FISHERIES OP THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 75 



"1. That in Labrador the cold is of such long duration 

 and so stormy that the colonists would not be able to stand 

 it. To which I reply, that Norwegians and Swedes do not 

 mind the cold at all, and that good houses, well sealed with 

 wool or moss, are complete protection against it. Add to 

 this that Canadian men and women, who will form these 

 colonies, are accustomed to the severest cold. 



"2. It is said that there are not sufficient food and com- 

 modities there to support a large colony. I reply that beef, 

 veal, mutton, and game are not wanting, neither are fish, 

 fresh and salted, nor vegetables and roots. 



"It is possible to raise excellent pigs, but they must not 

 be allowed to eat fish, and during the fishing season must be 

 kept at a distance from the sea. Beef and pork, and also the 

 caribou meat, can be salted and smoked. The country abounds 

 with game, and the birds furnish abundance of good eggs. 



"Oats and barley will come to maturity, and with the 

 great commerce in the products of the country are more than 

 sufficient to support a large and numerous colony. If the 

 wheat and rye will not come to maturity they can be imported 

 from Canada, which will be a good thing for Canada. It 

 must be admitted from all I have stated in this memoir, that 

 the reasons for establishing colonies on the Labrador are con- 

 vincing, and the means thereto ample and easy. 



"It remains then to carry out the proposal, to grant per- 

 mission to those who have the courage to found these settle- 

 ments, and to accord to them all that is suitable in order 

 that they may not be ruined in sacrificing themselves for the 

 honor and advantage of the State as well as for God and 

 Religion." 



AFTER COURTEMANCHE'S DEATH. 



In the year following Courtemanche 's death, namely in 

 1718, Louis XV., by the advice of his uncle and regent, the 

 Duke of Orleans, and over his own signature, granted to 

 Courtemanche 's widow and children a concession of the 

 lands and fishing rights which had been accorded to him by 



