On the 25 (July) we arrived at Blanc Sablon, and amongst a large number of other vessels, found there the yacht of Mr. Fontain, the Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries, with whom I had several conversations on the subject of the boundary between the two provinces, he contending for some time that the Isle a Bois or Woody Island was beyond the jurisdiction of the Newfoundland Government. Mr. Fontain's vessel was a very fine one, fitted up in naval style with a crew of 18 men On the 26th July, I discovered six French fishing vessels lying at anchor between Isle a Bois and Green Island, just beyond what I understood to be our boundary line and in Canadian waters. I gave notice at once to Mr. Fontain, who immediately made sail, bore down upon them and drove them away.

        July 28th.—Called at the Isle a Bois, where I found the agents of the mercantile establishments complain as did some others, of their being obliged to clear and enter from a port in Canada-Gaspe-the Canadian authorities contending, as they said, that contrary to what we claim, the boundary between the provinces was a brook falling into the head of the harbor of Blanc Sablon.

[1927lab]