300 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
the portion of Labrador placed under the Government of Newfoundland, 
is made part and parcel of the colony or province, as much as any 
portion of the island itself. But besides this interpretation from 
commonsense we have actually at hand a criterion to guide us. We 
have the distinct expression in the acts quoted, of the meaning of the 
word “ Coast” as applied to that portion of Labrador belonging to 
Quebec, viz.: from River St. John to Blane Sablon. It is declared to 
mean from the sea coast to the head of the River St. John. Quebec 
has never questioned the meaning of the word Coast in this case. 
How far back from the east coast of Labrador should New- 
foundland’s jurisdiction extend? 
Before being able to form a conclusion on this matter it will be 
necessary to fix the meaning of the term— 
€ Entrance to Hudson's Straits.” 
It has been argued that as some of the acts and proclamations only 
mention the words “ Hudson’s Straits” without the addition of “ En- 
trance,” therefore this word is but a modern interpolation: this how- 
ever cannot be admitted as the expression “ Entrance of Hudson’s 
Straights ” is found in the commission of Thomas Graves, Esq., Gov- 
ernor of Newfoundland, as far back as 1763. 
Moreover it evidently bears relation to the charter of the Hudson’s 
Bay Company dated 1670. In that charter the said Company’s limit 
of occupation, on the eastern side is “ within the entrance of the Straits 
commonly called Hudson’s Straits.” 
It is clear, then, that the jurisdiction of Newfoundland is contiguous 
to and adjoining this terminus, and includes all without the Hudson’s 
Straits. The locating of this point then may be ascertained by finding . 
the limit of the said Company in this locality. 
I have not sufficient data at hand to determine the exact limits of 
the Hudson’s Bay Company’s territory. Indeed, I think it would be 
very difficult to determine them. At the time of the concession of 
these rights to the said company (1670) the country was but very im- 
perfectly known, and the wording of the charter to them is extremely 
vague, in fact they are absolutely wnlimited, the only fixed terminus 
being the “ Entrance to Hudson’s Straits.” “The following is the 
wording of the charter :— 
“ All those seas, straits, bays, rivers, lakes, creeks and sounds, in 
“ whatsoever latitude they shall be, that lie within the entrance of the 
€ Straits, commonly called Hudson’s Straits, together with all the lands 
“and territories, upon the countries, coasts and confines of the seas, 
“bays, lakes, rivers, creeks and sounds, aforesaid, that are not actually 
