The Labrador Boundary Privy Council Documents Volume III Contents

p. 1088 ARTICLES OF HIS MAJESTY'S INSTRUCTIONS. Article (21th)    What establishments have been made for these Fisheries; at what places and under what Authority? Article (22d)    Whether any places are occupied or Possessed under exclusive Grants, or Leases from the Governor of Quebeck? or claimed or held under any Title derived from the Crown of France, while that Country was in her Possession? if so, by whom, under what Conditions, and for what Term? And if any Rents are reserved, what is the amount; to whom payable and whether any and what part thereof has been paid, and to whom and what remains due? Article (23d)    What is the extent of each Post so held or claimed, as well along the Coast, as within the Land, REMARKS.    Stages are Built for the Cod Fishery at Cape Charles, Henley Harbour, Temple Bay and St. Modeste, but there are no Fish dried, and cured for a Foreign Market but at the two latter, and I know of no other Authority than Permission of Government. All the other Fish that are caught, are carried to Newfoundland and dried there.    It cannot be learned there, that ever the Crown of France gave more than two exclusive Grants for any part of Labrador: One of these was in full right for ever the other was for Life only. The first was given to one Bisott a Geographer, who was employ'd surveying the Coast, and this Grant was presented him as a Compliment for his Assiduity and perseverance: it comprehended the whole coast from Mingan to Shecatica. His heir, a daughter was married to one LaFontaine (Secretary to the Governor of Quebeck) who farmed the Seal Posts. LaFontaine died much in Debt, so that for a considerable lapse his Descendants laid no Claim to the Property devolved to them. Neither before nor in the time of LaFontaine, where there any more than three Sealing Posts, between the Limits of the Grant (vizt.) Great Mecatina, Notagamen and Shecatica, and Notagamen his Successors have sold. The Post of Bradore was the other Grant, which was in favor of a Person named Bruiac or Bruage for his Life only, and this Bruiac has been long Dead.    Except the Posts of Great Mecatina & Shecatica, there are none at present held or claimed by any Grant whatever, and the said Posts are now held as publick. At p. 1089 ARTICLES OF HIS MAJESTY'S INSTRUCTIONS. Article (23rd)contd. the number of Men and Vessels employ'd at each; and the quantity of Fish or Oil produced therefrom? and what is the peculiar Fishery carried on in each? Article (24th)    What is the nature and disposition of the several Nations or Tribes of Savages Inhabiting this Country? Article (25th)    What Traffick or Commerce is or may be established or carried on with those Savages? And if any such Traffick is established or carried on, at what places and under what Regulations? REMARKS. Mecatina they last Winter, (1772) catched 1,800 Seals, and at Shecatica 391, which might produce 146 Hhds of Oil, and employed 26 Men; there is no other than Seal Fishery carried on in that part of the Coast.    The Mountaineer Indians live in separate families by Hunting, and are more civilized than the Esquimaux; between whom their is a perpetual Enmity. The former are very fond of Strong Liquors, and will part with anything to obtain it. The Esquimaux are very Indolent, altho' a wandring People, and live chiefly on Raw Seal, Fish &c. and drink the Oil of them with Pleasure. They live in Tribes & appear to Civilize fast.    The Mountaineer Indians, bring Furrs of all sorts, and Traffick for it at Brador, and the other Sealing Posts to the Westward of it. The Ougbucktoo Tribe are them that live nearest to Cape Charles to which place, to the Camp Islands that lie near it, and Chateaux they bring Whale Bone, some skins and little Fur, which they exchange for Blankets or any of Wollen Clothing. They have Implements with which they kill Whale, but it does not appear they kill more than one or two in a Year; there is no Regulations in their Traffick, farther than the Merchant and them bargain in the best manner they can; and as they seem to be in want of Woollens, saws, Hatchets, and other utensils in all probability in a few Years they will become more industrious particularly when they find they cannot purchase the above, but by the exchange of Whalebone &c. The Nuninoo Tribe are next to the Northward and among them the Fratrum Unitas are Settled. [1927lab]