576 MISCELLANEOUS 



The first newspaper published in the colony, appeared in 1807, 

 under the title of " The Royal Gazette and Newfoundland Adver- 

 tiser;" and in 1809, a post-office was established at St. John's. 



Surrogate Courts were extended to the coast of Labrador in 1811 ; 

 and those lands known by the appellation of " Ship's Rooms," were 

 ordered to be leased to the highest bidder. Those situated in some 

 of the most convenient places for business along the harbour of St. 

 John's, were always considered a great nuisance, and an impediment 

 in the way of trade. 



During the war, Newfoundland prospered, and riches flowed in 

 among the inhabitants; but the peace of 1814 was attended by a 

 sudden transition in the trade of the colony, from the highest pitch 

 of commercial success to the lowest point of depression. Several 

 houses failed in consequence; and the inhabitants, not having those 

 resources which an agricultural country affords, were reduced to 

 great misery. The vast destruction of property by fire soon after at 

 St. John's, occasioned also much distress, and drove many of the 

 inhabitants from the island. 



Newfoundland has, however, recovered gradually from the de- 

 plorable condition it was in from the peace until 1818, which for- 

 tunately turned out a most successful year in the seal and cod fisheries. 



This year Governor Pickmore died at St. John's and his body was 

 carried to England in his majesty's ship Fly. He was the first resi- 

 dent governor, and succeeded the naval commanders who admin- 

 istered the government of Newfoundland while on the station during 

 the fishing seasons, but who returned to England on the approach of 

 winter. Sir Charles Hamilton, the first permanent resident gover- 

 nor, was appointed to the administration of the affairs of the colony 

 this year. He was succeeded by the present governor Sir A. 

 Cochrane, and a captain in the royal navy. 



CHAPTER III. Government, and Administration of Justice Laws 

 Expenses of the Colony Value of its Commerce, &c. 



The power of the governor of Newfoundland is much the same as 

 that of the governors of the other colonies, except in those matters in 

 which a legislative or representative form of constitution makes an 

 alteration or difference. He appoints justices of the peace, suspends 

 at pleasure all officers who hold their commissions from the crown, 

 grants marriage licenses, has the supreme command of the regular 

 forces and the militia, and is also vice-admiral of Newfoundland and 



Labrador. 



******* 



The supreme court of judicature, as now constituted, has a chief 

 justice and two assistant justices. It has criminal and civil jurisdic- 

 tion, and is also a court of record. It holds plea of all crimes and 

 misdemeanors committed within the island of Newfoundland, the 

 coast of Labrador, and dependent islands, agreeably to the laws and 

 practice of England, and the acts of Parliament for regulating judi- 

 cial proceedings in Newfoundland. It also holds plea for the recovery 

 of debts due by persons residing, or having property, in Newfound- 

 land, although such debts should have been contracted in Great Brit- 

 ain, or other parts of his majesty's dominions. 



