| Summary: | bultow n 12 now used by the French, as the best portion of the Island, pos- sessing resources unknown to the other parts; I am anxious to impress on all who hear me, (our Legislators especially) that the time has arrived when we must look to our rights and adopt the necessary measures to obtain them. A better day is dawning for Newfoundland. The glorious spirit of Free Trade is abroad, infusing its invigorating influence into all commercial operations, and WE should let no opportunity slip of furthering the advancement of the country of our birth or of our adoption. On the coast which the French claim are to be found coal, copper, iron, silver, and limestone, while the waters also yield salmon, herring and cod fish in the greatest abundance. The land is in many places equal to any in Prince Edward Island of New Brunswick; the climate is superior, and free from the cold fogs and winds so hurtful to vegetation, and which prevail on this Eastern portion of the Island. On the North-East we find beautiful and well wooded bays abounding with spendid harbours. Are we, then, to be for ever debarred from enjoying the best section of the Island by the miscon- struction of the Treaties? This is an important subject, and the day is not distant when it will be viewed with all the con- sideration it merits and deserves. Our inherent rights should be earnestly pressed on the notice of the parent government, and I trust they will be, and that toowith success. The cod-fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland commenced a few years after its discovery. In 1517 mention is made of the first British ship which had been at Newfoundland, where, at the same time, 50 Spanish, French, and Portuguese, ships were fishing. The French in 1536 were extensively engaged in the fishery, and in 1558 there were employed in it, by Spain, 100 ships, by Portugal 50 ships, and by England only 15 ships. The Biscayans had, about the same time, from 20 to 30 vessels in the whale fishery of Newfoundland, and some English ships in 1598 made a voyage in quest ...
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