Tag: GRO0747

London Daily Chronicle: Monday 26th September 1887

The Canadian Fisheries: 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. =

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

London Evening Standard: Monday 12th September 1887

Newfoundland and the Fisheries Commission: … The Grand Jury of St. George’s Bay District has made a strong presentment to Judge Pinsent regarding the threatened French competition in the herring fishery. The Judge commented on the notifications of the French commanders that they would not allow the Newfoundland people to take herring on the west coast, and repudiated their assumption that the investiture of a British official with authority on the French shore was irregular.

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Colonies and India: Friday 3rd July 1885

Royal Colonial Institute: … … Annual General Meeting: … … REPORT: The Council have much pleasure in presenting to the Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute their seventeenth annual report. Since the last annual meeting 163 resident and 237 non-resident Fellows have been elected—together 400—as compared with 142 resident and 294 non-resident—together 436—in the preceding year. The Institute has had to deplore the loss by death of 47 Fellows. The list now comprises 1,003 resident and 1,684 non-resident Fellows, or a total of 2,587, being a net addition of 281 during the year. The following Papers have been read at the ordinary meetings of the past session: 1. “The Commercial Resources and Financial Position of South Africa.” By the Hon. J. X. Merriman, M.L.A. 2. “National Unity.” By George Baden-Powell, Esq., M.A., 3. ” The British Association in Canada.” By General Sir J. Henry Lefroy, K.C.M.G., C. 8., F.R.S. 4. New Zealand.” By Arthur Clayden, Esq. 5. ” Western Australia.” By Sir F. Napier Broome, K.C.M.G. 6. ” Newfoundland—Our Oldest Colony.” By the Hon. Mr. Justice Pinsent, D.C.L. 7. “British North Borneo.” By Sir Walter H. Medhurst. 8. ” The British Empire of Today.” By C. E. Howard Vincent, Esq.

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Barbados Agricultural Reporter: Tuesday 23rd June 1885

English or French? A telegraphic dispatch received on Monday evening informs us that Mr. Francis C. Ford, an agent of the English Foreign Office, “Has been sent to Paris to negotiate the exchange of a Leeward Island in settlement of the Newfoundland fisheries difficulties.” The Leeward Island in question is undoubtedly Dominica. … (discussion) … The recent lecture of Judge Pinsent of Newfoundland at the Royal Colonial Institute on which occasion His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales presided, had again brought the question of the French claims in the “oldest English Colony” to the front, and it has probably been recognized that the time has come for settling this matter. … (continues) …

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Bristol Times and Mirror: Thursday 23rd April 1885

Arrivals: Clifton: Hon. Judge Pinsent, Terra Nova, Tyndall’s Park; … …  continues

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Echo (London): Saturday 18th April 1885

Justice Pinsent’s address to the members of the Colonial Institute has exposed to view once more the insane method that has been adopted with regard to the development of Newfoundland. The early Governors condemned the Colony to be a producer of -stock fish and seal oil, and so much did they discourage settlement that, up to 1811, they prohibited the erection of houses without written permission. Even to this day, this prohibition exists along the French shore, which includes nearly the whole of the coastline facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence. English and French fishermen alike may land there to dry their fish, but English dwelling-houses and farms are absolutely forbidden by the terms of the treaties with France, lest they should interfere with the fisheries. This arrangement is hindering the growth of the Colony. It has closed to agricultural settlement and mining enterprises, a region possessing a great area of rich soil and untold mineral wealth. The Legislature of Newfoundland, knowing that settlement on the West Coast will not interfere with the fisheries, have long endeavoured to escape from this intolerable arrangement; but the treaty is there, and the French stick to it. The Marquis of Lorne advocates the purchase of the French rights to keep the coast barren; or, if that cannot be arranged, he would give to them absolutely certain definite portions of the coast, as we left Pondicherry to them in India, and as we gave them the islands of Miquelon and St. Pierre off the Newfoundland coast. On this point all Canadians are agreed—that some means of escape must be found from the diplomatic abortion that keeps a shore a desert in order that fisheries may not be interfered with.

