeat the nauies of the principal Islands by which Newfoundland is surrounded ? A. — To the south are St. Peters and iVliquelon, both of which are in the possession of the French. More westerly are the iMa;;dale;i Islands, Cape Bret;)n, and the larire but unpeo- pled Island of Anticosti. On the east are New Worlil Island, Vogo, Funk, and Wadhaais. Oft" the French Shore lie Groais Island and Belle Isle.f Q. — How is the Great Bank situated ? * On various accounts;, the town of Ifarbour-Grace has long been considered as the second in importance in tlie Island. In cousetjuence of its beautiful site, it has been styled the Briyhton of yew foil ndland. t There is anotlior island of this name in the Straits of Belle Isle. 4 i I n It 46 CATECHISM OF THK i» i./k I " '^ "'^ rfegrees wide, from east tu wp»'-- '°-s. from «:: ; losoulh. lis depth of water varies from 10 to 100 fathoms Q.-Are theie n,.t others in the vioinitv of the Great Bank > eret^Ihl; ?'Z% '^' ^"''' ^^"'^' ^^hich lies about 2^ de- po s^ Bank a°n , R "''' '"'^ ^^'^" ^^""^^ ^^'^^^ '^^^l^* Vor- GrirtBank '^^"^"^^'■^«» ' ^^ich lie to the West 'of the Q.— What arc these Banks supposed to be ' l%es:ndr.eru";. "''''" ''^""' '-»-'-Iai«. forthem'a Q— What have jou to say respecting the dimale > quentl,. .„any degrees Irrme; J, 'L o^Bn'r^^h." '"■ storms are somni.r.es terridc but tLv\ i ■ , ^»'"»'«er ^r^a^e'-"-----"<^---ra:^ Q — What is the nature of the soil ? tremeh^ cl,vcrs.hed ; so mud. so, that i„ some parts i't is i,': ■ HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 47 ficult to find a si jgle acre that docs not contain four or fiva dif- ferent kinds. Towards the stutnern parts of the country, and about the noishbuurhood of St. John's, there are, no doubt, some fertile and excellent tracts, in which oats and barley are very productive. In Conception, and other Bay? towards the north, soree fine fields of oats are occasionally raised ; and the potato, for which the soil seems peculiarly adapted, is grown to a considerable extent. In no part of the Island, it may safely be asserted, does the soil run to a considerable depth. In proof of which, we may adduce the comparatively deminulive growtu of the timber, and the complete barrenness which manifests it- self on the surface, almost immcdiatehj after the removal of the forest trees. Q. — What is known of the interior ? A.— The interior of this Island has never been properly ex- amined; but, as far as researches have been made, it appears to be not what it was once imagined, a dense body of forest — but a continuation of barrens and morasses, (upon which low heath and brushwood are the only vegetation) with sheets of water interspersed. The belt of W('ods, by which the Island is 6unoiuidtd, doosiiot, -enorally i.peaki g, extend above five- aod-twenty i;;iles from tiie sea-ohore, and ver> often not more than half that distance. CHAP. XVI. Of the Natural History. Q. — Name the wild quadrupeds of Newfoundland. A. Of these we have but a small variety. Deer, of the ' Carriboo kind, are in some parts exceedingly plentiful ;— they are frequently met with in herds of from one to two hundred in number; — they have a majestic appearance, and some of them will weigh five hundred pounds. They resort to the northern parts of" iv3 Island during summer; but the first fall of snow, at the close of autumn, is the signal for their retreat towards the south. Q. — What other animals have we } A.— Black bears are oc":asionally seen. We havo, strictly 4H CATECHISM OF THE speakir)jir> no ivolvcs : bul a species of wild dog is said to be nunicroiis. Tlioy i^o in packs, and prove annoying^ and de- strurfivo to the deer. Vow^, otters, beavers, martenr,, musk- rats, and hares, are found in all parts— the last of wliirli turn white in winter. Of the marine animals the seal hulds t jio first rank, both on aerount of itr, numbers and its value. There are several species of seal' — the two largest of whi( Ji are the stjuarr J'ippcr and the hnoff. T\m) and barrens; — a species of the thrush, with red breasts and grayish blue backs, by the boys called /)/nck-Iurcls :—pe\\iis, yeilow-hammers, lin- nets, tomtits, cross-bills,* jays, hedge sparrows, blnck-caps, snow-buntings, wood-peckers, .^wallows, snipes, n: .t-ios, and sandrils. Q. — Are there no water fowl ? ^- — There are: wild geese, wild ducks, loos, gulls, teals, Baecalau-birds (so called from the Island of Baccdao at the entrance of Conception-Bay, where they breed in incredible numbers) ; — puffins, gannets, hounds, and several smaller ge- nera. The penguin, a very large bird, onco so plentiful at Funk Island, has now totally disappeared. Q. — Mow do you account for its disappearance? A.