Tag: GRO0747

Home News for India China and the Colonies: Friday 27th December 1889

The Times of Tuesday last contained a graphic account of the French Treaty Question in Newfoundland. For more than a century and a half these treaties have been an ever-recurring source of trouble between France and England. … continues … But, although the Fishery Question is a perennial source of irritation, it is gratifying to know that there has not been one well-authenticated instance of outrage or bloodshed on one side or the other. Mr. Justice Pincent, moreover, when answering in court the presentments of complaints made by Newfoundland fishermen, took occasion to state that there was not a particle of truth in such reports. The people of both nationalities have avoided all disturbances of the peace, nor is there any likelihood of serious disturbances in the future. …

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Evening Mail: Wednesday 25th December 1889

The French Treaty Question in Newfoundland: … (long discussion) … (includes) … In a long presentment made by the grand jury of St. George’s Bay, Newfoundland, embodying the complaints of the settlers touching the effects of the treaties, their case on the question of the rights of the French to export bait is put as follows to the presiding Judge of the Supreme Court on circuit, Mr. Justice Pinsent: – The French not only took the herring from our nets to supply themselves with bait, but even sold it to the American fishermen in our harbour … (continues at length) … The judge replied at length to the presentments and the complaints it dealt with, and amongst others made the following observations which include the gratifying assurance upon the highest authority that there was an entire absence of truth in those sensational and horrifying stories to which currency was given in some quarters in the early part of this year: Mr. Justice Pinsent said: – … (long discussion) …

[see continuation: Evening Mail: Wednesday 8th January 1890]

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Lyttelton Times: Wednesday 2nd May 1888

New Zealand Obituary: The death is announced at St. John’s Newfoundland, on Feb. 28, after a lingering illness, at the age of twenty-five years, of Mr. Robert Hedley Vicars Pinsent (late of the Registrar-General’s Department, New Zealand), eldest son of the Hon. Mr. Justice Pinsent, of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland.

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO1142 Hennock: Robert Hedley Vicars Pinsent: 1862 – 1888
GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Norfolk News: Saturday 24th December 1887

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 are separated by a sand bank. The principal one of the group is nothing but a rock sticking out of the Atlantic; a thin soil covers it in places but never deeply enough for a decent tree to take root in, and the whole aspect is cold and inhospitable. … (long discussion of French ownership of St. Pierre and Miquelon and fishery issues includes). … … “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 for ever. 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. In this presentment they called his Lordship’s attention to the fact that the result of the passing of the Bait Bill had already been to draw the attention of the French shipowners to Bay St George, and that they feared that the French would assume territorial rights as well as practically ruin the inhabitants catching all the bait, they wanted instead of purchasing it as before.

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. I have never understood for a moment that the Crown has ever in any degree allowed any sovereign or proprietary claim on the part of France. The easement reserved to the French by treaty is no more secession of sovereignty or dominion than are the privileges conferred by treaty upon the United States America. The presence of British ships of war, of civil officers, and the right of popular legislative representation enjoyed by the people of the coast and its subjection to taxation and customs and regulation, with the presence here of the Supreme Court of this island and its dependencies, with jurisdiction over the adjacent seas and with cognisance of offences committed upon the banks of Newfoundland all attest this position which is in now wise annulled by the permissive presence of a French naval force for the discipline and protection of their own marine.” This is absolutely conclusive, and it is accordingly certain that the French will never become possessed, unless the fortune of war should give it to them as it took it away, of any portion of the Newfoundland coast. … (continues) … …

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Pall Mall Gazette: Thursday 15th December 1887

Imperial Interviews: V. Newfoundland: II French v. English: … [major editorial] … Newfoundlanders have a Magna Charta of their own in the despatch of the Secretary of State after the close of the Crimean War, in which he said that “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 for ever: 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. In this presentment they called his lordship’s attention to the fact that the result of the passing of the Bait Bill had already been to draw the attention of the French shipowners to Bay St. George, and that they feared that the French would assume territorial rights as well as practically ruin the inhabitants by catching all the bait they wanted instead of purchasing it as before. 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. I have never understood for a moment that the Crown has ever in any degree allowed any Sovereign or proprietorial claim on the part of France. The easement reserved to the French by treaty is no more a secession of sovereignty or dominion than are the privileges conferred by treaty upon the United States of America. The presence of British ships of war, of civil officers, and the right of popular legislative representation enjoyed by the people of this coast and its subjection to taxation and Customs regulations, with the presence here of the Supreme Court of this island and its dependencies, with jurisdiction over the adjacent seas and with cognizance of offences committed upon the banks of Newfoundland, all attest this position, which is in no wise annulled by the permissive presence of a French naval force for the discipline and protection of their own marine.” This is absolutely conclusive, and it is accordingly certain that the French will never become possessed, unless the fortune of war should give it to them as it took it away, of any portion of the Newfoundland coast. They had not the right by treaty, even if they had, they have allowed it to lapse by default, and now they are clearly not inclined to insist upon it. A pamphlet upon the subject which takes on a semi-official character from being handed to me by the French Consul as an accurate expression of French views, declares this openly and concludes with the mild but significant reproach ” Pour obtenir la cession d’un droit, c’est un mauvais point de depart que d’ennier l’existence.’ The question of territorial rights being thus disposed of, we come to the second question of French and English fishing relations that is to the Bait Bill. … [continues] …

[see also Freeman’s Journal: Thursday 15th December 1887]

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Eastern Daily Press: Thursday 15th December 1887

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) … 

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Colonies and India: Friday 30th September 1887

Newfoundland: Halifax, September 24th: The Grand Jury of Bonnebay, Newfoundland, have urged Judge Pinsent to acquaint the Imperial Government with the alleged menaces and encroachments of French Fishermen on Newfoundland territory, particularly of those engaged in the herring and lobster fisheries. The Judge promised to comply with the request. 

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

London Evening Standard: Monday 26th September 1887

The French ironclad Minerve, with vice (?) Admiral Vignes on board, has arrived at Pictu from Quebec. The Grand Jury of Bonnebar, Newfoundland, have urged Judge Pinsent to acquaint the Imperial Government with the alleged menaces of encroachments of French fishermen on Newfoundland territory, particularly of those engaged in the herring and lobster fisheries, The judge promised to comply with the request …

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Morning Post: Monday 26th September 1887

Halifax: Sept. 24. The French ironclad Minerve, with Rear Admiral Vignes on board, has arrived here from Quebec. The grand jury of Bonnebay, Newfoundland, have urged Judge Pinsent to acquaint the Imperial Government with the alleged menaces and encroachments of French fishermen on Newfoundland territory, particularly of those engaged in the herring and lobster fisheries. The Judge promised to comply with the request. 

[see also London Standard: Monday 26th September 1887]

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

London Daily Chronicle: Monday 26th September 1887

The Canadian Fisheries: … Halifax: The French ironclad Minerve, with Rear-Admiral Vignes on board, has arrived here from Quebec. The grand jury of Bonnebay, Newfoundland, have urged Judge Pinsent to acquaint the Imperial Government with the alleged menaces and encroachment of the French fishermen on Newfoundland territory, particularly of those engaged in the herring and lobster fisheries. The judge promised to comply with the request. 

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893