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Colonies and India: Friday 17th April 1885

Discussion: Mr. W. H. MARE: I have listened with great pleasure to the able and interesting Paper just read by Mr. Justice Pinsent, and, from long residence in the Colony, I can, of my personal knowledge. bear testimony to the correctness of most of his statements. I was at St. John’s at the time of the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1860, and I feel sure that the demonstrations of loyalty on that occasion could not be exceeded in any part of the Empire. With regard to the French fishery rights, I fear there is very little chance of the matter being settled in our lifetime. I think, however, the British Government is bound, at the earliest opportunity, to make every effort to dispose of the question once and for all on a sound and satisfactory basis. A gentleman, one of the commissioners sitting in Paris a few years since, told me that one of his confreres said it was a pity to settle this ” leetle” difference, as the pleasant re-unions on the subject assisted so materially in promoting the “entente cordiale” between the two nations. I have checked the statistics of the fishery and other exports, and I find the averages for 1880-1881-1882 are correct, and, I may add, that I have to-day received from St. John’s a statement showing the export for the past year exceeded that average by more than a million of dollars. One thing I may refer to is that salmon, surpassing in quality any I have ever seen in England, can be purchased in season at 3d. per lb., and the finest lobsters at 2d. to 3d. each. I would suggest that, in addition to what Mr. Justice Pinsent said regarding the exportation of fresh cod packed in ice, a still better result, in point of profit to the speculator, would be obtained by sending salmon and lobsters so packed. I have seen salmon in London, as fresh as the day they were caught, which were purchased in St. John’s a week before at 3d. per lb. In reference to cod-liver oil, which is universally admitted to be a most valuable medicine, that manufactured in Newfoundland is made from specially selected livers. Its natural colour is light straw: that from Norway is almost white, being bleached, and supposed by most persons to lose in that process its most beneficial properties. A guarantee for the purity of Newfoundland cod-liver oil is that it cannot be adulterated, as the salmon season is over before the cod fishery commences, and then nothing but cod is caught. There are many valuable mines at work in Newfoundland, and the industry is in its infancy. The greater part of Green Bay, on the north-east coast, is considered to be a mass of copper ore combined with nickel. The recent death of the lion. C. F. Bennett, the pioneer of mining in Newfoundland, has placed in the market a valuable mine known as Tilt Cove, in the very midst of the mineral-bearing region, which doubtless can now be obtained at a considerable reduction on repeated offers made in Mr. Bennett’s lifetime. With regard to the joke about Prince William Henry, I was always under the impression, until this moment, that the story was strictly correct— the belief in Newfoundland is the offender was brought on board one day just before dinner, that His Royal Highness immediately ordered him three dozen lashes and to be tried the following day; he got the three dozen accordingly, and was duly tried the next morning, when it was discovered he was the wrong man. I am sorry to have heard this explanation, as I have often repeated the joke in perfect innocence. The dry dock at St. John’s is capable of taking up, with one exception, the largest ship afloat, and apart from the immense advantage it is to the commercial marine, being just half-way between England and America, it must be, particularly in the event of war, of vast importance from an Imperial point of view. The railway, like most new undertakings, has had its difficulties to contend with, but no doubt will be eventually carried out. With regard to ocean telegraphy, to whomsoever the credit of its first conception is due, unquestionably its actual accomplishment is owing to the indomitable energy and Saxon determination of Mr. Cyrus Field, of New York, without whom, aided by the Newfoundland Government, I believe at this moment we should be without oceanic communication by cable. In conclusion I would say, as a long resident in the Colony, I feel much indebted to Mr. Justice Pinsent for having brought the interests of the island so prominently before such an influential assembly. The Rev. J. BREWSTER: … (continues) … 

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

Morning Post: Thursday 16th April 1885

Newfoundland: At a meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute held on Tuesday evening at the Westminster Palace Hotel — the Marquis of Lorne in the chair — a paper entitled “Newfoundland, our Oldest Colony,” was read by the Hon. Mr. Justice Pinsent. The paper, which was of considerable length, gave elaborate historical details of the discovery and colonisation of Newfoundland, which rejoiced in the appellation of being the “most ancient and loyal colony” of the British Crown. The lecturer said that he was at a loss to account for the fact that it was so little known or appreciated by the mother country. Its fisheries were very ancient and were still most productive. In 1881 the seal fishery resulted in the capture of 447,903 seals of the estimated value of $957,760 and the total annual value of the various fisheries now amounted to upwards of £1,600,000. For many years in the history of the colony immigration had been discouraged and it was therefore not surprising that the agricultural produce of the country was not great, while the native minerals were utterly neglected. Without advising any great scheme for immigration, he contended that there were excellent opportunities for settlers with small capital; and in conclusion he maintained that while England held her possessions in North America, she could not dispense with Newfoundland, the outpost of America, the key to the St. Lawrence, and the headquarters of ocean telegraphy. In proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, the Marquis of Lorne said he had visited the colony and had taken great interest in it. Knowing the value of its fisheries, especially the seal fishery, he could well understand why some enterprising countrymen of his had left the neighbourhood of the Dee for the shores of Newfoundland, and if the present agricultural depression continued, he (the noble marquis) would feel inclined to follow their example. There could be no doubt that the shortening of the route between Europe and America by means of a railway across the island would be esteemed a great boon by many travellers and would be of advantage to the colony. The resources of Newfoundland were capable of great development, and the colony possessed considerable attractions for tourists, especially the western shore, still unfortunately known as the French shore. It was intolerable that any foreign nation should be allowed to claim any rights over the land of an English colony, excepting the privilege of using the shore for mending their nets, and sooner or later the claims that had been set up through misinterpretation must be put an end to. — A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893