— -People sought after these birds for their feathers; when a sufficient numbi-bj x is conspicuous bcantifu ; """f 'L^^ and tiie Hsh-ily for its pencttaling for Its immense Jeclirs . am i jj; fl- ^ c^nc feior ;_ichneu.nons, or c»ckoo-fl es anls ^»^ ; „ nies.n.oth«. saw-n.os "»5P^> .''^''''^"i;,","/," 1827, fish- flies, sand flies, and '«°''}^'^°f/..JZXl,, were seldom yfo, (which are a lajgo sP-c «n'-- ';„,,„4aJ.ly nume- • :rus- VVUhin the'S len'yoars, a small species oC -,e wh.le ^.tterfly has proved troublesome to the gardens. Q -Whet are the chief vesetable productions . ...Newfoundland cannot ^^^^^ ^I^ZIZZ:^':^- forest Umber. P'-O'^X'se t h thoe-ception of a few in- fifths of her groves ; and h^^^ "''" g ,„i,s' „hen compared considerable skirts about the Ba^ of bxp ,^^^^^^^^^ ^ with tl'^^'='«')'^'"'? „t„r "ych-hazel'and birch, .ve the designated rfu.or/s,— jumper. *y>. r. irti,.„l. to Dcrsuade boys that these " horse.s(My«»" •<•/,»«/ i" Adams' V I think I, ™'™^J^ '^;'^tat I ,e hair-«4rm .,o>vK»,;-re- "Essays on the '»V"^"'*™V,,Uii,t. have been so long undecided— snecting whose onjim "'''"J,^''^*^ ' "f "few years°:.go, the satis- owes its being to a M«""^°* maiden-hair,' and sirsa^olla tieatb, Indian tea, and a numerous family of the fun"i The yal mushroom* is not common. Sedges and coUon irass are found .n marshy places; rock-i.ipc incrusfs the faces of rocks exposed to the atmosphere. Wild roses and a variety of sweet- smolling flowers spring up in every quarter. Q.— What birries grow naturally here - A. --.Raspberries, cranberries, wild cherries, gooseberries currants, and strawberries; plumboys, bake-apples, ha/el-nuts partr.dgeberr.es whortle berries, scarlet stone be;ries, quh berries, and wdd pears. ' Q.— What .ninerals havo there been discovered ? A.— Indications of coal have been met with in different parts. Pla.ster of Paris is saif' to abound to the southward of ^1. John s. There IS a l.me stonef quarry nt Ci.apel Cove, in Concept.on-Bay. Goldmarcasito, compounded of sulphur, and * Boys should be particularly cautious iu gathering mushrooms .to eat, as some speccs of them constitute the inost Heailh, poison t riaving learned tha' several unsuccessful attempts have been made to calcine tins stom i was induced, a few weeks h-o, to exa mine a specnnen of it. It does, certainly, contain a large propor- tion oUime but m combination with ma-nesia, oxide of irin, and silica Of magnesi?. ,t contains 15 or 20 per cent, which, as every '>ody knows, renders it peculiarly unfit for agricultural purposes. Ji^i\ "°J' "^>f 'J f*"" t''^ ^I'la'-'-.V. and therefore cannot state whether .t ,s all ot the same sort. The fragment which formed thesubjec of fne abce analysis had an unctuous feel, a silky lus- vatcr" W ^^^^^^''^ f'^^'^y ^^^^ '^875 or 2| times as heavy as HISTORY OF NEWFOl NOI.AND. 51 iron, i>, aug iu the vicinity of Catalina. Spec.mens of tho dog- tooth spar, and other calcareous crystallizations, are ot Jrcquent occurrence.— Good building stone is found at Kelly's Island, in the above-named Bay ; and vitriolic stream^ arc mot with in every par* of the country. CHAP. XVll. Miscellaneous Observations. on V ^oalin^ (i.— When is the usual lime Tor proccedin voyage ? A.— Lalerly about the UHh of March. Some years bark, the 17lh of that month was the usual day. • Q.— What is the average length of time spent on this voy- age.^ A. — About four weeks. Q. — How many men go in each vessel ? A— This depends chiefly upon the to: ige. Vessels from (yO to 100 tons take generally 30 men ; v^u ols of /O tons, or thereabouts, carry 2b men ; and so on accordiog to the size. Q.— What number of seals •' j you account a saving trip ? A.— This of coursn depends upon the price of the seals, and the cost of the outfit, including the '^ wear and tear'' of the vtss'^l. In speaking of a saving trip, this last circumstance is often overlooked ; b..t it is evidently wrong to do so. Q. Endeavour to make this more plain ? A.— In order to form a just estimule of the gain or loss of any adventure, it is accessary to take into consideratiou the tvhok expense incurred, on the one side, and tUo full valiuqf the returns, on the other; tlie difference ot which shews tho "ain or loss. If there be no difference— inat is, if the expense and returns are equal, then is the adventurer free from loss, or, iu other words, he is safe^ Now it is very plain that in« da- ♦ Heme IIr exprcs-sion "savmy trip." ' ^i^^^ -^-?**rfe oJl CATE(^J«^M Ol THE I mage ihe vessel suffers- :at is, her tvear and tmr, forms a p-rt ol tlie incurred expense, and therefore ought to be taken into account;— otherwise, at the end of perhaps seven years, Ihe adventurer, who has all along been reckoning hio.solf Wi, finds that, in reality, he is minus, nearly in the full amount of the original value of his schooner, which has now become so far damaged as to require almost a thorough repair. Q.