19 
anything like permanent possession, or right of possession, 
bidden among the English fishermen, that occupation of any 
a ar place on the shore during one season gave no priority 
im whatever to that place for the next season. The beaches 
mg the coast were marked out by the Fishing PETE as 
y were ealled, and divided into separate “rooms” or areas, 
ch one sufficient for the fishing purposes of one ship’s crew 
one season; from which circumstances many of these old 
eas or spaces are called “ships’ rooms” and “ancient ships 
oms” to this day. At the beginning of each season these 
S were assigned by the Admiral for the time being, one 
each of the several ships in turn of arrival, to be used or - 
“u ipied by her crew for the season. The captain of the first 
ling vessel that arrived on the coast from England in the 
¢ was the Admiral for the season, and was clothed with full 
al and administrative powers. In order to emphasise 
Bers the fullest effect to the “policy” of preventing 
tlement, the inhabitants (if any) of the coast were by 
r ess law prohibited from taking up any beach or place 
ti il all the ships arriving from England were provided for. 
ere was then, literally, no local government of any sort on the 
island; no courts of justice, no judges, magistrates, or other 
| : y tribunals, for the administration of justice, or the pro- 
etion of the people in their simplest and most rudimentary 
s and liberties. 
| & ot only was the condition of the colony virtually that of 
ba barism and anarchy, but the whole “policy” of Imperial 
Jegislation and government was directed to the perpetuation 
c ‘that condition and the prevention of any amelioration. A 
¥ commercial monopolists in England, interested in retaining 
their own hands the whole business of the fishery in 
ewioundland free from competition of any sort—then the 
ly business in the colony which was supposed to be of any 
lue had sufficient influence with the “ authorities” to secure 
e continuance of this state of barbarism in the island for 
any years, until the appearance and gradual growth of 
civilisi ag institutions took place. 
; it cannot but be obvious how utterly futile it must be to 
mpt to construe and give effect to treaties made in such 
nes _under such circumstances, and in relation to such con- 
j 
