20 LABRADOR 



the number of fishing-posts which existed. Not only 

 were there cod fisheries and seal fisheries, there were even 

 salmon and porpoise fisheries. The seal fishery was espe- 

 cially important. It supplied the oil which was used for 

 giving light in Canada and for dressing hides in Europe. 

 In 1744, we learn from an old table of products, several 

 thousand barrels of oil were exported from Labrador to 

 France. In the industrial life of New France Labrador 

 played a much larger part than has been usually 

 realized. 



The Jesuits did not reach Labrador. In 1730 Father 

 Pierre Laure, serving at Chekoutimi on the Saguenay, 

 wrote to his superior: "I think it would be a good thing 

 if your Reverence would permit me to go to Labrador, 

 where I know that great results can be obtained." But 

 his petition was not granted. The only priest, so far as 

 we know, who worked on the Labrador coast, was the 

 Abbe Martin, who petitioned in 1727 to be allowed to set 

 up a seal fishery there. The memorandum of the Gov- 

 ernor and Intendant on the subject throws light on the 

 conditions of the coast in 1727 ; they write : 



"We cannot answer immediately in the matter of the 

 Sieur Martin's request to set up an establishment of the 

 .Labrador. 



"This region scarcely seems suitable for a man of his 

 cloth, there being only rocks in this place. The dissipa- 

 tion which a trading-post brings about scarcely suits a 

 missionary. 



"These proposals show good intentions. We believe 

 there is nothing behind them. But the matters which he 

 proposes are too delicate not to require time for considera- 

 tion." 



