French High-handedness in Newfoundland: The Newfoundland Fisheries Commission, presided over by Sir Robert Pinsent, closed on Tuesday after six days’ investigation. The evidence showed high-handed proceedings on the part of the French during the past three years. In 1883 the people were prevented by Commander Russell from prosecuting the herring fishery. The French ordered their nets to be taken up, and prohibited them from fishing. In 1891 the French forbade the sale of herrings to Americans, and themselves gave only forty cents a barrel. The losses were shown to be not less than 20,000 dols., and after a careful examination by Judge Pinsent the claims made were fully established. The grand jury’s presentment set forth as grievances that the lobster factories had been closed, that the people had been deprived of the herring fishery, and that their nets had been robbed by Frenchmen before their eyes.
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Referenced
GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893