THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY QUESTION 



AND 



GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE. 



EARLY HISTORY. 



The island of Newfoundland has not a very clear or definite 

 history. Discovered in 1497 by a Venetian Jean Cabot, for a long 

 period it served as a refuge for the adventurers of all nations, es- 

 pecially from the old world, who were bold enough to cross the 

 ocean on any adventurous enterprise. 



The ancient and historic rights of France cover a period of nearly 

 four centuries. 



In 1525, Francis I. sent Verazini to unfurl the French flag upon 

 Newfoundland, and as the result of his visit he declared its 

 annexation to France. 



In 1534, another Frenchman, Jacques Cartier, explored the 

 greater part of Newfoundland, and on his return to Europe he gave 

 such a bright report of its resources that he returned in 1540 to 

 Newfoundland with a large number of his countrymen to found a 

 French colony. 



■ Towards the middle of the 17 th century, another body of French 

 fishermen landed, and founded a French colony at the port of 

 Plaisance,* situated on one of the peninsulas in the southern part of 

 the island. 



In 1687, Louis XIV., King of France, gave the French colonists 

 of Newfoundland a garrison of fifty men, and placed a Commandant 

 at the head of the colony, of which Plaisance became the chief place, 

 until the Treaty of Utrecht in 17 13. 



* Placentia. 



