578 MISCELLANEOUS 



The measures adopted for the administration of the affairs of New- 

 foundland, during the government of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Ham- 

 ilton, and since the appointment of his successor, will likely lead in 

 time to whatever is necessary for the better distribution of justice. 

 But the peculiar circumstances of Newfoundland as a great fishing 

 colony, the greater part of the proceeds of which are remitted to 

 England in payment of British manufactures, and the depressed 

 state of the fisheries, imperatively demand that no burden whatever 

 shall be laid upon those fisheries, either for the support of the execu- 

 tive or judicial powers, or for any other purpose whatever. Should 

 his majesty's ministers decide on laying an ad valorem duty on im- 

 ports into Newfoundland, it will most assuredly, with the advantages 

 that the Americans and French possess, annihilate the British fish- 

 eries at Newfoundland. This is not my opinion alone, but the opinion 

 of the oldest and best acquainted with that colony. If public build- 

 ings are necessary, or a more expensive form of government expedient, 

 neither can be supported at the expense of the fisheries. 



******* 



In the carrying trade to and from Newfoundland, there are about 

 400 vessels, the tonnage of which amounts to about 50.000 tons ; two- 

 thirds of these vessels belong to the United Kingdom, the rest are 

 colonial. Most of these vessels make two voyages; some three, and 

 some four. The Custom-house entries average, at the different har- 

 bours of entry, for the last four years, as follows : 



St. John's : 455 vessels entered and cleared. 



Harbour Grace 105 



Trinity 37 



Twillingate 30 



Bay of Bulls 3 



Ferryland 25 



Placentia 10 



Benin 45 



St. Lawrence 9 



Fortune Bay 34 



753 vessels, exclusive of those 

 entered and cleared direct 

 at Labrador. 



Of the above vessels, the entries and clearances were 



Great Britain 298 



Foreign, Europe, and Brazil 193 



British America 182 



West Indies 72 



United States 



753 



In this number, neither the coasting nor sealing vessels, about 350, 

 are taken into account. 



CHAPTER IV. Description of St. John's and other Settlements. 

 ******* 



The whole of the west coast of Newfoundland, north of the bay 

 St. George, is unsettled, although some of the lands arc the best on 

 the island. At the bay of Port au Port there is plenty of coal. The 

 Bay of Islands receives three fine rivers, one of which, called the 