British Australasian: Thursday 16th April 1885

Royal Colonial Institute: ROYAL COLONIAL INSTITUTE. AT a meeting of the above-named institute on Tuesday last, held under the presidency of the Marquis of Lorne, K.T., G.C.M.G., Vice-President, at the Westminster Palace Hotel, a paper entitled “Newfoundland—our Oldest Colony,” was read by the Hon. Mr. Justice Pinsent, D.C.L. Amongst those present were the following:–The Hon. J. C. Bray (late Premier South Australia), the Hon. Mr. Strutt, Lady Rayleigh, Admiral Sir Erasmus Ommanney, K.C.B., Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G. (Agent-General for New South Wales), Lady Samuel and Miss Samuel, and Miss Pinsent. Before the reading of the paper the Honorary Secretary announced that since the last meeting 36 Fellows had been elected. Mr. PINSENT remarked that Newfoundland rejoices in the appellation of the “most ancient and loyal Colony.” That this island is the oldest colonial dependency of the British Crown is unquestionably true; that it is and has been a loyal Colony attached to the Throne and Sovereign of these realms, and to direct Imperial connection, is borne out by its political history. In the present day the position and condition of Newfoundland are little known or regarded by the mother country, but this has not always been the case. Holding a prominent and scarcely to be overlooked place on any map of the New World, the English ignorance of the most ancient American possession of the Crown is as remarkable as it is unpardonable. He had heard stories of surprise being expressed that visitors from that country to England should converse in English. As a fact, the aborigines have long ago disappeared and with the exception of a few camps of Mic-Macs from Canada seeking fur, not an Indian is to be found in the island. After giving a full historical record of the island he reverted to trade. He was in possession of the latest available statistics to the extent and value of the Newfoundland fisheries:

Average annual value: $: Cod fishery– 6,934,242: Seal fishery – 1,026,896: Herring fishery – 581,543: Salmon fishery – 114,505: Lobster fishery – 104,184: All other fish 40,000: Total average value annually of the fisheries: $7,901,370 or L. 1,646,118 sterling: In the face of the many difficulties which are seen in her history to have beset Newfoundland which have placed her at a great disadvantage as compared with others, and cruelly retarded her progress, she has, since any chance been allowed her, steadily advanced and increased in population, internal wealth, and the blessings of civilization generally. Hers has not been the marvelous progress which has attended the great Australasian Colonies, which teem with various and boundless wealth; nor could she be compared as a centre of population with some of the richer fields of settlement which their’ superior soil offers to the Canadian immigrant; but Newfoundland with her incomparable fisheries combine a soil which nearly everywhere in the island can be made a valuable auxiliary to them for the support of the people; which in other parts (in the more fertile belts and tracts) may be made self-supporting and independent of the fisheries, and is especially adapted for sheep raising. That as a mineral-bearing country the rich metalliferous character of the island as attested by the common consent of scientific men, only requires to be developed to place that Colony in the foremost rank of British possessions abroad; that at the heads of the great bays, in the tracts surrounding the great lakes, in the valleys of many of the rivers, there are reported to be contained nearly 3,000,000 acres adapted for settlement and cultivation, and that there are large areas of fine timber land. The deposit of gypsum is enormous, and building slate, granite, limestone, and marble abound. A discussion followed, and the Marquis of LORNE, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Justice Pinsent, remarked that it was most mischievous and intolerable that any rights beyond the right of merely landing and using the shores for the purpose of repairing their nets should be allowed to any foreign power. It was a right which could not possibly be retained, as it was at present retained by the French Government. Sir Saul Samuel proposed a vote of thanks to the Marquis of Lorne for presiding, and the meeting then terminated.

