FISHERIES OP THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 



21 



After 1545 the industry was neglected until 1560, when it 

 was again resumed, and thirty-eight vessels left for the ' ' New 

 Lands." That French fishermen were numerous in the Gulf 

 in the last quarter of the sixteenth century is evident from 

 the testimony of Parkhurst 1 and Haies. 2 



According to the well-known Seville cosmographer, 

 Alonso de Santa Cruz, Labrador, in the middle of the six- 

 teenth century, was ' ' frequented 

 by the English, who go there to 

 take fish which the natives catch in 

 great numbers. ' ' 3 



Parkhurst, already referred to, 

 writing in 13JJJ8 in the reign of 

 Queen Elizabeth realized the 

 strategic importance of Belle 

 Isle, and the value of the Gulf and 

 Labrador fisheries, as shown by 

 the following : 



"Now to show you my fansie, 

 what places I suppose meetest to 

 inhabit in those parts dis- 

 covered of late by our nation: 



There is neare the mouth of the grand baie an excellent har- 

 bour, called of the Frenchmen, Chasteau, and one island in 

 the very centre of the straight, called Belle Isle, which 

 places if they could be peopled and well fortified, we shall 

 be lordes of the whole of the fishing in short time, if it doe 

 so please the Queen's Majesty, and from thence send wood and 

 cole with all necessaries to Labrador lately discovered; but 

 I am of opinion and doe most steadfastly believe that we shall 

 find as rich mines in more temperate places and Climates." 



Jacques Cartier. 



nais pendant les XVIe ct XVIIe siecles. Par E. Gosselin, Greffier 

 Archiviste du Palais de Justice de Rouen. Rouen, Imprimerie de 

 Henry Boissel, 1876. 8vo., pp. XV., 173. 



1 Anthony Parkhurst in his letter of December, 1578, to Hakluyt. 

 He had accompanied Hawkins in his voyage of 1566. 



2 See his account of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's expedition. 



3 In an unpublished manuscript entitled El Islario General, 

 referred to by Gosling in his "Labrador," page 65. 



