36 



1415, but there is no account ol their fisliing at Newfoundland prior to 

 1517. Some writers suggest that the French commenced at the same 

 time. But the fact, generally admitted, that ships from England, 

 France, Spain, and Portugal, to the number of fift}^ were employed in 

 15 17, is alone sufficient to sliow that the fishing grounds had been visited 

 for several years. Indeed, to consider that the French went to New- 

 foundland ibr the first time in 1504, and that in thirteen j'ears, and in 

 the infancy of distant and perilous voyages, their adventures had at- 

 tracted the attention of three other nations to the extent just stated, is 

 to allow an increase of flags and of vessels so rapid as to still require 

 explanation, without a knowledge of the fishing enthusiasm of the pe- 

 riod. Besides, some forty or fifty houses for the accommodation of fish- 

 ermen were built at Newfoundland as early as 1522. 



A letter is preserved in the Memoir of Sebastian Cabot, written by 

 John Rut to Henry the Eighth, and dated at St. John, Newfoundland, 

 August 3, 1527, which seemingly warrants the conclusion that the Eng- 

 lish fishery, at that time, was of little consequence, since he states that 

 he found "eleven saile of Normans, and one Brittaine, and two Portu- 

 gal! barkes" in that harbor, but makes mention of no others, and pro- 

 poses to sail along the coast to "meete" the only vessel of liis own flag 

 known by him to be in that region. 



An eflbrt to found a colony was made, however, in 1536, under the 

 auspices and at the expense of Mr. Hore, a wealthy merchant of Lon- 

 don. A company of one hundred and twenty persons was formed, of 

 whom thirty were gentlemen of education and character. They ar- 

 rived at Newfoundland, but accomplished nothing. Many perished of 

 starvation. The survivors fed on the bodies of the dead, and finally 

 reached England. 



Twelve years later, we find that the fishery was considered of great 

 national importance, and worthy of legislative encouragement. Thus, 

 an act was passed by Parliament imposing severe penalties on persons 

 eating flesh on fish-da3's. The punishment for the first offence was a 

 fine of ten shillings, ten days' imprisonment, and abstinence from meat 

 during the same time; while for the second, these inflictions were 

 doubled. The sick and aged, to whom flesh was necessary, were ex- 

 empted on obtaining licenses from the ecclesiastical authorities.* 



Another act, of 154S, and remarkable as the first of England which 



Art. II. In cases where particular circumstances have occurred during the voyage, we re- 

 Bcrve to ourselves the regulation of the premium in such a manner as those circumstances 

 may deeui to re(iuire. 



We order aiul (•(/iiiinaud that the present shall bo inserted in the State paper, and that all 

 ministerial depariiaents and autlioritios, colleges aud officers, are charged with the due execu- 

 tion of these presents. 



Given in Gravenhague, (Hague,) the 6th March, in the year 1818, in the fifth of our reign. 



William. 

 By the King: A. R. Falk. 



* A license to eat meat on fish-days is too great a curiosity, in our time, to be omitted. The 

 following is a copy of one, granted in tlie reign of James the First, of England: 



" Whereas Mr. Kichard Vcnnig, of Okehounie St. George, in the coiintye of Wiltes, Es- 

 quire, is a (ient. of good age, sul)ject to many sicknesses, diverse infirmities, aud in bodye of 

 a very weak constitution, and hath with him in his house his motht-r, Mris. Anu Young, 

 widowe, a tient. of great age (above four score) very sicklye, foeblo, aud subject to diuer.se 

 maladies, uud having others in his house sicke, aud have long bine, to whom Jish, by reason of 



