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 
Abbé 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.” 
