nch fishing-vessels
between St. Pierre and Trepassey (1702), and in the following year
Admiral Graydon failed to reduce Placentia, owing to sickness, bad
weather, as well as want of resolution. In January 1705 the French in
retaliation surprised and captured St. John's. From this point they
overran the English settlements, Carbonier once again weathering the
storm, and abandoned themselves to depredation and devastation, as
they had done in the conflict a few years before.

The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 found the French still in possession.
The provisions of this Treaty require careful consideration. Full
sovereignty over the whole of Newfoundland and the neighbouring
islands was declared to belong to England. Placentia was to be handed
over. Article XIII. of the Treaty contains the following provisions:

"Nor shall the most Christian King, his heir and successors or any of
their subjects, at any time hereafter lay claim to any right to the
said island.... Moreover, it shall not be lawful for the subjects of
France to fortify any place in the said island of Newfoundland, or to
erect any buildings there, besides _stages made of boards, and huts
necessary and useful for drying of fish_, or to resort to the said
island beyond the time necessary for fishing and drying of fish. But
it shall be allowed to the subjects of France to catch fish and to dry
them on land in that part only which stretches ... from Cape Bonavista
to the northern part of the said island from thence by the western
side as far as Cape Riche."

The fishing concession to France herein contained was wholly
inexcusable. The latter country was in no position to refuse terms,
and an absolute reservation of all fishing rights should have been
insisted on in the interests of the colony. A culpable Ministry,
short-sightedly regarding Newfoundland as little more than a
fishing-station, chose rather to make a graceful concession, and we
inherited the consequences in our Newfoundland Fisheries controversy
with France, which lasted for nearly two centuries. However, the half
century following the Treaty of Utrecht--an important turning-point in
the history of the colony--marks a period of progress; and after
another Anglo-French conflict, from which the English emerged
victorious, we find in the ensuing half century the establishment of a
definite policy of colonial permanence.

The abuses connected with the admirals' jurisdiction had been
partially corrected b