4IO A VOYAGE TO Book IX. 



very feldom that any of them mifcarry; for they de- 

 pofit them in the fand ; and thus by a natural initin£t 

 they are laid on thefe bank»;, to which th-jy ad'cre; 

 without being ever removed by any aoiation of the 

 waters, till impregnated with life. The cod alfo de- 

 lights to continue at the bottom ; at lea^l is never feen 

 on (he furfice of the water. Put thou'Ji their number 

 is fiill immenfe, they are evidently diminilhed, a proof 

 of this is, that much fewer are now rauan in r^«- ume 

 fpace of time, than there were twen-yr.vc or thirty 

 years ago. 



The coaft of the continent oppollrc to New- 

 foundland is inhabited by Indian 1 vages ; and thoni?li 

 the crown of Fraiice kee^js poíT-lHon of it for the 

 conveniency of the fiihery; it has no proper fertle- 

 ment: and was reprefentrd only by a ncrlon who 

 folicited and obtained, without much difficulty, the 

 title of governor of thefe countries. He kept up a 

 good correl'pondence with the Indians, and lived 

 among them. The winters he fpent ichtariiy with his 

 wife and family; in fummer time he enjoyed the com- 

 pany of the mafters of the fiftiing vcilcls. Thus he 

 fpent many years, and as I have been informed, it 

 was not till this prefent year 1745, or a litde before, 

 that he retired to Canada ; and rather out of in- 

 dulgence to his wife's fears of fome misfortune in 

 the prefent war, than from his own inclination. 

 Thefe Indians live very eafily with the French, come 

 to their huts, and bring them game in exchange for 

 brandy, wine, and toys ; but are much addicted to 

 theft, as many (hips have experienced by the lofs of 

 their fails and other parts of their furniture when 

 afhore; fo that it has been found neceffary to keep 

 a conftant guard ; and for greater fecurity, the tents 

 and huts are fo difpofed, as entirely to environ on 

 the land -fide, as in a fort, the whole fpot of ground 

 whi?re their other neceifaries arc kept. Thele pre- 

 cautions 



