77 



FISHERIES OF LABRADOR. 



The const of Labrador was partially explored by Jacques Cartier 

 in 1534. He was beset with ice, and encountered many difficulties. 

 Little was known of the country for a long period after the voyage of 

 the French navigator. It hiis been said, however, that our cod-fishery 

 was extensive in this region, not only previous to tlic Revolution, but in 

 the early part of the last century. The statement I consider entirely 

 erroneous. As I have examined the scattered and fragmentary ac- 

 counts of Labrador, there is no proof whatever that its fishing grounds 

 were occupied by our countrymen until after we became an independ- 

 ent people. 



Li 17G1 Sir Francis Bernard, who was then governor of Massachu- 

 setts, wrote a brief "Account of the coast of Labrador," which — found 

 among some of his papers — is preserved in the Collections of the Mas- 

 sachusetts Historical Society. After some general remarks upon the 

 country, and the ignorance that existed relative to the natives, he pro- 

 ceeds to say that, " What follows shall be a plain narration of facts, 

 as I received them from several persons who have been on the Esqui- 

 meaux coast, with now and then a digression, which I hope may be 

 pertinent." These persons appear to have been Captain Henry At- 

 kins, of Boston, who made a voyage to Davis's straits in the ship Whale 

 in 1729, and who visited the coast a second time in 1758, and a Cap- 

 tain Prel)ble, who was sent by Atkins in 1753. The Baronet describes 

 the course of affairs between Atkins and the Indians in 1729, and adds 

 that he "is the more particular in this account from the captain's own 

 mouth, as he thinks it plainly indicates that the natives on this coast 

 and islands had never any trade or commerce with any civilized peo- 

 ples from Europe or America; of course not with the French from Can- 

 ada, or the Hudson's Bay factories." This is conclusive, especially if it 

 be remembered that the oljject of Sir Francis was to collect information 

 " f()r tfie advantage of future navigators." His memory was remark- 

 able, and he himself said that he could repeat the whole of Shakspeare. 

 Of course, this paper embraced everything that had been communicated 

 to him. 



As late as 17G1, then, it is not probable that fishermen of any flag 

 had visited the waters of Labrador. An account of the origin of our 

 own fishery there will be found in tlie proper place. 



The English whale and seal fisheries were the first, and employed 

 upwards of one liundred vessel, at times, prior to the year 1775. The 

 earliest adventures were near J 703; as at that time the Labrador 

 country was politically separated from Canada, and annexed to the 

 government of J\evvf(:>undland by royal proclamation, to the end that the 

 " open and free fishery of our subjects may be extended." The pursuit 

 of the cod and salmon followed. Meantime the Moravians, wliosc 

 principal settlement is at Nain, who have ever led a (juiet and simple 

 life, and who now annually ship furs, oils, and oxhvv productions of 

 tliat region to England, in payment for the manufiictured commodities 

 which they re(]uire, liad f()unded a colony. 



'J'he islands are so numerous and so near each other as to resemble, 

 and often to be mistaken fur, the main land. Back from the coast, the 



