14 The Fishery Question. 



dia, on the ground that the cession was un- 

 constitutional. He also, perhaps through the 

 influence of his son-in-law, permitted Kirke, 

 a royalist patentee, to return to the island.^^ 

 But Kirke was not long continued there, as 

 his endeavors at colonization were opposed 

 to the interests of the merchants who con- 

 ducted the Fishery from England. It is note- 

 worthy that in Cromwell's time appeared the 

 Navigation laws, designed to make England 

 a great naval power, and to that end forbid- 

 ding exports from the colonies except in 

 English vessels. These restrictions were en- 

 dured while trade remained inconsiderable, 

 but were destined, with the expansion of colo- 

 nial commerce, to bring about revolution and 

 separation. 3° Through the vicissitudes and 

 the romance of De la Tour's career, Acadia 

 was regarded as English ground, until the 

 treaty of Breda handed the territory a second 

 time to France. The New England colonies 

 still continued their attacks, but the French 

 at Port Royal were strong enough to both 

 check and menace the English settlers. 



In 1686 the treaty of London left the 

 claims of England and France still doubtful. 

 Both parties took advantage of this omission 



