Imperial Interview: V. Newfoundland – II French v. English: (From our Travelling Commissioner): St. John’s Newfoundland, Oct. 1887: Twelve miles off the south coast of Newfoundland lie two or three little islands, the two largest ones separated by a sand bank. The principal one of the groups is nothing but a rock sticking up out of the Atlantic; a thin soil covers it in places but never deeply enough for a decent tree to take root in, and its whole aspect is cold and inhospitable. … … (detailed discussion of St. Pierre and Miquelon and the French right to fish off Newfoundland) … … the Relations of French and English with regard to Newfoundland fall under two heads: 1st, the French Shore Question; 2nd, the Bait Question … … (discussion of treaties) …. “The consent of Newfoundland is regarded as the essential preliminary to any modification of their territorial or maritime rights.” They point to this with pride as settling the question of the territorial rights of France forever. And their contention is borne out by the most respected judge in the island, Mr. Justice Pinsent, in reply to a presentment of the grand jury of Bay St. George at the Supreme Court on Circuit, September 5th last … … Mr. Justice Pinsent in reply observed (I copy this from his own manuscript), “That under the Treaty of Utrecht the whole of the island was declared to be the rightful territory of Great Britain, and to be under its absolute sovereignty. The terms of this treaty in this respect have never been abrogated or abandoned … (continues) …
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Referenced
GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893