— Flow are the seals* disposed of— by number or by weight ? "^ A.— Formerly by number, but at present by weight. This alteration was found necessary in consequenco of the dishonest practice adopted by son.o of the seal-hunters, of leaving be- hind lem, on the carcase, a portion of the fat and skin. Q. — How is a cargo of seals divided among the crew ? A.— One half of it is shared equally among them ; the other half goes to the owner, who, if he be master also of the vessel, receives a man's share. A hired master obtains rbout sixpenso a seal, and sometimes monthly pay besides, together with a man's share. Q.— What is done with the seals after they are landed. A.— They are skinned, cut into small pieces, and thrown into vats, to melt. Q.— How many will a man skin in the course of a day > A.— A very expert hand will accomplish between five and 31X hundred. Q.— In what month do the vessels proceed to Labrador on the cou fishery ? A.— About the 15lh of June, and return about the middle of October. Ihe wages of a good fisherman are now (1834) £25 for the season. ' lo per,sons unacquainted with ihe nature of the seaiiim voy- age, It IS necessary to explain, that what is here meant by seals, IS nothniK more than the skin, iv,(h the /it atlached, the carcase bcmg thrown away at the ice. HISTORY OF* NEWFOUNDLAND. 53 Q.— How many hogsheads of salt will cure a hundred quin- tals of fish ? A.— Ten. Q._How much Uvei-oil will this quantity offish yield ? A.— Two hogsheads; some years not quite so much. Q.— What name is given to the best quality of dried cod- fish ? A. — Merchantable. Q. — To the second quality ? A. — Madeira. Q. — And to the third ? A.— West India. I 54 (ffiobetttorsf. The following Table affords a correct account of the numbei of Governors from 1749 to 1834, with the years of their respective administvaiion : — 1749 — Rodney. 1750 to '52— Drake. 1753 to '54 — BoNFOY. 1755 to '56 — DoRRiLL. 1757 to '59 — Edwards. 1760— Webb. 1761 to '63— Graves. 1764 to '68 — Palliser. 1769 to '71— Byron. 1772 to '74 — Shuldham. 1775— Duff. 1776 to '78— Montagu. 1779 to '81 — Edwards. 1782 to '85 — Campbell. 1786 to '88— Elliott. 1789 to '91— Milbank. 1792 to '93— King. 1794 to '96— Wallace. 1797 to '99— Waldegrave. 1800 to '01— Pole. 1802 to '03— Gambier. 1804 to '06— GowER. 1807 to '09— HOLLOWAY. 1810 to '12 — Duckworth. 1813 to '15— Keats. 1816 to '17— Pickmore. 1818 to '24— Hamilton. 1825 to '34— Cochrane. His present Excellency Henry Preslott, Esq., 1834-^ Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Balh. iWtmovanUum. 55 On the very day these sheets were being sent to the Press, the Corner Stone' of the first Stone Church ever erected in the Island was laid at Harbour-Grace, by His Excellency the Go- vernor, attended by the Hon. James Crowdy (Colonial Secreta- ry), Fort Major Griffiths, of St. John's, and by the Ministers of the various denominations, besides a large concourse of the Parishioners ; — Magistrates, Merchants, the Benevolent Irish Society, Fishermen and Shoremen's Association, Mechanics' Society, Children of the Newfoundland School, and other inha- bitants; forming, altogether, an assemblage of upwards of two thousand persons. After the accustomed forms had been gone through, the solemn ceremony was concluded with an appro- priate speech by His Excellency. The following is an extract from the scroll read on the spot by John Stark, Esq., Chairman of the Building Committee, and deposited in a bottle beneath the aforesaid stone : — "Here* stood St. Paul's Church, which was burnt to the ground by the great fire at Harbour-Grace, on the 18th August, 1832— erected on the site of the first Church built in the year 1764 ; and the Corner Stone of this New Stone Church is now laid by His Excellency Henry Prescott, Esq., Companion of the Most Hornor- able Military Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over the Island of Newfoundland and its dependen- cies, and Vice Admiral of the saifte, on Tuesday the twenty-eighth day of July, in the yeor of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five, and in the sixth year of the Reign of his present Majesty William the Fourth of Great-Britain and Ireland King." * It is but justice to the "honoured dead" to record, that the spot on which this Church is about to be erected, together with the adjoining Burial ground and Parsonage lands, were the munificent irift of the late Charles Garland, Estj., Surrogate, of Harbour - Grace, to the Episcopalians of this community. m&mi m^^ r~-s---- -*;^ IS'.' V The reac following ei escaped the Page 20, 21, 24, 38, 39, 4.4 45 NoTE.- sirable ac< that, in th lu School .died by a •«► \ Crrata- .aped'tho author's ey-- ,^_.,^„,, o,„fc. ' 24 line 12. for w/mrwe^ read wharp. i- 1!" IvfTor dihthlTcd and ,«»