FRENCH CAPTURE THE PRINCIPAL PORTS. 159

of opinion that the abuse might hereafter be prevented by those magistrates, the vice-admirals, and also by the officers of customs.

A petition, on the part of the inhabitants of New- foundland, soon followed this representation ; and in order to investigate the matter fully, it was ordered that the adventurers and planters shouldeach be heard by their counsel. The question was thus seriously argued, and afterwards referred, as formerly, to the Committee of Trade; but no report seems to have been made on this occasion, and no steps for regula- ting the settlement or fishery of Newfoundland were adopted, until the Board of Trade, instituted in J a- nuary 1697, took up the subject, among others that came under their province. They made a report, which, however, applied more to the defence of the island, than to its civil regulations, and went no farther than to express an opinion, that a moderate number of planters, not exceeding one thousand, were useful in the construction of boats, stages, and other necessaries for the fisheries. The English, in 1692, made a feeble attempt to take Placentia, then com- manded by the Baron La Hontan from France. This was unsuccessful, in consequence of the irresolution of the commander of our squadron; and in 1696, England had the mortification to know that France took from us all our settlements in Newfoundland, except Bonavista and Carbonier.

The English, however, soon repossessed themselves of St John’s, and all the other places taken by France. But, at this period, that nation began to evince a