34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



(2) The banks of Newfoundland, including the Great Bank in the 

 North Atlantic. 



(3) The i-slands of St. Pierre, Miquelon, and Langley. 



(4) The western shore of the main island from Cape Ray north- 

 wards to Cape Bauld, thence south-eastwardly to Cape John, a dis- 

 tance or coast line (not including indents) of 398 miles, commonly 

 called the French sliore. 



Mr. Browning gave a description of these several fisheries, their 

 extent, mode of pursuit, the bounties paid, and the value of the fish- 

 eries, which he estimated at $5,000,000 yearly. The ordinances of the 

 French and English Governments were brought under i-eview in their 

 chief points, the foi-mer dating from Louis XIV., the latter from an 

 order of the Star Chamber in the reign of Charles I., confirmed and 

 amplified by .statute 10 and 11, William III., c. 15. The result 

 of both is to introduce and perpetuate a practical communism as 

 regai'ds land-holding, to prohibit settlement, the growth of private 

 rights, and make this side of the Atlantic subservient to the interests 

 of the other. Notwithstanding the stringent regulations impo.sed, a 

 resident population and independent industries have sprung up, and 

 now flourish both in Newfoundland and St. Peters. In I'egard to the 

 French shore, Mr. Browning contended that the claim of France to 

 exclusive right there received no countenance in the treaty of 1783, 

 its declaration, in the statute passed in jiursuance of it in 1788, the 

 proclamation issued under that Act ; nor fx-om the prior treaties of 

 1763, 1713 ; and traced its growth to the French ordinances or regu- 

 lations governing their own subjects. Under these the French shore 

 is divided into "places" of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class, to coiTespond 

 with the bounties given to vessels under the French laws. Within 

 each class lots are cast as to which " place " any ship may have. 

 This it holds with its fishing grounds or stages for five yeai's, when 

 another casting of lots is had, the practical outcome of which is an ex- 

 clusive allotment for a term to individuals, and, as regards the nation, 

 an exclusive use or enjoyment of the whole shore. The system is one 

 of usurpation, amounts to national ownei'ship, while the treaties 

 affirm that at no time shall his most Christian Majesty or any of his 

 subjects make any claim of right to Newfoundland, or any portion of 

 it, and assert the sole ownership) of Britain. 



