148 NEWFOUNDLAND . From the earliest period of the settlement of ¬ foundland down to the present time, objections have been made, and obstacles have been raised, in order to discourage its cultivation. That the fisheries of this colony constitute its political and commercial value and importance, no one acquainted with it can deny. The depressed state of its fisheries, ever since the French • and Americans obtained a participation in this great branch of our commerce, has placed Newfoundland in a position different from that which previously distinguished it. The sudden change was such, that there is little hazard in asserting, that, were it not for the auxiliary support which the inhabitants derived from the cultivation of the soil, they could not have existed by the production of the fisheries alone ; and, as they otherwise would have had to remove to the neighbouring colonies, or to the United States, the probable consequence would he, that the Americans and French would before this have enjoyed the benefit of expelling us altogether from supplying foreign markets with fish. The natural productions of Newfoundland are, trees of the fir tribe, poplars, birches, a few maple-trees, wild cherry-trees, and a great variety of shrubs ; blue¬ berries and cranberries grow in great abundance; also small red strawberries, and several other kinds of wild fruit. English cherries, black, red, and white currants, gooseberries, &c, ripen in perfection. Natural grasses grow, particularly in the plains, all over the country. The wild animals are, bears, deer, wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, martens, minks, musk-rats, hares, and