23 
libition the settlement of population and the establishment 
aw and order. Although that part of the colony always has 
n ir eluded in the terms of the commission to the Governor, 
herefore strictly within the “jurisdiction” of the Colonial 
mment, yet this jurisdiction was for many years, and for all 
cal purposes, a mere fiction; and nothing bearing the 
blance of government, control, or authority in that part of the 
ony, that could possibly be prevented, was done or permitted. 
Policy ” was pursued in view of, or in deference to, French 
aty rights, or rather claims, which, while the French construc- 
n of the treaties was disputed by the British authorities on 
per, were nevertheless regarded as an obstacle, the removal of 
* was either impossible or inexpedient, in the way of 
oni ation or settlement by British subjects. For many years, 
erefore, after settlement had taken place and population had 
rowr up, and after the rest of the colony was in the full enjoy- 
ent of all the advantages of established law, order, government, 
nd even of responsible government, the “French shore” was 
ft, so far as its British residents were concerned, in a condition 
fvirtual anarchy. We have already stated the facts, and need not 
repeat them here. Our present object is simply to point out that 
he semi-barbarism in which the residents of the “ French shore ” 
lived for so many years was deliberately permitted or accepted as an 
inexorable necessity from which there was no escape, and that it 
was a fixed and well-understood “policy,” by which Imperial 
dir ection or control of matters in Newfoundland was guided, 
ply to leave the people of that part of the colony to take 
ae eir chances of a condition of anarchy among themselves, 
* d of the consequences of their conflicts with the French over 
their fishery disputes. In the light of present experience, the 
uestion suggests itself whether it would not have been more 
ust a beneficial to the colonists, and at the same time have 
ated a settlement of differences with the French, if this 
icy had been carried a little farther, and the colonists had been 
Sei inly told that settlement upon that part of the coast under 
sting relations with the French was impossible and must be 
ntirely prohibited. 
eh te oe 
t 
: x 
y i ae 
NEW POLICY OF BRITISH GOVERNMENTS. 
ci In compliance with the urgent demands of the colonists, 
