THE CRISIS AND THE CONVOYS, 1656-1688 85 



would respect, to rule over the contending factions. The dry 

 figures of the convoy-captains were ' half-battles \ and their 

 arguments were irresistible. Orders were sent early in 1677 

 suspending those of 1675, and in 1680 the Lords of Trade 

 changed the six-mile veto into a quarter-of-a-mile veto on 

 settlers, ordered the fortification of St. John's and the appoint- 

 ment of a Governor with power to punish inhabitants, but 

 without power over the nomads except to send them to their 

 ships. 



This unexpected change of face led to a still more and acted 

 unexpected development. The convoy-captains not only ^^g^.^^^^ 

 prompted but became the only new solution. During their whenpre- 

 brief visits, briefer than those of the nomadic fishermen, but ^colombeinrr 

 longer than those of a judge on circuit, they exercised or otherwise 

 usurped the functions of Governors until Governors were ^^^^^^f^^^^^- 

 appointed. The appointment of Governors, though ordered 

 by the Council, took no effect because it was not decided by 

 whom or how they should be paid, and when the question 

 <was mooted the Council would not face the facts. It would 

 have been easy enough to collect a tax. Each principal 

 harbour had a principal resident. Fermeuse had George 

 Kirke, and Quidi Vidi had young John Downing, both of 

 whom were sons of Governors; St. John's had T. Oxford, 

 and Harbour Grace had John Pynne, both of whom claimed 

 the prestige of being the oldest inhabitants, and these four 

 residents could easily collect on fish the £400 a year which 

 was necessary. But from whom .? If settlers alone paid the 

 fish-tax boat-fishermen would be mulcted for the benefit of 

 competing ship-fishermen. If settlers assessed and collected 

 the tax from non-settlers the minority would tax the majority. 

 So the Council suggested that both classes should be taxed 

 but only with their consent ; and the nomadic fishermen were 

 asked what they would contribute, although their contempt 

 for land-governors was notorious. It is perhaps fortunate 

 that what the fishermen replied is not recorded. The pro- 