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GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893
GROxxxx Hennock

London Daily Chronicle: Wednesday 15th April 1885

The Marquis of Lorne on Newfoundland: The Marquis of Lorne presided at a meeting of the ‘Royal Colonial Institute, at the Westminster Palace Hotel, last night, when a paper entitled, “Newfoundland—Our Oldest Colony,” was read by the Hon. Mr. Justice Pinsent, D.C.L. Among those present were Sir Saul and Lady Samuel, Lady Clara Rayleigh, the Hon. J. Strutt, the Hon. J. C. Bray (South Australia), the Hon. J. U. Burke (Jamaica), Mr. Cropper, M.P., Dr. Hartley, V.C. (Cape Colony), Mr. G. Molineux, Mr. H. W. Freeland, Mr. J. D. Wood, Mr. F. B. Labilliere, Mr. Frederick Young (hon. sec.), and Mr. J. S. O’Hlalloran (secretary). Mr. Justice Pinsent prefaced his paper by remarking that Newfoundland rejoiced in the appellation of “most ancient and loyal colony.” That this island was the oldest colonial dependency of the British Crown was unquestionably true, and that it was and had been attached to the throne and sovereign of these realms, and to direct Imperial connection was borne out by its political history. In the present day the position and condition of Newfoundland were little known or regarded by the mother country, but this had not always been the case. It was discovered in the year 1497 by Bristol men in a ship called the Mathew, Sebastian Cabot being on board. The principal industry of the island was fishing, cod-fishing being by far the most important – seal, herring, salmon, and lobster fishing also being carried out to a considerable extent. The countries to which the bulk of the dried codfish was exported were the United Kingdom, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, the United States, Italy, Spanish and British West Indies, and the Dominion of Canada. The products of the seal fishery were sent almost exclusively to the United Kingdom. Lobsters were exported to Britain, and herrings chiefly to Canada and the United States. A small quantity of copper ore is also exported. The number of able-bodied fishermen in the colony in 1874 was 26,337, there being now about 30,238. The writer did not recommend any large, sudden, and indiscriminate scheme for immigration to this old colony, but there was, he believed room for farm and other such labourers;  and he had no doubt that there were directions in which the fisheries and their manufacturers, notably the herring fishery, offered profitable enterprise to management; that there were great tracts of fertile land, and land especially adapted for sheep farming which, taken up by companies or by small parties of experienced men with some means would found more than remunerative: and that the mining resources of the island only required well directed enterprise and generous and persevering outlay of capital to assume dimensions of indefinite magnitude; and that generally the trade of the colony, now centred in the hands of comparatively few, offered a profitable field of investment to many more. In the present day comparatively few sailing vessels prosecuted the seal fishery, but from 20 to 25 steamships were employed, and there were few industries more precarious and speculative, though when it was successful the profits were prodigious. ln common with the rest of the world, the trade of Newfoundland had suffered, and was suffering, from the depression that was a marked feature of the present time, but its elastic energy was such that he had no doubt it would recover its normal position as quickly as any other. In regard to the so-called “French shore question,” ‘Mr. Justice Pinsent remarked that the welfare of the colonists, the progress of the whole colony, were still very seriously impeded by the obstructions caused by treaties contracted in a day when it was never anticipated, and still less desired that the Island should be more than a fishing ship under naval discipline. The Marquis of Lorne, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Justice Pinsent, said that having been on neighbouring shores, and having sailed round the coast of the island, he took the greatest amount of interest in Newfoundland. Taking into account the judge’s remarks about the seal fisheries, which, he believed it was stated on one occasion yielded as much as L. 15,000 in a fortnight to a lucky vessel, it was probable that people would not only be sailing around the coast, but sealing, and he should feel very much inclined to do the same thing himself if agricultural depression continued much longer in his part of the country. He was sorry to hear the judge cast reflections on the English climate, but he believed that the reason why Newfoundland was the most ancient colony was because Englishmen found its climate so like their own that they thought it a favourable spot for colonization. One of the greatest misfortunes to the island by reason of its climate, was the French dispute, which he imagined had been originated by the Frenchmen discovering the similarity of climate which existed between that of Newfoundland and their own country. There was one part of the English climate which the judge could not disagree with – the east winds; for as Kingsley sand, it was they which bore Vikings to their shores long before Britons saw and annexed the island, the resources of Newfoundland were great and capable of great expansion. It should be a favourable place for tourists, for its coast scenery and wooded hills were very fine. In fact, there were only two evils which the island laboured under—the one being the presence on the coast of gigantic cuttle fish, and the other the French. It was monstrous and intolerable that any foreign power should be allowed to have anything to do with our North American colonies, except landing for the purpose of mending their nets, and as time went on, he had no doubt that there would be changes made in that particular. He heard that they only had about 90 or 100 miles of railways at present, but when the Canadian Union had finished the big job that they were now engaged on —3,000 miles of railway from Atlantic to Pacific, they might be admitted into the Union and their wants supplied. (Cheers.). The vote of thanks was unanimously accorded, and the meeting closed with one to the chairman.

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Referenced

GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893