228 THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY QUESTION. 



The Colonial Government do not appear to have realised the 

 nature or extent of the, difficulties of Her Majesty's Government, in 

 their negotiations with France, for the settlement of the various ques- 

 tions in dispute ; or, if they have realised them, they evidently have 

 not fully recognised the ceaseless efforts of the present, and past 

 Administrations of the Mother Country, to unravel the tangled skein 

 of Anglo-French relations with Newfoundland, extending over the 

 lengthened period of one hundred and seventy-eight years, and even 

 to a still more remote period. 



The various and complex questions that at the present time claim 

 anxious attention in regard to Newfoundland, the Statesmen of 

 France and England are not in any way responsible for, as they are 

 the legacies bequeathed from the deplorable wars, waged by the two 

 Nations from 1689 to 181 5 ; wars, fomented by jealousy, and fanned 

 by an insatiable thirst for territorial aggrandisement ; wars, that the 

 Treaties of Ryswick, Utrecht, Paris, and Versailles mark, not only in 

 a conspicuous manner the conquests that were achieved, but also 

 display the blundering statesmanship of a Castlereagh and a' Boling- 

 broke, who were responsible for the Articles, and Protocols of 

 these Treaties, and these blunders and laches, England and France 

 are to-day called upon to remedy, and, if possible, for ever to re- 

 move. 



Under such circumstances we would venture to urge on the Parlia- 

 ment and Government of Newfoundland, now that they are within 

 measurable distance of an honourable and enduring settlement of 

 the vexed questions in dispute with France, to exercise patience, 

 moderation, and wisdom ; and especially, to rely with an unshaken 

 trust, and an undiminished loyalty on the courage and patriotism of 

 the Parliament and Statesmen of England, to arrive at a modus 

 Vivendi with the Republic of France, which shall satisfy the reason- 

 able anticipations of the Colony, for a freer and wider industrial and 

 commercial life, and at the same time to secure for her the fruition 

 of those higher aspirations for territorial and maritime freedom, 

 under the agis of the Sovereignty of England. 



-noaooQoaa» 



